Guestbook comments 2007

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2007

November 29th, 2007

Terri Reid

Old Wheatbutts

We are in the process of buying Old Wheatbutts and hope to be moved in by the end of January. We are fascinated with the house and are very much in love with it. Could anyone please either give us some photos, or perhaps memories or who lived in it and when. Is there another house called wheatbutts or is it old wheatbutts people are referring to?

If you can help with Terri's enquiry, please use the form on this page and we will forward your message.

November 1st, 2007

Andy Stewart

Eton Wick Memories

Hello. I have just come across your site. I was born in Eton Wick at 21 Alma Road on 31st May 1941. My mother was Edith (Edie) Annie Stewart (nee Jacobs) also born at no 21 in 1914 along with her sister Lillian Gladys (nee Jacobs) born at no 21 in 1919. Their fathers name was George Jacobs and his wife was Sarah Annie who was a Newell before marriage. My father Cyril George Stewart married my mother in August 1938 at St John The Baptist Church.

During the war father worked at Langley Alloys by day and in the Home Guard in Eton by night. In 1946 we moved to 16 South View Eton Wick Road from there I attended Eton Wick School, and well remember walking to the village hall for school dinners. Opposite no 21 lived a Mickey Bell who later played for Slough Town and Dagenham Football Clubs.

Have just read with interest Bryan Philips entry, I remember very well visiting his fathers cycle shed/shop and seeing his taxi parked outside their house. Many years later I met up again with Bryan when we were both Sgts in the TA at Taplow.

Other memories of Alma Road were the Shakespeare Stores on the corner with Bell Lane run by the Chinnerys who lost a son in a M/c accident by the Slads. Running errands for gran to the Co-op in Alma Rd. Going to the chapel and on coach trips to the seaside with the over sixties club.I also remember going on to Dorney Common and playing in the empty gun pits.The new shops being built and the Duke of Edinburgh opening the new playground on the new estate off Moores Lane. As a sixer in the cubs I carried their first flag for its dedication in the church. I believe it was the first fete in the Wheatbutts where I won £1.10s (£1.50 today) in the air rifle shoot out. Living upstairs in the 1947 floods.

I finally left Eton Wick in 1971 to live in Dedworth. I moved from their in 1977 to the present time to Weymouth Dorset. Both my parents now lie in Eton Wick Churchyard along with my Grandparents. Also Lilly and her husband Arthur and their only daughter Margaret. My sister Jean (also born in Alma Road) lives in Windsor and my brother Ian born at South View lives in Datchet. Those are just some of my memories of Eton Wick Good luck for the future

Andy Stewart

October 23rd, 2007

Yvonne Knibbs

Family

I didn't realise this village existed until my mother told me her mother (Constance) was born there in 1904. I do have to say that for one so small you do seem to have a lot going on. Rather shocking (or so I thought) her mother Hilda had five children and never married and Constance married when my own mother was a year old. Does the name Powell mean anything to anyone in the area?

If you know anything about the Powell family, please use the form on this page and we will forward your message.

October 10th, 2007

David Cawsey

History - 1939 - 1946

Very interested to see your site. I lived in Eton Wick from 1939 to about 1946.

Here are a few random reminiscences and memories. My father was Harold Cawsey; in September 1939 he was the headmaster of Ben Jonson School, in Stepney, East London. They were evacuated to Eton Wick. Father ran the school in the Village Hall for two or three years, before it was amalgamated with the village school, under Miss Rooke.

Father ran the A.R.P. in Eton Wick. My mother, Ida Cawsey soon started as the infants teacher at Porney School, Eton.

Initially we lodged with Reg and Elsie Borrett. Reg was the local policeman, and used to take me fishing! We then moved into the house next door, and stayed there until we moved to Windsor after the war. Life in Eton Wick was pretty basic then - electricity had not yet come to the village. Milk came from a churn on a cart. Eggs came from our own chickens, and veg from our allotment on Moores Lane The radio required accumulators which we had to get charged weekly at the bicycle shop.

Mother and Father became great friends of the Chew family, who played an important part in Eton Wick history. They live on Moores Lane, just on the corner of Inkerman Road ( is the house still there?). Frances Chew was one of the original Moores family. She had married Archibald Chew and they had 4 daughters. The Chew family put all their efforts into supporting the Methodist Chapel on Alma Road. Sylvia and Joyce Chew continued their mother's support of the church, helped by Winnie Jewel, and the local handyman / builder, Harry Cook. (As a child, I found going to the chapel pretty boring! - but the Chews were very good to me.)

