Mike Adkins

I had the chance to visit your charming village in June 2001 with the 351st reunion and to have services for our men at the church

I lived in the village during the 1950's and was the landlords son, first at the Dukes Head before it was closed, and later at the Kings arms. I have many memories of people who lived in the village at the time. Many visited the pub and told stories of their times in the first war. I saw the Circus
come to town for the first time and grew up with their children. I knew the man who was eaten by the lion and the man who tried to save him. My friend and I are compiling a list and map of people who lived there in the 50's, he lived there as well. I hope to get copies of the books you show and will be in touch.

Thank you for your replies.
Yes, my family is part of the Warmington Bells Family. My Grandfather was James (Jim) Bell of Warmington who founded the butchery business. He had a large family including Jim (jnr) and Bertie, (Albert Edward).
Jim eventually took over the business and was succeeded by his Son Alan who still runs it today. Jim also was the Landlord of the now defunct pub at Cotterstock at the same time that my father, Bertie, was the Landlord of first, the Dukes Head, and later the Kings Arms.
Bertie took over the stewardship of the Kings Arms in 1954 I think, from a man called Pink, who at some time lived in the cottages on the Green in Polebrook.
Terry Newman and I have his name so recorded in our village plan of the 1950's.
Whilst Bertie was certainly a trained butcher and had worked at his Father's business, he was in fact a full time Civil Servant whilst Landlord, and worked in the Ministry of Pensions in Peterborough. My Mother and therefore, his Wife, Thora, looked after the pub during the day. The business was very successful and they were offered the larger Kings Arms when the Landlord there left. Again the business was very successful for a start but later. Bertie contracted TB and was hospitalized at Papworth. In Papworth it was discovered he had MS. All this coincided with a recession the all public house businesses nationwide and we eventually left and went to Yarwell.
I have great memories of the village and the people who lived there, So good in fact that I can still just about remember the names of all the people who lived in the village at the time. I look forward to receiving the books and reading them. I also look forward to meeting you both and having a chat about
a village which still remain very much in my mind.
Regards, Ted Bell.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Some of the best years of my life were spent in Polebrook. I understand that it has grown a bit from that time, but never the less it would be a "JOY" to visit once again. I now live in Seattle Washington US. It is the only area I could find that was quit like my wonderful stay in Polebrook. God Bless and peace be with you.

I lived in Polebrook for most of the 1970's and have some very fond memories of life in and around Polebrook.
I often think of some of my friends that probably live there now. I have some very special memories for the ones who have passed away. I have thousands of questions to ask, however I will save you from those. If the Askews are living there (at the end of Kings Arm Lane please give them my email address. Know I live in Seattle Washington USA, and retired, but often think of going back for a visit. Is Rodney living there, ask him about his dog Yank and my goat. Do the Longes remain farming in Lutton.
They had the best strawberries in the world. My name is Butch and if you run into any of these people please pass my email address on to them.

Again thank you for the www sight. I will be coming back often!
Butch

How nice it was to see your response to my small email. I remember those damp winter days well. Here in Seattle we have rain and damp weather all winter long as well. We are about 120 miles south of British Columbia, Canada with much the same weather as in Polebrook. If the sun is out more than two or three days we think there is something wrong. It was a pleasure to see photos of Polebrook. When I lived in the village there were 2 village shops. One was the post office, across the street from the school. The other was near the village square. Mr. Fletton was the baker, though retired, continued to live in the village bakery. He was also the church warden, as well as the village handy man, so to speak. He had many stories to tell which continue to come to mind from time to time. I was also told the story where the brother of George Head as a child, and in computation with his mates, had succeeded in knocking the apple out of the hand of the stone shepherd guarding the gate of the Hall. His brother also kept the grass cut in the grave yard. One day he was pushing his mower around, which he had done for years, and a grave sank as he walked across it. He went running from the yard and never returned. Then there was the story I heard from one of the old timers of the day. He spoke of a friend that drove a pony and cart to one of the two village pubs of the time, after having one (or more) pints to many would climb onto the cart and the pony would carry him home. One day his mates took the cart and placed it on one side of a gate running the shafts between the rails of this gate, then put the phony on the other side of the gate and hitched it up to the cart. Upon this fellows completion of a evening at the pub staggered out and climbed onto his cart only to find the phony would not move. Yes there are many memories I have of the wonderful village of Polebrook and the people who lived there at the time. I would like to ask if The Gables, Polebrook House, and Polebrook Manor remain in good condition. In the photos Polebrook Hall as well as the remainder of the village looks in perfect condition and just as I remember it. The two books of Polebrook I shall order through one of the local book stores here in Seattle. Again I must say Thank You so much for such wonderful memories that have come to life through your Web Sight.

