Rodney Stoke, The Village c.1955

Photo ref: R410008

The war years I spent in Rodney Soke from 1940 until I married in in 1962. My great-grand father was Silvester, and my father took his name of Silvester and I have it as a second name. My grandfather Rowland was the landlord of the Rodey Stoke Inn, my sister Sheila lived there all her life until Grandad's death in 1958. St Leonard's church never had electricity and I used to pump the organ for ...see more

My great-grandfather, Silvester Hale, ran the Inn from about 1880 until he died in 1911.  One of his sons, my great-uncle Reginald, was lost on the Titanic.  His body was recovered and I still have a shilling piece which was found in his pocket. I have many fond memories of holidays in Rodney Stoke from 1949 until 1976. My parents and myself used to stay with Charlie and Queenie Fear at Rosedene in Scaddens ...see more