Memories of Asfordby
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 Asfordby, the Church and Rectory c1955 (ref: A211012) |
Year: 1954
Beechcroft (rectory)
I had the pleasure of living in Beechcroft since the day I was born in 1954, my parents and grandparents had bought the rectory, named a "White Elephant"as no one had lived in it for 4 years. During that time we had birthday parties on the front lawn, unless of course you were born in January. My parents loved to have BBQ's in the grounds. My sister and I had our weddings here and walked across the lawn to the church. I remember the cellars - cold, dark but exciting, lots of stories have been written about secret passages to the river. The house was magnificent and I still miss it now. I travel to the UK from Australia often, and just sit in the grounds and relive my youth. We as kids played in the grounds, searched in the fields for mushrooms and climbed the trees. I did not like walking past the graveyard at night to get home off the last bus, so my mum was always there with the trusty dog. Summer was the best, putting on the cozzie and sitting in the Lily Pond to cool off, those days we did'nt have water restrictions. We were told that Polly was the ghost, I had a few near misses but never actually saw her. My sister and I did find some engraving on an upper window on the glass, possibly made by a maid. My nanna had a room full of miniatures and the original bells for summoning staff were still attached to the wall with a button near her chair. I remember the grand front stairs, and - when no-one was looking - sliding down the banisters. As my aunt has said in her memory, Christmas was a memorable time with half the village turning up for mince pies. Our family always came to Beechcroft for Boxing Day and the annual table tennis competition. We always had a dog, but our family's main love was cats, and most of them are buried in the grounds. Many people have painted the house and written lovely poems about their time spent there, times which have left a loving memory. I left England in 1976 to travel and work in Australia, and yes, I am still here! My parents sold Beechcroft in the late 1980s and now live a few yards away in the grounds, still overlooking the river and with a view of the old house. I have a large old photo I took of the house which takes pride of place in my home in Australia, so I never forget my happy childhood spent in this wonderfull home. I was born Maureen Whitby, now known as Liz Collins. Last edited: 12/4/2008 15:07 by Liz Collins |
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Asfordby, the Church and Rectory c1955 (ref: A211012) |
Year: 1965
The Old Rectory, Now Called
It was Dec 1965, and my sister Ellen Blackham and I sailed to England from Perth, Western Australia, to spend time with my sister Doris Whitby. Doris and her husband Roy had purchased The Old Rectory in the late 1950s. It was no longer required as a rectory and was therefore put on the market. I will never forget driving down Station Lane on that grey afternoon in December and seeing Beechcroft (my sister named it that because of the huge Beech tree that was growing on the right of the building) for the first time. Christmas was approaching and we were excited to be celebrating it here at Beechcroft with the possibility of a white Christmas as well. We walked through the village singing Christmas carols, and then people came back to Beechcroft and in the huge kitchen we had fruit mince pies and hot cocoa. Wonderful memories!! Ellen and I stayed for 18 months. Our memories of Beechcroft and the village of Asfordby will remain in our hearts forever. Summer days on the lawn with our nieces Jenny and Maureen, clearing out the old fish pond on the front lawn, our washing frozen stiff on the line, returning home from work and walking down Church Lane, coming through the gates and being greeted by this magnificent old building. Yes, we were told that it had a ghost, but unfortunately we never had the pleasure of meeting it! Sadly Roy died not long after our return to Australia, and years later Doris married Roy's best friend, Bruce Brotherhood. Doris and Bruce sold Beechcroft in the 1980s, so I will never get to walk through those rooms again, but I do still visit it when I go to England for holidays, and it still looks wonderful. Last edited: 12/3/2008 09:34 by Lyn Praed |
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