The Grove in 1937

We have a postcard today which shows the Grove in 1937.

A rural scene in Market Lavington in 1937

As the card says, it is a rural scene and clearly a spring time one with lambs in the field. It is very hard to get a precise fix on just where this is, but it does look like Grove Farm with the road up Lavington Hill rising behind it.

Grove Farm and Lavington Hill

An added interest on this card is the message on the back.

This card was sent to Belgium

It was sent from Palm House to Lessines, Hainault in Belgium by Gilberte.

Can anybody tell us who lived at Palm House then – and who was Gilberte who definitely seemed keen on Mme J Keymeulon?

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The Grove in 1972

 

Yesterday we looked at a water colour of the grove in 1986. Today we have the opposite view in a black and white photo from 1972.

The church across the Grove in 1972

The photographer may have selected a rather grey day for this photo which shows a view across the fields of Grove Farm to the church. The Grove Farm buildings are to the right of the church and beyond them we see more of the village and the scarp slope of Salisbury Plain.

To the left of the church we can make out what is now our museum – your museum in fact for it is the Market Lavington Museum.

Museum and Old House

That’s our museum building just to the left of the pole. Further left and apparently sheltering under branches of the cedar tree we have The Old House.

The photo, of course, was taken long before houses were built on the former fields of Grove Farm. It’s a very different view today with mixed modern houses providing needed homes for many people.

The Grove – a water colour

Many people say that a photograph may capture the truth but a painting captures the spirit of the place. So perhaps, today, we are capturing the spirit of The Grove area or perhaps our artist has caught the spirit of the past.

The artist set up his easel somewhere near the church and looked out to the west over what was still, then, the fields of Grove Farm.

The Grove – a 1986 water colour by Norman Miller

Beyond the pastoral scene, with grazing sheep we see a more sylvan backdrop which, perhaps, makes Lavington School look just a bit surprising.  The houses on Park Road do seem to lead the eye to the school building – very much in the style of the 1960s.

Beyond the trees there’s a hint of Salisbury Plain and above all, cumulous clouds rise up to mask most of the blue sky.

The artist was Norman Miller (1906-1995) who worked, this time, in water colours. This was painted in 1986.

Norman, a retired church minister, lived in Easterton. We have a couple of his paintings in the museum.

Grove Bridge in the 1920s

This scene is fairly unchanging and always pretty. No wonder it was a favourite for photographers. We last looked at this scene back in March (click here). That photo was taken twenty years before this one.

Grove Bridge, Market Lavington in the 1920s

Our timeless view was taken from the path which led from the Manor to the Church,  through the fields of Grove Farm. These days the path ends near the bus stop on Grove Road. The bridge passes over the little stream called Northbrook. Just behind the photographer we’d find the Bubbling Kettle, also known as the Boily Pot or even the Pot Boiling.

Behind us,  the bridge, the path leads up and then past a line of trees including many sweet chestnuts. These days a chain link fence lines the left side of the path and over it we can see the former Market Lavington Manor House. This is now, and has been for 80 or more years, a part of Dauntsey’s School. The grounds, between the path and the house are in use as a small golf course for the school.

This is now a well frequented path for walkers, with or without dog. It’s rare to walk that path without stopping for a chat with other folk, out for a stroll.

Photos that beg a question

We are going to see, today, a couple of photos showing ‘The Grove’ in Market Lavington. The photos are certainly not brilliant in quality or condition. Here’s the first – it could be almost anywhere.

The Grove, Market Lavington in 1923 = not the most exciting photo!

The Grove showing St Mary’s church, market Lavington in 1923. AShame about the photo condition!

This one is in shocking condition but at least has St Mary’s Church visible and a grazing horse.

We have some information about these images. They are dated as 1923. The pictures were taken by Maude Wright who emigrated to Canada and married there. She sent these pictures to Peggy Gye prior to 1985.

The question for us, which we hope someone can answer, is ‘who was Maude Wright?’  We know nothing at all about her. We do not know if Maude Wright was her married or her maiden name. We don’t know when she emigrated – but presumably after 1923. Do get in touch if you can tell us anything.

Let’s finish with a ten minute digital clean up of that second photo.

Ten minute’s work at improving the photo with Market Lavington Church.