Blewbury, London Road c.1955

Photo ref: B737005

I am starting to write my memoirs and have found 4 school reports from Healm-Wic school Blewbury for 1955 when I was 7. Luckily not too bad! Not long after this date my parents went to Nigeria to work and I went for a short time to boarding school in London before joining them I remember travelling to the school from Didcot and back in the bright orange Tappins coaches I can remember the head Mrs ...see more

My mum Olive Mary Broomfield known as Mary, was born at Brookside West Brook Street. Blewbury. It was originally The Old Wool Shop and was run by my grandmother Minnie Alice Broomfield [ nee Brogden ] . My grandfather was Charles Broomfield but always known as Ben.

My friend Catharine (Katie) was also at this school in 1946/47, about 7 years old before moving to South Africa. I remember walking in a crocodile line, carrying a hot brick to keep warm, on the walk to the vicarage. Mostly happy memories of Laurie & sisters Phylis & Dorothy Williamson & Prue. Miss Maggs (Sally) looked after the animals in the orchard.

I was evacuated from London to Blewbury Healm-wic Boarding School in 1941 (the thatched cottage shown in the photograph). The Williamson sisters ran the school, owned I believe by their brother, a naval architect (submarines). They opened the school for refugee children, teaching many subjects including Maths, French, English, Literature, Art, Geography and History. My sister and I spent many happy years ...see more