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My Uncle, Walter Reed, was the postmaster from 1963. My grandmother, Kathleen Hammond also stayed in the Post Office at that time. I stayed during the school holidays, which meant 7-10 weeks a year in the 1960s.
As a native of Melbourn I knew all the workers shown in the picture from the 1950’s and went to Melbourn school at the same time as Norman King and Derek Pettit who was in the same class. Joe Cooper was the other cowman who worked with my father, Tom Wedd, and both worked on the harvest during the summer. Joe Cooper became the landlord of ” The Carriers Arms” in Dolphin Lane, Melbourn which is now a private house. I have a link to this pub as my Grandfather, David Wedd, was landlord in the early 1900’s.
My father, Tom Wedd, and his brother William Wedd both worked at Sheene Farm for many years. My father started work at age 11years and later was one of two cowmen who managed the dairy and the cattle until it was closed in late 1950s or early 1960. As a boy I worked on the farm during the summer school holidays taking the horse and carts to and from the fields to the stacking area. These were long days for a young boy working from 7am to 7pm.
Very sad to read this. I was at Richard Hale from ’78 to ’85, and a member of Hale rail (for which I still have the pass for an early lunch). Mr P always good value – I’m pretty sure he always said his French accent marked him out as being from le South (as opposed to a Parisian). Pics of him on Disused Stations website in Hertingfordbury. A top bloke, and I was very glad he made it into some train-related occupation!
Would love to talk to you about the Newell family, as I’m related to them as well from Tadlow branches
I am extremely grateful to have been one of the lucky group of Scouts led by Steve Marshall during this period. My most vivid memories are of the summer camps, desperately hoping it wouldn’t rain and trying to ensure that everyone had tucked the edge of the groundsheet into the tent so that it didn’t make a channel for the water to flow inside, drenching all of the occupants. Also, cooking every meal on an open camp fire with fuel foraged from the surrounding woods (nobody enjoyed collecting the wood from what I can remember!) and the traditional last night meal of beef stew, which despite all efforts always welded itself to the bottom of the billy can, taking what seemed like hours to come off before it would pass muster with Steve. There were many more subtle lessons though, which I didn’t really appreciate at the time; the gentle introduction of leadership roles from a relatively early age, and the challenges and rewards of working with the Eagle Patrol. I wholeheartedly agree with Steve that the Scouting movement is a ‘good thing’, perhaps even move so today in this technological age than it was 30 years(!) ago and I would actively encourage any young person to get involved in it. The lessons learned and experiences gained from having to rely upon yourself and your team mates are not only immensely enjoyable at the time, but will stand you in good stead for years to come – they certainly did me!
Excellent presentation of the old and new.
Is there a link between the Meldreth Mortlocks and the following Mortlock family? William Mortlock (12th September 1693) of Castle Camps Cambridgeshire, who married Keturah Hannibal 11th October 1715, William Mortlock Gender Male Burial Date 17 Jun 1763 Burial Place-Trinity Parish, Ely Cambridgeshire FHL Film Number2112078 Reference ID1763
Does the Ellis family of Meldreth have any connections with the Ellis families of Hinxton?
I am the great great grand daughter of Alfred Augustus Paul Jenkins Wing. His son Harry Wing was my great grandfather. Thank you so much for keeping all of this precious information on your site.
The Green Man was originally a guildhall and was built in the 1490s.
Yes we all skinny dipped in those days to learn to swim; it worked well.
Lots of memories of being in the Rhythm Rascals
What a trip down memory lane! I lived in Meldreth in the fall of 1968 and attended the local school. I was 8 – 9 years old, but “Sir” moved me up to the oldest kids’ class, where he was the teacher. What a change for a child from small town USA. I remember learning to write with a fountain pen. I remember struggling with math word problems when they involved currency. I remember wanting to play the accordion, but we had to return to the USA. The group meals at lunch and looking forward to my turn to serve the pudding. When we left Meldreth in December of 1968, I left with fond memories and the hint of a British accent.
This is so interesting and gives a good insight into life in Meldreth all those years ago. Really enjoyed reading
I am researching the Hale family tree during lockdown(s) with my brother and sister. Our grandfather was Lance(lot) Hale, youngest son of John Preston Hale and Mary Ellis Woodcock. I am in contact with Carl who has contributed to this page, and would like to get into contact with Eddy Hale who lives in Wisconsin. I sent Eddy an email but think this may have changed
My family lived in Applecote on the High Street from September 1957 until March 1958 (when my father had a visiting position at Cavendish Labs and was a fellow at King’s College). During this period, the house was being rethatched by a couple of fellows – slow work. I remember being woken in the morning by birds that had burrowed into the thatching. Magical memories during my tenth year.
In one of your pictures from the Atlas Stone Co. Featuring Bill (Popeye) Stanford, he is shown standing on the operating platform of No.5 Machine during its commissioning in the early 60s. This machine was designed to produce Profile 3″ sheets and was the widest machine in operation as it produced double width sheets. I was his M/C. Assistant at that time (spare man). He was a pleasure to work with and taught me much.
A sister of Samuel Woods – the publican of the Bell in the 1860s – married into the Wing family. My grandmother was a member of the Woods family – her grandfather was a brother of Samuel.
I knew the Spiller family. Jim Spiller worked at the Atlas as a maintenance fitter; there were two children Ken and Pam. Ken married and lived in Bognor; he died approx 10 years ago. Pam lives in Louisiana USA and I’m still in touch with her. After they left The Sailors Return they lived in Whaddon.
There may be some confusion, as there have been two village shops known as Warren’s. The one mentioned on this page was in Whitecroft Road. The shop that is now One Stop, in the High Street, was known as Warren’s Bakehouse in the early 1900s. From 1955 to 1965 it was run by Mr & Mrs Salisbury. See this page on our website for further details: https://www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/the-village/streets/high_street-3/from_warrens_to_one_stop
The Hutchinsons had the shop after the Bacons I think? I lived opposite the shop with my parents from 1963 until 1981 and loved popping over the road to get my sweets with my pocket money!!
Before the Warrens had the shop was it run by the Salisbury sisters as I have a vague memory of a little shop with a door on the side of the building? We would go there on our way to school to buy sweets. As I recall it was very small inside and must have undergone alterations in the mid 1960s.
David taught me Spanish for my final two years at Richard Hale 1977-1978. He was indeed highly regarded by pupils but I remember him for his sense of humour and constant smile – even when I turned up drunk for my Spanish A level oral exam! I have just moved to Spain and wondered what he would have thought so decided to see if I could get in touch. So sorry to hear of his passing.
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