Ledbury People
Please click on a title to reveal information, clicking the title again will take you to the next title.
Peter Garnett, holding his book 'Portrait of Wellington Heath".
Peter Garnett died in November 2006, age 76. A popular member of the community, Peter was a well-respected local historian and a former deputy head-teacher of John Masefield High School. A parish councillor since 1975, including 5 years as chairman, Peter was for 26 years secretary of the Ledbury Naturalists and Field Club. Peter served on the Wellington Heath Memorial Hall management committee for 31 years and in the 1980s was instrumental in organising Wellington Heath's Best Kept Village Campaign and was delighted to win the overall title for Herefordshire. The photo above shows Peter holding his book 'Portrait of Wellington Heath".
Peter was a leading proponent of so many Society activities. We asked members to record their memories of Peter.
Brian Speakman writes:
It was just over 30 years ago when Peter and I first met. He was a history teacher and Deputy Head of the Secondary School and our task then was to moderate CSE History projects. I had just arrived in Ledbury as Head of History at the Grammar School. My first impression was of a pleasant and gentle person who was quite justly proud of the projects of his pupils, mainly on the history of Ledbury.
A few years later the schools combined to become John Masefield High School. Peter became a Deputy Head and worked in my department. There was rarely any tension between us, we discussed amicably and came to joint decisions. I never heard him raise his voice nor show any signs of anger - quite incredible for a teacher. That lovely smile was never far away. The way in which he related to his pupils was very similar and they really respected and liked him. Not only was he listened to, but his words were accepted. Peter was very keen on visits into Ledbury and to castles and historical sites further away. He made history come alive.
Eighteen years ago my family moved into the house next door to Peter and Lorna.Should colleagues move in next door ? - it was never a problem. So began years of talking over the garden fence. As well as being a keen ornithologist, botanist and zoologist, his garden was always immaculate, in contrast to mine. His garden in many ways reflected his office, very neat and tidy, no weeds to be seen, plants in rows, work plan according to season, highly controlled bonfires. My garden is one of curves and bushes, weeds concealed and surprises everywhere. Maybe it was our very different characters that enabled us to get on so well together.
Peter had always been a friend of the church, and in his later years Peter joined Lorna at church and became a regular worshipper. In school he used to take assemblies where his themes were not religious but more akin to “the way of life”. I will always remember him telling the children that to smile at and be pleasant to each other cost nothing and could make all the difference to the day ahead - Christianity in action. While attending church bible studies he listened thoughtfully and said little, but his presence was strongly felt, though I will remember him more in the wild flower meadow in the church yard which he tended so lovingly, surrounded by the beauty of Creation.
I now have my treasured memories of a very dear friend. To go into the garden without Peter carefully tilling his earth seems strange, but in so many ways he is still there; his smile, his warmth, his love of nature, his love of family. I think of him and feel uplifted, and I will never forget the beauty of his burial in his beloved wild flower meadow.
“WIN” (Mary Winfield) writes:
I first met Lorna and Peter in 1964, when we all arrived to play tennis one evening at Ledbury County Secondary School, where Peter had arrived to take up his appointment as Deputy Head and teacher of history. I thought, “What a lovely young couple”, only to discover that they were older than I was ! Peter remained young at heart, and I think that was something that gave him such a deep understanding of his pupils and that endeared him to generations of them.
I taught with Peter from reorganisation in 1978 until his retirement from John Masefield High School in, I believe, 1991, the year that we moved onto one site. He found his perfect role as Head of the Junior Department, based at Upper Hall. With a wide catchment area, this unit of about three hundred pupils was the ideal environment for children coming into Ledbury from small country schools, enabling them to adapt to secondary education and to build their confidence. Peter ensured that this transition was both speedy and painless. Peter’s rule was a benign one: to his quiet but firm manner (he rarely needed to raise his voice), pupils responded positively. He involved them in local history projects and inspired in them a love of wildlife through the various clubs that he ran.
To his staff, he was invariably courteous and supportive, as when he soothed the fevered brow of the teacher caught in traffic whilst making the mad dash between departments, standing in with the class until one tore through the door. His sense of humour seldom failed him!
