RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: daveymart on Tuesday 23 October 07 15:26 BST (UK)
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Hi all, I've recently joined the site 'cos I'm looking for anything anybody knows about Redskin village in Mitcham. I grew up on Phipps Bridge in Mitcham in the 1960s/70s, plenty of travelling folk still about then and some of the families I've seen here on this site too. My old nan lived in a house in New Close used to talk a lot about it which apparently was on the site of the Phipps Bridge Estate. The stories used to fascinate me as a kid, and now I'm trying to find a bit out about the area but keep drawing a blank. Anyone with any information or links/ sources would be very gratefully recived. Cheers!
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Not a lot of help here, daveymart, but my dad was a policeman in Mitcham and I remember him talking of Redskin village back in the 1950's so it was on his beat. I remember walking past it with him once - I vaguely remember a fenced-off area alongside the road, pretty dilapidated - don't think it was very large. Sadly, I don't know exactly where it was.
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try http://passingthrough.wetpaint.com it has a lot about mitcham and redskin village on there.cathayb
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I grew up nearby, but had quite forgotten about the area until I read this. I remember it well. Not large, and Mum told me to keep away (hence the attraction :)) The kids were very friendly - a few were at our school (desperately trying to remember names now... ::))
meles
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i was bought up on Phipps and my family are from Mitcham, Before the estate was built it was known as 'the dust' and the gavvers wouldnt dare go round there unless they were mob-handed. My great-uncle was a prize fighter and he used to fight on the dust, one day a stray gavver turned up during a fight, and cos they didnt want to stop they picked him up and put him down a man-hole!
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A lot of my family were from mitcham (Jameses) and my brother heard a story that it was called redskin village because when an american wild west show came to england they camped there or even that some stayed living there. nice story but probably not true.
Jim
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Hello Dave, I am what is called a "True Redskin Girl" born and bred there, and very proud to say so.
What is it you want to know? Iwas born at number 134, in 1953, my family name then as I am married now was Clark.
It was the best place to grow up in Mitcham, you never had to fear anyone as every body took care of one another.
get back to me and I'll try and help you. Jan
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i went to school in mitcham,left western road school in 1960 aged 15,for the next 10 years i hung around the streets of mitcham,i knew everyone who lived or worked there & everyone knew me.redskin village was known as 'rockie'.
i live in the northeast now,but my 87 year old parents still live in mitcham.i am still in contact with some schoolfriends.
anything i can help with,i'd be glad to.
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Hi there, thanks for your reply about redskin village. I'm glad someone's replied because I've been trying to find out more for ages but keep drawing a blank. I'm kind of piecing together what little bits of information I can collect with the aim of wiritng a book (or at least an article) about the area for the local library, I've read a lot about the local history but there's a really interesting stiry about redskin village and all the travelling folk of mitcham that never gets told.
I'd love to talk to someone who really knows the area and anyone else you think might be interested in taking part. I'll hope to hear from you again.
Best wishes
Dave
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Hello Dave,
I too had family that had a House in Redskin Village or "rocky" as it was called.
My nan lived in New Close too!
I remember as a kid visiting the Phipps Bridge road area and seeing all the families around there.
There was always a great community atmosphere, and the families seemed very close and protective.
I have questions like where did the people originate from? were they Romany or Travellers?
What was the history of the place and when was that estate built and how was it populated?
Were the locals rehoused from somewhere else?
Any information on all this would be great, as I have no idea where I originate from or what
my blood line is?
Thanks
David
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Hello Dave, I am what is called a "True Redskin Girl" born and bred there, and very proud to say so.
What is it you want to know? I was born at number 134, in 1953, my family name then as I am married now was Clark.
It was the best place to grow up in Mitcham, you never had to fear anyone as every body took care of one another.
get back to me and I'll try and help you. Jan
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Hi i found awhile back my ggranmother Harriet cooper and her husband George Gladwin lived in a tent on mitcham common with some of her 13 kids. Not sure if anyone heard of these people.
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Sorry above i said my ggranmother i meant to say my gg-granmother
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hi there
a lot of my wifes relietives lived in red skin lillage in the 1900,s i used to listen to all the old stories...if you would like to contact us we maybe able to help with some info..
regards
Derek&Shirley Pearson
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A lot of my family were from mitcham (Jameses) and my brother heard a story that it was called redskin village because when an american wild west show came to england they camped there or even that some stayed living there. nice story but probably not true.
