The Spring in 1961

Some of us remember 1961 as the year which could be turned upside down and it still said 1961. And here for fun, is a quiz question. When was the previous year when this was the case and when will the next be?

But now down to purpose. We are looking, today, at The Spring in that topsy-turvy year.

The Spring in 1961 – before the bungalows were built

We were at the dawning of the era of mass car ownership but at that time front gardens of Spring Houses on the right had not been turned into car spaces. The one car we see (is it a Wolseley?) appears to be making use of the pavement for parking. Just possibly it was a builder pondering on putting up some bungalows in that area.

The view is towards West Lavington and shows this route as being very much in the countryside. Earlier photos do not show a pavement. We think (but seek confirmation) that this was put in for the opening of the secondary school which was in 1961.

Pumping out a cellar

In 1961 the cellar at 9 High Street became flooded. We do not know the reason but doubt it had anything to do with bad weather, but was, rather more, to do  with an internal plumbing problem.

There was no longer a local fire brigade so an appliance was got out from Devizes and a portable pump was used to pump the water away.

The fire brigade pump out a flooded cellar on High Street, Market Lavington in 1961

The local lads and a lass or two are out in force to watch this event. They have lined up outside what was then Lloyds Bank.  Maybe there are people reading this who might recognise the lads.

Thanks to Chris who gives us (from right to left.

(Girl) Christine Anderson
(Lad Holding arm up) Richard Baker
David Anderson
John Ingram
John Buckland?

And from Chris again, from right to left we have

Maurice Little
Graham Sheppard
Jonathon Coppock

 

A Christmas Party

Does Christmas seem a long time ahead? In Market Lavington we are definitely catching the festive spirit now. December has been, for a long time the month for Christmas events and parties so let’s take a look at a Christmas party from the past.

A Market Lavington Christmas party for older folk – back in 1961

This party took place in the school room (now the Old School) back in December of 1961, a frightening 52 years ago. It looks to feature older residents of the time with younger people, no doubt, doing the waiting and serving.

There are two church ministers present. One is Reverend Daunford Davies of the Church of England whilst a second is Reverend Crewe who was the Congregational minister from 1960 to 62. Both have their wives with them. Miss Duncan, the previous Congregational minister is amongst the guest.

Other guests include Mrs Hawes, sisters Nellie and Millie Hiscock, Mrs G Cooper and Mrs Annie Baker.

Amongst the helpers we have Susan Shepherd and Liz Bury.

There are still lovely Christmas events in the village. A couple of days ago we had a wonderful Christmas Concert, led by the Lavington Community Choir and the Lavington Community Band, with charming help from primary school children, this time from the West Lavington  (DAPS) school. The Community Hall was packed out for a mixed programme of music which included community carols and secular songs too. It was a great occasion, really appreciated by the audience.

Landslip at Lavington

Back in 1961 the embankment which carries the railway line across the flatlands near West Park Farm collapsed. On August 21^st of that year some 200 feet of the down line was left hanging in the air with the embankment underneath it washed away.

Much disruption was caused to services for the line was closed for some time

Now we’ll let Trains Illustrated Magazine for November 1961 tell the story.

Since then, much additional work has been done to stabilise the embankment.