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Will Emmins Ltd., Salisbury Road, , Andover. Tel. (0264) 710248 'Charles and Pam' The story of a much respected couple.

At the end of lie two tiny hamlets, unknown except to natives, called and Fullerton. Cottonworth is, in fact, a postal address although it consists of ten houses at most and is completely baffling even to Andover taxi drivers who have driven around the area all their working lives. It is not unknown however to flocks of American tourists who appear every summer eager to see their ancestral home. These hamlets consist almost entirely of the properties owned by Fullerton Arms Limited, a company set up by Major Charles Liddell to handle an estate left to him by his great uncle. The estate was divided between two brothers and stretches between Cottonworth, at the far end of Wherwell, to the Clatfords, The part of it that is clustered around the winding before it joins the Test is farmed by Major Charles Liddell who has lived at Fullerton Grange with his wife Pamela since he inherited the estate in 1957. The name Liddell conjures up Alice in Wonderland for most people - and in this case rightly so. The Alice Liddell who inspired the Reverend Charles Dodgeson to write the well-known stories was the great-aunt of Charles Liddell, the sister of his grand-father and one of a very large family with many descendants. One of Charles and Pamela's daughters is another Alice Liddell. The estate was owned by William Cory who had lived at Fullerton Manor with his sister Alice for a great many years. Charles had visited it often during his childhood. "I caught my first fish in the river Anton just next to the Mill," said Charles. "My nanny held on to me from behind by my coat-tails. Of course the Mill was still working then." His son James, who is responsible for the dairy herd and lives with his wife and family just across the main road at Cottonworth, also caught his first fish on the river Anton and his son Tom, 11, caught his on the same stretch last summer. Charles, 71, and Pamela, 70, were both brought up in Devon, Charles in Tiverton and Pamela near Exeter. They met as teenagers. "We were unofficially engaged for seven years and officially engaged for nine days," remembered Pamela. It was, of course, the second world war that caused the long delay as it did for thousands of young couples at that time. Charles joined the Rifle Brigade and went to India in 1937 where he spent two years in Meerut, near Delhi. He came home on a short leave just before war broke out and then served abroad until 1944 when he was able to get home to marry Pamela at last. She meanwhile had been working as a VAD in a Devon hospital which was bombed twice. "The first casualty I had to face was someone with an arm blown off," she said. "I didn't mind anything much after that. On one occasion when the hospital was bombed one wing was completely destroyed - it had narrowly missed the nurses home. In the morning I went to the brush cupboard to get something to start clearing up and a dead body fell out. I shoved it back in and carried on cleaning." Charles had spent most of the war fighting in the Western Desert where he was awarded on of the first MCs of the war for his bravery in finding a safe path through a minefield. He also arrested Himmler's brother by a curious accident towards the end of the war when he surrendered himself to the allied troops. A modest man, Charles will say little about his war experiences in the desert, except: "it was pretty uncomfortable but it is nice to know that we didn't do much damage." In 1944 Charles returned to for his nine day official engagement and marriage to Pamela. Clothes were a problem. "My wedding dress was made up of all sorts of bits and pieces from other people's dresses. The sleeves came from one relative and the lace from another. I was lucky to have one at all," said Pamela. Charles and Pam on their wedding day ,#

Pam with her daughter Charles was next posted to Belgium and remained abroad until the end of the war. Pamela remained at home and his eldest daughter was born at Tiverton. He didn't see her until she was nearly a year old. During the early part of their married life the couple moved about between Germany, Kenya, Malaya and, closer to home, Winchester. In 1957 they came home for good. By this time there were two more children, James and Alice, and they felt it was time to put down roots. If Charles had remained in the army another term abroad would have been inevitable and the couple felt the family should not be separated any further. The answer was ready made. Great Uncle William Cory had died and left the estate to Charles and his brother Adrian who had spent his working life managing farms. "I was quite right to stop soldiering, particularly since it meant that I had to leave the family behind," said Charles. "It was time to settle down." "I knew this place so well. I used to come here during school half terms. I learned to fish here. I learned to shoot here and had enjoyed it all so much." It was a welcome change for Pamela too. "The first years here were lovely," she said. "We had always been on the move ever since we were married. We were able to put roots down at last. We loved it." The family moved into the beautiful mellow Queen Anne house with the walled garden where Charles and Pamela live to this day. Great Aunt Alice Cory lived up the hill at the Manor until she died in 1962 at the age of 98. "We didn't go to live there because we had such difficulty in getting people to help in the house," said Pamela. "They didn't like to walk down the long drive in the dark." Their children spent their holidays roaming the countryside, helping on the farm, riding, swimming and fishing in the river. Now their grandchildren enjoy the same pleasures.

