My Mother's Life Freda Verdun Legge.

A Memory of Ten Mile Bank.

Although I did not live at 10-Mile Bank, my mother told me much about her life there. She lived right by the large bridge over the River Great Ouse with her Mother, Lilian, Dad, Harry, and brothers and sisters. I tried to find the house a few years ago, but their house had gone, only the pub building across the road was still standing. It appears my granddad used to drink rather a lot there and died in his fifties; my gran remained a widow till she was about 96, at last returning to Swaffham old folks home, where she passed away, after spending years during my childhood, at a farmhouse and old folks bungalow at Lydd in Kent, near us.
As a child, mum said times were very hard, with several children to feed. There was Lewis, Harry,(who died aboard a ship in the war), Dorothy, Cissy, and Mum, Freda Verdun Legge. She was named after a famous battle in the 1st World War. They used to go to a little school in the village of 10-Mile Bank. I'm not sure what work my grandfather did do, apart from agricultural, but I know he used to do what a lot of folks did, poaching, when food was short. Whether fish or birds, a meal could usually be found to go with the vegetables/ fruit from the garden. I believe they also kept a pig, goats and chickens. That seemed to have been inherited by me as I've always longed for a plot with chickens somewhere!
Mum told of evenings when a fish would be laid at the door of the local copper, or a pheasant, as well as the ones which were brought home.
Life was hard but the children could be a lot freer, and wandered to places like Southery, Hilgey, and were taken on trips to Downham Market, Ely, Stoke Ferry and West Dereham. Gran worked hard too and was a super cook. Her cheese scones/straws, fairy cakes and mushroom dishes were so tasty.
As for adventures, my mum recalled how, going to check on the animals, she came across an adder in the garden! There was a lot more wildlife and birds about then. But in all weathers, the animals had to be taken care of and the washing wrung out, even in frosty weather., to be taken in as stiff as boards! Life must be so much better there now with washing machines, freezers and central heating! My mum died a few years ago aged 93, her mum lived to be 96, I have high hopes!!
By Janet Norwood, previously Dando, nee Ashberry, as Mum married a Mr.Harry Ashberry from Cambridge. If anyone remembers this family and has any memories of them or is related to me, you are welcome to contact me at "shropshirelily@yahoo.co.uk"