Sunningdale Past
A Memory of Sunningdale.
I was born in 1948 and lived just on the corner of London Rd and Broomhall Lane in a large house converted into flats called Holmwood. My dad was a milkman at Clifford dairies in London Road just past the Station along with my Grandfather who lived in Broomhall Lane in the first cottage called Holmwood Cottage.
I used to walk to Holy Trinity school with friends some who lived at Broomhall Farm. We used to run past the entrance of a large house called Broomhall which many years ago was a Nunnery, and according to very many people my parents included, was haunted, and we were scared to walk past it!!!
When my dad left Cliffords we moved to the second cottage in the Lane called Shrublands Cottage and stayed there until approx early 1970's, when it seemed that all the history of Sunningdale was demolished and now all there is to see is just rows of houses. All the lovely woods and paths where I used to play with friends and family have gone. Thankfully the memories have not. Sunningdale to me will always be the old Sunningdale I remember - not what is there at this moment in time.
When I left School (Charters) - I worked in London and often stayed after work in the evenings to
go out etc. and travelled on the last train home. I remember getting off the train and the Station Master - Mr. Clarke used to meet me off the train if he saw me - made me wait in his office while he locked up and then used to escort me home to my cottage and he then carried on to his home at The Rise, further along. Can you imagine that happening now! ?
I remember the Doctors Surgery being in Broomhall Lane on the righthand side before the Farm.
I remember Mr. Pitts being my headmaster at Holt Trinity, a truly scary man, but very good at his job. I remember The Miss Hodders shop down near the Church, a fascinating place. They never seemed
that bothered whether you bought anything or not, amazing how they kept going for so long.
In Chobham Road I remember a haberdashery shop called Minda's, a very old musty shop full of
cupboards and drawers and apparently you could always get everything there from a liberty bodice to towelling nappies.
I still live locally in Ascot so often travel through Sunningdale and nearby - cannot imagine living their now - everything I knew has gone - apart from Stuarts the hairdressers!!!!
Memories are forever.
Penny Berry (Mason)
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Comments & Feedback
My mother lived above Minda's for some 40 years before moving to Lynwood. I came across your memories when in pursuit of a few details about her early life.
Kind regards Bob Niblett.
I'm Felicity Gregg, and I was at school with you, Penny, and with Joyce. Joyce and I then went on to Frimley and Camberley Grammar.
I used to live on Titlark's Hill, and if my dad couldn't pick me up after school, it was a l.. o.. n.. g walk home!
I lost contact with Joyce when she left school, so, Bob, next time you speak to her, give her my regards.
Last I heard she moved to Reading.
Anyway good luck with your search.
Dave