Charles and Pam with granchi/d Luke Daughter Susan, married with two grown up daughters and one son, lives in London. Son James lives on the estate with wife Rachel and children, Georgie, Tom and Hugh. Daughter Alice lives in Somerset with her husband and two small sons. "We have eight grandchildren, 24 great nephews and nieces and five great, great nephews and nieces," said Pamela. Quite a collection - but then she is used to a large family. She had, at one time, no less than 36 first cousins. Although the family have grown up and left home, life has been hardly less busy for Charles and Pamela. Work on the farm goes on as usual and there is always plenty to do. Then there are the horses - Charles' great love. He hunts during the season with the Portman hunt in Dorset and breeds in a small way. Most mornings of the week, whatever the weather, he is to be seen riding around the estate on Henry, his dark bay hunter. "I do love horses. I have been involved with them all my life," he said. "I breed them just because I love them, but then, unfortunately, I can't bear to sell them. I have about eight at the moment." At the other end of the scale Pamela keeps chickens, ducks and one lone gander with a bad limp. Both have been very busy in the community. Charles has just retired as churchwarden at Wherwell church after 30 years of service. "My father was churchwarden here and the vicar of the time was determined that I should take over," he said. "I became churchwarden the moment I got back from soldiering." He has also served as a Justice of the Peace until 1987. "During that time Andover has changed tremendously," he said. "From a small market town it has grown out of all recognition. When I first became a Justice of the Peace we dealt with almost nothing else but motoring offences but subsequently it has been more in the line of petty theft and affray and that kind of thing. However, on the whole I think Andover is a pretty law-abiding place."

Charles and Henry A stint as High Sheriff of the county in 1975 involved Pamela in a lot of entertaining. "We had sixteen dinner parties in one year," she said. "Of course we had to be present whenever royalty came to the county. The Duke of Edinburgh visited during our year and so did Princess Margaret and Princess Alexandra." Pamela too plays a full part in community life. She is a staunch member of the Women's Institute and is well known for her years tea parties for old people from Wherwell village. She is vice-president of the Wherwell Conservative Association and is a helper with the Meals on Wheels service. She is also a prolific and amusing poet. Each year she drops a delightful verse through the letterboxes of each house in the village asking for bottles for the bottle stall she runs with family help at the annual Church fete. In 1979 she recited an epic of 47 verses at the village harvest supper which referred to most of the guests present and ended with the lines: "I hope I have not caused offence, In case I have I'll get me hence, It's very hard to make a ditty, without it being unkindly witty." A problem faced by many writers of humorous verse but one very unlikely to be true in her case. During their thirty years at Fullerton the couple have seen many changes. The station that they found so conveniently placed just across the road closed down and motor traffic built up enormously. "Everyone used the train to go into Andover," remembered Charles. "It took only seven minutes to get to the town station. It was very useful. When it shut in 1965 it made a tremendous difference to life here. Everyone had to get their own car." There have been changes on the estate too. When he inherited the property Charles grew nothing but spring barley because it was thought that the land was too infertile to support anything else. Advances in farming techniques mean that it has now been found possible to grow wheat and oil seed rape. Hidden under a field of wheat are the remains of a Roman villa with mill and waterworks, mosaic floors and pavement. It was found during ploughing in 1915 and one of the floors was incorporated into Fullerton Manor which was being built at the time. Ten years ago a team from Oxford University carefully excavated it and made a detailed study before burying it again. "It is an attractive area," said Charles. "It's the river that really makes it so lovely. We are very lucky." Carolyne Cullum ONE LIFE IN WHERWELL

