Stoke Sub Hamdon, View From Ham Hill c.1960

Photo ref: S261020

Ham Hill was a magical place to explore - but dangerous too, because of all the old quarry workings. Westland Aircraft even took over one of the quarries to test jet-propelled rotors for helicopters! But the old place has been tidied up now and provides a great panorama of the surrounding area, especially from the memorial. Nearby is the outlines of an old Iron Age fort which Grandad used to call 'The Frying Pan' because of its circular shape.

I remember the people with shops in village. There was Charlie Chants grocers, Hardings stores, real old characters were Jack & Charle Hawkes with their grocery and corn shop. Good old Edger Stagg and his sweet shop. Jack Dykes and Fred Tulks fish and chip shops, oh, so good after pictures on a Friday night at Kendicks cinema. Dentist Mr Coleman, barber Hallett and Mrs Welch's sweet shop. Fred Merlace ...see more

We lived in Castle Street opposite the school> I remember neighbours as the Mounters, Tratt, Gosneys,  and I remember the Browns who were very kind to my mother when Dad died in 1956, 3 days after my twelfth birthday, he is buried in the churchyard  of St Marys Church. The horse and cart that a couple had who lived at the end of the road and went round the village with groceries etc. Oh so many memories. Our ...see more

I love this place, I grew up around here and all my family are littered all over the place. I used to get my old dead dog macky to drag me up to the top and then I'd drag him back up. I'd always get stuck in the mud and i'd fall out of my wellies. Oh I miss being a child and running round here and watching all my uncles and grandads getting drunk in the club. :) x