Nostalgic memories of Horndean's local history
Share your own memories of Horndean 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying all 9 Memories
The Red Lion in Horndean was run by the Edney family for over 110 years. In the 1841 Census Daniel Edney (previously of The Leopard, Purbrook) and his wife Charlotte are running the pub. When Daniel died in 1850 his wife Charlotte took over. She remained as Landlady until in her seventies her son Henry Tupper Edney and his wife Mary took over. Henry sadly became ill (ending up in Knowle mental hospital) ...see more
My parents rented a converted railway carriage in Bulls Copse Lane for a time during the war. I and my sister and brother loved it and were sorry when we had to move back to Portsmouth. I went first to the village school and then to Cowplain where the headmistress was a Mrs Laidman. I have many happy memories of our time there and have written and published a book about our adventures. I and my husband have recently moved back to the area.
Eileen (McInnes)
I would walk up South road down the duel carriageway and up Horndean hill to our little school . In the village we past a shop that I remember smelt of paraffin. It was ran by Bossy Catchlove you name it she had it. I loved my childhood in South road. My mum was a hare dresser she did John Merle's mums hare , and also one of our teacher Mr Bushel, mum did his wife's hare to
abc
I was born in 1954 in Queens Crescent, Horndean, to Vera and Jim Thomas (both deceased), I had an older brother Roland (deceased). During the war my dad was in the Horndean Homeguard before being called up and my mum tried to join up under age and suceeded in the end. We moved to Drift Road, Catherington, in about 1957. I went to Catherington School under the watchful eye of Miss Reeves the Head, but ...see more
Fred Farmer, my father, had the Brewers Arms at the top of the hill, just before going down hill into Horndean. Just opposite the pub was a small school and to the end of WW2 a German aircraft crashed into the roof. Would anyone know of this good old pub?
I am seeking help in identifying two soldiers recorded on the Horndean War Memorial. I have found the details of all of the others. I intend to publish the results of my research. The two men are recorded as follows Turner C G Larcombe F G (possible a Corporal) I believe that Mr Turner is Charles George 315153 Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery. He left the Army on 21st April 1919 and lived Lovedean ...see more
I started school here in 1954, in the Infants class run by Mrs Pead, after 2 years I moved into the next door classroom which housed children aged 7 to 11. This class was run by Mrs Byrne the Headmistress, and later by Mrs Borrow part time. The Rector William Rees would come and teach 1 lesson a week, I remember throwing snowballs at him over the school front fence! I left in 1960.
My parents ran the Red Lion between 1953-83. I was brought up here and went to Blendworth School, Mrs Byrne was the headmistress. The pub was situated on a tight bend on the old A3 and was regularly hit by vehicles unable to make it round this corner. A blocked up archway on the left of the building had a date brick of c1750. In the Square adjacent to the Red Lion was Smith & Vospers, grocers and ...see more