Email: Click here

Subject: Claverham Post Office, Claverham Message Board

Message: I think we should have thought more carefully about the way we in Claverham go on in future. We won't have anything left apart from the club at the village hall which no one goes to, and just the old people dancing. We've lost our post office because we did not support it. We blamed the owners who were clearly doing their best. Richard also put up with us for years. Now we are soon to lose our church (ST Barnabus) because the roof is falling down. We need to stop criticsing, and start supporting. Will the last person still living in claverham please remember to turn out the lights.

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Subject: p.o, Claverham Message Board

Message: this is the good news i have heard through the grapevine that there will be no pub in the old post office building now the bad news through the same grapevine i hear that the p.o is being converted into bedsits for young offenders who wish to get back into the community.

talk about cut off your nose to spite your face this is a classic example

Email: Click here

Subject: Popstar Dance Academy, Claverham Message Board

Message: A new branch of Popstar Dance Academy has just opened at Cleeve Village Hall, by Lord Nelson.

Come and join us to learn funky new dance routines, to the latest crazes and chart music, every Monday 4:30pm - 5:30pm. High School Musical, Grease, Hannah Montana and more! Styles include street jazz, popstar, funk and even cheerleading. Children also have the oppertunity to create dances with friends! Its great fun, so come and give it ago. Suitable for age 7 - 12
www.freewebs.co.uk/popstardanceacademy
Sophie - 07890439679

Email: Click here

Subject: Missing chicken: Waitrose, Claverham Message Board

Message: As many of you know, our chicken Waitrose often escapes and travels around visiting peoples' gardens. Last night she didn't come back and we haven't seen her since. If you find her please could you try and bring her back to 15 Chestnut drive? Thanks.

Email: Click here

Subject: parking, Claverham Message Board

Message: this message is for the person who lives in number 6 high street (as you have not provided email address)regarding your comments on parking outside of your cottage .

my partner myself and the owner of the building are the only people that enter the old post office and do any work there ,our vehicles are parked close to the wall of the post office or in the back driveway. at no time has any of our vehicles been parked further than our back gate.
no obstruction has ever been caused, we do feel that you should not have made this statement as this is totaly untrue please retract this statement from your objections concerning the planning notice
this will be much appreciated

dawnb

Email: click HERE

Subject: MRS GWEN POUNTNEY, Claverham Message Board

Message: My mother Gwen served on the parish council representing Claverham for many years, and lived at No.5 Claverham Park for 53 years.
Unfortunately mother, now 88, is in Somerset House Care Home in Yatton, however she is always keen to hear about what`s going on in Claverham, and I can now update her on the latest proposals for a pub at the Post Office location.

Great website by the way on my home village.

Bob Pountney
Claverham Road
Yatton

Email: click here

Subject: post box, Claverham Message Board

Message: just to let people of claverham know that the new proprieter had no part in the removal of the post box however we have arranged for it to be replaced as quickly as possible we look forward to your custom when the post office is converted into a friendly quiet pub
regards dawn and kevin

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Elizabeth Sholl's book - Claverham Meeting

Message: Hello,I am trying hard to find a copy of Elizabeth's book of 1935 - I wonder if anyone can help me please?Thank you very much,Jacqueline

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Avon Calling

Message: Firstly, thanks for a great and exceptionally formative site.I lived in Claverham during all my formative years, which seem to coincide wholly with it faling under the auspices of Avon.The issue with a village character statement must surely be underpinned by economic realities - Claverham is now essentially a commuter 'dormitory' village with residents that, in the main, not only work in another district but come from another place and will eventually go to yet another. Whilst I lived in Whitehouse Road we calculated that not a single occupant actually came from Somerset!Even more importantly, is the stark and sad fact that you simply can't afford to buy your first house in the village - an omniscient fact since the 80's. This has created a radical discontinuity - how many people aged between 25-45 live there now? A generation banished! Enforced migration to outlying districts coupled with scarce resources for children / youth (particularly in the years after the church hall blew down and before the village hall was built) in reality means that Claverham is beholden to its larger neighbours.Cure this and you will have a village of real permanence. Cure this and you will have younger generations who want to stay, rather than learning dubiious apprenticeships on Cadbury Hill - surely Claverham's prime asset? Cure thisand you will have a village of character and texture which transcends the Mondeo culture that lurked behind every well groomed lawn while I was there.A big ask I know, but I'm convinced this superbly constructed site is a starting point.

