High Wycombe, The Old Cane And Rush Works, Desborough Street 2005

Photo ref: H84717

I was born in High Wycombe in 1938 and lived there till 1945. My school-time memories were of going to Godstowe with my sister, and winning the top spelling prize in the school - an achievement never since emulated! I remember my father taking me to the hilltop and pointing to a red glow in the distance, saying “That’s London burning”. We had a couple of doodlebugs which landed in nearby fields, and we ...see more

I was born in Amersham Hospital in 1956. It should have been the Shrubbery, but it was full on the day I decided I had had enough of the womb. Cut to the mid 60's and I'm a student at Crown House Primary in London Road opposite the Rye, a tiny private 6 class room, 11+cram school in an attractive Georgian residence. Happy memories there and yes, I passed what was really a glorified IQ test in 1967, ...see more

My maternal great grandmother (or possibly Great Aunt), Mrs Curtis, was of Romani (Gypsy) descent and lived in one of the row of cottages that fronted the Rye (Pann) Mill on London Road, High Wycombe, opposite the Trinity Church. The cottages have been demolished and the mill refurbished. According to family hearsay, Mrs Curtis was a master wicker basket weaver and wove a crib (cot) for a member of the royal ...see more

When I was at the High School my form was taken out to the beech woods to see Bodgers at work. I think that this was organised by the History Mistress. Miss Owen. They lived in a camp and hand made chair legs for thr Furniture makers in Town. I remember that we were shown how a Pole Lathe was used. I still have rolling pin made by one of the men, and sold to me. It would have ...see more