Jan Chalmers

I would like to thank you for your wonderful website. I am doing family research and as I came across a Jane Groom born in 1798 in Polebrook it was lovely to have a look at the photos and the history of Polebrook.

Chris Clark

What a joy to find this site! I lived in the manner hall in 1956 when my father was stationed at Alconbury. I attended Polebrook Primary with my brother when Mr. Rowbottom was Headmaster. The pictures are wonderful. My fondest memories of life are of my childhood at Polebrook. Thanks for your efforts. Chris Clark

Tom Clay

I was in Polebrook last week (June 2001) as part of a small party of Americans, 4 of which were World War II veterans who were stationed in Polebrook during the war. I truly enjoyed the gracious hospitality of every one I met. I will never forget your peaceful little village!

Phillip Cole

We use to live in Oundle(74-76) and one day we visited the "Rose & Crown" and behind the bar was a old WW II picture of a much younger bar-man, the exact same person that was now serving me in 1974. Beside him in the picture was Clark Gable. When I questioned the gentleman who was now serving me about this picture he stated to me that on many of an occasion they would place a drunk Clark Gable into the back of a jeep and run him back up to "Polebrook" airfield. Its amazing the how you stumble onto history in the most unusual situations. I was ordering a drink and caught sight of the picture on the shelf behind the bar. Interesting story after all of though years and an important keep-sake for the barman.

Robert Colson

I have been searching my family history and have been able to trace my great grandparents, Matthew and Fanny Coulson, through the superb books by Margaret Winham, as advertised on your web site.
I shall visit Polebrook in the near future and have some knowledge of the village where my grandfather was born. William Coulson (changed his name to Colson)

Great site.
Best wishes. Robert Colson.

I enjoyed the website it introduces the village to the world. Maybe and only just maybe, a regular updated list of forthcoming events would induce the extra interest. My own interest is Family History, my grandmother was an Abbott whose father was one of many from Polebrook I hope to visit the village in the near future to try fill in several holes in the family tree Best Wishes and thanks for the insight to the village Brian Curtis.

Chris Dallas

First of all, I have thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and history of Polebrook.

My connection with Polebrook is my ancestors , the SLATCHER branch.
My ancestor Thomas SLATCHER was a builder from Polebrook, who in 1823 worked on two listed buildings in the village. His initials T.S. are engraved in them.

May I suggest a guest book for your website, where visitors like myself can record all the compliments.

Also may I also suggest a genealogical page where people like myself who have roots in Polebrook can list their family connections and possibly leave their contact details.
I myself know of 3 families from the US and Canada who have traced their ancestors back to Polebrook, and will be delighted to visit your website. I will send them website details.

Well done and thank you.

Andy Deane

Hi did like your site one or two things I would like to say on the books on Polebrook history my grandfather George Groom Dean was not a farm labourer but an electrician and was an apprentice at Ashton Mill before working for the electricity board and the air ministry during and after the war.

Jennifer Fletton

I AM TRYING TO RESEARCH MY FAMILY HISTORY AND WONDER IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION OR ADVICE ?, MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER KEPT THE BAKEHOUSE IN POLEBROOK. OUR SURNAME IS FLETTON.

ANY INFORMATION YOU COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
JENNIFER FLETTON

Raymond John Fletton

I was very pleased to find your site, you will see from the name that my family was much involved in the village, I was born in Stonelea in 1945. My father was a ploughing contractor (Ray), my Grandfather (Alfred) a farmer (where Ginger B lived) and later the baker, as was my uncle Cecil later. We moved from Stonelea to Sunningdale and then to the big house next door! I have danced around the maypole! If you have any questions, just ask, my mother lives in Lincoln gate in Peterborough. tell Ken Blake that I am writing this while my bread proves! (he taught me how to knead). I live in SW France now.

Stacey Hilliam

I was wondering if there are any pictures of anyone from the Hilliam family.
or if anyone knew any Hilliam from Polebrook

Kate Houghton

An interesting site - thanks for putting the effort in. I'd be interested to know more about the history of the pub and also about the people who have owned and lived in the Hall over the years. I think the idea of Polebrook news being transmitted this way is a great opportunity for those of us who don't work in Polebrook and don't have children at the school so sometimes miss out on hearing about events (and scandal!!) Thanks a lot.

Robert Livingston

I was a member of the 351st Bomb Group from May 1943 until June 1945. Have very found memories covering that part of my life. It is hard to believe that it is 56 years since I left Polebrook.