I arrived in Wherwell to live at Old Greenwich Cottages, which at that time were two cottages, in 1941. My memory of childhood is a very happy one, being the second eldest of seven children, I always had a real baby to nurse or take for a walk. My sisters and I shared a doll. Our holidays were walks in the woods and picnics in the harvest field. My father was a shepherd for Mrs Jenkins which meant there was always somewhere to go for a walk and gather wild flowers on the way. This I feel laid the foundation for my interest in children and young people. When I left school I worked at what was called then "Mother's help", which my headmistress termed as a dead-end job, but some 37 years later I'm still in the same job doing the same thing! Most of our village children have crossed my path, during the last 16 years having joined the Sunday School - Youth Club or in the early days of a Creche for the Mothers Union. At present I have 52 children on the roll for Sunday School, 40 being the average attendance each week. We meet in the Village Hall at 10.30 a.m. on Sundays. There are many stories to tell of what children say, but one I always smile at is when I recall it, we were discussing the creation and I said God made everything and that every one was different and how awkward it would be if we all looked the same because when we walked out they wouldn't know which was me, and a small boy, who is married now said "0 yes we would because we would know your dog", children always manage the last word. The Sunday School also have holiday weekends, outings to the sea, pantomime trips, but the most popular one is always the walks in the woods. I also run a games evening for members on Tuesdays evenings where snooker, table tennis and lots of other games and competitions are played. I have found it very rewarding that I now have some of the children of former pupils joining. My latest interest in the young is that I am now a school governor, which gives me a better understanding of some of the difficulties children have today in such a fast moving world, not like my childhood when the highlight was going all the way to Andover to buy an ice cream and then we walked there and back. There are three lessons I have learnt from working with them and they are never to be shocked or surprised and always to have a sense of humour. My other hobbies include, flower arranging, gardening and knitting plus helping and joining in anything happening in Wherwell.

PHYLLIS HARDING Phyllis, her husband and 'The Sunday School Family' on their wedding day

This Anthology was produced by: CAS Typesetting, 133 Portswood Road, Southampton SO2 1FX. S (0703) 584627/8. Portswood Colour Press, 9a Marine Parade, Central Trading Estate, Southampton SO1 1JF. S (0703) 637544. To enjoy an inexpensive meal and a good selection of Whitbread beers visit the White JLjlOIl at Wherwell Telephone 317 We are in the centre of one of 's most picturesque villages on the .

SALLY CHETWYN Wherwell nr.Andover

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EVENINGS - 14, Test Rise, Chilbolton. Tel 365

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TRADITIONAL REPAIRING BY LOCAL CRAFTSMEN WHILE YOU WAIT AND NORMAL SERVICE. 6 Union Street, Andover. Telephone: 23283 I sit here this July day, sad and lost. The sky is grey, wet leaves by the. restless wind are tossed. outside the window, tallpinf^ anenomes dance, tapping the window pane.. Suddenly the Wind drops, fierce and. straight likg. prison bars falls heavy rain. All is darl^ no point of light indicates the time, of day or year. J{ow is the chance to dream of summers past, Vivid memories, clear. "Drift among the gentle, southlands inviting gate to grassy meadows. Zander here, where grasses sway and large white daisies grow. Rmong drowsy buzzing bees and the fragrance of newly cut hay. "Rest awhile, inhale the splendours of this lovely summer's day. Stroll again towards distant woods of Oal^ and "Beech so proud. The sty of deepest blue is splashed with cotton wool clouds. "Even yet, in shade, lingers fine gossamer web between the flowers. The Turtledove sings his soothing song from hidden Bowers. Linger awhile Beneath elegant sweeping boughs on the 'Beech. Touch and caress the fresh green leaves within your reach. "Enfoldyour arm around its smooth sensual bough. "Be at one with nature and form. a. life-long affinity now. It's growing late; with the golden rays of the setting sun. The silhouetted trees stand silent awaiting the coolness of the night to come. The earth and sky combine inglorious kaleidescorx of colour. 9{p breath of wind or bird do utter as the sky grows duller. The moon now rides high to show her silver image upon the river. "Her shimmering light flows on into the sea. for ever. Jeffrey Rowles

