Village Store

A Memory of Westergate.

I moved to Westergate around 1951 (aged 7) from London. My parents bought the local village shop & Off licence in the main road, opposite the Alpha Garage. I can honestly say I had a wonderful childhood living in Westergate. We were free to wander all day, care free over the fields etc., no problems what so ever. ( I don’t know how we knew it was time for dinner etc., we had no watches) Our shop sold everything, sacks of carrots, potatoes, corn & meal for chickens, you name it we sold it! Tonight, bonfire night brought back memories. We collected for weeks, bits for the bonfire night. Every time I bought a firework, I would take it to my friend John Coopers mum, she would put it in a tin with the rest collected & bonfire night John’s Dad would light a big fire behind our houses and we would have a wonderful time.
Also Paul Wilson, happy memories on his Grandads farm, cooking potatoes on the forge in winter when they were mending the ploughs and sitting each side on the ‘Fergie tractor’ driven by Charlie up and down the field. (Definitely would not be allowed now).
About 30 years ago I took my children to see where I lived, wish I hadn’t. So built up now, but that’s progress. I keep in my heart how it used to be, & will never forget all the other children I had such fun with.

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