Discovering Box History First Issue 1920s Jan 2014
This is a website for people who are interested in the history of Box in Wiltshire, and its surrounding hamlets. There are articles about the characters who lived here and how the village developed. It is also a community website where you can record your story and that of your ancestors. Click on the blue headings below to read the articles.
This Edition: Feature Article
Old Jockey to Candleford: The Real Story of the Gale Family
The fascinating story of Katherine Harris who recalls her childhood in the village in the early 1900s. It was a life before television, central heating, electricity and modern conveniences. Water was drawn from the well by pump; an earth loo had to be cleaned out by hand.
Katherine paints a marvellous picture of people from an era long gone. She tells the story of The Gale Family, Mr & Mrs David Gale (pictured left), a really delightful elderly couple at Old Jockey Cottages, whose income was merely £1 a week Old Age Pension.
Mrs Gale was past middle age when her daughters first persuaded her to wear knickers or Bloomers as she called them. Miss Mary Gale, David's sister, was an eccentric single woman who lived in a jerry-built bungalow at Blue Vein.
Katherine's full story Up The Hill and Down The Hill is on the Archive tab.
The fascinating story of Katherine Harris who recalls her childhood in the village in the early 1900s. It was a life before television, central heating, electricity and modern conveniences. Water was drawn from the well by pump; an earth loo had to be cleaned out by hand.
Katherine paints a marvellous picture of people from an era long gone. She tells the story of The Gale Family, Mr & Mrs David Gale (pictured left), a really delightful elderly couple at Old Jockey Cottages, whose income was merely £1 a week Old Age Pension.
Mrs Gale was past middle age when her daughters first persuaded her to wear knickers or Bloomers as she called them. Miss Mary Gale, David's sister, was an eccentric single woman who lived in a jerry-built bungalow at Blue Vein.
Katherine's full story Up The Hill and Down The Hill is on the Archive tab.
Photo found by Carol Payne
People
To launch the site we feature several articles about people and places in the village in the early 1900s. We hope you will enjoy the colourful characters and stories recalled by local residents.
Dr James Pirie Martin was Box's only doctor for 50 years before the Health Service was nationalised in 1948. This colourful Canadian attended patients on horseback and ran the Scouts and a swimming club. We look forward to others sending in their memories of people in the area.
The spiritual needs of the parish in the 1920s were administered by Rev George Foster (right). It was a time of high unemployment and economic depression in the stone quarry industry and Rev Foster helped to lift the gloom of the 1920s with community plays and pageants.
If you recall the people, events or outings from Box's past, let us have your reminiscences via the Contact tab above so we can capture them for future generations. Or tell us the origin of local families, clubs or organisations. We especially welcome all photographs, pictures and postcards.
To launch the site we feature several articles about people and places in the village in the early 1900s. We hope you will enjoy the colourful characters and stories recalled by local residents.
Dr James Pirie Martin was Box's only doctor for 50 years before the Health Service was nationalised in 1948. This colourful Canadian attended patients on horseback and ran the Scouts and a swimming club. We look forward to others sending in their memories of people in the area.
The spiritual needs of the parish in the 1920s were administered by Rev George Foster (right). It was a time of high unemployment and economic depression in the stone quarry industry and Rev Foster helped to lift the gloom of the 1920s with community plays and pageants.
If you recall the people, events or outings from Box's past, let us have your reminiscences via the Contact tab above so we can capture them for future generations. Or tell us the origin of local families, clubs or organisations. We especially welcome all photographs, pictures and postcards.
Places
Maisie Gay was landlady of the Northey Arms (photo Parish Council)
We rediscover life at the Box Schools in the 1920's recalling teachers, lessons and special days like Empire Day.
Brigadier Felton Falkner started restoring Wormecliffe House before World War II. He tells of the outbreak of plague in May 1646.
Have you found anything interesting restoring your house?
David Ibberson takes us back to the Northey Arms of 1934 with the story of landlady and musical artist Maisie Gay. You can see her performing her hilarious song There’s Life in the Old Girl Yet and read about Noel Coward's visits to the pub.
Brigadier Felton Falkner started restoring Wormecliffe House before World War II. He tells of the outbreak of plague in May 1646.
Have you found anything interesting restoring your house?