Wherwell Cricket Club

CLUB REPORT

Wherwell are near the foot of their division of the Hampshire League, winning only 4 of their 13 league games. In the match against II who were the league leaders at the time, Jeff Raymond and Colin Hitchings shared an opening partnership of 152 with both players scoring 72. In the same match, veteran off-spinner Alan Rowles took a career best of 7 for 28. When the village side entertained Andover Police in a friendly match, Dennis Rowles scored a fine 100. These being the highest three scores in a disappointing season. Alan Rowles is our leading wicket taker with 42 wickets for 470 runs for an average of 11-19. Colin Hitchings is close behind taking 32 wickets. Simon Roberts had his best bowling spell of the season taking 6 for 39 in the league game at Broadchalke. The club are always on the look-out for new players, and if you are interested in playing for a friendly club, please contact Alan Rowles on Chilbolton 544 or Mike James on Chilbolton 732. We would also like to thank all those who attended the Barbecue and two Social Evenings.

Mike James

Back row: M. James (Scorer); A.G. Rowles; M. Rowles; J. Claughton; D.A. Rowles; M. Brewer; S. Rowles; J. Guest (Umpire). Front row: A. Musselwhite; J. Raymond; C. Hitchings; B. Deane; P. Rowles. THE REAL GRASS ROOTS

While England have been toiling against the West Indies the Wherwell side have been hard pressed in their challenge to lead the SW2 Division of the Hampshire League. Like the members of the England cricket team all the Wherwell players are professionals ... but none of them professional cricketers. Instead a fine array of talent performs every weekend in the summer, a mixture of plumbers, farmers, businessmen, gamekeepers, policemen, and the local R.A.C. man! Whilst England have had five captains taking on the job this summer, Wherwell has only one Captain but he has five jobs . . . plumber, bricklayer, electrician, carpenter and groundsman. So please treat our field with respect as he's a busy man and has enough to contend with the destructive talents of the rabbit population!!! All this aside many hours of enjoyable competitive cricket are played at Wherwell. As always it is a pleasure to see visitors support our Sports Fete and we look forward to your return to maybe watch or even play cricket on this ground.

J. CLAUGHTON on behalf of Wherwel Cricket Club

J. D. Raymond GLASS WORK SIGNWRITING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR DECORATOR

GRAINING 3 FARRS AVENUE GOLDLEAGOLDLEAF ANDOVER 24038 PROGRAMME OF SPORTS TO BE HELD ON THE SUMMER BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

Field Opens 1.45 p.m.

1. Men, 14 and over: 100 metres 2.00 2. Boys and Girls, 5, 6, 7: 60 metres 2.03 3. Toddlers, 1 , 2, 3, 4: 25 metres 2.06 4. INTER COMPANY SUPERSTARS 2.10 5. Ladies 15 and over: 25 metres Egg and Spoon 2.15 6. Boys and Girls, 11, 12, 13, 14: 60 metre Sack Race 2.20 7. Boys, 5, 6, 7: 60 metres Sack Race 2.25 8. Girls, 5, 6, 7: 60 metres Sack Race 2.35 9. Boys and Girls, 8, 9, 10: 60 metres 3 legged 2.40 10. Boys and Girls, 11, 12, 13, 14: 200 metres 2.45 11. Boys and Girls, 11, 12, 13, 14: 3 legged, 100 metres 2.50 12. Men, 15 and over: Sack Race, 100 metres 3.00 13. Ladies, 15 and over: Flower Pot Race, 25 metres 3.05 14. Boys and Girls up to 15: Pick-a-Back 60 metres 3.10 15. Toddlers, Boys and Girls, 1 to 4: 25 metres 3.15 16. Boys and Girls, 5, 6, 7: 3 legged 60 metres 3.20 17. INTER COMPANY SUPERSTARS 3.30 18. Boys and Girls, 8, 9, 10: 100 metres 4.00 19. INTERVAL 20. INTER COMPANY SUPERSTARS 4.30 21. Men 15 and over: 200 metres 4.40 22. Ladies 15 and over: Sack Race, 60 metres 4.45 23. Boys and Girls, 5, 6, 7: Obstacle Race, 100 metres 4.50 24. Boys and Girls, 8, 9, 10: Obstacle Race, 100 metres 5.00 25. Boys and Girls, 11, 12, 13, 14: Obstacle Race, 100m 5.05 26. INTERVAL 27. INTER COMPANY SUPERSTARS 5.10 28. Men, 15 and over: Obstacle Race, 100 metres 5.20 29. Ladies, 15 and over: Obstacle Race, 100 metres 5.25 30. Boys and Girls, 8, 9, 10: Sack Race, 60 metres 5.30 31. Boys and Girls up to 15: (Handicap) 100 metres 5.35 32. INTER COMPANY SUPERSTARS 5.40 33. TUG OF WAR 5.45 34. GRAND DRAW 5.50 WHERWELL F.C.

