I’m Off On Holiday

So that is why  this blog is going quiet for a while.

Back in the “old” days a holiday for me meant a week in a beach-hut at Lyme Regis which was fantastic.

Do you remember those crinkly swimsuits and I had a pair of flip flops which laced up my legs to my knees. Always was a bit of a trendsetter!

I loved to wake up to the sound of the waves on the beach and to go out with the fishing boats catching mackerel on a line. I used to dive off the Cob and play crazy golf with my Dad. And it was always sunny – wasn’t it?

There were also the day trips to Weymouth one year and Exmouth the next. I loved Weymouth and remember the fairground behind the coach park.

There were  swing boats on the beach , thee sea was always calm and there were little ripples in the sand which hurt your feet at first.

Mum would pack up a picnic including egg and tomato rolls, fresh from Tolleys the Bakers at the top of the road, and cold bread pudding – yummy.

Punch & Judy scared me to death, I  hated the crocodile and the policeman with his stick.

Here I am doing my best to bury Gloria Dixon.

 

And here with – from left to right -

Carol Brown. Gloria, me and Joan Brown. I’m not sure who organised these trips, I think some were through the Methodist Church but others must have been STC as our parents were included.

So, whilst I’m away please sort out your old photos and either send them to me by e-mail or by snail mail & I promise to return them.

Also let me have some of your memories – this blog is for all of us.

See you soon,

JJ

THE SIMPSON SISTERS

Hello Jean

A voice from the past! I am Brenda Kent (formerly Simpson) now living in Great Bookham near Leatherhead in Surrey and I remember you and your family very well.

I was visiting my sister Norma in Paignton a couple of weeks ago with our other sister Eileen and Norma showed us the letter she had received from you, so we sat down to add a few more names to your list. They both remembered more people than I did as I was only nine when we moved up to Blackdown View, but we mentally started at the top of Summervale and tried to recall all the families as we moved around the green and up the other side - the following list is the result!

Doreen Rollason (her mother ran a girls' choir for a time)

David and Tommy Smith

Stan and Beryl Kearney ( WASN'T THIS THE PARENTS)

Doreen Simmonds

Alice,Doreen, Jackie and Joyce Bryant

Beryl and Eileen Acton

The Stokes family - wait for it....

Ivy, Bert, Sid, Harry, Jean, Joyce, Lily. Tommy, John and Dorothy.

These were just the children how did they all fit in to that tiny bungalow?!! Norma said they all went back to London she thinks immediately the war ended.

Pauline and (I think her younger brother was David) (ALAN?)Self

Frank Abbot

Colin Biggs

Loretta Macey (I won a Talent competition during Carnival Week with her. We sang "We're a couple of Swells)

Hazel and Angela Humphries

Barbara and Janet Hudson

Vivienne and John Hodgeson

Sheila Barrett (Norma says she had a sister but can't recall her name)

Trevor Stock

Irene and Reg Forbes

Colin (ALAN) Dixon and a sister - can't remember her name, sorry.

We hope this is all helpful Jean. What a great idea to start the website - we all have happy memories of days at Summervale, Bonfire Night was always so exciting, gathering all the leaves in the lane to feed the bonfire on the green, learning to rollerskate and ride a bike, going on blackberrying expeditions at Herne Hill. Despite the war and the cramped living conditions it really was a super place to spend one's childhood, wasn't it - everyone knew who we were and we were all safe to play and wander off for long walks. Neither Eileen or Norma use a computer but I will try to dig out some old photographs and get them on your website in the near future.

I have been married for almost 50years and have two sons, Simon who is 43 and Julian who is 40, they each have two children, one of each sex and they are all a great joy. Our sister Audrey died some years ago and our dear brother George just this year - we three girls miss them both terribly.

Bless you Jean for undertaking this job - it would be fun to hear news of other Summervalers - keep in touch.

ICE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS – REMEMBER?

Mike Smith says -

I'm only 9 months older than yourself, but our paths did not cross many times directly. I should have read your blog more thoroughly before contacting. Now having done that, I see you are a born and bred Summervalian, where as I was just an immigrant. Well done for a very informative history. I just thought we were the first in Summervale !!. Just goes to show how little I knew about its beginnings.

We arrived at No.13 in late '46 and suffered the very cold winter of 46/47. I remember even the condensation froze in our bedrooms as well as the windows inside.

