Here you can see a list of the most recently added comments on this site. You can add your own comments at the bottom of any page on the site.
My Dad and grandad worked for Atlas. My grandad was Reg Catley and was a Manager and my Dad was Ray Catley. I can remember going to the Christmas parties with my younger brother that were organised at the Atlas. It’s was great, a visit from Santa and a present for all the girls and boys.
Lindy, I think that’s definitely Marina in that photo. The photo from March 1955, front row fourth from left is Tommy Meikle I think. My husband Ted Murray worked as maintenance fitter from 1960-69.
The picture which shows the Wellington Room is very personal to me and my family as it has my father, Bill Nunn, my grandfather on my mother’s side, Luke Pettit and my father-in-law, Les Wilkins who at the time I did not know as I didn’t meet my husband until a few years later. All three of them were presented with their 25 year watches and joined the club on the same day.
The ‘Builders’ of the bungalow were the whole Ridout family – I think the only outside help we had was the architect, and he miscalculated the footings which ended up being strong enough to hold up a three storey house! When we were hunting out suitable hardcore, myself and John headed up to the top of the garden, armed with a pickaxe, to break up the ‘lump of bricks’ buried up there – then either Bill or Bob realised what we planned to do and said that it was a gas holder and there might still be gas in it from back in the gas works days. A spark from the pick hitting a brick could have been interesting!!! But all was well – no explosions!
Adelaide Emma Corden Larmour’s surname was an adopted one. Her parents were first cousins, grandchildren of Joseph Lazarus of Carmarthen, Wales, and Elizabeth Lazarus of London. Some of the family converted from Judaism to Christianity and changed their name to Larmour. I haven’t been able to discover if Joseph Lazarus and Elizabeth Lazarus were related, but I suspect they were. Elizabeth’s parents were Henry Hirsch Lazarus, a pencil maker in London, and Parla bat (daughter of) Moses. Henry was a member and officer of the Great Synagogue in London. It’s always fun to see which way families go. (I’m descended from Moses Lazarus of Exeter, who I believe but so far haven’t been able to prove, was Henry’s uncle.)
My mother’s maiden name is Wing. Take a look at the Wing Family of America
Gus Hale was my mother’s uncle on her father’s side (Preston Victor Bullen) and she has one of his original portraits of his sister who was a nurse. It’s beautiful.
Does anyone know where Jane Harris is living now? We were friends at Melbourn Village College. I think Jane was interested in working in advertising when she left Melbourn Village College.
Are there any direct remaining sibling descendants of the LEE family? I am hoping to find family photos of the children.
Absolutely lovely piece Colin, very informative and brings home just how hard it was for our parents and grandparents.
Sir William McAlpine was a keen jazz enthusiast and booked one of my bands, The Charleston Chasers, for a celebration dinner at Fawley Hill. This gave me the chance to look round his private railway and transport collection. A successful day was had by all.
In reply to Linda Clarke (see comment below) I remember your grandfather clearly. He would often bring a dead wild rabbit to my parents house for 2 shillings (old money). All of his children were lovely people. When anyone mentions Derek Cooper it reminds me of the time we were playing cricket on the Atlas sports ground against Haslingfield. We bowled them out for 5 runs. Derek 5 wickets for 2 runs, I took 5 for 2 and 1 extra. Whenever I met Derek he mentioned that game. I remember your Mum too.
The ‘Mr. Counsellor Gatward, of Cambridge, probably a member of the Meldreth family of that name’ referenced in this article would have been Samuel Gatward the Recorder of Cambridge. He was born in Steeple Morden in 1675. He went to Cambridge University and was admitted to Middle Temple. I am still trying to connect the Gatwards of Steeple Morden with the Gatwards of Meldreth.
Ann Gattward was the daughter of John Gattward who was a Wheelwright. Ann was baptised in Little Eversden 5 Aug 1832. By the time of the 1841 Census, her father was living in Ombersley, Worcestershire. He started a new family there. Ann lived with her mother Sarah in Orwell. At the time of the 1861 Census Ann was working as a House Servant in High Street Royston (Census entry is Ann Guttworth). I wasn’t aware of the circumstances of her death until I came across this website. Many thanks.
I used to live opposite the Queen Adelaide in the Victorian terrace. The story goes that originally it was a dormitory building for the coprolite miners. The ground floor rooms were 10 feet in height because the site foreman told the builders to carry on building until he returned from the Queen Adelaide. He was much longer than expected, hence the 10-foot rooms. I don’t know if this is true but it is a cracking yarn!
I believe on the photograph “Group of Atlas Workers in March 1955” the back row, second from the left (partially obscured by the man in the white short sleeve shirt), is my Grandfather, Fred Briggs who lived on Station Road in Shepreth. I also think that in the photograph from 1940 of Arthur Ford, where Wynn Racher is on his right, that the lady on his left is my grandmother, Molly Jennings, who married Fred Briggs.
Valerie, thank you for providing us with that information. We have amended the date of the marriage.
I am writing this in my capacity as granddaughter of Lewis Albert Victor Harrup. Having read this article, I have noticed that there is an error in the date of my grandparents’ marriage. The actual date of their marriage was 18th September 1915.
My mum was the warden at Elin Way and we lived in the flat above the community rooms in the 80s…..I used to sit on the Kitchen worktops and watch the football out of the window on Sunday mornings. Loved my time in the village 😊
Great website! Just wondering whether I’m related to the Harrups on this page? My great great grandad was William Harrup, born in Meldreth in 1842. His parents were William and Lydia Harrup, who had a son Chas born 1838. Is Chas the Charles featured on this page? I’d love to know.
Lee Fallon, thank you for adding a photo of Amos Lee’s wife, Harriet Walduck.
I would like to make contact with anyone who is related to John Lee and Elizabeth Rayner
Thank you for this article. It is fantastic. Amos and Harriet Lee are my 6 x Great Grandparents, and I am researching the Lee Family. This has helped greatly.
I remember you all with great clarity, and such wonderful times at Brewery Farm.
Meldreth Local History Group are pleased to announce that a film crew from Canada came to Meldreth last month and filmed areas of Meldreth where Kathleen lived and where she took part in villlage life between 1912 and 1925. The film, Opus 28, is the work of Sofia Bohdanowich, a Canadian Film Director. Her personal interest is due to her grandfather being taught the violin by Kathleen Parlow. Opus 28 will hopefully tour various world film festivals next year so we look forward to its launch then.
You can also see a list of the latest pages added to the site.
View latest pages