Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire

My grannie

My grandmother was born in Geddinton Nov. 4, 1888. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary Magdalene. I have the prayer book she was given at her Confirmation. Her name was Agnes Mary Hopkins, the daughter of York and Rebecca Hopkins. She emigrated to Canada with her sister, Emily Whitney in 1910. My father visited Geddington when he was stationed in England dduring WW2. Someday I would like to visit Northamptonshire also. Margaret Reid

Smithy

Ref: the smithy to the left of the thatched cottages.
I was evacuated at the age of 11, birthday the day before, to Miss Scott's cottage (which was sited opposite the smithy). On my first day in Barton (1/9/39) I was given a bedroom in the attic that had a small window where I used to watch the smith at work. It was my favourite place to sketch.
I enjoyed my life in the village, the kids accepted us, and we roamed the fields and trespassed in the spinney. Whatever happened to Pat Weston from the sweetshop?
My sisters initially went to the Hall then to Mr and Mrs Henson's on Barton Road.
My best wishes go to all those who made us welcome in those dark days.
Tom Andrews, London.
PS. Ms Scott used to look after the church and one of my sisters got married there.

The Bus Station

I have put 1970 as my year of recollection, but I was catching the 259 service from bay 5 at about the time this photograph was taken.
In 1970 I was working on the buses as a conductor and by 1974 as a driver.
You will see in the photo that buses reversed onto the bays, this changed in the mid 1970s, with the introduction of more fromt entry buses, from then we drove onto the bay and reversed off.
At the far end was a cafe (near bays 1 and 2) and at this end a waiting room and a boking office.
A block of flats now stands on this site, but the bus garage is still there, just to the left of the photo.

Working in Kettering Careers Office

I spent an enjoyable month in Spring 1988 working for Kettering Careers Office as part of my training during a post grad year for my Careers Guidance Diploma.

I remember Tresham College, lovely shops, friendly people, a comfortable bed and breakfast for the month arranged for me by the college, and my journey each Sunday and Friday evening by train from my Watford home to Kettering via Bletchley and Bedford. Although it was only March I remember cherry trees in blossom along the roadside!

I met some fascinating people in the most unusual jobs such as as fletcher and a jigsaw maker and a factory making bubble wrap!