Tag Archives: Woodmans

Eileen Smith: Thorley, North View 1950s

Thorley from Broad Lane

Thorley from Broad Lane

The Smith family

Ralph and I had applied for a house in Yarmouth, but with no success. Then one of the chaps who was offered a house at Thorley, turned it down because it was too far from the shops. We didn’t mind!

The women in the cottages opposite North View, Elsie Squibb and Miss Drake, came out and said they didn’t want Council Houses in the village. We said, ‘Dont you think that people who have done their bit in the War, deserve somewhere decent to live?’
Eileen Smith nee Lansdowne b 1921

Mike Smith, Mary Henderson: Thorley, Squibb family 1950s

Elsie Squibb wasn’t always popular. When we used to sit on the bank writing down the number plates of the cars coming through –  and there weren’t many, – she’d come out and complain, and say we were making too much noise; she needed some peace and quiet.
On one afternoon she had brought home a nice box of cakes from Wrays Bakery in Newport. Mike Henderson kicked a football and it knocked into the box, and the cakes weren’t improved…. Mike Smith b 1951

North View, Thorley

North View, Thorley

 

We all used to be so envious of Phyllis Squibb. She seemed to have all the things our parents couldn’t buy us.  Years later, she said how she’d envied our freedom. Her Dad used to insist on meeting her and walking her home, even from Wellow Institute.
Poor Els., her bark was worse than her bite. If you were in real trouble, she’d be there to help. Mary Henderson b 1954

Pam Bone: Thorley 1950s

Charlie Courtney lived in the cottage next door to the Hilliers. He worked at Newclose.  Charlie Bryne, the man who lived in Whitewalls Cottage, the next house down, had an orchard and I remember getting told off a few times, along with other local children, for scrumping apples.

On the other side of the barn in Whitewalls lived Mr and Mrs Frank Squibb and next to them in Woodmans, lived Miss Drake. Further up the road, past the field next to Hilly’s house, in Upper Place, lived the man you would take your tom cat to if you wanted it to be neutered. Pam Bone nee Cotton b 1948

Whitewalls and Woodmans

Whitewalls and Woodmans

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