1 st Team Players Player LAURIE SIMMONDS

2nd Team Players Player MARTIN ROGERS

Clubman: LAURIE SIMMONDS

1st Team Sponsored by: OVERTON BATHROOM & TILE CENTRE

2nd Team Sponsored by: SECOND TO NONE

Runner up: ERNIE ROWLES in 5 a-side! to Rising Sun

Wherwell F.C. 5-a-side were Runners Up in the Ernie Rowles 5-a-side Football Tournament.

ERNIE ROWLES 5/7E PLAN

Childrens Play Bowl Area Pony Rides The Air Rifle Shooting Gallery Cricketer Toy Stall Win a Car Roll a Penny Target Bowls Commentary st. Johns' Target Golf I Box 1Ambulance Bingo Lawn Darts Money Darts Coconut Shy Skittles Donkey Derby Hoop-la Lucky Dip Wheel of Fortune Book Stall Bric-a-Brac Model Railway Horseshoe Gar

Dog Show Dog Show Ring Competitors Car Park

Entrance to Main Car Park To Wherwell/Winchester To A303 & Overspill Parking EXEMPTION DOG SHOW (By kind permission of the Kennel Club)

Held in conjunction with When/veil Sports Fete

Free Car Parking for Exhibitors Free Admission to Fete

ON WHERWELL PLAYING FIELD MONDAY 29th AUGUST 1988

Judging at 2.00 p.m. Entries from 1 p.m.

PEDIGREE CLASSES: JUDGE: MRS. UNA SUMMERS

1) Any variety puppy (6.12 months) dog or bitch. 2) Any variety sporting dog or bitch. 3) Any variety non-sporting dog or bitch. 4) Any variety open dog or bitch.

BEST IN SHOW

NOVELTY CLASSES: JUDGE: MR. M. HEATH (CHICASAW)

5) Veteran (dog or bitch over 7 years of age. 6) The best crossbreed (dog or bitch). 7) Junior Handling 6-11 years. 8) Junior Handling 11-15 years. 9) Prettiest bitch. 10) Handsomest dog. 11) Dog or bitch in best condition. 12) Dog or bitch the Judge would like to take home.

Entry fees 50p all classes. Rosettes to 5th place. Rosettes for Best in Show, and Best Puppy. Cup for Best Puppy and Best in Show. All dogs must be over 6 months of age. No CC winners. No bitches in season.