“PTG” was one of an increasingly rare breed: a gentleman in every sense of the word, respected and beloved of staff and pupils alike.
From Prue Yorke:
I worked for just three weeks as a temporary secretary for Peter when he was head of the Junior department of John Masefield High School. It was a complete change of work for me and Peter could not have been more helpful and kind. I was not very good and he was unfailingly patient, as he was towards all the pupils - and staff ! In the short time I worked for Peter it was apparent what a happy school he ran.
From Sue Harling:
Peter and I first knew Peter and Lorna Garnett when they moved to Ledbury and lived in the Churchyard at Bank House. They joined the Ledbury Round Table and Ladies Circle of which Peter and I were members. We soon became close friends. Almost as soon as Peter arrived in Ledbury he rang my father Hubert Madders (known as “Ike”) to ask if he could come to see him to talk about Old Ledbury.
My father felt privileged as Peter was prepared to put into book form in particular George Wargent’s history, as well as histories of Upper Hall, Hazle Farm and others. Peter liaised with the Herefordshire Record Office, and ensured that material was put into its safe-keeping.
From Valerie Beaumont Johnson:
I have so much enjoyed Peter Garnett’s books - my favourite is the “History of the Ledbury Grammar School”. On Society outings Peter and Lorna have made me feel so welcome.
Pip Powell, of Powell Cycles, The Homend, Ledbury, died peacefully on 23 February 2010, age 79 years.
With kind permission of Ledbury Portal, here is a link to an article Pip wrote about Ledbury shopping in the 1930s.
http://www.ledburyportal.co.uk/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=661:ledbury-shopping-in-the-late-1930s&catid=207:history&Itemid=128
For the past 15 years or so, Bob has been serving customers with dried fruit and nuts from his stall under the Market House.
As he says "To all my past and present customers, having had many happy years under the Market Hall, I'm packing up after Christmas and doing something different - not sure what.
You folks have been great company and I shall miss you all.
Thanks for your custom and all the best in the New Year"
Please click on a title to reveal information, clicking the title again will take you to the next title.
Peter Garnett - Memories
Peter Garnett, holding his book 'Portrait of Wellington Heath".
Peter Garnett died in November 2006, age 76. A popular member of the community, Peter was a well-respected local historian and a former deputy head-teacher of John Masefield High School. A parish councillor since 1975, including 5 years as chairman, Peter was for 26 years secretary of the Ledbury Naturalists and Field Club. Peter served on the Wellington Heath Memorial Hall management committee for 31 years and in the 1980s was instrumental in organising Wellington Heath's Best Kept Village Campaign and was delighted to win the overall title for Herefordshire. The photo above shows Peter holding his book 'Portrait of Wellington Heath".
Peter was a leading proponent of so many Society activities. We asked members to record their memories of Peter.
Brian Speakman writes:
It was just over 30 years ago when Peter and I first met. He was a history teacher and Deputy Head of the Secondary School and our task then was to moderate CSE History projects. I had just arrived in Ledbury as Head of History at the Grammar School. My first impression was of a pleasant and gentle person who was quite justly proud of the projects of his pupils, mainly on the history of Ledbury.
A few years later the schools combined to become John Masefield High School. Peter became a Deputy Head and worked in my department. There was rarely any tension between us, we discussed amicably and came to joint decisions. I never heard him raise his voice nor show any signs of anger - quite incredible for a teacher. That lovely smile was never far away. The way in which he related to his pupils was very similar and they really respected and liked him. Not only was he listened to, but his words were accepted. Peter was very keen on visits into Ledbury and to castles and historical sites further away. He made history come alive.
Eighteen years ago my family moved into the house next door to Peter and Lorna.Should colleagues move in next door ? - it was never a problem. So began years of talking over the garden fence. As well as being a keen ornithologist, botanist and zoologist, his garden was always immaculate, in contrast to mine. His garden in many ways reflected his office, very neat and tidy, no weeds to be seen, plants in rows, work plan according to season, highly controlled bonfires. My garden is one of curves and bushes, weeds concealed and surprises everywhere. Maybe it was our very different characters that enabled us to get on so well together.
