Reader's Feedback
The website has readers spread across the globe and below are a
selection of emails we have received so far - if you would like to
get in touch with any of these people, or would like to leave your
feedback on this page, please send an email to editors@brockham.org
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Congratulations per initiative with Web page.
I came to Brockham to stay as an Evacuee on the eve of the 1939-45
War and stayed till the end of 1940, subsequently tranferred to
Westott in continuation of education. Happy whilst I suppose
stressfull days.
Our London primary School was in East Dulwich, 'Friern Road' and
located at Peckham Rye, and we came as a group complete with
teachers, and were taught initially in the Village Hall across the
Green to the north-east of Christchurch. I sang in the choir at the
Church, the priest I recollect as the Rev'd Oldham, and balancing
this steady recollection was that of a weeks secondment from
classes to assist the sergeant of the new formed L.D.V. in
unpacking, cleaning and 'pulling through' a batch of Canadian Ross
rifles, deemed unsuitable for first line troops in having non
standard bore at 0.300".
My 'home' was with Mr and Mrs Money at 11 Barley Mow Gardens
adjacent the then gravel pit south of the Reigate Road and opposite
the North Downs Chalk pits. They had no children of their own at
that time, Mrs Money was dominant as personality and kindness
personified. Speciality of the house were salmon fishcakes and pear
pie, rememberances of which in recall frustrated both my own mother
and wife.
A host of other memories, some bleak per a drowning of a fellow
evacuee in the gravel pit, and I believe death in a bombing
incident of two young friends, the Thorley brothers. This obscured
in memory.
I trust the above may be of interest as a view from the
past.
My question ralates to the following. In the early days in the
village a Professional film crew appeared on an 'Evacuation' theme
with much filming. My personal recolllection embraced two
highlights. I was portrayed in happy acceptance into the
family of the famously photogenic cottage adjacent the Church,
contrary to the real life experience as a billeting officers
nightmare hawked around the village to its outskirts. Underlining
an obvious improvement in appearance I was central to a
'thumbs up' group of happy youngsters at the blacksmiths across
from the village school in the closing sequences.
The film happened and it featured at the Embassy Cinema, Dorking,
as advertised per the Dorking Advertiser of Decemer 1st 1939. I and
friends were there. With the spate of recollections in recent years
it has, to the best of my knowledge failed to turn up. Anything
known locally ?
Regards,
Peter Stokes
peterstokes@hotmail.co.uk
Tel. 0208 953 2430
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I am writing to congratulate you on your very interesting
website and in particular Len Jordon and Alex Street's most
informative recollections. Having lived in Reigate for over twenty
years, I now live in Beulah a little village in a beautiful part of
Mid Wales, but I shall always have a special place in my heart for
Brockham and the special people I met there. I grew up in
Christchurch, Dorset (originally Hampshire before boundary changes)
and my mother and I used to spend holidays in Brockham staying at
the Duke's Head with Auntie Flo (Beryl) and Uncle Doug. This was
back in the 60s and the Duke's Head was very different from how it
is today. No meals were served, it didn't have a dining area but I
can remember Auntie Flo making sandwiches when asked for them.
There was a snug and a lounge bar but the public bar was the
busiest with a dart board on the wall where I would throw a few
arrows (badly) when the pub was closed. There was a large wooden
table where pub games would be played, such as Dominoes etc. I
can't remember any women being in the public bar, and definitely no
children, it was the men's domain. At this time I was in my teens
and Auntie Flo let me behind the bar. I couldn't serve drinks but I
was allowed to wash up the glasses and chat to the customers. It
was the first and only time I've pulled a pint, under the watchful
eye of Auntie Flo and to the laughter of the lads in the bar. The
pub always had a lovely, happy, lively atmosphere.
When the pub closed after lunchtime we went for long walks with
Auntie Flo and her dog through the beautiful surrounding Brockham
countryside.
Other memories were the stuffed animals in glass cages in our
bedroom. At night in the darkness, I found them a bit eerie (their
glass eyes would shine), so we would try and cover them up. Uncle
Doug was a real countryman and would dispatch what I thought were
pet rabbits that he kept, for our dinner. I felt a bit squeamish
about it at the time especially as I had a pet rabbit at home.
Mum and I watched one of Brockham's famous bonfire nights from
an upstairs window the fireworks were loud but exciting, though I
do remember the glass in the window feeling hot to the touch from
the heat of the bonfire.
I remember cricket matches on the green and recognize some faces
in your picture gallery on the Brockham website.
It was fascinating to learn from Len's recollections that there
had been an earlier Duke's Head destroyed by fire in 1899. I didn't
have any knowledge of this, so was very interested to see the
picture of it.
Yes holidays in Brockham will always remain as special memories
of past times and people.
Yours sincerely
Janet Morley
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Dear editors, creators and contributors of this superb
site,
As an ex resident of beautiful Brockham I was thrilled to be told
of brockham.org by another ex resident now residing in New
Zealand.
I grew up (supposedly) in Brockham and lived there until I was
nineteen when I headed down under to the land of Aus. During my
eight years here I have returned to the village yearly to see my
parents Bernard and Barbara, many long term friends and even
bringing my Australian partner along for the ride. He too instantly
became fond of our little south easterly village. I still hold
great affection for Brockham and continue to call it home.
Being so far away, in such a contrasting country, I find it very
difficult to describe where I am from to my friends here. Also,
there are moments when I miss 'home' greatly, so to find your
detailed and informative site was an answer to both these problems
and of course a real thrill!
During the two hours I spent browsing (yes, I said two hours), the
highlights for me were being able to hear what is happening
currently in the village whether the activities are new or of
tradition. Having the chance to "step in to" Brockham school which
I myself attended was a real flashback. It was wonderful to find
some familiar names including my headmaster Mr. Starkie. I hope
that is correctly spelt else I shall be in terrible trouble!
Finally the cream of the crop is most definitely the photo gallery.
Do you know how hard it is to describe the bonfire and the
familiarly flooded bridge to Australians who have never seen such
things? Well let me tell you it is not easy without photographic
evidence!!
Thanks to your superb photographers of whom I must mention Syd
Huggett who requested that I pass on my excitement about
Brockham.org I can now bring a little of my old world to my
new!
I must also congratulate the photographers for catching a glimpse
of my dear friends the Lindsay sisters. A rare achievement - well
done!
So, after much waffling I leave you with great thanks and
congratulations for your efforts and success in producing an
excellent website which I will continue to re visit. Keep going
please!!!
Yours sincerely,
Rachel Hawkins.
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Hi.
Interesting website, the village looks charming. My Father worked
in the National Provincial Bank, in Dorking. He and my mum married
in your village church in February 1959, and I was christened there
in 1961! We lived on Box Hill.
Must come and visit sometime.
Jerry
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