Reading Andy Vining’s recent article, Farming in the Winter and Christmas at Hiltonbury Farm, sends me back to the 1950s and 60s, when my step-mother, Dad and I lived in the bungalows in the fourth service road (nowadays the third one!), on Hursley Road.
We looked from our back garden across the field to Hiltonbury Farmhouse where, in the 1960s, Andy was milking the cows and delivering milk.
What did we get from Hiltonbury Farm
The mention of the turkeys reared in the shed for Christmas reminds me of those days too. My Dad would order a chicken, not a turkey, from Andy’s father, John. In those days, chicken was quite a treat, not an everyday meat as it is today!
The three of us at 214 Hursley Road would look forward to a chicken from “The Farm” and on Christmas Eve, Dad and I would walk up the service road and then the stony farm road to the farmhouse.
Knocking on the back door, we would be invited into the enormous kitchen and then Mr Vining (never John to me, as a young lad!), would take us into the chilled storage room, where he selected “our” bird, already plucked for us! The bird was handed over to us, and Dad paid up (I’m not sure how much, but a trifle by today’s prices I’m sure!).
The Christmas wishes were exchanged and Dad and I set off back home, bearing our prized bird for the following day’s lunch. This was handed over to Mum upon our return home and Dad would regale Mum with any tit-bits of news, how many birds were stored awaiting their customers and so on. This was quite a ritual I suppose and carried on for a number of years I think.
“The way things were done”
In those days, regularly repeating previous years seemed to be “the way things were done” – at least it was so in our household. Therefore each Christmas seemed, in many ways, a repeat of the previous one, apart from, of course, receiving different presents from one year to the next! (Always a youngster’s prime interest!).
I remember the Hiltonbury Farm Milk deliveries
I remember the Hiltonbury Farm Milk deliveries Andy delivered! I can’t remember how many years they continued for but I do remember being told, when they started, that the home deliveries were to counter the low price for milk offered if it were collected by tanker or in churns as it had been before.
I think I am right in saying that, in the end, the farm deliveries might have finished when the rounds were taken over by a large commercial dairy, possibly Brown and Harrisons / South Coast Dairies.
Simpler Christmases
Christmas was a simpler time in those days too.
There was certainly less money around, and memories of war-time economies remained still, with our family at least, never spending on a new item if there was still life left in its predecessor.
Another pre-Christmas job was sourcing a Christmas Tree. Not an artificial one but a “proper tree” of course. I remember one year we left it a bit late and walked to Hursley and back, obtaining a Blue Spruce type tree, rather than the usual fir tree, as the only one of the right size left available.
Our tree was always set up in our hall, which was cooler and thus resulted in fewer ‘dropped needles’ on the carpet! I usually helped Mum decorate it and each year our 1950s tree-lights were rediscovered in their cupboard by Dad, tested, new bulb/s fitted if needed and then hung on the tree. The power source was obtained by removing the light bulb from its pendant and fitting in the socket for the tree lights, thus lighting up the hall.
I don’t think our tree ever escaped the hall into the ‘sitting-room’, but that was ‘just the way it was’, one accepted one’s family traditions without question then.
Oh Happy Days!
When I was a paper-boy, delivering both morning and evening newspapers for MacMahons, the ride throughout the year up to Hiltonbury Farm was always made worth my while at Christmas time! Andy’s father generally produced a “fiver” (£5), as my reward for delivering the news twice daily! Oh Happy Days !
Have A Very Happy Christmas!
Note: Thanks to Allison Symes for co-editing this article. (Janet)
Article Series by Martin Napier
- Part 1: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s-Ford: 1950s – 1960s
- Part 2: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Paper Boy; North End School
- Part 3: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s Bonfire Night
- Part 4: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: North End School
- Part 5: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Bicycle, Bicycle!
- Part 6: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: A Summer Of Hope And Sorrow
- Part 7: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Big Freeze in 1963
- Part 8: Martin Napier: Growing Up In Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Breaking Free From North End School
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Janet Williams says
I have lived in Chandler’s Ford for just 15 years. These stories are fascinating! The old days sounded idyllic to me!
The feeling of getting presents is always wonderful – however these days people love giving ‘digital’ gifts, such as Amazon vouchers, store vouchers… If this situation continues, there’ll be nothing under Christmas trees! 🙁
Andy Vining says
Hi Martin,
Great to know that your family was one of my customers on the milk round and you enjoyed our Chicken for Christmas Dinner. We used to raise Young Cockerels called Capons in an old railway carriage up beyond the granary.
You were correct our Milk round was brought out by South Coast Dairies when we moved up to the new parlour as we increased the herd up to 120 from about 45.
BTW the photo is a bit misleading as we had pedigree Jerseys and the photo is of Fresians. I know you picked the photo at random of Cows.
My Father was a very generous tipper but must admit it was a long way up our drive with the papers so I think you deserved it.
Thanks for your comments.
Andy
Janet Williams says
Sorry – Andy, I added the picture. Yes I picked the photo at random of Cows!
(I’ll remove the photo straightaway.)
Please could you send me some pictures at some point, so that I could add them to these lovely nostalgic posts? Thank you, Andy.
Andy Vining says
No need to remover the photo Janet not many people will know what I am talking about anyway!!
Asked Sister Heather for other photos
Cheers
Andy
Martin Napier says
Hi Andy,
Why not tell the tale of the off-road car racing in the [sloping] field adjoining the old cricket pitch?
It’s where I first saw a mini being rolled!
My Dad used to umpire the Sunday afternoon cricket matches, in which Roger Dean was a leading C/Ford player. Teas in the old cricket pavilion !
Now those were the days! (Although we did not realise it at the time !).
Martin.
Andy Vining says
I will put that on my list of events to write about as I organised the day and I was driving my Hillman Imp.
As you say those really were the days.
Andy
Liz says
Love reading about Chandlers Ford in the 50’s.
I went to Kings Road primary school from 1947 – 1954 and would love to hear from anyone who was at school during this time.
I remember Mrs Stilwell, Mr Waldron,Mrs Drover and the formidable Mr Mann, headmaster and his cane!
My maiden name was Elizabeth Dore so if anyone remembers me please get in touch