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Thank you for this comment. I believe the ‘Clay Bat’ area stretches up to Cambridge from Ashwell.
Up here in Swaffham Bulbeck, near Cambridge, they are still known as Clay Bats.
Wonderful to stir so many memories Dr John delivered me on the 28.01.1940 and then delivered Fergie on 29th January 1940 Lots of happy memories Julia Green nee Simmons
Thank you Tony for all this information on the Bacons. They were a very big family in Ashwell going back into the 18th century and there is a lot more to find out about them.
Percy and Thirza had 7 children. Missing from this list is William Herbert and Dorothy Helen. I am the daughter of Dorothy Helen 1924 to 2011
This is my Auntie, didn’t know this museum existed I was just starting to look into my grandfathers history as the surname Capon is unusual. My grandfather Leonard moved to Wales in the 50’s . Ivy was his sister in law , she married my grandfathers brother Joe . It would be good to see any photos etc , it has been a long time since I visited this lovely village .
Hello Dave, you are right on your pubs apart from The Angel which was the old name for the Swan last heard of in 1609 but I don’t suppose you were around then. A contenders for the seventh could have been the Chalkmans Knoll which closed in the early 50s.
I lived in Ashwell from 1946 till 1952. I believe The Cricketers was still operating as a pub at the time we left to emigrate to Australia. As I recall (subject to correction, of course) there were seven pubs during those times, namely; the Rose & Crown, the Bushell & Strike, the Three Tuns, The Engine, The Angel, the Fox and the Cricketers.
George & Cissy lived in the bungalow in South Woodford in Barnabas Road, George built it himself in the back garden of his old house, Steve your grandfather was my dads favourite brother and they had a great bond together and I was named after him Michael Albert Leverett. Uncle Albert was a fantastic cabinet maker he made my brother Ralph a instrument cabinet when he was a apprentice tool maker at the age of seventeen he kept the cabinet all his life until the day he died age 73. I would like to get in touch with David Humphries because he is my cousin.
Thanks for this fascinating insight into medical history
From 1941 to 1945 I was an evacuee (with my mother and sister) first in Ashwell and then Steeple Morden. I attended both schools. In 1944, I guess, my mother perched me on her bike and rode from Morden to Ashwell where Dr Moynihan gave me a series of injections to desensitise me from severe hay fever. I remember it all from the scratch tests on my arm onwards. I have read that the procedure was later stopped because some patients had severe reactions, even dying (generally, not in Ashwell). I was prompted to add this note having read Dr Fergus’s book on a century of the practice. I was born in 1934.
William A Appleton was certainly an interesting character. He was one of the first trustees of the museum. I don’t think there is any one left who can remember him directly. There has been some work done on him by Labour Party or Trade Union historians. It would be lovely to have a biography on our website.
William Archibald Appleton (WAA), lived at Prospect House up until his death in 1940. He was the General Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions. I do not know for certain if he owned the house or rented it for a number of years. There is a fascinating history relating to WAA and his role working with predominantly craft based unions. If anyone has further information about his time in Ashwell I would be interested to hear about it.
My name is James Goodchild (born 1977). I gather my family branch goes back to Corfe Castle and Kimmeridge, Dorset. I’m in Bristol.
Hello Richard, there should be a way of adding an image to a comment. Otherwise send it to me as an attachment and i will add it to the Engine post. I think all pubs had pewter measures to ensure you were given a whole pint. Thanks Peter peter@ashwellmuseum.org.uk
I got an old victorian pewter pub mug from The Engine. Be happy to forward a pic if somebody knows how to load it on here.
It would appear that Mary Morice, wife to James Alexander Wood, died in 1880. Cf. https://www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/4928569697
Hi great reading the two comments after my one. I would love to have copies of any photos you may have of my grand and great grandparents. Did Henry and Aunt Doll live in a big bungalow in South Woodford. I’m almost sure I can remember going round there with my grandad. How can I get in contact with you for any copies of photos. This is amazing.
With reference to Steve Milne text l may have some pics of your nan and grandad . Or Alb and Bet as they were known .
Just an update re Henry. I am David one of Dolls sons, Doll being Dolley one of Henrys daughters. He was quite estranged from his daughters in the end because of family history he also owned a lot of land in Clacton of which he sold to Billy Butlin. His grave has been desecrated by the church St Peters in the forest and the last time l visited there was a sign post where his grave was.
My grandad was Albert Edward Leverett and Henry was Grandads father. And Henry was my Mums (Janet Beatrice Leverett) Grandad. My grandad was my hero so if any one knows more please let me know
Thanks for this addition our records. We are starting work on WWII soldiers now to add to the stories. Do you have a picture of William that we could add to his record?
William was my Great grandfather, they were living in Breachwood Green in 1939, and William and Daisy had another daughter Maire in 1936. William moved to Breachwood Green to work for Captain Harrison on the Kings Walden Estate, my grandfather also worked for the Estate for a while as a painter and decorator. William is buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Kings Walden. Daisy was born in Caxton, Cambridgeshire and died in 1991 age 100. My grandfather Harold served in the RAF during the Second World War with a Spitfire ground attack squadron of the 2nd Tactical Air Force that went to France and Belgium after D-Day, his brother Doug served in the Royal Navy
My goodness! This has stirred some memories. My family lived in Bygrave and Doctor John was our doctor in my early years. Then Doctor Fergus joined the practice. Their care was excellent. We left the area in 1975 but I still remember the old surgery and its small waiting room with great affection.
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