Email: christophex2003@yahoo.co.uk

Subject: Trying to contact a relative

Message: Hi, I'm trying to contact my cousin Janet Vowles, daughter of Les and Doris Vowles who used to live at 134 Claverham Road. Janet married Jim and they emigrated to Perth , Western Australia and they had a daughter Angela. Unfortunately, I have lost their address since my mother died. Janet was best friends with Gail Skuse. Any help would be greatly appreciated. ThanksChris

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Trying to trace an old friend

Message: I am trying to trace an old friend who I have corresponded with for years since we met way back in the early 70's on a judo course- but sadly over not the last few. Her name is Jean Perry ( maiden name Parkin) and she has two children Paul and Lyne-marie who must be late 20;s early 30's now. Jean's last known address was broadcroft avenue, Claverham, Bristol. but I think she may have moved. If any one knows of Jean please tell her Jane is still at the same address in Maidstone and would love to make contact again . I can be contacted by email (SEE ABOVE)

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Market Gardens in Claverham

Message: As a fifteen year old I left Ireland and resided in Claverham from 8/3/1957 to 30/11/1959 and worked at a Market Garden owned by a one armed gentleman and, sadly, cannot remember his name.I enjoyed my brief time in Claverham and would like receive some information about the Market Garden and the owner, a very good table tennis player!My uncle, Arthur Webster, lived in Clevedon, and I cycled across the moor to Clevedon most weekends.For a short period i was a member of Cleeve Cricket Club and played in the Bill Alley testimonial match.

Steve Webster

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Yatton People

Message: Hi,I wonder if anyone who reads this notice board could help me? I am trying to find out about some people that lived in my house on Yatton high street in the past and in the house that was there before it.

I would also be very interested in any memories people have of the top part of the high street around Edwards butchers; especially prior to the 1930's

The people who owned/Rented the house are as follows:

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Miss F Penny, The Rosary, Claverham Road

Message: Can anyone confirm whether Miss Penny who used to live at The Rosary, Claverham Road, actually did run the Post Office in Claverham? I have been living at The Rosary for approximately 12 years and have been told by some of my neighbours that Miss Penny was the Post Mistress in Claverham. The bunglow was built in 1920 and Miss Penny lived for sometime next door (number 37) with her sister Mrs Bromham, but I believe that the bungalow was built for Miss Penny and she moved in alone. If anyone can fill any gaps, I would be pleased to hear from you.

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Voles in Claverham

Message: Is there anyone out there who knows if there are any water voles in Claverham? Or bank or common voles? If so, what are their habits...good, bad and otherwise?I look forward to any response. Sal

Message: My Mum was born in Prospect Villa, Claverham Road in 1920. I wonder whether anyone knows where Prospect Villa was?
Jan

I am most interested in trying to ascertain information about a family perhaps from that region: Sir Nicholas Stalling(e/s), who lastly married the widow Florence Ken(n). Sir Stalling purchased Manor of Yatton about 1598 and passed it to his wife upon his death about 1605. You mention in your site about Stalling’s Cross and I wondered if there is an association and what that actually is. If you could provide any information relating to his family would be very appreciated.

Thank you,
Dianne Stallings Walker
Charlotte, NC, USA

Any info please reply direct to Dianne: CLICK HERE

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Authorship

Message: Discovered Claverham Village website by accident when tracing details on Yatton Station - very intense and detailed Plan but why ashamed of ownership.The Apology for length of time loading etc at the start is Anonymous - surely the author of this fine work should be acknowldeged. Or if a combination of authors the Chair should be named.

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: Claverham Village

Message: Hi,I live in Sydney Australia but have visited Claverham several times when my parents lived in Dunsters Road.My father, a builder, actually built their home at 6 Dunsters Road and I have lots of pictures of it in various stages of construction.When my parents lived there, there was an open field at the back but I believe that this area has since been built up even further.I do hope that the village doesn't get built up too much and lose it's lovely character.Regards, Margaret Calamatta.

Email: CLICK HERE

Subject: visiting arizona

Message: Hi,I just found this website while flicking through the www,I arrived safely in Arizona and I am having a wonderful time,I was wondering if the high street got flooded again after the torrential rain on friday?Also I lost the email for the post office and would like to know whats happening,whether we have had any news about closure,I am sure that the shop will stay open I hope so as I still want my job back when I get home!just thought it would be nice to catch up with anyone while I am away,Missing all my morning chats with everyone,I promise to send some sunshine your way

Gillian

My name is Chris and I would first of all like to congratulate the village for having such an accessible and visually pleasing website. Kudos must go to the team that created and maintain it.

My wife and I are professional people currently living in Bedfordshire. We are looking to relocate to a quiet corner of North Somerset to lead our lives in a peaceful environment away from the madness of town, but still be close enough to earn money to pay a ridiculous mortgage!

We have been scouting the area and visited Claverham very recently. It appears a delightful place to live and ticks many of the mental boxes we created to help our search.

It has become apparent that there are some concerns with the land owned by Claverham Limited at the back of Franklins Way.

I noticed that there have been a couple of postings in the past with concerns about the company's plans for that land. Will they be building on this land in the future? Have any plans been touted yet? I have checked and no formal submissions have been made recently.

Any information that anyone has would be most appreciated.

The school has always been a main part of the village and for as long as I can remember the local children have been allowed to play in the grounds outside of school hours. There has always been odd bits of trouble and I expect there always will be but on the whole its been a safe place for the children to go.

However it seems now that without any warning the policy has been changed and the children are no longer welcome there. Wouldn't it have been better for you to have put a notice up about this rather than have letters threatening action against trespassers sent out to some parents. As far as I am aware the majority of the village are still unaware of this new policy, and having spoken to a school governor found that she wasn't either.

