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I'm hoping that someone in the
village will be able to help with my queries about
Chilton.
From the mid 1930s to the mid
1950s my parents were associated with Littlecote and Sir
Ernest Wills. My father, Ben Bishop, was a gardener
there and my mother worked in Littlecote House. They
married in 1940 and at that time they moved into Stag
Cottage in Chilton. They lived there until 1945 when
my father became Head Gardener and they moved into
the Head Gardener's cottage on the Estate.
I dimly recall Mrs Cook (Alwyn?)
being a friend of my mother's and coming out to Littlecote
to see us with her 2 small sons - Alan, I think was one.
I believe Alan is still in Chilton - I wonder if he
remembers my sister and I - Peggy and Judy Bishop?
My real enquiry relates to the
war years in Chilton. Margaret and Jack Gregory were
great friends of my parents - Mrs Gregory was
actually my godmother and I used to visit her both
when she was still in Chilton and latterly when she went
to Froxfield. Family history didn't mean much to me
at that time but age has brought curiosity! My
mother died in 1955 when I was 6 and is buried in Chilton
churchyard. I can remember Mrs Gregory telling me
that both she and my mother worked in the munitions
factory during the war and that they saw Queen Mary when
she visited during that time.
So, my questions are these:-
1) Does
anyone remember my mother or father - Ben and Marjory
Bishop (my mother was Pearsons before she married)
2) Can
anyone tell me where the munitions factory was?
3) Can
anyone confirm Queen Mary's visit, when it was and was
King George with her?
4) If Alan
Cook is still living in the village, does he remember his
visits to Littlcote and having tea with us?
5) Am I
right in thinking that Stag Cottage is no longer there and
that the garage is now where it used to be?
I come to the village once a
year or so to visit my mother's grave - we were there in
January and saw Ethel Rolfe whose husband George, as well
as her brother Alec, worked with my father.
This brief visit has reignited my interest and I would be
so grateful for any information anyone can give me.
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