ALL ENQUIRIES TO: MISS MUTTON TELEPHONE: CHILBOLTON 443

Some classes have prizes donated by SCATS TWENTIETH CENTURY STORES HIGH ST. WHEREWELL Tel: Chilbolton 300

POST OFFICE ^m TU GENERAL STORE

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THE NEW OWNERS, BRIAN & LYDIA KNIGHT INVITE YOU TO PAY A VISIT

WIN A LAMB FROM JOHN ROBINSON High-Class Family Butcher

STOCKBRIDGE Telephone: Andover 810609

TICKETS 15p ON SALE AT FETE a I

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J/WE7 MARSH THEY DIED IN BUILDING A LINE NOW 'DEAD'

William Wilson, John Jones, John Robinson, Thomas Knight, Walter Trueman and 18-year-old Richard Cook plus nearly a dozen more names may mean nothing to the present day residents of Wherwell. Just over 100 years ago these tough, rough working labourers - or navvies as they were called - gave their lives in the building of the Hurstbourne-Fullerton railway line, via and Wherwell, which was opened on 1 June,1885. Nearly a score of navvies were killed by falling chalk as they cut out the deep cuttings around Wherwell and through the Harewood Forest or were crushed as wagons tipped over or ran away when brakes failed. On the stretch through Wherwell near the notorious hair-pin-bend of yesteryear - and still dangerous today - at least five men died when they were buried by falls of chalk. For one has to remember that in those days there were no mechanical means of digging out the chalk and earth - it all had to be done by pick and shovel and scores of navvies were engaged to do this arduous work. The men lived in rough conditions in hutments at Longparish along with other navvies engaged in building or widening other railway lines in the area. Many of those who were killed were buried in Longparish churchyard adjacent to the village hall, but many of the graves were disturbed when the new car park was constructed behind the hall in the late 1960's. Others were buried in St Mary's churchyard at Andover. These were navvies, who seriously injured, were taken by horse-drawn conveyance to the former Andover Cottage Hospital in Junction Road, Andover, but who were later to die of their horrendous injuries, many having had limbs amputated. In the files of the 'Andover Advertiser' for the year 1883 and 1884 there are many stories about the accidents which befell these navvies in building this seven-and-a-half mile stretch of line from Hurstbourne to Fullerton. Those who were killed in the stretch of line through Wherwell used to be taken on a wooden hurdle to a barn at the rear of the White Lion hotel where the coroner of the day would hold an inquest. Residents from the village were called to act as jurymen and in those days the coroner sometimes used to conduct the inquiry in the presence of the body, which would be viewed by the jurymen. Normally the verdict would be 'accidental death' or 'death by misadventure' depending on the form of accident in which the navvy was involved. There was one nasty accident recorded in 1884 at Wherwell station when a truck loaded with chalk broke away and crushed two navvies to death just under the bridge over the road. Throughout the building of this short stretch of line there were many, many accidents of one sort or another - no one really knows how many but quite a number of these incidents were reported not only in the 'Advertiser' but in the 'Hampshire Chronicle' as well at frequent intervals. For these navvies who came from all parts of the country to earn their paltry 18/- (90p) for a six-day week it was just another job. They knew the

A train passing Wherwell signal box.

The branch line from Hurstbourne to Fullerton built by the London and South Western Railway company cost around £163,000 with the land being purchased from local landowners for some £18,500. Despite the cost, the line never really paid and was closed to passengers in July 1931 after only two trains a day covered the route. The full story of the line - "A History of the Hurstbourne and Fullerton Railway" has been written by a former Longparish resident, Ed Goodridge. In his researches Mr Goodridge discovered that the 1887 guide to the London and South Western Railway described the line as follows: "At Hurstbourne a short branch diverges from the main line (the London- West of England Line via Basingstoke, Andover and Salisbury) and extends through Longparish and Wherwell, noted for its vicinity to the Test trout stream and Harewood Forest." The line, known as The Nile', was well engineered with a gradient up from the Fullerton end. It was patrolled by four linesmen each with about 1% miles of track to care for. Some passengers travelled down from London to fish in the River Test staying at the White Lion hotel in Wherwell just down from the station. The old railway track taken from the bridge near the White Lion Hotel -