                 This photo was in 1951

What with coal rationing, can remember sleeping in the living room with just paper ashes glowing in the fireplace just to make it look warm !!. My parents wanted to go back the London where we lived during that period, so started the fortnightly run back to "town" on the Chard & Ilminster coaches (WAS THAT THE ROYAL BLUE COACHES I WONDER?) for the homesick Londoners which lasted quite a few years. But as we know, it never happened.

So I guess someone else lived in 13 before us. Again my parents hated 13 as unlucky, so for us, it was not as good for the first few years there, and I could have not mixed very well being an only "spoilt child". My best mates were Alan Powell, Clive Williams, Cliff Hargest, Michael Mothersele, Ken Laughton, all the Westmacotts. Then many of the boys with games of football, cricket etc on " the green" and "Rec" like Dave and Bob Chambers, Gary Everson, Tony Satchell etc etc. Note all the boys !!. Girls were only " their sisters" in the early days. Only later very near the end did I see the fairer sex in a different light and had several

"early teenage crushes"

for the girls in Ilminster, mostly from school, and only one from Summervale. Who was that ??.** The momentum increased however when we moved to Paignton !!??

** Answers on an email to ………….

 

A HAPPY ENDING

What wonderful news, after posting Dianne Mothersele’s message about her brother Michael I heard from Gloria Dixon who told me she attended the funeral and thought it was either in Donyatt or Dowlish Wake. I passed this on to Dianne and she has now replied -

Hi Jeanni
Just to let you know I have located Michaels' grave. This weekend we  drove up to Ilminster and Donyatt. Michael was laid to rest in the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in  Donyatt on the 7th June 1954.
The warden remembers it very well, because he was there. I appreciate  the help from yourself and Gloria.
Dianne.

Coincidently, today I have heard from Mike Smith -

Have some info on Michael Mothersele if Dianne still wants it. He was my age and I remember several of us went to his last birthday when he was 10. He and the rest knew this would be his last but somehow it seemed okay since he was pleased to make double figures. He died in 1954 somewhere between March and April and the death is registered in Chard if Dianne does not know.

Michael, after all these years remembered by many with great affection.

                   My Little Tribute to Michael – RIP.

Autumn Sun

The last few days have been hot and sunny and reminded me of the last few days of the summer holidays in Summervale and the freedom we all had to play and explore without supervision from our Mums and Dads.

I can remember helping to get the hay in after it had been cut. It was piled into small stacks and these were loaded by pitchfork onto the back of a wagon which had high wooden bars to stop the hay falling off. The smell of the hay was wonderful, earthy and sweet.

 

 

This photo was taken in the 1920s but it could easily have been in the 1940s too.

The hay was stored in a huge barn with a corrugated roof and us kids used to love climbing up the bales of hay and then sliding down as fast as we could. I was often first to the top but always last down. Scared of heights once I was up there – still am.

That has reminded me of scrumping! Surrounded by orchards it was quite a popular pastime although certainly not encouraged. I missed out on many a secret excursion after dark as my bedroom window was too high for me to climb in and out of.Just as well as I got into loads of trouble anyway.

Here’s me in my cowboy outfit ( no, no idea why!) in the orchard behind the Dixons bungalow with a beautiful horse which belonged to Farmer Britten’s daughter whose name I have forgotten. She used to let me ride him and I got quite good even without a saddle. All these years later it is now built in!

 

This is John Satchell outside Britten’s house – I had forgotten how grand it was. I wonder how he liked living next to a load of Londoners in prefabs? Got well paid for it no doubt. Also made a lot of money in his butcher’s shop I guess; I remember the sawdust on the floor & my Mum saying that was what faggots were made of.

  Another photo of John with his wife Sue and can you see the green grandstand in the background? This picture was taken in 2000 and it looks exactly the same.The rows of seats were really high and, as small children we struggled to climb up them. Under the railing immediately behind John there used to be low concrete seats. Why do I remember that? Cos one day whilst doing somersaults over the bar I slipped and badly hurt my shin. I still have the scar. There were also those narrow little gaps in the hedge which we used to squeeze through. Bet I couldn’t do that today.

Finally a photo of Sue with me & Mike and Sam our beautiful golden retriever.RIP.

JJ

WHO LIVED WHERE – UPDATED 10/9/09

Gloria HAS SENT ME YET MORE NAMES!

