Nostalgic memories of Bletchingley's local history
Share your own memories of Bletchingley and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 15 in total
My maternal grandfather Ernest Cording was the private secretary to Mr Augustus Brandt, of Bletchingley Castle, before WWII at William Brandt's London offices and was asked to move from Upminster in Essex to live at Hill Cottage or The Dower House on Castle Hill in late 1939 when key employees were "evacuated" to Bletchingley. Hill Cottage was often used as accommodation for visiting staff my ...see more
I was one of the last pupils that attended the school, before they made St. Catherines the new primary school. It was such an amazing school to go to. When you first went to school you were kept apart in the 1st class and had our meals and toilets completely separate from the main school.
When you moved up to the main school, we then mixed with the rest of the school. Although the boys had their own ...see more
I think my father worked at the Newsagents before he was married. The name of the person he worked for was Edwards; not sure if that was first name or Surname. I was born in Redhill Feb 13 1944.
I have never lived in Bletchingley, but my paternal grandfather, Alfred David Balcombe, was born and raised in the village. My great grandfather was a publican - at The Cottage of Content - but had died when my father was a young boy. My great aunt and uncle remained unmarried and continued to live in the property, although I'm not sure if they continued to run it as a public house. My great uncle ...see more
I was born in Redhill at Earls Wood Hospital in February 1944. I lived at Place Farm until 1955. I remember all the celebrations for the coronation of Elizabeth 2nd as we watch a black and white TV. The entire village celebrated with street parties and dancing. I have very fond memories of my childhood there.
We moved to Bletchingley in 1958 [then spelt Blechingley] to no1 Church Walk [my mother named it Obberds]. I remember Selmes the Butcher and the animals being unloaded for slaughter, horrible. My dad and I would go fishing on Sunday mornings and catch pike which would be wieghed on Selmes's scales and then consumed by us for Sunday lunch! We owned nos1, 2, 3 and the old works where my Dad [Clyde Willats] ran an ...see more
I was baptised at St Nicholas church, we were then living at the Homestead vicarage. After a short time living in Sussex we moved back and lived in 13 Salisbury Road. I went to the school riding on my bike. We played by the bay pond, and used to slide up and down at the sand pits. I love the walks by the church and over the fields, and all the lovely lanes, Bull Beggars Lane, Flower Lane and Church Lane. ...see more
This is Castle Hill House bought that year by Augustus Brandt of William Brandt's and Sons bank, my Great Grandfather. Mostly now demolished, and the rest converted into flats.
I lived at Tilburstow Farm through the 1950s, my dad was head herdsman on the the farm. My name back then was Margaret Robb, I have so many memorie,s of that beautifull place, the bluebell woods, primroses, walking for miles with my friends, we walked miles to school every day, first the school in South Godstone , then when I was older, Bletchingley. I remember taking my dad his pint mug ...see more
My father Francis Coppard worked here as long as I can remember until his death in 1957, he delivered the meat as well as slaughtering the cattle. I always remember his job on Saturday morning was to make sausages for the owners and staff and Saturday night supper was these fantastic tasting sausages, they do not taste like that today.