Happy Childhood Memories Of This Lovely Village.

A Memory of Davenham.

In the Easter of 1959, I was six years old and that is when I moved into Church Croft, Church Street, Davenham. On the day that we moved, I recall my dad telling the driver of the removal van that he should drive to "Davenham Roundabout" and then turn off into the village. Although I had been to see the house that we were moving into, this was the first time I had heard of "Davenham Roundabout." I thought that there would be a fair with "Hobby Horses" and asked if I could have a ride on one. How disappointed was I when my dad told me that it was a roundabout for cars! My name at the time was Lynn Jenkins.

I have many fond memories of Davenham and its people. Bell ringing practice on a Tuesday night. Warburtons the greengrocers and their horse and cart. Bike rides down to the River Dane during the summer holidays. (If I was feeling really adventurous, I would cycle into Whatcroft and down the the bypass - returning to Davenham roundabout, and back through the village.)
I remember Mr and Mrs Jones who ran the shop in Church Street and the couple who owned the shoe shop - whose name sadly escapes me. Then there was the butcher - Mr Ramsbottom - he was always so cheerful.

When I became a teenager I gathered with others on the bench across the road from "Pooles" - even in the freezing cold and if I was lucky, I had enough money to go to the "chippy"! Davenham was a happy place to grow up in  - everyone seemed to know everyone else. These were the days when if you did anything wrong, your mum always seemed to know before you got home! I lived in Davenham for 17 years and even now - living in North Wales - I still occasionally go back to Church Street and wander down the path that runs between the Church and my "old" garden.

Davenham, like many places, has expanded. New roads now cut through what were once open fields - but I like to think that the essence of this Cheshire village lives on - creating more happy memories for growing children.