There are conflicting thoughts although does it matter as long as we try and remember everyone. Hopefully people will find their way here and put me right eventually. I remembered the Chapples who lived in the bungalows somewhere – he worked with my Dad and Fred Wren. They did not have any children though.

JJ

1 BEARD
2 CHAPPLE?
3 PLUMRIDGE
4
5 NEWLYN
6 WAKEHAM
7 CORNFORTH
8 DRIVER / WESTMACOTT
9 ROGERS
10 DRIVER
11 JOLLY
12 RICHARDS
13 SMITH
14 HUMPHRIES / EVERSON

15 CHICKS

16
17
18 TRUDGEON
19 SIMPSON
20 MASON
21 WILLIAMS
22 WREN
23 RALPH
24 LORD
25HODGESON
26 DURHAM
27 BOYCE
28 SYMONS
29 CHAMBERS
30 HEWITT
31 STOCK
32 LEOH?
33 DIXON
34 FORBES
35 WHITING / MOTHERSELE
36 POWELL
37 HARGEST
38 BROWN
39
40 HOOKE
41 LAUGHTON
42 FOULKES
43 KEARNEY
44 PELL/ SATCHELL
45 HUDSON
46 WARD
47 VANE
48 CHOWN
49 LESTER
50 MACEY

MESSAGE FROM DIANNE MOTHERSELE

Hello Jeannie
Just to say thank you for e-mail, and the information to do with Michael.My husband and I went to Ilminster last Autumn and to the cemetery in 
New Road and spent an afternoon there going around, but no luck.Thank you for passing my e-mail on to Bobby and for putting it on your  web sight.
Going through my photos I came across this one that Ronald Dixon had  taken, I am the skinny one at the back, in front of Lillian Brown.

In the front row is Ann Gummer with Gloria Dixon in the middle, behind Ann, is Joan Brown. Some of the others I recognised, ( but having a senior moment ) no names.
Dianne

MORE MEMORIES

I remember when I believe it was Tony Macey who fell in the canal and had the presence of mind to lift his hands above his head to grab a branch as he was disappearing under the sludge. He frightened all of us when he came back home and I think he was left deaf in one ear. Apparently he was about eighteen at the time.

Marion (Brown)

Yes, I think you are right Marion.

The old canal was quite treacherous and I remember losing a “new “ shoe in the mud after Alan Dixon said there was a snake! I tried to run and got stuck in the bog.

Another time I was in big trouble when I got home. Thanks Alan!

Here is a bit of history which I was unaware of but it is interesting -

The canal that once passed through Ilminster was once a link between Chard and the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. Work on it was started in 1835 and on 15 July 1842, the canal was opened. One year later the link was completed to Chard.

Due to an incline of 82 feet (Brittens Field), the 26 foot long tub boats that used the canal were loaded on to six-wheeled trolleys (caissons) and by an ingenious counterbalance system were hauled upwards by a twin-track rail system, one up and one down. Once on top the tub boats were unloaded and continued their journey through a tunnel (the top of which is still visible). It is believed that the counterbalance system was replaced by a continuous chain driven by an overshot waterwheel.

Not a financial success, the canal was purchased in 1866 by the Bristol and Exeter Railway, closed and refilled.

JJ

FROM PAT LAUGHTON

Hello again JJ,

UPDATE !!

I think Barbara and Janet Hudson lived at No. 45 Summervale. One of the girls met a Dutchman and moved to Holland, not sure if she got married. It could have been Janet. - Every little helps!

Thanks Pat.

Janet Hudson married Mike Cooper after his first wife, Shirley Hewitt, died. That was here in Paignton.

Not sure about Barbara.

JJ

More Info from Mike

Hello Jean,

See you are very busy on the Summervale project. Keep up the good work, and when is the re-union !!???.

Racked my memory banks, oh it hurts !!, who lived where. I remember the Kearney's at No.2, Newlyns at No.5, think the Trudgens were at 15, and I once did the Sunday Paper round there !!. However found some info at my last visit to Ilminster at the Secondary School records, they have the Westmacotts listed at number 10, so that would make the Drivers at 8 ??.

Pat Laughton

Another old friend makes contact -

Hello Jean and Hello to everyone from Summervale, what a wonderful childhood we all had - those were the days !!

Jean the Blog is fantastic, thank you so much for all your hard work.

My brother Ken Laughton has lived in South Africa for the past 30 years and is well, we keep in touch regularly.

