| Reminiscences
of Winsham
|
|
My grandparents lived in Winsham and my grandfather's ancestors. Their home Column House was the house I visited mainly in the 1960-1970's. He had a donkey called Ned which he kept in the grounds together with a single sheep. (Never forget the day the donkey escaped into the village and myself and my siblings having to go after it). Suzanne Butler (nee Paull) My parents retired to Winsham over 10 years ago. Sadly my mother died in hospital in Taunton. I live in north London and have the greatest affection for the villagers of Winsham. At the time of my mother's death, Father Brian was a tower of strength, I will never forget him. I've brought many friends to see this piece of England that sets an example of how people should live together. I said when my parents first told me of Winsham "how on earth did they find this place" I am happy for them that they did. Best wishes for the jubilee and lots of love to my wonderful father who lives in Colham Lane. Patricia Marchbank I was born at Whatley Cross in the farm cottages, my grandmother was Ethel Beer and my mother was Gwen Beer who married Cherry Wood from Chard. My family moved to Chard soon after my birth but I spent as much time as I was allowed with my Gran and Aunty Norah and Uncle Cliff. the Beer family moved back into Winsham village while I was still a child. I would live for the weekends when I could get out to Winsham and go into the cupboard under the stairs and just sit and read the comics that were kept there for us. In the long summer days when we would go out walking with Gran, we would go on picnics down to Forde Abbey, pick our own fresh watercress to go with our food, or walk way up over Whatley and into Chard, picking blackberries and sloes, crab apples, and in the early morning, mushrooms. If Gran was busy, my cousins and I would go down to the river bridge and put one foot in Somerset and one in Dorset, and then tell Gran we had been to Dorset. At the age of 18 I had my first cigarette on that bridge....not any more though! Gran would tell us not to go into the water, but of course we would strip off to our knickers and jump in, swimming for hours. The Village shop-what an Aladdin's cave; the bakers and people outside on the pavements gossiping away and generally being neighbourly. My Great Granny Alice was the unofficial midwife and brought many a Winsham baby into this world. We would go up and play in the rec. and go over to her for fresh lemonade. She was a forbidding looking lady but full of heart and kindness. My Aunt Norah last lived in Fore Street with my cousin Tim. She now lives in Swindon but I try to pick her up once a year and make the pilgrimage to Winsham to catch up with all her old friends. Winsham is the most wonderful village in the U.K so peaceful and unspoilt. Please keep it that way. Terrific site by the way. Lovely pictures and many of the Beer family are featured there It was great to look at all these and Norah will be excited to see the photos when I next see her. Jean Cox 1947-1960 July 22,2003
I have lived in Winsham since1969,and remember when Winsham used to have a Carnival. My Mum was Carnival Queen one year, but I can't remember which year. Can anyone else? We used to have a baker Baker Bill); Peter Broom delivered the milk and papers on a Sunday. We also had a butchers run by the Holloway family. The headmaster of the school was John Payne, and the infant teacher was Diana Kershaw. Mary Payne taught us all how to swim. Davies Close was just a field when I was growing up-I can remember the first families moving in. Belinda Harris (nee Symonds) July 26,2003 I am David Corbin, grandson of George & Patience Clark, who lived at Malthouse. My Gran used to go to church most Sundays. I think the Vicar’s name was Charles. She loved the Church so much we had to go. This was in the 1950’s.We used to come to Chard Junction by steam train, and
Mr Partridge used to pick us up in a taxi and take us to the
village. Back then, it was just me and my two sisters, Sylvia and Shirley and Mum (Irene Corbin nee Clark)-she was borne in the village. When my Mum was younger, she worked at Chard Junction at the cream factory.
David Corbin
|
