Childhood Memories

A Memory of Chester.

What a wonderful place to explore and grow up in, particularly as a history loving child. Born in Southport to await my father's return from army service in 1945, we soon moved back to the family origins in Chester.
The Taylor family had lived in Chester, within the walls since the mid 1700's. In the late 1940's the family of George Allan Taylor comprising myself and three brothers, Allan, Colin and Ian initially moved from Southport to Blacon but subsequently lived over our father's Barber shop at 8 Grosvenor Street (now demolished I believe) to where he had moved from 23 Lower Bridge Street.
In the 1800's the Taylor family had lived in Victoria Buildings in Lower Bridge Street. Walter Taylor b.1863 had been a Tailor and had lived in Linen Hall Street with his family until his early demise at the age of 45yrs. His widow Catherine (nee Catherall) later re-married Thomas Lea. Amongst other siblings Walter left my grandfather George Arthur Taylor b. 1891, eventually also a Barber who had a little shop in Queensferry. George had married Ellen Mary Wharton b.1891 also from Chester. In my childhood I would visit them at 36 Crane Street. It was so exciting to negotiate the rows along Bridge Street and into Watergate Street, hearing my feet tapping along those rickety floorboards.
During Race week we were able to sit outside at the back of the shop and hear the tannoys from the Roodee. This occasion was usually accompanied by a Fair, which as kids we would thoroughly enjoy. I vividly recall that one year we also attended a Medieval Regatta.
Sunday evenings were a treat for us all. We would enjoy a long walk around Chester walls with our parents George and Vera, attend St,John's Church for Evensong, courtesy of Rev.Mr.Pruen and Curate Mr.Martineau, choirmaster Mr.Coleman (we were in the choir) eventually nipping through the park and down to the river to enjoy a lemonade at the Boat House Inn whilst watching the boats on the river.
I often wonder what happened to Miss Tremlett who ran a little grocery shop in Cuppin Street just around the corner from my father's shop. Adjacent to her was a cycle shop. Next door to us Mr.Morgan ran a greengrocery shop (my first crush was his delivery boy Anthony) and next door but one in Grosvenor Street was a little sweet shop run by a Belgian lady with a fascinating accent, who would wear a white lace cap and a shawl. She kept a brass bell on her counter which we would have to ring to gain her attention. We never knew her name but thanks to my youngest brother Ian, she was always known as Mrs.Ding-a-Bell. Across the road was a nurses home and further along in the direction of the castle was Shone's shoe shop. Wonder if Billy continued the business.
Inevitably time rolled on and childhood ended with my first experience at work for Solicitors Jolliffe, Wickham and Wood after which the regular meeting place for relaxation with friends was usually The Wimpey Bar in Bridge Street rows where we would each buy one hot chocolate and take it in turns to feed the juke box until we ran out of money. How they all laughed at me when I expressed my excitement at obtaining tickets to see Russ Conway at the theatre and my exhilaration on return waving my signed photgraph (long since lost).
Oh, such memories, far more than I could mention here, Saturday morning flicks for nine pence, salmon jumping the weir, history oozing out of every footstep, so many places to hide and explore, St.Thomas' primary school, Quaintways deicatessen, Brown's of Chester, the indoor market for beautiful materials, the Museum, the boat trips to the meadows, steam engines at Chester General Station (Emerald Isle Express, Flying Scotsman, Welsh Princess).
Sadly,my parents left Chester for Essex in 1961 and had always regretted it. So have we. Now retired after thirty plus years of nursing and midwifery I intend to occasionally retrace old footsteps.
If anyone ever reads my little saga and has any knowledge/anecdotes, good or bad of the family of George Taylor or any photos of places mentioned I would be so pleased to hear from you. Please e-mail browsand@gmail.com (Sandra Brown nee Taylor)