Nanny Tiller

A Memory of Knowle.

My Grandmother lived in a terraced thatched cottage down a lane in Knowle, along with my Aunt Polly and uncle Jack. They were all elderly when my parents took me to visit them as a young child. I loved going there because the cottage was alwAys cosy. My aunt Polly was a very good cook using a small range. She made a wonderful steamed chocolate cake which we often had when visiting. There was no internal plumbing, so everyone had to use the outside privy that was full of spiders. My uncle Jack grew Gooseberries in the garden. I ate so many on one visit I was sick and still can't face a gooseberry today.

My Nanny Tiller was my Dads mum. I remember her as being tall compared to aunt Polly and I always had to be well behaved when there. I only went upstairs once and was shocked that they were so steep you had to use a rope to pull u yourself up.

Nanny had a lovely dresser full of beautiful ornaments, a large table in the middle of the room and some soft chairs by the range. This was the original open plan living where there was one main room for everything. Aunt Polly was a typical Edwardian lady with her hair neatly up in a bun, small round glasses, lo g black dress with a white apron over it. I later guessed that they must have all worked in service when younger. E everything was so clean, neat and well organised. Nanny always gave me a half crown when we left, which was a vast amount of money to me aged 5yrs.

I have gone through Knowle, but not found Nanny's cottage. They must ha e been tenants and it would have been sold and developed.
They are happy memories that I am glad to share

Sue Tiller

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