these shots were taken about three years ago now. Queen Victoria is said to have travelled on the line on her way to her home on the Isle of Wight. She once alighted at Wherwell station although the reason for her visit is not clear, but it was known that this little line was one of her favourites because of its excellent views across the River . Alas the Royal patronage failed to keep the line open and the track from Hurstbourne to just north of Longparish station was lifted in May 1934. The Fullerton to Longparish stretch through Wherwell was maintained for goods only, and it was as well that this was so for the arrival of the Second World War proved to be the line's finest hour. During the war Harewood Forest was used as an ammunition and bomb dump by the Royal Air Force and Ed Goodridge estimates that somewhere in the region of 6,500 wagons full of bombs - from 500 pounders to blockbusters - were brought to the forest by rail and stored, thus providing a vital link in the preparations for the D-Day landings and mass bombing raids. By the 1950's the service on The Nile' had been reduced to a mere two wagons a week and the last goods train travelled to Longparish station on 28 May, 1956, but it was another four years before the tracks were lifted and the Longparish and Wherwell stations sold off. Did those navvies of the 1880's ever think their "death railway" would evenutally become a "white elephant" and die a natural death? DEREK J. TEMPERO

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"A Goods Train" on the railway line. EST. OVER 175 YEARS SHAW & SON 9 HIGH ST., ANDOVER GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, DELICATESSEN WINES & SPIRITS

YOUR GROCERY ORDER PREPARED AND DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR IN ANDOVER AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES

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This firm is regulated by the Law Society in the conduct olicitors of investment business- Vist us at our new offices at: Star Lane House Staple Gardens Winchester, SO23 9AD. New Telephone No. (0962) 844544 For all of your legal requirements MEMORIES OF 65 YEARS AGO

I left school in 1921 at the age of 14 as was the custom at that time, and started work with the local builder - hauling with a horse and cart all the numerous items of equipment used in the trade:- bricks from the brickyard, sand and gravel, cement and lime from the station at Fordingbridge back to the yard. Dad was employed as "head gardener" at the "big house" with a younger man as "under gardener". A year after this, the "under" left for a better paid job and of course left dad a bit short-handed at a very busy time. Suitable local lads were a bit thin on the ground, so instead of advertising the post and perhaps waiting for several weeks he asked me if I would like to work with him in the garden. After thinking it over that night I agreed. My life as a "Garden Boy" began shortly after fulfilling my one week's notice with my former employers. No more working out in all weathers I thought as there were plenty of jobs to be done in the dry. The first job was digging over a large plot which was earmarked for spuds at a later date. Off we went, Dad in the lead armed with spades on to the battleground! The first trench across was not too difficult. Off I went to the other end ready to start trench number 2 as I thought, I had not gone far, when there was a roar "Where be you going then?" I heard "It's not dinner time yet". I told him I was getting ready for trench number 2. Back came the reply, "Number 2 trench starts here" and reversing the position of his hands on the spade off he went. What a mess I made of that. When I wasn't falling over the spade, it acted like a live thing twisting first one way and then the other, all that kept me going was an occasional "Come on boy" until about four- thirty when it was time to close the greenhouses prior to going home at five o'clock. At this point I must mention that I have always practiced this method of digging to this day. But back to 1923, I was the first one indoors and very soon had the very heavy boots off, looking forward to a nice hot tea that Mum had got ready for us. Dad came in, fixed his eyes on me and said "Haven't you forgotten something boy?" Ponder as I could, I couldn't remember anything that I had not done, "You didn't clean your spade off did you?" So up I got, pulled on those heavy boots again, reaching the back door rather crestfallen his voice reached me, "It's alright boy, I've done it but that's the last time", so back again to the table after taking those boots off again, I sat down to a rather tasteless tea but the lesson had been learned. The next job was to prune the roses, and I was given a plot of 45 bushes and told not to take too long. Having read all the literature I could lay my hands on, I felt I could put up a fairly good show. After about three hours, Dad came to see what I had done. Several minutes were spent without speaking in silent observation, then, quietly he said "When I was at 9

ii !

