Reminiscences
Since launching theBythams website in 2001, we have had a number of emails, and other feedback, from people that used to live in the area who write detailing memories of their time in theBythams area which they are pleased to share with others.
Andrea and Clive Dunham, New Zealand
Greetings from New Zealand.My grandfather Tom Dunham had The
Three Tuns in Castle Bytham .For a short time I went to school there,before
spending one term at Stamford grammar school and leaving England for ever.I can still remember the happy times I spent there ,picking wild plums and gooseberries,raiding the doctor’s orchard ,across the lane from the pub,and collecting birds eggs. I spent the latter part of1945 and a fair bit of 1946 at Castle Bytham school,up the hill,past the church which was on the lane which was beside the pub and ran up from High Street.I expect it still
does. A lovely little village and a magical time spent in the life of an 11
yr. old boy.
Regards Clive Dunham——now living out my days in New Zealand
Jackie Lynch, Australia
We lived in Castle Bytham from the end of 1946 to May 1958. I was only a few months old when we moved there. My name was Jackie Vowles, my father Victor drove the local bus. He worked for a Mr Blankley on the Great North Road. My mothers name is Rachael, we lived at 1 St Martins (I think – it is the first house at the top of the lane on the right), my brother Peter and sisters, Helen and Gillian, were born there.
We went to the school and church in the pictures on this website, I remember well going up the hill past the Three Tuns. I played for hours on the Castle Hill – The Giants Grave and the Giants Table were a bit frightening (I beleive it is private land now – what a pity for the local children), got wet in the streamcatching fish in jam jars, roamed around the countryside, birds nesting, watched the fox hunting, rode my bike for miles – it was a great place to grow up.
We moved to Nottingham in 1958. I visited the village in 1985 and 1998 wiht my sister Gill. We checked out the cemetery where I recognised a few old names but unfortunately did not get to talk to anyone I knew.
Some of my memories…
– Jennifer Webber was a good friend she had a sister who amrried an Abbot, they had a farm and the Webbers lived in a house by the pond.
– Bernard Burrows & Stanley Syzki(?) – Peter’s friends
– the Crawfords and picks who were farmers
– the Picks who had the shop on the corner
I have two little books on the village – Historic Sites of Castle Bytham and the Village Trail. I would love to hear from anyone or news of anyone from my time. I live on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. I cam eto Australia in 1970, Peter and Helen live her too, Gillian lives in Newark. Hoping to hear from you.
Joe Perduno
Interesting website! I have a link to Castle Bytham, as I used to go to the school there years ago! ( 1954 ). My father was an Italian prisoner of war based at Castle Bytham and he worked on a farm at Counthorpe Lodge for a Mr. Martin. We often visit Castle Bytham and the surrounding areas – my mother still likes to go back there. We often wonder where my fathers camp was based – according to the book ‘history of Castle Bytham’ – it was at the Red Barn farm? – is there anyone in the village who knows?. Thanks for an interesting website.
Last Updated : 06/02/11 : MG
Researching the Munton family history and my great grandfather, Isaac Munton is recorded a Groom to the Rector Joseph Clark in the 1871 census, Isaac was born nearby at The Chaplery of Holywell on 15 December 1852. I would be interested in more information about Munton family or indeed Rector Joseph Clark, as Isaac moved as a Groom to Alfreton, Derbyshire sometime between 1871 and 1876.
I am looking for an ancestor of mine who lived in Little Bytham from around 1895. His name was William Powell and he was born in Liverpool in 1891. He attended Little Bytham United District Board School from July 1895 and attended Sunday school. He was place with John Steel and family through the recommedation of the Rector of Little Bytham, Rev. Giles. I think he stayed in the Village unitl 1902 and then he went to St. Hughe’s Home,Lincoln. William was eventually emigratted to Canada and there I lost trace of him. If anyone can help me with this or point me in the right direction I will be most grateful.
Rugby, Warwickshire, UK
I just wondered if there were any Seymours left in Castle Bytham. I’ve tracked my maternal grandmother, Margaret Louisa Seymour (b 1886 London), living in Castle Bytham in 1891 with her grandparents Ambrose and Naomi Seymour. I don’t know who her mother or father were but I know Elsie Isabella Seymour was a witness at her wedding in 1907. Her father James was a son of Ambrose & Naomi so I think they were 1st cousins. I’m working on the theory that her mother was Elizabeth Seymour b 1864, the only daughter of Ambrose & Naomi. If there are any Seymour descendants out there I would love to hear from you.
I’m one. My grand mother was Kathleen Mabel Patrick, her mother was Margaret Louisa. She married Charlie Tompkins when Joseph Patrick was killed in 1918 and had another daughter, Peggy Tompkins.
You will be the daughter of Peggy and Neville Wallbanks, My mum knew them quite well. Margaret and Charlie went to live with them in Rugby.
No residence from the past I am afraid but I do have a passionate interest in local history and this seems to have been village that passed me by.
Interested to read any historical info from 13th century onwards.
As a child pre-war we lived at castle bythem for a while l have happy memories of red barn farm and the grays especially daughter hetty and her young man billy brunt who my parents were friendly with mrs Gary used to look after my brother sister and l while my parents and hetty went out to Stamford etc. happy happy memories
Q”
My father James Turner, b 1897 d 1973. was the headmaster at Little Bytham School from 1935/6 until about 1949 after remarrying two [or was it three ?] years after my mother passed away – in May ’47 at Stamford Infirmary, after a long illness. Sorry Joe, but I do not remember where the PoW camp was, but I remember meeting an Italian when my Dad and I called at a house once in Castle Bytham……
Just returned from a lovely weekend away and visiting my childhood home, Castle Bytham, for the first time in many, many years. My family lived in The Three Tuns, my younger brother born there very nearly as mum, Winnie Domelow, was still serving a customer!!! We later moved to Little Bytham for a short while, then returned to Castle Bytham. I feel very blessed to have grown up there until the age of 14, when we moved to Chester.