Abbots Ripton, The Flower Gardens c.1955

Oh what a school to be educated in. Academic chances and great sports facilities. I classed myself as an average student,and one who was successful in Football and Cricket, representing the school in both, and the county in football. Left school in 1956 to join Midland Bank Ltd. I was transferred around to various towns etc, eventually living in Worksop, Notts. From there I joined Bank of ...see more

My father and mother farmed at Heath Farm, Harold and Lucy Peacock, I remember the house and barns well, along with the pond that I used to catch newts in! Loved ice skating on the pond in front of the house also Guy Fawkes night, my Dad and helpers would have a huge bonfire and fireworks, one year something went wrong and he nearly lost his eyesight. My brother Richard is about 10yrs younger than I, but I ...see more

I was 5 and my dad was sent to Abbots Ripton to be the local policeman. We lived in the policehouse down Moat Lane next door to Mrs Bielby and I was friendly with Julie Stewart who had 4 sisters and 1 brother. We had great times climbing trees and going on picnics. We were also the first pupils in the new school!

My father, Gerald Blockley, originally from Derby, had just completed a degree in History from Unversity College, London and was appointed to teach at Bruce Grove School in Tottenham in 1939. He was evacuated with a lot of the children to Abbots Ripton in the autumn of 1939. He managed to find lodgings for all the children but none for himself, so the owner of the Manor House took pity on him ...see more