There are one or two other names I remember. There were the Badders. His end was sad. On getting off the Eton Wick bus, his coat caught in the door, and he was dragged to his death.

And of course David Niven owned the big house - was it Wheatbutts? But was he ever there? I don't think anyone saw him.

If you know anything about David Niven's house, or have other comments for Mr Cawsey, please use the form on this page and we will forward your message.

September 14th, 2007

Gerald Kennedy

Garrard Place

I noticed that there was an enquiry about Garrard Place a while ago. I was born at 3 Garrard Place on 6 May 1935. This made me a Silver Jubilee Baby, to commemorate which I received a bible from the residents of Eton Wick and Boveney, a christening mug and spoon and a one guinea Post Office Savings account from the Mayor of Windsor.

My father was Edward (Ted) Kennedy of 20 Cippenham Lane, Cippenham and my mother Lilian Maud Kennedy (nee Banham) of Shakespere Place, New Boveney. We moved to Cippenham in 1938 when I believe Garrard Place was demolished.

Dad was a keen footballer and I have vague memories of being club mascot, was the strip amber and black quarters? He later played for his works team, St Helens Cable and Rubber; his cup and league medals are with my sister in Stockholm so I am unable to give details.

As a boy I used to cycle to Eton Wick with eggs for my grandparents, going across Cippenham Green, across the fields to the sewage works and on across the Slypes(?), then a muddy footpath. Grandfather had lost a leg in Mesopotamia in the first war. I thought he was in the Norfolk Regiment, but they don't appear to have been to that theatre. He would send me to change the accumulators for his wireless and to fetch beer in an enamel jug sealed with brown paper. This was towards the church on the road to Eton; I can't remember any names or places.

The last time I was in Eton Wick was ten or more years ago, visiting my niece and her family. She has since emigrated to Toronto and I have no family remaining in the area. Hope this is of interest.

August 27, 2007

John Bond

The Bond Family

Hi, my name is John Bond. I was born in the village in 1949 in Colenorton Crescent. I come from a very large family of Bonds in Eton Wick which were started off by Thomas & Roland (Rol) Bond in the early 1890s. (Two brothers who came from the New Town of Hazlemere near High Wycombe.)

As a child I have vivid memories of the five-a-side football competition held on Easter Monday. I can remember iceskating on the frozen floodwater on the common. Watching cricket at Tarrants farm, Gymkhanas at Bob Bonds (my grandfather's cousin), picking blackcurrants after school in my grandad's fields opposite the church, catching the bluebus on a saturday morning to watch Saturday morning pictures at the playhouse. It was 2d to the bottom of Castlehill and 2 and a 1/2d to the top.

I can remember Pass's horse and cart trotting around the village, the scout fete and my regular failure to win the minature garden competition. Youth club discos, Rob Hood's group sounds fx. My earliest memory was attending the official opening of the New recreation ground when the Duke of Edinburgh opened it. I can remember seeing the soldiers as I walked around from Colenorton Crescent.

At school I was one of Vernon Moss's possibles for passing the 11 plus. Not probables I hasten to add. I passed. From the school, I can recall Mr. Blay, Miss Winder, Mrs Miles and Mrs Babris (she was my favourite). I was a regular at the chapel and regularly went on seaside trips. So many other memories...

July 6th, 2007

Kelly Johnson

Growing Up in Eton Wick!

Hi my name is Kelly and my Grandparents, Eric and Minerva Goodall lived opposite the Greyhound Pub in Eton Wick until around 1990. My sister and I used to spend all our school holidays in the Wick (we are from Leeds) and I remember having some great times! Bareback riding the horses (I think it was Teabag the horse who set off and wouldn't stop!) in the fields opposite the house and making a den in the woods as well as meeting Ernie Wise at the shops near the playground! We especially loved walking down to the lock to watch the boats go by in the summer and as my Gran worked at Eton college we were able to use the outdoor pool there as well! We used to walk to the college and one time she took us the back way - the cows weren't too impressed and ended up chasing us across the field!!

Both my grandparents have passed on now and although writing this has brought back some great memories I'm now sat at work with tears in my eyes! I've always said I would love to come back to the Wick for a visit but it keeps getting put off!! Maybe someday soon I'll be back there!

June 30th, 2007

Pam Cartwright

Lammas Hayward

I was delighted to see the photo of "Hammer" Stannett, the Lammas Hayward, on your website. He is my great great grandfather!

My grandfather remembered that he would walk to Windsor some Sundays, still in his shepherd's smock. He also remembers when Hammer met tinned peaches for the first time:- he ate them with a knife and fork, bless him!