I think this has spoilt the whole feel of the village and am sure a lot of others will feel the same.

I would just like to add that the older children are not allowed in the park but have been given a bench at the other end of the village. Are these children, most of which attended the school now outcasts having reached their teens?

Carolyn Baker

I was born in Claverham and lived in a house called Wayside which was built by my parents. Delma Viney lived next door, and Grace Matthews, who lived across the road from us, had my teddy bear which growled, we had swopped bears! I wonder if she still has it?

My parents were Frederick and Beatrice Dolling, and next door lived my grandparents (prior to the building of Wayside) Caleb and Rose Dolling. My grandfather was a retired Metropolitan policeman formerly based at Putney, London

I remember starting school at the Interdenominational School in Yatton when I was only three years old, and have vivid memories still of being in the playground when a German plane returning from Bristol started to drop bombs, some of which landed on the Railway Station. The headmistress ran into the playground ringing a handbell and we all had to put on gasmasks and get under the coat racks in the cloakroom.

We moved to Weston as a family in 1941 following the death of my grandmother, to be near to my mother’s relatives. However my father remained working at Wake & Deans for most of his working life.

Your website also mentions the Methodist Chapel at which my father was organist for over 40 years.

I remember returning from an evening service, being carried by my father, and seeing the sky bright red from the fires blazing following the bombing of Bristol.

I have few ties in the area now and after travelling about the British Isles and abroad as a Salvation Army Officer for the last 46 years am now retired and living in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

It was good to come across the site, and I have enjoyed reading the information provided.

Derek Dolling
TO EMAIL CLICK HERE

It is too many years ago since I spent a few happy years of my childhood living with my Aunt and Uncle and cousin Grace. Their name was Mr Alfred and Mrs Kate Matthews and Grace Matthews. I came to live with them around 1940 as my Father was a service man and stationed in India. Unfortunately my Mother and Father were divorced hence the latter arrangement.

I was born in India and at the age of six months old I contracted polio, that still plagues me to this very day as I now have Post Polio Syndrome which is a later effect of polio. Little can be done for the later effect at the moment according to the medical profession. Whilst on the subject of Post Polio, is there anyone living in Claverham with this problem?

Referring back to my years in Claverham. Prior to attending at the tiny school in the small church (Miss Watkins and Miss Earl were the names of the two teachers there), situated just near the start of Bishops Road and opposite the Post Office, (run by a Mrs Lawrence in those days), I attended Barberry House School in Yatton.

When I first came to Claverham my Aunt used to have to push me everywhere in a wheel chair and Mr & Mrs Croft who lived next door to us in Shenstone (the name of their bungalow was called Ovingdene), Mrs Croft used to push me in the chair to Sunday School every Sunday at the Gospel Hall (was it called?). However in a very short time I taught myself to ride a two wheel bicycle which was a turning point in my life at the time as it enabled me to go out and play with my friends. Also I could cycle to school and sunday school etc etc. As I wore a caliper on my leg most people knew me, if only by sight, seeing me tearing around the village on a bike with my friends... they were happy carefree days.

Compared with today we did not have anything like it then but we were content. I reckon that we lived with the seasons like going conkering this time of year, primrosing and bluebelling in Spring, we'd picnic up in Cadbury Woods, tadpoling down at Stream Cross, carol singing round christmas time. In those days there were no street lamps and we had to rely on our bicycle lamps when necessary. Remember there was a war on at the time with blackouts in force in all the houses etc. My Aunt used to send me on my bike with a list to get groceries from Tutts Stores in Yatton. When I was in Yatton I used to love popping over to Miss Ayres book shop as it was then known, situated opposite the vicarage and also near what used to be a village school that I understand is now a car park in front of Yatton church.

I actually paid a visit to Claverham back in 1986 and drove along through the old haunts and visited Mr & Mrs Croft who still resided at Ovingdene next door to Shenstone. I still keep in touch with a school friend from Claverham. She is now living in Devon but up until about five years ago Brenda and her husband lived in Congresbury where they had a fruit and vegetable shop called Excellence situated right at the top of the Rhodyate Hill next door to the Star Pub. Recently she sent me a cutting from a paper in which there was an announcement of the death of Mrs Croft from Ovingdean bungalow, apparently she passed away in a nursing home in Clevedon I think it was.

Of course you may print this on the website if it is of any interest to anyone this day and age.

My name was Joy Witheridge then as it remains today. Opposite to us at Shenstone there was a semi detached older style house. In one side lived Delma (only daughter) of Mr & Mrs Viney I think the surname was, and next door to them lived Mr & Mrs Player who also had one daughter, her name was Molly Player, she joined the land army during the war.

Some one may know something about things I have mentioned and if I can remember all this there must be others who can too. Delma, whose married name I dont know, may still live around Yatton or nearby.

When I left Claverham I went to India, my Father had come back to England on leave for the first time in 10 years and was staying with his parents, my Nan & Grandad who lived in Weston super Mare. He had decided that it was time he took responsibility for me and took me back to Bombay in January 1945. I hated this change - having always lived in the country this was not the adventure I wanted. But I never ever forgot my happy times in Claverham.