The photos bring back memories, I think it might be Ken playing cricket.

Love to everyone

Pat xx

So pleased to hear from Pat – we have history!

We became good friends after we moved to Paignton and one day we both went for a ride  on her boyfriend’s brothers boat. I had Joe in tow as that was my excuse for going out but I did not plan for the boat to breakdown in the middle of the bay.

O dear, there was hell to pay when I eventually got home! Naughty girl!

Now it would be nice to hear from Kenny.

JJ

BJJ - (BEFORE JEANJEAN!)

Just browsing this morning through some files and I came across these photos of the V.E. celebrations .They were pretty tattered and torn but I have done my best to restore them and here they are.

I see I have started to name some of these. Anyone else want to add to it?

This one gave me the creeps! Note the mock gallows.

Certainly shows the strength of feeling then but it would not be considered PC today would it?

I owe someone an apology as I cannot remember who gave these to me. Was it you?

JJ

SUMMERVALE BUNGALOWS UPDATED 10/9/09

Gloria HAS SENT ME YET MORE NAMES!

There are conflicting thoughts although does it matter as long as we try and remember everyone. Hopefully people will find their way here and put me right eventually. I remembered the Chapples who lived in the bungalows somewhere – he worked with my Dad and Fred Wren. They did not have any children though.

JJ

1 BEARD
2 CHAPPLE?
3 PLUMRIDGE
4
5 NEWLYN
6 WAKEHAM
7 CORNFORTH
8 DRIVER / WESTMACOTT
9 ROGERS
10 DRIVER
11 JOLLY
12 RICHARDS
13 SMITH
14 HUMPHRIES / EVERSON

15 CHICKS

16
17
18 TRUDGEON
19 SIMPSON
20 MASON
21 WILLIAMS
22 WREN
23 RALPH
24 LORD
25
26 DURHAM
27 BOYCE
28 SYMONS
29 CHAMBERS
30 HEWITT
31 STOCK
32 LEOH?
33 DIXON
34 FORBES
35 WHITING / MOTHERSELE
36 POWELL
37 HARGEST
38 BROWN
39
40 HOOKE
41 LAUGHTON
42 FOULKES
43 KEARNEY
44 PELL/ SATCHELL
45 HUDSON
46 WARD
47 VANE
48 CHOWN
49 LESTER
50 MACEY

OLD FRIENDS IN TOUCH

I was updating my stuff on Friends Reunited at the weekend ( Yes, I know get a life!) and was looking up the schools in Ilminster.

I found -

Wenda Richards who said -

Dear Jean
I have many happy memories of Summervale but what a disappointment when you go back. They've chopped down the tree in our garden...I fell out of it many times
Regards
Wenda

Michael Smith who said -

Your bet is right Jean, do remember Summervale and have looked at your "blog" with some fantastic memory photo's. I lived at 13, and 87 in Spencer Road. My Dad Reg, and Mum "Dot" past on 30/20 years back. Was in contact with Mary Williams on this site some years back, she moved to Spain. Remember Eddy Vane ? thought he lived at the high 40's. Had info he's still around living in Brixham. I think he had a son Michael. Will fill out other info on the blog page.
Cheers for now,
Michael (now known as Mike by everyone) Smith

Maxwell Swayne -

Hi Jean, Thanks for the contact. You were nearly right - I lived in the corner house at the top of the lane above Summervale ( Brewery Lane / West Street ) from 1942 to 1964 . I married Angela Harris in 1964 and she remembers you from school !
We lived in Taunton from 1966 to 2000 and have been back in Ilminster since 2000.
I will have a look at your Summervale blog.
Best Wishes Maxwell Swain ( I had my doubts although the name was very familiar. I guess either Carol Richards or I fancied him!)

Others I found but still waiting for a reply - 

Joan Brown

David Westmacott

Mary Williams

Maureen Kearney

A few more photos' to wet your appetite

 

Pre 1943 before the bungalows were built

.

I realise the photos are rather small but the layout will not permit anything larger.

I will try and link them to a bigger version if I can but that’s a bit technical for me so don’t hold your breath.

I know I can post slideshows but again that needs investigating.

In the meantime you can copy the image and blow it up in your photo software.

JJ

Identified!

The boy in the phto below is Philip Jacques according to Janice Symons. He lived with the Hargest's for a long time. I think he was Clifford's cousin. I remember his red hair but not the ears!
JJ
Thanks Jan.