| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| williap66 |
Posted - 19 Feb 2008 : 20:37:04
Hi - I'm a new member having received a poem about Orsett in days gone by from a relative in Stanford-le-Hope who, in turn, had received it from a relative in Liverpool! I live in the frozen wastes (today anyway) of North-East England so your lovely website is well-travelled!
As the subject matter reveals I was actually born in The Forge - the house of that name, that is, as my grandfather Chester Fryett was the village blacksmith whose forge proper was at the other end of the garden. I would be delighted to hear from anyone with knowledge of my grandfather or could share some photos of his handiwork with wrought iron if you wish. Sadly, I was only 4 years old when he died and the family had to move out of their 'tied' home. My grandmother's father, Thomas Russell, had been the blacksmith prior to my grandfather who took over the smithy on Thomas' death just after the first world war. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| williap66 |
Posted - 09 Sep 2008 : 10:58:01
Hi Grace - thanks for the most recent postings of photos including my great-Uncle Bill and his son Geoff. I've now added a couple of old pictures in the photos forum, one of which to see if you recognise my mum and uncle - Mabel and Chester William Fryett. This looks as if it was taken during the second world war as both mum and Uncle Chester are in uniform. The second picture is of me as a toddler, taken in 1948! |
| gracemf |
Posted - 25 Aug 2008 : 14:41:17
Pauline
I have added two more photos to my collection. Your Uncle Bill is very clear in the smaller group. My father, wearing glasses,is the tallest in the room.Albert Warren,(who ran the shop next door to Mona's for many years)is on his right.
Both Uncle Bill & Geoff are on the larger group plus so many more village men of the time. This must have been taken before July 1956 as my grandfather is on it.
Grace |
| sellio |
Posted - 24 Aug 2008 : 07:19:37
Many thank's for the kind comments.Glad you like my pictures of Orsett.Keep looking as i add to them from time to time.Regards.Steve
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| williap66 |
Posted - 23 Aug 2008 : 22:32:59
Hi Grace - thank you so much for this. I have seen your pictures before but obviously didn't look closely enough. Now I have seen the Observer Corps one again I can see Uncle Bill quite clearly! Brilliant! I did recognise his house and The Forge in the snowy pics earlier in the year, however, which was great. Both yours and Sellio's are now stored in my 'Orsett' picture gallery! I was pleased also to note your remarks about the family likeness of my Uncle Chester and my grandfather. Believe it or not that family likeness must have gone down another generation to my 26 year old son as he bears an uncanny resemblance to an old photo that turned up a couple of years ago of my Grandfather Chester's father, John, even down to his body language in the photo. He was obviously very tall - like my son (6'-2") - and was leaning forward in a particular fashion just like my son does when he wants to hide his height amongst smaller mortals - like me (5'-2")! Thanks also for the info about the Mardyke. My research is going very well thank you and I hope to soon begin writing it up in a book - perhaps with my grandfather (and Orsett of course) as the central figure. |
| gracemf |
Posted - 18 Aug 2008 : 11:49:31
Hello Pauline
It is a while since I wrote to you about your grandfather and his family.When I looked at his photo I realised just how much Chester jnr was like his father in the days that I remember him.
My sister and brother in law have just been to visit (both Orsett born & bred, although no longer living there).My b.i.l. reminded me where the bridge was over the Mardyke-- he used to go rabbitting with his father on the fen and used it frequently.
In his "Pictures in the Snow" Sellio has taken a very clear photo of your Uncle Bill's house with the forge and,going down Rowley Rd, the house where you were born.
Also, some while ago, I put some Orsett pictures on this site. There is a picture of the Orsett Observer Corps taken c.1940 and your Uncle Bill is in the back row, fourth from the left-beside the man in the flat cap.
Hope your research is going well. Grace |
| williap66 |
Posted - 25 Mar 2008 : 13:41:37
Have now posted, in the Photos section, an article from a Suffolk newspaper about the achievements of my grandfather "The Orsett Blacksmith". I believe it was written in the 1930s and refers to many Orsett landmarks including an iron bridge that my grandfather built on the Orsett Fen, if that means anything to anyone? |
| williap66 |
Posted - 20 Mar 2008 : 17:53:38
Thanks Grace. I remember my mum talking of a family member called Vic, but hadn't connected him with Mona. This will help my search of Ancestry.co.uk later on! There was a poem on this site somewhere that started my whole search and that referred to the village policeman, Mr Sach, and also referred to Bob the postgirl. Bob (Roberta really) was my mum's closest friend and was her bridesmaid in 1946 and of course was Mr Sach's daughter. We visited in later years as Bob eventually had a daughter who was my age but it was so nice to see their names, as well as my grandfather's, in the poem. I will keep in touch with the Bulletin Board and as promised earlier, will try and post some information I have in my family history files about my grandfather's work as the village blacksmith. |
| gracemf |
Posted - 15 Mar 2008 : 16:16:55
Pauline
Have remembered his name was Vic.I will ask my brother in law if he remembers more--he lived opposite them.