Peter had always been a friend of the church, and in his later years Peter joined Lorna at church and became a regular worshipper. In school he used to take assemblies where his themes were not religious but more akin to “the way of life”. I will always remember him telling the children that to smile at and be pleasant to each other cost nothing and could make all the difference to the day ahead - Christianity in action. While attending church bible studies he listened thoughtfully and said little, but his presence was strongly felt, though I will remember him more in the wild flower meadow in the church yard which he tended so lovingly, surrounded by the beauty of Creation.
I now have my treasured memories of a very dear friend. To go into the garden without Peter carefully tilling his earth seems strange, but in so many ways he is still there; his smile, his warmth, his love of nature, his love of family. I think of him and feel uplifted, and I will never forget the beauty of his burial in his beloved wild flower meadow.
“WIN” (Mary Winfield) writes:
I first met Lorna and Peter in 1964, when we all arrived to play tennis one evening at Ledbury County Secondary School, where Peter had arrived to take up his appointment as Deputy Head and teacher of history. I thought, “What a lovely young couple”, only to discover that they were older than I was ! Peter remained young at heart, and I think that was something that gave him such a deep understanding of his pupils and that endeared him to generations of them.
I taught with Peter from reorganisation in 1978 until his retirement from John Masefield High School in, I believe, 1991, the year that we moved onto one site. He found his perfect role as Head of the Junior Department, based at Upper Hall. With a wide catchment area, this unit of about three hundred pupils was the ideal environment for children coming into Ledbury from small country schools, enabling them to adapt to secondary education and to build their confidence. Peter ensured that this transition was both speedy and painless. Peter’s rule was a benign one: to his quiet but firm manner (he rarely needed to raise his voice), pupils responded positively. He involved them in local history projects and inspired in them a love of wildlife through the various clubs that he ran.
To his staff, he was invariably courteous and supportive, as when he soothed the fevered brow of the teacher caught in traffic whilst making the mad dash between departments, standing in with the class until one tore through the door. His sense of humour seldom failed him!
“PTG” was one of an increasingly rare breed: a gentleman in every sense of the word, respected and beloved of staff and pupils alike.
From Prue Yorke:
I worked for just three weeks as a temporary secretary for Peter when he was head of the Junior department of John Masefield High School. It was a complete change of work for me and Peter could not have been more helpful and kind. I was not very good and he was unfailingly patient, as he was towards all the pupils - and staff ! In the short time I worked for Peter it was apparent what a happy school he ran.
From Sue Harling:
Peter and I first knew Peter and Lorna Garnett when they moved to Ledbury and lived in the Churchyard at Bank House. They joined the Ledbury Round Table and Ladies Circle of which Peter and I were members. We soon became close friends. Almost as soon as Peter arrived in Ledbury he rang my father Hubert Madders (known as “Ike”) to ask if he could come to see him to talk about Old Ledbury.
My father felt privileged as Peter was prepared to put into book form in particular George Wargent’s history, as well as histories of Upper Hall, Hazle Farm and others. Peter liaised with the Herefordshire Record Office, and ensured that material was put into its safe-keeping.
From Valerie Beaumont Johnson:
I have so much enjoyed Peter Garnett’s books - my favourite is the “History of the Ledbury Grammar School”. On Society outings Peter and Lorna have made me feel so welcome.
Pip Powell - Ledbury Shopping in the 1930s
Pip Powell, of Powell Cycles, The Homend, Ledbury, died peacefully on 23 February 2010, age 79 years.
With kind permission of Ledbury Portal, here is a link to an article Pip wrote about Ledbury shopping in the 1930s.
http://www.ledburyportal.co.uk/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=661:ledbury-shopping-in-the-late-1930s&catid=207:history&Itemid=128
Sue Harling - Memories of Ledbury from 1933
"Memories of Ledbury from 1933", by Sue Harling…
My grandparents on my father's side lived above the Laundrette in the Homend and my father was actually born there. They then moved to Belle Orchard when it was built in 1911. My grandfather was part of the grocery business known as W. Madders and Son, where Careys is now.
I was born in Belle Orchard next door to my grandparents. My grandparents on my mother's side were builders in the Southend known as R Preece and Sons and my mother was born there, she had two brothers older than her.