Jim
was given it's name as it was all travelling families that settled. phipps bridge was the dump. rocky/ redskin village was new close.
also a james.
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A lot of my family were from mitcham (Jameses) and my brother heard a story that it was called redskin village because when an american wild west show came to england they camped there or even that some stayed living there. nice story but probably not true.
Jim
private message me. ur nan vertina james is my great nan.
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Hi all, I've recently joined the site 'cos I'm looking for anything anybody knows about Redskin village in Mitcham. I grew up on Phipps Bridge in Mitcham in the 1960s/70s, plenty of travelling folk still about then and some of the families I've seen here on this site too. My old nan lived in a house in New Close used to talk a lot about it which apparently was on the site of the Phipps Bridge Estate. The stories used to fascinate me as a kid, and now I'm trying to find a bit out about the area but keep drawing a blank. Anyone with any information or links/ sources would be very gratefully recived. Cheers!
alot of original families still in new close.
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Hi tracy
My gg-grandparents lived in mitcham in a tent. They wer'e Harriet cooper married a George Gladwin,so not sure if they lived in redskin village would you or anyone know of these people. Her parents names are richard cooper and Harriet not sure what her surname is..
jew
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HI Tracy my name is Shirley, my family were born and lived in red skin villiage.
my grans family were Dixie's the red skin village was called that because of the travelers that lived in mitcham, most lived on the fair green in the 1901 census. from what i can remember most of these were horse traders flower sellers and of course the usual fair ground workers. they tended to stay close together and were regarded for most part unwanted in the area my great gran and great grand father sold flowers made wreaths has did my gran Lydia, my nans son was one of the first to win a scholar-ship from the old star school this was a big thing and was taken up because they were too poor for him to go, this was a great shame out of the six kids she buried two by the end of the war.. that's when red skin village was then built because of the bombings they were all re-housed into homes the first time ever some still remained in the yards so called. the sparrow hawks and grays fair round workers the sparrow hawk family still have a scrape yard in Mitch common to this day the grays sold their ground to the council back in the 1990S houses are built there now hope this was helpful Shirley
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Hi
whilst we are on the subject of new close, redskin village, the dust ect. does anyone know of, or are related to, the smith family? Rachel and samson/samuel. around 1920-1940 ish
Berri. :)
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Hi
I lived at no. 86 New Close from 1956 - 1967 our house was in the circle oposite the pylon,next door to the Brookers.
I remember your Nan & Grandad's house , It was the one on the corner and It always seem to have runner beans growing up strings.
I moved to New Close from Colliers Wood when I was nine but I still went to the same school ( Fortescue)and I went past your Nan & Grandad's house every day on the way to and from school. I cut through the alley to Phipps Bridge road.
I remember Lofty more than anyone else, he sometimes came over to talk to my dad but thats about it.
People from New Close were looked down upon- but I have never known such a good community
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I notice someone said about brookers my nan was a brooker until she married my grandad whos a foster..
my gg-grandparents lived in a tent on mitcham common who was Harriet cooper who married a George gladwin or he could of gone by name richard one of these names is a middle name... Would anyone know these people..
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HI DAVE redskin vilage or rokie got its name because origanally travelers stoped their in there caravans and the women went to work in the mills along the river wandel which done taning and dying of leather hides and the men went and done their thing some made pegs some made artificial flowers from wood and dyed them diferent colours i know because as a boy i made both with my father my family are of gypsy origen and still live round rokie they also went and picked lavender and sold it thats how lavender avenue got its name their was lavender fields around mitcham hope this helps HIRAM
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So everyone agrees that "New Close" is from the Romany blood then, and not travellers.
Does anyone know my Nan, she was called "Ivy Lee" and lived on the bend of new close. she was married to Charlie Lee. I am interested in her side of the family, I think she might of been from either the woods family or the lyons, I'm not really sure.
Thanks
Davey
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:)
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my family are from romany blood (ayres family) and i know a few more famlies that are. i still live round new close i would love to hear anyones storys about redskin village or mitcham. i can trace my family in mitcham to at least 1901. some of my family still live in the same house in new close that they moved in to in 1937 when new close was built
Thank you i always wondered when New Close was built, My great great Grandfather was living there when he died in 1939.
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???
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Excellent stuff, always interested in Mitcham's history, He did live in Queens Road in 1935 so must have moved there not long after.
