STEEP AND STROUD NEWSLETTER NO 582 JUNE 2020 LIFE GOES ON Freya Mileham’s mare and new foal, born on 9 May. No Job Too Big or Too Small Browning Pest Services Ltd Mole Problem? - No problem Rabbit Problem? - No problem Rat/Mouse Problem? - no problem We can sort them, plus flies, fleas, moths, bedbugs, woodworm wasps and many more. Contact us on 07585 896229 01420 409741 email [email protected] 2 Copyright. The content of the newsletter (excluding the ads) is the copy- right of Steep PCC, unless otherwise indicated. If in doubt, contact the editor. 3 MEMORIES OF VE DAY 8 MAY 1945 In 1945 the Italian Prisoner of War camp was still in the field opposite the Seven Stars pub (see scale map attached showing drawings for a new Police House in Stroud after the War on which the huts from the PoW camp can be seen). On VE day when all we lads were out on the A272 waving flags at the tanks passing, the prisoners started throwing Miss Newman was a middle-aged stones over the fence at us until the lady who taught us PE at school; Major came along and banished most of our teachers were middle them back to their huts. aged as the young ones were (Interesting to note the date of the otherwise engaged. She was quite original map, 1932.) a severe lady in a longish grey skirt Keith Hall and tennis shoes topped with a slightly motheaten pullover; we held her in some awe. As I cycled home I remember VE day very well. I was from school I passed her working six at the time, and we lived in a on her allotment and ventured a village called Gravenhurst in brave "Hello!" "The war's over!!!", Bedfordshire. That evening a huge she shouted as I pedalled past. bonfire was lit and effigies of Hitler "Hurray!" I replied, "I'll go and tell and Hirohito were ceremoniously Mum", and I hastened home for tea burned. The village green was and to share Miss Newman's good packed, and I was plonked on top of news with the family. an old piano, which my mother Rollo Wicksteed played. Everyone around was In May 1945 I was the First singing and shouting; the fire roared Lieutenant of the frigate HMS Conn. away, and then came fireworks - On VE Day itself we were patrolling nothing very pretty, just hefty bangs. in the North Sea (having just a few I was terrified. days before sunk an enemy David Dobson submarine), and we were ordered into the Norwegian port of Bergen, 4 to conduct a victory parade. I captain of the frigate HMS remember that as we approached Bacchante, returning up channel the jetty we saw about a hundred from exercises in the South-Western German prisoners, formed up in Approaches. In turbulent waters off ranks and obliged to witness our Portland Bill a small yacht was arrival. They were kept there for sighted with sails flapping and a hours and hours, and we felt rather man gesticulating wildly. I stopped sorry for them. the ship to investigate, and we Next day was the day of the parade, heard an anguished cry: "Can you and my Captain decided that I help me please? I think my wife is should lead the parade and be in having a baby!" charge. The ship wasn’t very well The lady in labour was extricated kitted out for ceremonial events, but from the yacht with considerable think we nevertheless put on a good difficulty, and gently deposited on show. It was a great day. the bunk in the only en-suite Stuart Farquarson-Roberts accommodation on board - my On VE Day I was one of 560 Cadets cabin. We had no helicopter, no at the Royal Naval College, doctor, very limited medical facilities evacuated to Eaton Hall, Cheshire, and (unlike today) an all-male crew. after Dartmouth had been bombed No matter; I ordered "Full speed early in the war. I was in my third ahead", and we set off for Portland, term and my voice had just broken, while below frantic preparations putting an end to a promising career were made for emergency as a treble in the choir! I was midwifery. However, to my great pleased that a friend's father, a relief I got the ship alongside in submariner, had just been awarded Portland Harbour just in time, for a a posthumous VC. healthy baby girl was born in the After our Victory Parade we were ambulance on the way to hospital. marched into a huge gymnasium, The confused young husband turned rather like an aircraft hangar, the up much later, assisted by a only place we could assemble for Midshipman replacement crew, and worship under one roof. I still feel later we learned that one of the annoyed that my father, who fought baby’s