Memories of Mr Ernest Gough
(late of Hill Hayes Lane)

Many thanks to Janice Tiley for providing a copy of this

Click   to view more Hullavington Memories

Mr Gough was born in November 1884, his father was a waggoner. He started school at the age of three on 12th June 1888 and left on 5th June 1896 aged eleven. Any child who reached Grade 4 could leave regardless of age.

A clothing, boot and coal club was run from the school; 1d per week for clothes, 1s 0d (5p) for boots and 1s 0d for coal. Coal was also sold from London House for 1s 0d per truck.

There were four shops; one at London House, one on the corner of Frog Lane (where the garage now stands), one at Nurse Kent’s house (20 The Street) and one attached to Edenhurst House, which was a carpenter’s shop.

There was a blacksmith next to where the garage is now, and from here a horse-drawn bus went to Bath and back once a fortnight for 1s 6d (7(p) return, the journey taking about two hours each way, including a short stop to rest the two horses. Twice a week a horse-drawn waggon went to Chippenham for 2d (1p) return.

The doctor was Dr Pitt, who would come to the village by pony and trap when needed, if his fee could be afforded. He dentist came once a week to the house of Mrs Bartlett’s grandmother.

Mr Lavington of Seagry’s Lane (now Gibb Lane) was the baker, and he also delivered the bread.

Some women gleaned corn and made their own bread; some people also brewed their own beer. Mr Gough’s mother brewed nine gallons once a fortnight, which cost about 1s 6d and (d worth of balm.

Free dancing classes were given in the school by the “parson’s missus”, Mrs Ramsey. Dances taught included the Barndance, Polka, Waltz and The Lancers.

Green’s Close was the school playing field and part of the rent for this field was put aside and given as a prize to the child with the best attendance record at school.

Hill Hayes Lane was known as Gabriel’s Lane.

The end part of Lawn Farm was a sadler’s workshop, repairing harness, etc. The village girls could buy skipping ropes for 1d each.

The midwife was a Mrs Shearwood.

Click   to view more Hullavington Memories