David Ibberson takes us back to the Northey Arms of 1934 with the story of landlady and musical artist Maisie Gay. You can see her performing her hilarious song There’s Life in the Old Girl Yet and read about Noel Coward's visits to the pub.
Everyone in the village was affected by the war (Box Parish Council)
Box Remembers World War 1
We are delighted to work with Carole French during 2014 to publish articles recalling the tragic events of the Great War.
Our centenary remembrance starts with Box Before the War. There was no rejoicing in Box at the initial outbreak of hostilities. People were saddened and stunned by the news.
You can contribute photos and tributes to your family who served in World War I. We want to honour the memory of these brave young men.
We are delighted to work with Carole French during 2014 to publish articles recalling the tragic events of the Great War.
Our centenary remembrance starts with Box Before the War. There was no rejoicing in Box at the initial outbreak of hostilities. People were saddened and stunned by the news.
You can contribute photos and tributes to your family who served in World War I. We want to honour the memory of these brave young men.
Coles Farmhouse was built in 1648
Archive
If you want to undertake in-depth research on Box, see the articles and references listed here which have a wealth of information. This edition features Up The Hill and Down The Hill, the full narrative of our Feature Article with Katherine Harris' original photographs.
We are reprinting full details of Box's Historic Houses as a reference source. You may be able to find your house or that of your neighbours.
Do you know the story of your house? Would you like to share it with readers of this website? If so, please get in touch using the information on the Contact tab.
If you want to undertake in-depth research on Box, see the articles and references listed here which have a wealth of information. This edition features Up The Hill and Down The Hill, the full narrative of our Feature Article with Katherine Harris' original photographs.
We are reprinting full details of Box's Historic Houses as a reference source. You may be able to find your house or that of your neighbours.
Do you know the story of your house? Would you like to share it with readers of this website? If so, please get in touch using the information on the Contact tab.
Pictures Profile
Thanks to Derek Hawkins for his permission to reproduce photos of Box Quarry sites to illustrate David Pollard's text. There's more to enjoy if you go to the pictures tab.
Do you have any photos to show Box's past? In addition to pictures of soldiers who served in World War I we are seeking people and places now changed or even disappeared.
We would love to put them up on the site for all to enjoy.
Thanks to Derek Hawkins for his permission to reproduce photos of Box Quarry sites to illustrate David Pollard's text. There's more to enjoy if you go to the pictures tab.
Do you have any photos to show Box's past? In addition to pictures of soldiers who served in World War I we are seeking people and places now changed or even disappeared.
We would love to put them up on the site for all to enjoy.
Children Can Make History
We welcome children's articles. This year we are focussing on stories about people in the Great War of 1914-1918.
There are ideas on how to undertake original research on your family ancestors, relatives of neighbours or local soldiers who served in the war. Why not choose a man with a name like yours from the list of the Great War tab.
Get your thinking caps on to tell the story of your World War 1 person.
We welcome children's articles. This year we are focussing on stories about people in the Great War of 1914-1918.
There are ideas on how to undertake original research on your family ancestors, relatives of neighbours or local soldiers who served in the war. Why not choose a man with a name like yours from the list of the Great War tab.
Get your thinking caps on to tell the story of your World War 1 person.
Ditteridge Church (photo CMP)
Next Issue
Your story could be our feature article in our Summer Issue to be released in April 2014. We feature the 1950s and 1960s with nuclear threats at Rudloe Manor and more reminiscences from local residents.
We also have the story of Box during the course of World War 1: At Home and Far Away recounts the tragedy that befell the residents of Box, Ditteridge (right) and other surrounding hamlets.
You can read about our plans to remember the soldiers of World War 1 at Great War. Don't forget to sign up on the Contact tab if you want our free newsletter.
Your story could be our feature article in our Summer Issue to be released in April 2014. We feature the 1950s and 1960s with nuclear threats at Rudloe Manor and more reminiscences from local residents.
We also have the story of Box during the course of World War 1: At Home and Far Away recounts the tragedy that befell the residents of Box, Ditteridge (right) and other surrounding hamlets.
You can read about our plans to remember the soldiers of World War 1 at Great War. Don't forget to sign up on the Contact tab if you want our free newsletter.