CRICKLADE REVEALED is a series of nine booklets, to date, which gives a first-hand account of local life from the early twenties right through the Second World War and its aftermath, to the 1950s.

The tales of these times are based on the tape recorded memories of local people, compiled by Marion Parsons as an on-going oral history project. Well over a hundred people have contributed their stories so far, the oldest born in 1905, to give a picture of life in the town and its surrounding area, starting more than 90 years ago.

Part Nine at first reveals aspects of country life in the 1950s before modern technology began to change domestic conditions and agriculture. A journey along several lanes on the west side of Cricklade, from Bath Road as far as Chelworth and back to the Purton road, includes many of the residents of the fifties and their homes in detail.

As business begins to revive post-war, several new local enterprises make an impact on town life. Organisations which traditionally ran the town, together with some new societies launched in the 1950s, are explained, while the two parishes of St Sampson’s and St Mary’s are amalgamated. Latton village life and the CWS farms are recalled by two former residents, and Blakehill adults have their final say on the amusing and sometimes theatrical aspects of life at the camp before it finally closed down.

The memories of many local children in the late 1940s and early 1950s differ markedly from that of their parents. While the former describe almost idyllic opportunities to enjoy the countryside, their parent’s memories reveal their harsh living conditions and the rationing that continued unabated for years after the war ended.

Over a third of Britain’s homes still had no bath or hot water, there were coal shortages, and the extremely icy winter of 1947 made these circumstances even more harrowing.

The accounts by various children, however, of skating on Latton Lido, having time off from school because coal could not be delivered, sliding on trays down Eisey Hill or the novelty of walking on top of snow piled as high as the Cricklade cemetery pillars, tell a different story.

All nine booklets are available from the Museum or by phoning Marion on 01793 750542. Illustrated with local and personal photographs, they cost £3.50 each, or £27 for a set of nine. Profits from the booklets are donated to Cricklade Historical Society’s New Cabinet Replacement Fund, Jenner Hall Refurbishment Fund, and Cricklade Open Door.

If you are interested in any of the books, or have a story to tell, please ring Marion Parsons on 01793 750542 or email: mfparsons071@btinternet.com uAlthough Part Nine is the penultimate book in this series of ten, which will take readers up to the mid-sixties, Marion will continue her research through the new Cricklade Revealed Extra book, the first of which was introduced in 2012 and contains further stories, photographs and an index of all the family names which occur in Parts 1 to 3.

New contributors are therefore always welcome, since their memories can be included in these extra books and are invaluable to future generations.

Coming in Part Ten: Schools update,changes to farming, closure of Blakehill Camp, entertainment and much more.