Somerley Park a donkey burst through the fence one evening and had a good meal of young rose shoots" and, with a voice rising rapidly "he made a damn sight better job of it than you have!" Then came the demonstration "You have cut that bud too close and that one not close enough. That dead wood wants cutting more drastic and that long shoot there is three years' old wood and wants cutting out hard down, so now start again and I'll come and see what you have done later on". With practice I mastered the craft and could glance at a bush and see what was required. It was now time to hoe up the rows of early peas and beans which I was entrusted to do on my own. About a month later we had a joint effort hoeing the turnips and swedes. I thought I knew what hoeing was, but as soon as I started I knew I was in for a tough time. Only now the dreaded "Come on boy" kept me going and by dinner time I'd had enough.

. During the dinner break I made up my mind and said to myself "Right it's now or never", and when we started the afternoon session I set off close to his heels with my back aching at every stroke. My hoe struck his heel once or twice and he gave me a queer look. When the job was completed, just after three o'clock he walked the length of every row I had done counting the number of plants I had left to see if they were standing nine to the yard. Apparently satisfied he said quietly "Well done Curly", and I never heard that 'Come on boy' which I came to dread, and we got nearer to a father and son relationship. Strawberry time came round and one morning Dad gave me a 'trug' and told me to pick 4lb for the house adding "Keep whistling". I pondered this for a while and entered the cage and started picking and whistling any old tune over and over again, but the temptation was too great. I popped a large juicy one in my mouth and almost choked on hearing a shout from behind "Keep that whistle going". I reckon that was the fastest 4lb of strawberries that was ever picked, because as the whistling stopped the eating had begun. The gooseberries were next for attention. The fruit had been picked and now summer pruning needed to be attended to. His advice to treat them as cordon apples proved in later years to be sound. The bushes were trained on 3 horizontal wires to form a fan (so pruning was pretty simple). Next to the garden was a barley field and the farmer was thrashing the crop instead of making a rick. I was given two large sacks and told to fill them with 'barley beards'. They were later used to deter slugs from getting into the young cabbage plots by laying a 6 inch band round the perimeter of the plot - very effective. It was now 1924 and things were starting to get tough. Dad asked for a rise in wages and was promptly told this was not possible, so, out came the 'Western Gazette' and Dad answered an advertisement for a singlehanded gardener and the reply came back, "If you are the same man who worked for me about eight years ago come as soon as you can". It was from a farmer at Figheldean and I was taken on as a carter to work and look after two shire horses - I loved that job. Dad's former employer wrote and said he could have the rise he had asked for, but Dad wisely stood firm. All was going well until the farm workers working week was increased by one hour - this caused concern among our little band - with the result that the foreman asked everyone to a meeting to know who was not satisfied. They were equally divided on this issue and when he asked my opinion I told him not to worry about me as I was going to join the Navy. His only reply was "Oh", and, so in April 1925 I started a totally different life which calls for another story. It will be a bit difficult trying to condense 22 years' service into a few pages for the Athology '89 but we'll see what can be done. Bye bye for now.

C.V. INGS 1988 JNO. STEEL & SON LTD — FUNERAL DIRECTORS —

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Over the past fifteen years the Anthology has been a collection of many stories drawn from the distant past of Wherwell's history. This year we are very fortunate, and have been given the privilege to read, with real affection, three inside narrations about members of our small community. It is with their co-operation and valued support, that Anthology XV has been collated. Only with your continued help, can this Anthology be produced in the future. PLEASE if you have a Tale to Tell', contact me. On behalf of the Wherwell Playing Field Association I would like to gratefully thank the following contributors for the excellent material so kindly provided. Carolyne Cullum for capturing so perfectly, the life of Charles and Pam Liddell. Phyllis Harding and C. Ings for sharing their past with us. Derek Tempero's sad truth behind the Wherwell railway line. Janet Marsh provided 'A Glance Through a Window' into the countryside of our village with three delightful paintings. Jeffrey Rowles surpassed himself with this years' poem. Ernie Rowles and John Claughton and Mike James for keeping us up-to-date with the Wherwell sports. And last, but no means least, Sally Chetwyn who, with her usual expertise, has beautifully illustrated the Cover, yet again, and made this Anthology something to treasure. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to all those, who, by generously placing advertisements, help to cover the cost of printing and make the Anthology possible.

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