Christian names was to be in two World Wars, was required to Bacchante. That pleased us all a pay my school fees! great deal. Basil Watson Three decades later, I was the 5 Located under the Ashford Hangers Sleeps 6 with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and spacious living area. Available for short breaks or holidays. For more details, please check www.ashfordfarmturkeys.co.uk or call 01730 268131 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE ? Reliable local help for and with : Elderly people who need Cheerful and Constructive Help to live Happily in their Own Homes. Property Management ; for weekenders or just very busy people Refurbishing Properties. Excellent references available. Call: 01730 269267 or Email: [email protected] ADVERTISING IN THIS NEWSLETTER AND VILLAGE WEBSITE If you would like to advertise please contact Ray Street on 892656 or email [email protected] Village website: www.steepvillage.com 6 My Father fought with the 8th Army, ended. My immediate thought was in North Africa and then Italy, that my father would be home including Monte Cassino where he tomorrow! lost a good pal. He visited there My father had a regiment in Austria during a family holiday to Italy in having fought his way from Africa 1976. I got hold of his service record and up the leg of Italy; we didn’t last year and so have also been have him at home for two more doing some reading up on the years. (My to-be husband Robin was events he was involved with to try to celebrating on the Elbe in Hamburg piece together that part of his life. where he had “liberated” a very nice He was back in his barracks in yacht! He had served in Africa, Italy Canterbury by February 1945 and and France and Germany). on VE Day met my mother at the bandstand on Herne Bay sea front. On the 8th May 2020 I telephoned They were married 2 years later. two of my fellow schoolgirls to see what they had remembered: one Ray Street could not remember the evening but I remember VE Day very clearly. I could remember that we were given was nine years old and at a a treat – a charabanc trip to boarding school near Epsom. It was Climping in celebration; the other evening and we were sent for by friend said that VE day was not a Miss Hopkins, the head mistress, to day to celebrate as her father, also go to her drawing room for an a Gunner, had been killed in the important announcement. We went war. down in our dressing gowns and Caroline Glover were told that the war had USEFUL CONTACTS Newsletter: David Dobson 261344 [email protected] Police Support Officer: John Payne [email protected] Steep Village website: www.steepvillage.com Steep Parish Clerk: Jenny Hollington 267784, [email protected] Stroud Parish Clerk (part time): [email protected] or Elisabeth Foulston 48 Winchester Road, Stroud, GU32 3PG Stroud Village website: www.stroudvillage.co.uk Steep Village Hall: Jenny Hollington 267784 7 HOW ARE YOU COPING ? VE DAY CELEBRATIONS Lockdown; Jhon Cosgrove working from home. Steep War Memorial decorated by tenders Suzanne & Tony Knights THURSDAY CLAP IN STEEP Here, on the east end of Church Road, the Thursday evening clap has become a must. The only problem is that we are all so pleased to see one another, we are in danger of forgetting why we are there. Tim and Lynette come out Stroud celebrated VE Day with ringing their cowbells, our First picnic lunches on their front drives World War shell beaten as a gong or spread around a field was no match and has been abandoned. Carol at the THURSDAY CLAP IN STROUD Almshouses played ‘We’ll meet There has been a great turnout in again, don’t know where, don’t know Stroud, from Ridge Common Lane to when’ on her car radio and the rest North Stroud Lane and in between. of us just shout and clap and We had 100% turnout in Finchmead gradually move closer, keeping our Lane last week - which was quite distance of course. We had hoped special to be a part of - and I know that Ben might entertain us with a there have been similar levels of gig, but that hasn’t happened yet. turnout in Stroudfields and Us oldies, I think we are the only Ramsdean Road. I unleashed my ones up here, are given bountiful elephant bell, which normally has to offers of help. How fortunate we are be kept firmly in its cradle! to live in a this village. Jeremy Mitchell Celia Storey 8 PLANTS FOR THE NHS quickly disappear), only to be replaced by more from the many Through an idea for the community willing neighbours.