Riddings, The Mills c.1960

Photo ref: R264006

My Father was the farm manager for Mr Oakes at the park farm. I spent a very happy childhood growing up there. Two brothers and one sister.What a childhood we have my dad loved that farm .My old mum would invite every trader in for a cup of tea even Mr Oakes would be in the kitchen .I had loads of chores to do when I came home from the school. When I see that farm yard now all I can think of was my play ground. The old ...see more

We used to live in the grounds of Riddings House in the cottage to the left of the main house. The two cottages used as accommodation for the head and assistant gardeners. I used to go with my dad up into the clock tower to wind up the clock at the weekend. There were buildings down the gardens; in one of them local people could visit and buy some of the produce that was grown. The lawns and gardens being kept ...see more

This was the meeting place where local kids gathered most evenings. I dont think it's changed much. I remember Guiness Trust doing all the houses up.

When I was growing up a family called Judge lived in the house at the top right of this photo and I used to play with the son and daughter. They had a small field, which is still there at the front of the house, with their two donkeys in it. They also had a climbing frame with swings abd a see-saw. I remember thinking they were quite posh. The field to the left, belonged to the Oakes family and we had hours of fun making ...see more