Bletchingley, Village 1907

Photo ref: 57487

My maternal grandfather Ernest Cording was the private secretary to Mr Augustus Brandt, of Bletchingley Castle, before WWII at William Brandt's London offices and was asked to move from Upminster in Essex to live at Hill Cottage or The Dower House on Castle Hill in late 1939 when key employees were "evacuated" to Bletchingley. Hill Cottage was often used as accommodation for visiting staff my ...see more

I was one of the last pupils that attended the school, before they made St. Catherines the new primary school. It was such an amazing school to go to. When you first went to school you were kept apart in the 1st class and had our meals and toilets completely separate from the main school. When you moved up to the main school, we then mixed with the rest of the school. Although the boys had their own ...see more

I think my father worked at the Newsagents before he was married. The name of the person he worked for was Edwards; not sure if that was first name or Surname. I was born in Redhill Feb 13 1944.

I have never lived in Bletchingley, but my paternal grandfather, Alfred David Balcombe, was born and raised in the village. My great grandfather was a publican - at The Cottage of Content - but had died when my father was a young boy. My great aunt and uncle remained unmarried and continued to live in the property, although I'm not sure if they continued to run it as a public house. My great uncle was ...see more