Living in Belle Orchard one of my earliest memories is the milk being delivered by Ernie Barnett of Wall Hills with his horse and cart when he measured the milk into the jug at the back door. The manure left in the street was gathered up by local residents. A tree was planted in the front garden and the horse use to lean over the hedge and devoured the lot morning by morning.
The workhouse at the bottom of the road (Leadon Bank) was used by the tramps who had to break stones and chop wood before moving on. I can remember my mother giving each tramp a piece of bread and filling his billy-can before they went elsewhere.
In 1937 we had bathrooms built onto the houses above the coalhouse and an outside toilet. The Preece family business built these and I have a photograph of the men on the scaffolding in their best suits and trilby hats.
We used to frequent the hopfields along the Worcester Road where Jack Parry used to weigh the hops and we were well known for singing with gusto round the crib. How these sunny autumnal days stick in my mind and in the twilight of the evening the rich and colourful sunsets.
Where Belle Orchard Close is now, 'Gittings Lorries" were kept in line, This was before they took the Garage on at Parkway. Beyond that was a pathway which led to Mr. Barnes allotment where he grew fresh vegetables. As children we were sent to buy these each week. Before reaching the garden there was a barn storing orange juice for Schweppes. All I can remember is running past thousands of wasps.
As children we used to go to the Drill Hall for concerts which was roughly on the site of Somerfields. Some showed their old cine films which we thought were fantastic.
My late father Hubert (Ike) Madders played golf so the visits to LedburyClub were frequent. The entrance was through the Hill Farm with the Coneygree Wood on one side and Eastnor on the other. A few yards away was Fairy Glen where we used to picnic regularly. I can recall my father putting his golf clubs into the boot of the car on a Saturday night so as my grandfather would not know he played on a Sunday.
Shops we visited were Brays Outfitters (now Orangery and C & G) also Brays shoe shop; Shirvingtons shoe repairers (Head to Toe); Miss Minetts sweet shop (next to Jenkins fruiterers); Walters the drapers (Sez} sold anything from an evening gown to any coloured button you required; Miss Chadd (Seconds Ahead) sold delicious ice cream; Mr & Mrs. Vincer (First Page) was a bakery where the old man said I would turn into a chocolate bun. Father Christmas played a big part in my young life but when I began to read I noticed Denslows on the side of the new dolls pram and that gave it all away. Denslows was where Clarke Roxburgh is now.
As mentioned before my mother was part of the builders business in the Southend. One early memory is walking down the yard to the house, the workshops continued down for quite a way to include carpenters, plumbers and builders. Frank Shinn was one of the carpenters and once one of the Preece boys emptied his sandwiches and refilled them with sawdust. Was he in trouble!!
Mother's brother Robert ran the business at No. 7 where the workmen were, Cecil ran No. 10, another shop. Even today when I hear anyone whistling in the street I think of Josh Haines who was the chimney Sweep who lived where the Olive Tree is now. I used to run down to the bottom of the garden to watch the broom come out of the chimney. Josh was the favourite of everyone.
I started school at the Abbey School now Abbey House in the Homend. Charlotte Ballard was the Headmistress known as Lottie. The most vivid memory I have of this time was having my left hand tied behind my back with string to make sure I wrote with the right hand, in fact I did everything left handed so I went home and complained to my parents and all they said “and quite right too, we don't want anyone left handed in this family”. I was aghast. I am still ambidextrous and at one time played tennis with both hands. In 1939 I dreaded having to practice with gas masks on.
As a family we used to travel by train to Gloucester starting at Ledbury Station, Ledbury Halt, Greenway, Dymock, Four Oaks, Malswick, Newent, Barbers Bridge and Gloucester. This was picturesque whatever time of year but in the Spring when the wild daffodils were out it was beautiful. Everyone called it the daffodil line.
To be continued…..
My grandparents on my father's side lived above the Laundrette in the Homend and my father was actually born there. They then moved to Belle Orchard when it was built in 1911. My grandfather was part of the grocery business known as W. Madders and Son, where Careys is now.
I was born in Belle Orchard next door to my grandparents. My grandparents on my mother's side were builders in the Southend known as R Preece and Sons and my mother was born there, she had two brothers older than her.