Minlaton South Australia

We found your web site very interesting. Marvellous photos. I am researching my family tree at present and I have just found out my great great grandmother was born at Polebrook. Her first name was Naomi and she was born approx 1836. She married John Andrew born Oundle.

Many thanks. Keep up the good work.

Terry Newman

Dear Chris.

Notes from Terry Newman, a Polebrook-ian from 1945 - 1956

I am always most appreciative of those who delve into our past and in particular the past of people/places with which I have had an association – hence my visit to your most interesting site.

I hope therefore, that you will find something of interest in the following notes.

When our home in London was bombed in 1944, my family, (parents, Joe and Milly, myself and brothers, David and Eric), moved to Bidwell, a hamlet mid way between Titchmarsh and Molesworth, - I suppose because my father’s parents lived in London End, Titchmarsh, and my great uncle had lived in Lilford where he was Head Gamekeeper at the Hall. My sister Betty was born at Bidwell in January 1945. We moved to Polebrook in Feb 1945 and lived in one of the council houses at “the other end of the village”! (is it still so divided?). Two more brothers, Keith and Billy, were born in the village.

When the newer council houses were built in what is now Morgan's Close (1948), our houses were given the very grand title of “the Poplars” by the local County Council. Incidentally, the name referred to the double row of lombardy poplars which were planted by the Rothschilds to hide the council houses from view from their mansion at Ashton Wold!

My first real memory of Polebrook was of VE Day (the highlight apart from the Party, was of finding 8 lemonade bottles valued at 1d each in the hedge which surrounded the Dukes Head!!

In 1950, through the (in)famous 11+ system, I attended Laxton Grammar School (as it was then known) in Oundle. My sister tells me that my name appears on the Honours Board at the school for this achievement ! Three of us from Polebrook were enrolled at Laxton that year; myself, Roy Batstone (Titman), who lived near the brook on the Hemington Road, and David Lloyd (not a scholarship boy), whose father was Head Gardener for the Fergusons at the Hall; the Lloyds lived in Gardeners Cottage, the house next door to the Chapel. Unfortunately Roy was killed in an accident at the railway crossing in Oundle early in 1951. David was last heard of in Moreton in the Marsh where he ran a small brick-making business.

Incidentally, my reminiscences and observations whilst at Laxton, and subsequently Oundle, could give rise to a very interesting chapter in social class behavior and attitudes as it was then.

After leaving school in 1955, I eventually trained for a career in the Hotel business and moved with my family from London to South Africa in 1965 - which is where I still live. In 1974, I started (sounds less grandiose than “founded”) what is now a group of companies which, (thank heaven), are still going strong and employ about 1100 people.

I still have an interest in a manufacturing business in Cheltenham which gives me the opportunity to visit the UK (in addition to my family of course). However, following the death of my Father (in Polebrook) in1999, followed 1 week later by my Aunt (also in Polebrook) and followed1 week later by my Uncle (in Rochester), I have cut down my visits from 3 or 4 a year to almost none. The blackberries ripened too early this year which was a pity as I was seriously thinking of making a visit later this month!

I have now retired, and this gives me plenty of time to contemplate the past. You will no doubt have gathered that Polebrook features very much in my thoughts and I would be most happy to share my memories of life and living in our corner of England with all who are interested.

Please let me know –
Kindest regards

Polebrook - Village Pump

I was an evacuee from London and arrived in Polebrook in February 1945 as a 7 year old - just in time to enjoy some of the benefits of the GIs at the airbase.
The village pump was still in situ - and working.
Ted Bell, whose father was the publican of the Dukes Head (and later the Kings Arms), and I have endeavoured to make a list of the inhabitants of the village during the early fifties, and have almost completed it. I was one of the fortunates who passed the eleven+ and went to Laxton Grammar and then into Oundle School. I return to the UK 2/3 times each year. I stay with my sister in Glinton and make my usual pilgrimage to the village. Unfortunately there are only a couple of survivors from my time in the village (Ken Blake who hailed from Kings Cliffe, Gerald?
from Thurning and Molly Gilbert whom I haven't seen for a while.
I would appreciate meeting some of the newer residents when I next visit. --Perhaps you could help? Ted & I have a fair wealth of village life in Polebrook in the 50s and 60s which we think is worth sharing.

Incidentally the Fovargue mentioned in the Parish Minutes - did he have a father by the name of George? He used to bomb around Peterborough in a VW Beetle which was the first one I knew. Let me know - I can tell you some great stories about George!!

