c1950, Yealmpton

Found Memories of Early Days at Yealmpton

Now living in Australia and having revisited Yealmpton in recent times, the changes are amazing. Where there used to be fields in which I played with mates, sadly houses now stand. The old bridge, church, Mother Hubbard's Cottage and pubs are still much as I remember them, but the old charm seems to be missing. In 'my days' I could name just about everyone living in the village, now - from what I'm told - that isn't so! My memories go back to during the blitz when Plymouth was being bombed and I was just 4 or 5 years of age; the next day picking up silver streamers apparently dropped by the bombers to deflect radar, visits to a devastated Plymouth and 'tin pan alley' - a row of corrogated iron sheds selling whatever was available. I remember the American army camp at Brixton, picking cockles from the mud at Undercliff, Saturday evening film shows in what was the then Womens Institute near the bridge, fetes, and - when older - dances behind... Read more