Living in Belle Orchard one of my earliest memories is the milk being delivered by Ernie Barnett of Wall Hills with his horse and cart when he measured the milk into the jug at the back door. The manure left in the street was gathered up by local residents. A tree was planted in the front garden and the horse use to lean over the hedge and devoured the lot morning by morning.
The workhouse at the bottom of the road (Leadon Bank) was used by the tramps who had to break stones and chop wood before moving on. I can remember my mother giving each tramp a piece of bread and filling his billy-can before they went elsewhere.
In 1937 we had bathrooms built onto the houses above the coalhouse and an outside toilet. The Preece family business built these and I have a photograph of the men on the scaffolding in their best suits and trilby hats.
We used to frequent the hopfields along the Worcester Road where Jack Parry used to weigh the hops and we were well known for singing with gusto round the crib. How these sunny autumnal days stick in my mind and in the twilight of the evening the rich and colourful sunsets.
Where Belle Orchard Close is now, 'Gittings Lorries" were kept in line, This was before they took the Garage on at Parkway. Beyond that was a pathway which led to Mr. Barnes allotment where he grew fresh vegetables. As children we were sent to buy these each week. Before reaching the garden there was a barn storing orange juice for Schweppes. All I can remember is running past thousands of wasps.
As children we used to go to the Drill Hall for concerts which was roughly on the site of Somerfields. Some showed their old cine films which we thought were fantastic.
My late father Hubert (Ike) Madders played golf so the visits to LedburyClub were frequent. The entrance was through the Hill Farm with the Coneygree Wood on one side and Eastnor on the other. A few yards away was Fairy Glen where we used to picnic regularly. I can recall my father putting his golf clubs into the boot of the car on a Saturday night so as my grandfather would not know he played on a Sunday.
Shops we visited were Brays Outfitters (now Orangery and C & G) also Brays shoe shop; Shirvingtons shoe repairers (Head to Toe); Miss Minetts sweet shop (next to Jenkins fruiterers); Walters the drapers (Sez} sold anything from an evening gown to any coloured button you required; Miss Chadd (Seconds Ahead) sold delicious ice cream; Mr & Mrs. Vincer (First Page) was a bakery where the old man said I would turn into a chocolate bun. Father Christmas played a big part in my young life but when I began to read I noticed Denslows on the side of the new dolls pram and that gave it all away. Denslows was where Clarke Roxburgh is now.
As mentioned before my mother was part of the builders business in the Southend. One early memory is walking down the yard to the house, the workshops continued down for quite a way to include carpenters, plumbers and builders. Frank Shinn was one of the carpenters and once one of the Preece boys emptied his sandwiches and refilled them with sawdust. Was he in trouble!!
Mother's brother Robert ran the business at No. 7 where the workmen were, Cecil ran No. 10, another shop. Even today when I hear anyone whistling in the street I think of Josh Haines who was the chimney Sweep who lived where the Olive Tree is now. I used to run down to the bottom of the garden to watch the broom come out of the chimney. Josh was the favourite of everyone.
I started school at the Abbey School now Abbey House in the Homend. Charlotte Ballard was the Headmistress known as Lottie. The most vivid memory I have of this time was having my left hand tied behind my back with string to make sure I wrote with the right hand, in fact I did everything left handed so I went home and complained to my parents and all they said “and quite right too, we don't want anyone left handed in this family”. I was aghast. I am still ambidextrous and at one time played tennis with both hands. In 1939 I dreaded having to practice with gas masks on.
As a family we used to travel by train to Gloucester starting at Ledbury Station, Ledbury Halt, Greenway, Dymock, Four Oaks, Malswick, Newent, Barbers Bridge and Gloucester. This was picturesque whatever time of year but in the Spring when the wild daffodils were out it was beautiful. Everyone called it the daffodil line.
To be continued…..
Bob Dowler - dried fruit and nuts under the Market House
For the past 15 years or so, Bob has been serving customers with dried fruit and nuts from his stall under the Market House.
As he says "To all my past and present customers, having had many happy years under the Market Hall, I'm packing up after Christmas and doing something different - not sure what.
You folks have been great company and I shall miss you all.
Thanks for your custom and all the best in the New Year"