Gerry O'Neill

In 1943, I had a chance contact with a B17 crew, in the UK, at an RandR. I always wondered whether that crew survived. I have recently made contact, through the Internet, with the Grandson of one of the crew. His Grandfather is 82, in August and his grandson is arranging a surprise party for him. He is collecting as much info. about his war record, contacting any of his crew members and is also presenting him with a B17 model. Can anyone in Polebrook supply any memories, photos etc of the 351st Bomb Group?
Anyone in Polebrook remember the B17 "Snoozin Susan" and it's crew??

MT Quincy

My name is MT Quincy from Dallas ,Tx. and I am looking for a person in Polebrook that can help me with my family genealogy. Is there a library in Polebrook ???
Regards
MT Quincy

I have visited your Polebrook website a couple of times as I am researching my friend's family history and his forebears were the Tebbutt's of Polebrook! I would like to know where I can get hold of a couple of copies of Margaret Winham's book, as I would like a copy and it would make a lovely birthday present for my friend's mother.
I wait in anticipation for your reply. I think the website is super, and the photo's are great, particularly as the house where my friend's grandfather was born and grew up in is in a couple.

Susan Russell

I am trying to trace my grandfather, John Thomas RUSSELL born in Polebrook around 1885.He migrated to Australia as a young man and never returned. I would like to know if any of his relatives are still living in Polebrook and how I can trace them. Thanks.

In writing to you via the Suggestions box my intention was to suggest that the Polebrook web site contain a Questions sub- site. For example, my question about how to trace my grandfather might go in there. Another question might be the exact geographic location of Polebrook. (My English friends in Manchester emailed yesterday to say that Polebrook is about 12 Km South-West of Peterborough and about 2 Km East of Oundle. So I'm supposing that I now know the location, even though your web site does contain a map. its fairly small.)

I wonder whether the local church has a register of baptisms? That might be one way to check details of my grandfather. But there again I would need some kind person to do the checking on my behalf. So at the end of the day, the question still remains, how might I trace my grandfather who was probably born in 1885 in Polebrook?

I gather that the area is rural, and that John Thomas Russell would have been a farm labourer. When he came out to North Queensland,Australia, probably in the early part of the last century, he came to a rural area and was engaged as a farm labourer. Which probably means he came from a poor family and would not have moved out of the Polebrook area too far until he emmigrated. So, would there be any register of farmhands working in the local farms or larger farm holdings? Would the local school house have records which go back that far I wonder? Perhaps boys of his background living in the 1880's didn't have much formal schooling, but his name might be recorded somewhere in the elementary grade roll books.

Dear Chris,
I am Mrs. John Stanfield (maiden name Jennifer Tharp). My father was in the U.S. Air Force stationed in England in 1960. He was part of a joint RAF/USAF missile program based at RAF North Luffenham. He worked in the silo at RAF Polebrook, the old deserted base. We lived in the village from the spring of 1960 until the fall of 1961. I was a very young teenager and attended an American junior high school at RAF Molesworth. There were two other American families living in Polebrook at the same time. We lived in the converted piggeries at Polebrook Hall. I believe the lady who managed the apartments was named Mrs. Oakey.
I had two British friends in the village--Barry and Heather Hilliam (brother and sister). I often wonder what happened to them.
Would dearly love to read the history of the village you mentioned.
Thank you so very much for responding to my e-mail so promptly! Have you ever lived in Polebrook and what got you interested in it in the first place?
Hope to hear from you soon.

I realized that I sent you wrong information in my last e-mail. The lady who was the manager at Polebrook Hall in the early 60's was a Mrs. Nahume (spelling?). There was also another family I knew--a Mrs. Reed, who cleaned houses, and her daughter, Margaret. Hope this is helpful and that I hear from you soon.

John Stanfield

I am an American who lived in Polebrook almost 40 years ago. Am fascinated with your Website--never expected to find anything on the web about a place I remember with great fondness. Any further information you could give me, such as Polebrook Hall or the piggeries, would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
An expatriate

Becky Gantt Stamey

Dear Chris, I could not imaging finding your site. I was so happy & wish my Dad was still here to share it with me. I had just found affirmation a couple weeks ago about Clark Gable being there in a parade magazine, so you can imaging how I felted. Please let me know what you can. Thanks for the responds & the work you have done. I also check some pictures that I had to see if they were like the one you had. I had some aerial photos & some of different crews, also some of the m.p.'s. & their barrack. Thanks Again.