I would love any further details or photos that anyone might have about him. Many thanks for a great website, Pam Cartwright.

You can contact Pam by using the form on this page - we will forward any messages to her.

June 27th, 2007

Hazel Rees (nee Pygall)

Happy Days

Ken and Sue White have just sent me the link to this site. Its great as was the exhibition that Frank held in the Village Hall. There was much laughter when he pointed out photos of me at the Guides Gang Show, at Eton Wick Youth Club and camping in St Ives with them. I remember it cost £9 to go and I did a paper round for Bill Sibley down the Eton Wick Road to Broken Furlong and got 6 shillings (old money) a week but saved up to pay to go to camp. I could ramble on (I know I always do) but I have fond memories of the village and try to come there at least once a month to see my siblings. I also notice my niece Amanda Ross got on here before me - thats a first.

Good luck to everyone involved in this site Hazel
June 25, 2007

Mr Ken White

Memories of Eton Wick

I first went to the Wick in 1940 as my parents had moved to the safety of this lovely village. My association with this area started when I began using the Willow Tree Inn where I met Bill Mitchell, the Benhams, Robinson etc members of the dart's team. Old man Stannard was the publican at that time.

Later, 1953, I was appointed to the post of Asst. Head at Eton Wick school when Miss Rooke was headmistress and Mrs V.Miles was a teacher in the old building. Miss Winder and I occupied the palatial new part of the school. I was to remain there until 1958 when I moved to Canada.

Even at 85 I look back with fond memories of the school and have on occasions met some old pupils form my teaching days. I have given Robert Moss some pages from my autobiography and hope that these may one day be part of the school's history. I now live in Farnbough Hampshire and would love to hear from ex-students.

If you want to contact Mr Ken White, please use the form on this page and we will forward your message.

June 19, 2007

Iris White

Willow Tree Public House

I recently found this group and was surprised to read so many names of years ago. My Family Mr.C. & Mrs A. Bateman together with myself and my small sister Mavis moved to the pub in 1953. My father was still working at Bell's Asbestos so my mother managed on her own during the day. I remember what great fun we had there on a Saturday night, with Mum supplying sandwiches and cakes for all and everyone enjoying each others company. And of course the many darts matches which the team won. Especially when my future brother-in-law Ken and Modge Benham were playing.

It was a very happy place. It was there I met my husband Gordon White who lived next door. We were married at Eton Wick Church in June 1954 later moving to 52 Eton Wick Rd. Recently seeing the cottage again, we were both struck by how little it had changed. The extensions and paving in the front garden was just as we had left it, in 1961. Our daughters Beverley and Jane were christened in St.John's too.

My father-in-law Mr.Percy White has the shop nearby called 'The Service House' which sold all sorts of household necessaties. My sister Mavis grew up to marry John Stacey and her children went to the local school, where Gordon's brother Ken was a teacher. Sadly, John died on 27th September 1996. I'm sure that the people of the 'Wick' will still remember him and Mavis for all there hard work in the building of the Social Club. His parents too Walter and Eddie who raised money for the scheme and who run the bingo sessions when the building was complete. I too had a hand in that, selling tickets and taking over the calling when Don could not do it.

It was a very happy place to live in those days and I miss the many people who have sadly gone. Like Mr & Mrs Woodhouse who lived next door, and the Bond family in the greengrocers I could go on but must draw a line somewhere.

25th May, 2007

Stephen Moss

Dorney Common

As my elder brother (Robert) and younger brother (James) have recently contributed, I am honour bound to add my contribution.

I have fond memories of Dorney Common, and the surrounding area, which I used to explore regularly along with my brothers and the likes of David Hudson. Indeed, I still have my 'Local Nature Diary' that I kept from 1964 to the early 1970's. On 3 April 1965 we saw a minnow and a frog in the sewage stream that ran behind our garden in Tilstone Close and I noted that "this was the first time a tidler or a frog had been seen in the sewage stream". A landmark occasion! Before this, it had been notable for its absence of any life forms apart from red worms - we used to make rafts and when they capsized became well aquaited with the contents of Slough's outpourings. On 28 August 1967 I recorded " a shoal of fish up to 6" long" - a sure sign of an improvement in water quality - or was it simply a better class of sewage from Slough? On numerous occasions between 1964 and 1973 we saw pike in the cleaner stream that runs alonside the common up towards Boveney. These were up to 2 feet 6 inches long, and often dead - "killed by sludge pollution" I reckoned. It was always a mystery where these pike came from, as I doubted they could survive swimming up the sewage stream from the Thames. Does anyone know - I presume someone put them in the stream? We also often saw water voles, heron, dabchicks, snipe and kingfishers. How common are these now, I wonder?

