"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…..