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:D
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I was bought up number 15 new close with my grandparents (jame"s) i was always told when i asked why was it called red skin village,i was told it was because my grandparents were travellers or from travelling families and there skin was as dark as an Indians i was also shown photos of my great grandparents and the type of clothes they wore looked a lot like the clothes you would expect to see Noth American Indians wearing,every one was related i would refer to all the grown ups as Aunt or Uncle it was good growing up round there it was true the old bill would not go in there unless they had serious back up,i remember one copper called scar faced Jim what a batsard he was,the council bought it to a slow death as people died the council would bring in outsiders and the place went to pot i also remember when Calor gas went up watching the gas canisters flying through the air and my grand father worked at stophers the butchers slaughter house where i think its called Homefield primary school now stands.
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Hi my Granny and Grandfather lived at number 1 New Close. Neddy and Violet Marney. My Grannys' father was Joe Ayres and the other side of my family were the Dightons, some of them are still there. I ca think of a place where I felt safer but I know a lot of outsiders were warned not to go there and a lot of people were scared of going there. Amazing people, amazing times there when I was younger. can remember a portacabin which was a sweetshop, run by two old ladies (I think one was called Dolly) I remember everyone there so fondly and although I live in Devon now whenever I go up to London I try to go to New Close. When I was younger it seemed as though I was related to almost everyone in New Close, one way or another! (Perhaps I was!) Would love to hear from anyone who remembers my grandparents. Take care everyone, Debs xxx.
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Hello Deb,
I used to live at 15 new close with me grandparents,the shop across the road was a converted shed and was run by Violet Osbourne and Dolly Stopher (i think) my lot still live there but its changed round there now and not for the better,we are related i have Ayres on my side Uncle Nation Ayres, Harom,Percy Ayres who ran the grocer shop and log yard at the end of New close under neath the pilon dont go there much its heartbreaking to see all the changes and the outsiders,but thats called progress.
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Oh how fantastic, so great to hear from you. Nice to meet you! I remember Nation and Harem, and Percy. They were all on my Grannys side. I know Percy ended up living on a fantastic houseboat near Hampton Court. They were all on my Grannys side. I can also remember a man called Nelson who lived opposite me Granny and he always sat on a chair outside his house. I used to stay at my Grannies sometimes and it was such a magical place and time and I felt so safe. I can also remember Ben and Liz Mara who lived in the little lane that runs parallel with New Close. And I still cook a dish called Joe Grey every week that was traditional romany meal! I loved my times there and I have so many happy memories. I can also remember my Granny showing me how to make beautiful paper flowers. Thanks for reminding me of the ladies names in the shop. And yes I agree it has changed and not for the better. My Dad tells me stories of men playing cards underneath the streetlights at night when he was a young boy. I know that originally they were in wagons in Stophers yard and it got bombed during the war and that was how they all got houses.I can talk about it all night( as you have probably noticed!). So lovely to hear from you, what is your name? Thank you for your message, speak soon, Debs xxx.
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Calm down girl(cacker)
Frank James,Nelson was related to my Aunt Magenta my cousin susan lived with them,my Uncle percy died at home
his wife was rose and the kids names were Keith,Barry and Henry i think the eldest was Sandra,one of the best meals i cook for the kids and now grand kids is Joey gray or a bacon pudding ( i still use me nans musslin cloth it must be at least 20+years old)
do you remeber the Herringtons?? Jackie and Susan i see them sometimes as they live quite close to me and we talk about knock down ginger and the old bath tavern,and the day my uncle Leonard brought the goat home form the market and the bastard thing ate all the washing on my grans washing line all a life time away now, hows Devon.any dinlows down there.
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Ha good to talk to you Frank. You cook Joe Grey too? Brilliant. I do that bacon pudding now and then too. I know the surname Herrington but can't place who they are. I will ask me Dad. My Uncle Wally Dighton my Aunty Kathy are still in New Close at number 106. My Uncle Neddy Marney and Aunty Betty lived more or less opposite. My Granny Violet was my hero. My Dad Jimmy Marney lives in Norfolk now. Was your Uncle Percy known for his tall tales? So lovely to talk to someone about all this. Well I have been in Devon for 6 years now and it is lovely but I can feel me feet itching again so might think about moving to along the Sussex coastline somewhere as I have some friends and family there too. Haven't met any dinlows here but I know a few who think they are but they ain't what I call proper. Speak soon, Debs xxx.
