CELEBRATIONS IN SMEETON WESTERBY

Our photographs in the January issue of the Chronicle brought back memories for Mr Peter Gascoigne who now lives in Foxton, but who grew up in Smeeton Westerby. He recalls that, at around the time of King George V's Silver Jubilee, there was a fire at the house with the metal roof on the right of Main Street where the Crowdell family lived. There were two mud cottages along this side of the street. Tom Crowe lived in the low house and the house beyond Springfield Street, with its gable end facing Main Street, was the village shop. This was run by Mrs Tarry and later by her daughter. The Arnolds lived in the next house with Lily Arnold (Mrs Cox) living above. Beyond this was a farmhouse where, at Christmas time, Sammy Ward laid on a supper in the big room for the carol singers. The grown-ups enjoyed a much-needed glass of wine and orange juice was provided for the children. In the distance, on the right of the street, can be seen the tall white house in which the Bostons lived. Here, on Guy Fawkes Night, a fireworks celebration for the village was held. On the left side of the street, can be seen the butcher, probably one of the Oram brothers, standing outside his shop. This was later to become a cycle repair shop run by Mr Knight. Mr Gascoigne does not recollect who lived in the big house on the left of the photograph.

Mr Gascoigne also has connections with Albert Street in Kibworth Harcourt. His uncle, "Jelly" Bolton, a drover, lived in the house immediately to the left of the one with the prominent porch. His grandfather, who was a carpenter, made all of the woodwork for East Langton station.

© Jean Emeny 1996

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 © Kibworth & District Chronicle 1998