Thank you for your mail. I have attached a couple of photos for you to have a look at, the first Pole26a shows a view of Silas Tebbutt's house -called Polebrook House- taken C1926 when Silas was 81 years old. In the distance on the left you can see the brick walls at the front of Polebrook Hall, the War Memorial in the middle distance and on the right of the photo you can see the front of the Chapel, with a brick porch and iron railings. A section of this pic is on page 11 of our web-site but I have sent you the whole photo so that you can place exactly where the Chapel was sited. The reason why you have been unable to place the Chapel will become obvious when you see what it looks like today. The house is called "Garfield" and is quite easily spotted as being one of the only brick built properties in the village. It is beautiful inside - although there is not a scrap of evidence inside that it was once such a thriving place of worship. The Chapel was built and paid for by the Tebbutt family in 1863 on land donated by Charles Tebbutt, the who became it's first Methodist preacher. In 1919 Silas (Charles' son and the 2nd preacher) built and paid for a schoolroom to be added to the back of the building. Alfred Tebbutt followed his Father Silas to become the 3rd Generation Methodist preacher. Alfred had a son called Charles Sidney Tebbutt who became the fourth generation of the family to be a Methodist Preacher in the village but he died of pneumonia in 1932 when only 36 years old. This meant that Alfred was the last Tebbutt in the village and when he died in 1944 this ended the family connection with Polebrook's Methodist Chapel. The attendance must have dropped over the years and in 1955 the Chapel was sold for just ?130. The converted Chapel was sold as "Garfield" last year for ?225,000. Charles, Silas, Alfred and Charles Sidney Tebbutt are all buried in Polebrook's little cemetery, I'm sure that they would not be happy with the current state of affairs! Will you be at the Polebrook Summer Fete? We hope to attend, perhaps we could meet up? Must dash now, the small chaps need their breakfast!

P.S. As a point of interest the Methodist Tradition is still going strong in one branch of the family, both Alfred's Grandson Brian Tebbutt and his Great Grandson James are Preachers, taking the tally to 6 generations of the Tebbutt's involved with the Methodist movement.

Major Weldon H. Waln USAF (ret)

I was surfing the web and decided to see what I could find on Polebrook. I was with the first American unit to occupy Polebrook arriving in June of 1942 and we left for Africa in November The 97th Bomb group. I was fortunate to revisit the base some years back-Major Weldon H.Waln

I just notice the pictures and wondered if the pub was the one that was there in 1942. If it is it is where I had my first beer.

A couple of memories of Polebrook. One was the RAF Shuffle. When we first arrived in England and met some of our counterparts in the RAF we found they were most anxious to explain the English monetary system to us. That is until we discovered that there were two British coins that were approximately the same size. The Florin and the Half Crown. Finally we caught on in the explanation they were substituting Florins for our Half Crowns!

The second was the memory we had to leave our bicycles when we left England. Some of the locals were at the main gate waiting until the last truck pull out and the race was on to recover the bicycles that they had sold us. I was an enlisted person then and also remember our officers got coal and we the enlisted got coke. So our Sergeant formed coal stealing detail so we could get the coke started. Shucks I can't be angry at Englanders they gave me their best - My Wife, who I incidentally met here in the States.

P.S. I sent in a couple or so comments about my sojourn in Oundle. On the one about the bicycles. If I had been put in a reverse position I would have done the same. I have to tell you that I made the statement That anyone who married an English woman was crazy. Meet one Happy crazy man.

Clive Winsall

Hi,

My 2nd great Grandparents, William & Sarah (nee Short) Winsall married in Thurning on 11th Dec. 1848, (where the Short families lived) although William and his family lived in the village of Hemington from about 1816 when they moved up from Irchester.

This couple lived at Polebrook until 1852 when they came to Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Their 1st child William was born soon after arrival and he is my Great Grandfather. I am about to order in the Parish Registers of Polebrook, (on Fiche) to check-out why they had no children between 1848 and 1852.

A lady fellow researcher/Family Historian and her husband had been stationed in your area in the RAF during W.W.II and after the war had a music shop in Oundle. Renee says they often had American people come into her shop inquiring after relatives who were buried on the RAF station, as they had been there with the USAF bombers.

It is a small world!

Congratulations on an interesting web-page,

regards Clive Winsall.

Melbourne Australia.

You have just Set-The-Standard for every other web-site of villages on the net!

Your photographs are excellent!

.Brian Winsall

westwinmarketing@bigpond.com

Hi, I am descended from the Winsall family that lived in Polebrook all those years ago, see story from my brother Clive Winsall above, I am the youngest son of George & Eva my name is Brian Winsall and I live in Perth Western Australia ( originally from Victoria ), I intend visiting your village (time permitting ) around 7th or 8th of November 2004 with my youngest son Andrew.