Vaughan Williams, of Denby, recalls fond memories of Bill Bancroft and poses some questions.
READING the recent obituary about Bill Bancroft certainly brought back memories.
Although I was only a young lad in the 1950s, I do remember Mr Bancroft, his wife and his son, Jimmy.
They lived three houses up from me, my sister and parents on Woodlands Road, Allestree.
I also remember Mr Bancroft's budgies, which were housed in large aviaries in the back garden.
I remember my Mum explaining to us kids why Mr Bancroft suddenly seemed to have only one hand (he lost his right hand in an accident while working at Rolls-Royce).
However, the accident did not stop him from gardening. You would see him out until sundown in the summer. I cannot remember when the Bancrofts left Allestree.
Until reading the aforementioned article, I had no idea where they went or what became of them. Obviously being only a young lad at the time, I had no idea of the experiences he had in the war years.
I am pleased that Mr Bancroft (we always had to address our elders as Mr or Mrs) had a long retirement and lived to a good age of 90.
On a separate matter, I would like to ask through Bygones if anyone remembers the earth tremor or quake that happened on February 11, 1957.
I was attending St Edmund's Primary School at the time and was aged 10. I still remember the walls in the classroom that seemed to sway as the tremor struck and Mrs Metcalf, our teacher, doing her best to calm us panicking kids.
Apparently it was the largest UK post-war earthquake until 1984 and one of the most damaging earthquakes of the 20th century, according to Wikipedia.
Also, does anyone remember going to summer camp at Staithes on the North Yorkshire coast? I remember being there with school when a tragedy occurred.
A young lad, not with our school, fell into the sea and this resulted in three people drowning – the lad, a teacher and a local fisherman who went in and tried in vain to save him.
I cannot remember whether I went to Staithes while attending St Edmund's or Allestree Woodlands School.
One final question concerning school trips – can anyone remember going to Longshaw Lodge, near Hathersage, in North Derbyshire, where we stayed for what I think was a week?
Again, I am not sure if it was with St Edmund's or Woodlands School. I must have started Woodlands in 1957 when I turned 11.
I hope some readers can remember these events and will contact Bygones.
