THE PAGE TO HAVE YOUR SAY
The site master reserves the right to decide the contents of this page and any views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor.
I am trying to trace my family history and two weeks ago went to Collingbourne Kingston church to see if I could trace any of my ancestors, while there I spoke to a really kind lady who not only helped me trace my great grandparents and a uncle, but also told me about your web site. On arriving home I went on your web site and on reading the letters I found that Olive Bishop’s class photo included my mother at about 11 years old. My great grandparents lived at 6 South View Brunton, and my grandmother moved to this address after her mother died, in later years my aunt Margaret also lived there. My mother died 15 years ago, so I am finding it very difficult to trace my family tree on her side. If anyone could help with any information I would be most grateful. The names of my great grandparents were Ward and my grandmother’s married name was Gibbons.
As always I will be happy to pass on to Jane any information mailed to me. L.McG. Sitemaster
A Family History Enquiry. A letter received 28th January
It gives particular pleasure that the first ever letters to this page come from two ex-Aughtonians who now reside abroad. Proof indeed that the internet makes the world a smaller place
In the photograph on the left
Front Row
Gwen Miles, Ethne Pyle, Brenda Ducket, Mrs Williams, Olive Broadway, Kathleen Kent, Elsie Smith
Middle Row
Harold Palmer, Bill Smith, George Orchard, Roy Parsons, Dennis Fisher, Stan Cook, ?
Back Row
Betty Perry, Brenda Parsons, Dot Smith, Winnie Ward, Joyce Orchard, Connie Pyle, Josie Kent, Grace North, Rosemary Lewis, Florence Eliot
YOUR LINK SCHEME - CAN YOU HELP?
The Collingbournes and Everleigh Link Good Neighbour Scheme exists to offer help for local people in need. The scheme consists of volunteers who help by taking people to hospitals, surgeries, collecting prescriptions and other tasks, as well as undertaking small practical jobs or just calling in for a chat.
At the moment a volunteer may expect to undertake a task once or twice a month and volunteers undertaking driving tasks can claim mileage allowances for these journeys.
So if you would like to make a real contribution to helping people in our villages by becoming a LINK volunteer, please contact Richard Carter on 1264-850260, for further information.
A LETTER RECEIVED 6TH APRIL 2006
A LETTER RECEIVED JUNE 2008 (prompted in part by other correspondence, see below. Ed.)
It is hard to know where to begin in response to your letters about
Collingbourne.
I was born and lived at Spicey (N043) until I left home to do an engineering apprenticeship. I was at the school 1939-45.
Starting with the crashed aircraft at the back of the Fairmile/ Tinkerbourne (also known locally as Tinkerbarn and by the OS as Tinkersbarn. Ed.). I think it was a Fairey Battle trainer that got into a flat spin. It certainly had yellow livery when Terance Hedges (No41) and others went in search of 'aeroplane glass' (Perspex, which could be used for all manner of things). We had been watching it from the school playground when it went down rather rapidly. I thought there was a column of smoke but there was no sign of fire
when we got near. It seemed to be completely intact until we noticed that all the rivets seemed to be loose. We beat a discreet retreat. I think it was this one where my father George and Frank Perry had to play undertakers
and take the bodies sheeted down on a flat bed lorry to RAF Upavon. They were offered a meal which would normally have been gladly received during rationing, but somehow Dad could not face it. It was not a problem for Frank who was a First World War veteran.
Regarding the Wards and Gibbons, I remember Walt Ward as big man with the tiniest of dogs that accompanied him to the Cleaver (Kingston Hotel if you don't mind)! (It’s now The Barleycorn! Ed.)Dick was in the navy and I was at school with Margaret, Olwen
and David Gibbons.
Does anyone remember Home guard commander and cycle/radio shop owner catching boys playing football with an unexploded bomb on the football field outside the school; after they had dragged it over rough tracks from the
training ground on the downs?
How about the glider that came down in the field at the back of our house? I expected them to land a Halifax to tow it away! Mum was duty tea maker to the RAF for weeks while they stripped it down. he photo brings back memories and I remember Kathleen Kent dying and Miss Lewis (from Swansea) explaining to the class that "an angel had come down saying come along Kathleen you are very tired before taking her in his arms and carrying her off to Heaven". No doubt there are people in the second photo I should know but without the names I am lost.
That is enough for a start. I can ramble on for hours as I have been trying to put a book of my childhood together for my children who had the fortune good or otherwise to be brought up in towns.
Should the two pictures open up as there seems to be a link that does not go
anywhere? (Apologies, but after a computer crash and restoration several things on the site aren’t behaving themselves as they should. I am trying to get them sorted out. Ed.)
I like you website, it is very informative.
Frank Hall frank-hall@supanet.com (Now living in darkest Gosport)
