Recent Visit to Barkers Hill and Donhead St Andrew

Monday 11th November saw us in The Donheads for the funeral of my mothers dearest friend Amy Ruth Mitchell (nee Else). Finding ourselves with time to spare we knocked on the door of Hilltop, the old Edmunds family home on Barkers Hill. We couldn't have had a warmer welcome from Martin, the present owner. He gave us a guided tour of the cottage and Mum was able to tell how it had changed from the time when Dad had lived there. It was good to know that, although the inside of the property had been somewhat opened up, many of the original features remain. Mum was able to point out where Mrs Edmunds had her shop and remembered that my Grandfather had dug a well in what was now the drive.

The present owner moved to the property in 2010 and told us that they found that the house had very little insulation in the roof and on the front of the house, being very difficult to keep warm their first winter there.

Work on the house, however, has revealed some interesting Edmunds memorabilia! Whilst work was going on in the loft three wage slips were found in the name of Edmunds. The earliest is dated 29th October 1937 and the latest 2nd June 1939. As the wage slips are for the Wiltshire and Dorset Bus Company it is certain that they relate to Dad's brother Clifford, my Uncle Cliff.

Also found, were some cigarette packets and cards, these  possibly having belonged to my father - Dad was never a smoker but he was an avid collector of cards in his youth and we still have his collection today.

We are very grateful to Martin for his kindness to us and for his interest in the history of those who used to live in his house! We are also very pleased to have an invitation to tea when the weather is better!