Dorney Common was a wonderful place for us youngsters to explore, and very unusual. It strikes me that I know very little about its history - when did it become a common and why did it remain treeless unlike so much other common land? I have found very little information on it - maybe someone would like to add something to the site - I know Eton Wick ends at the sewage stream but lets not be pedantic! Along with my brothers, I sometimes return to Eton Wick and walk across the common.

Happy memories of skating on the frozen floodwater and even of walking across the frozen Thames just above Windsor Bridge in the cold winter of 1962/63. Bet that will never be possible ever again. The death of the elm trees around the common's perimeter due to Dutch elm disease was a sad loss to the landscape.

We also visit the graveyard at the church and see names of people we knew when young. One thought always strikes me. I see names of men who sang in the church choir when I was about 10, in 1960 or so. At that time I looked upon these men as 'really old', but in reality they must have been mainly in their 40's. This does not seem old to me now as I head towards 60!

May 15th, 2007

Jessie Taylor

Paternal Grandfather

My father Peter Whitby Taylor was bought up in Eton. He died in 1980 and I never asked the questions I should have - namely anything about Laurie Alfred Taylor (his father) who was a Baker (journeyman) and lived in Sunbury Road in 1931. I know nothing of my fathers family, so please if anyone knows about either I would be so pleased to hear from you. Thanks in anticipation. Jessie

If you can help Jessie, please use the form on this page and we will forward your message.

May 7, 2007

Robert Moss

1950s/60s

Our family arrived from Norfolk in 1955 when Dad was appointed headmaster of the village school.

My immediate memories of village life would be: football (inc. annual 5-a-side - still have my runners-up medal) and cricket on the old and new recs; or sometimes cricket on Dorney Common, when the ball would inevitably land in a cowpat at some point, causing great amusement at the expense of the bowler who had to bowl the next ball; fishing from the iron bridge; the overpowering stench in summer from Cippenham sewage works; the village fete at the Wheat Butts; playing shinty - still have my 1964 souvenir egg-cup; the Blue Bus, which never left you stranded no matter how full it was; choir practice at the church on Friday evenings; riding my bike home from Slough in a fog so thick that in the area near the viaduct you couldn't see the ground you were riding on; the "Good Companions" youth group; Mr and Mrs Clark's fish & chips and Anderson's sweet shop - these are just a few things which spring to mind.

I'm now retired and living in Gloucester, but still visit Eton Wick about once a year and am in contact with one or two former residents from Tilstone Close, eg. the Quayle twins and Diana Hudson, who lives in Germany. Best wishes to anyone who remembers me.

May 6th, 2007

James Moss

Eton Wick - good memories

It did make me smile about people remembering Mr. Moss. Even though he was my Dad, I did make it to the green seat too! The brass bell inside the front door. Swimming in the pool with Mr. Nash. Shinty, Rounders, Shove Halfpenny, Darts, Michaelmas Fair with the somewhat damaged stalls that were stored at the Scouts Hut. The Football Scheme, Tombola - all school fund raising items. Even now when I got to my children's school fun raising I draw on those ideas. The bottle stall that was always the most popular! In these days of Dr. Who, the time a Dalek came to the school. Anyone recall Shakespeare's stores in Alma Road, The Co-op that became the Betting Shop? Barron's Stores?

Was fun to find this site. I usually pass through every year just to see what has changed (live in Canada now, but have to visist my Mum who is very much alive). I know we have photos of Eton Wick between my brothers and I, including ones of the entire school from the 60's.

Anyone go on the trips to Holland with the school, or the ones to Wolverton when in Class 4? Can think of so much more, but enough for now. Will be happy to reply to any e-mails! And still have my trophy from winning the 50 year 5 a side with Andrew Piasecki, Clive Paintin, Neil Simpson and Paul Miles! All the best. Jim

If you want to contact Jim, please use the form on this page and we will forward your message.

May 5th, 2007

Becky Bishop

Bell Farm

My 5x great grandfather had a son, William who lived at Bell Farm in 1861. If any one has any information on Bell Farm or the Howse family it would be greatly appreciated.

If you can help Becky, please use the form on this page and we will forward your message.

February 7th, 2007

Sharon Oxlade (Coupland)

Pardoes

My mother was one of the large Pardoe clan, Maureen. I lived in Eton Wick from 1960-1980 and have many fond memories of 'Wicko'and the fun I had helping out on the stalls. I also remember the fetes that used to be held on the Wheatbutts. I remember Mr Moss and the dreaded 'green seat' if you had been naughty.