I remember doing a "bob a job" for Mona in that little house.
Grace |
| williap66 |
Posted - 15 Mar 2008 : 12:42:19
Thanks for this Grace. Yes, my memories as a small child are only of the small door and it being the last one, but looking at the picture and talking to my sister and with your memories too, it has become much clearer where the entrance was. I didn't know about 'Mr Harrington'. I shall have to look it up and add to my family tree, so thanks yet again for increasing my knowledge! |
| gracemf |
Posted - 14 Mar 2008 : 16:55:15
Pauline
Your aunt Mona married a Mr.Harrington.They lived in the High St in early years and later she moved to Forham's Row--(I don't remember her husband being at Fordhams)
On the picture at the top of the Orsett Village website her house in the high st was the very small white painted piece under the large window of the paper shop--currently the post office.(i.e.third door from the church.
That long ago the first door from the church was Tom the barbers.
Had no idea Mona was related to the Fryetts although,as I was young,doubt whether it would have been any interest to me.
Grace |
| williap66 |
Posted - 14 Mar 2008 : 16:27:18
Grace - thank you so much for this. I've looked at sellio's photos and found the one of The Forge which is just as I remember it.
I also noticed one of the Post Office with some little cottages beside it - in the High Street, I think? I am sure this is where my auntie Mona (proper name Maud) lived. We used to go through a tiny door (think it was the last one, before the church) and down a long narrow passageway to her house and garden at the back. Do you remember her? She was my grandad Fryett's sister, but I don't know if she ever married so I don't know her surname if she wasn't a Fryett. She had a very strong Suffolk accent, I seem to remember. I believe she brought up one of her nephews - he was called John Fryett but they moved to Wales when he was quite young. |
| gracemf |
Posted - 14 Mar 2008 : 14:09:00
Hello Pauline
I see that Sellio has recently put photos of the house where you were born and the forge on his website.
If you look in the Photos section for orsett photos by sellio. Pick up his web link and, at the moment, they are in the last block of four.
You can also clearly see the house your Uncle Bill lived in, next door but one to the forge.The forge has been converted but your grandfather's house looks just the same.
Grace |
| williap66 |
Posted - 23 Feb 2008 : 10:08:40
Sorry Grace - looked up the family tree and, of course, you are right about Geoff's age! My mum was born in 1922 so I guess I was thinking he was in a similar age range. Yes her brother was Chester too - Chester William in fact, to differentiate between the two. He was a little younger than my mum and died when he was just around 60. My mum died aged 68 in 1991.
I have a press cutting about my grandfather and I was thinking of posting it to this blog as I see you have a place for photos so I'll do that once I fathom out how. So look out for that.
Many thanks for your lovely memories - I was delighted to read what you said. Best wishes - Pauline |
| gracemf |
Posted - 22 Feb 2008 : 19:13:09
Willia66
I think you are overestimating Geoff's age--he was definitely in my class at Orsett school and I am only 72!
I'm afraid I cannot recall Mabel, but did your grandparents have a son as well?--I seem to think he was called Chester--he was a good bit older than me. Until your blog I had not realised that "my" Mr. Fryett's Christian name was Chester, although I do remember your grandparents very well-older people were always Mr & Mrs when I was young.
Good luck with your search for memories. There are others still alive in Orsett who will remember your family and that forge well, but I guess not too many use the internet.
Grace |
| williap66 |
Posted - 22 Feb 2008 : 14:16:25
Thanks for all your replies!
Dave - I think I'm in touch with your wife, Pat? I popped into Orsett with my sister last year when we were in the south for a family funeral, and now Pat and I 'correspond' via Christmas cards.
Grace - many thanks for your lovely comments. Yes, my Grandad was fond of children - and his pipe! I'll have to look up that bush Philadelphus when I'm next at my local garden centre. It would be lovely to have one in my own garden that I could remember him by. The Russells did live in Rowley Road - Rose Cottage, I think - they were my Uncle Bill and Aunt Kitty and Bill was my grandmother's brother. I do keep in touch with my mum's cousin Geoff who still lives in Essex and is now in his 80s. Perhaps you also knew my mum, Geoff's cousin? She was Mabel Fryett and was a little older than Geoff.
Moocher - My mum's cousin Geoff mentioned Alan Theobold to me a year or two ago, having bumped into him at the Orsett Show. I believe he was writing a book about Essex blacksmiths and had asked after my grandfather, so if he still lives in the village I'd like to hear from him as I believe he trained under my grandfather at one time. I live over 200 miles away, so maybe this bulletin board is the best way to keep in touch? |