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percy is my grandfather he always lived at number 58 new close and my nan rose still lives there now the houseboat at hampton court was a ladys who used to work for him. my nan and grandads kids are in order keith,peter,sandra,barry(my father) and henry. keith still runs the log yard at the back of new close.
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Wow so good to hear from you. Fascinating stuff. I bet we all must have seen eachother at some point in New Close when we were younger! x
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;D
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Hi Berri, My husbands Aunt was Rachel Holmes and she married Samuel Smith.
They had a daughter * and a second daughter **.
Unfortunately Rachel died soon after the birth of her second daughter.
* married * and they live in the Nottingham area.
Hope this is of help to you.
Regards
Chris
* details of living people removed in accordance with Rootschat policy
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hi there berri my granmothers family are the smiths from mitcham?her mother and fathers names were samuel and rachel.they lived in gladstone road.also my mums aunt genty?were also first cousins to the penfolds from new close? i myself played with a young billy ayres and the deacon family.also anyone remmember black dot sarah or georgey licker? they were my mums aunt and uncle.sarah used to wear all
black lace,real old gypsie woman,
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Hi All
My nan, Lily James, used to live at 42 New Close I think since it was built...before that her family used to live in either Bath Road or Queens Road until the factory explosion. As a kid in the late 70s, I remember going to the sweet shop in the shed and to Stophers the butchers. There were several James families in New Close...I don't think ours were travellers. Would be interested to hear more stories from the close.
Darren
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Hi Debbie I was researching my step dads name and came across this site. I used to live on Phipps bridge and my mum married your uncle Joe. I can't remember meeting your dad but I think I probably did at one of the funerals. I knew your grandparents, we used to visit them quite often, they were so lovely! I used to visit your grandad after your nan died, and I think a nephew lived there with him. He was so proud of the birds in the garden (owls if I remember rightly).
I used to go to the green shed to buy sweets, and remember the rows of jars full of sherbet and the humbugs that seemed to be enormous!
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can anyone help with information on henry james married elizabeth (verty)doe lived mitcham 1890 1930.daughters ada and violetta son henry
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hi debbie marney :) my granny was violet also, its nice to see all these people that come from rocky .... !!!! everyone misses joe grey and bacon pudding but she also done beef brisket lovely too ...... she used to call me mum girl never by name ;D
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Hi All - I'm a new person come into the mix. I was born in New Close which at the time was my ggrandmother and ggrandfather's house. This house was also where my father was born (he was the first child to be born in New Close - same bedroom as me). My Mum and Dad still live in New Close along with one of my sisters and I moved out when I got married (although I go to visit more or less on a weekly basis). It has been fantastic reading all the comments re: Red Skin Village as all the names mentioned I remember quite well, the Brookers, the Ayres, the Jameses, the Marney's (Cousins) and also my family name the Dighton's along with most of the others. I also remember on the way to school stopping to have a chat with Nelson which always made me late. (Message for Loggie - are you son number 1 or 2 of Barry's). I also went to school with your Mum. Will be on again soon - take care everyone :D
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hi there i was related to the penfolds?my nans sister violet used to live by the alley!sha had a son tony. also my cousins gena,deana and there brother brian who sadly past away when young.also bimbo chambers one of the last rag and bo men in mitcham,that was me nans sistera husband.does any one remmember georgy licker or black dot sarah?
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im son number 2 barry jnr.
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Hi my Granny and Grandfather lived at number 1 New Close. Neddy and Violet Marney. My Grannys' father was Joe Ayres and the other side of my family were the Dightons, some of them are still there. I ca think of a place where I felt safer but I know a lot of outsiders were warned not to go there and a lot of people were scared of going there. Amazing people, amazing times there when I was younger. can remember a portacabin which was a sweetshop, run by two old ladies (I think one was called Dolly) I remember everyone there so fondly and although I live in Devon now whenever I go up to London I try to go to New Close. When I was younger it seemed as though I was related to almost everyone in New Close, one way or another! (Perhaps I was!) Would love to hear from anyone who remembers my grandparents. Take care everyone, Debs xxx.
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l
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just read your message about redskin village i lived in new close i married norman ayres who lived at 2 new close with his grannie emily marney my grannie and grandad lived at 47 i lived ther from 1948 untill 196o,it was a lovely place to live everyone looked out for one another as kids we had a lovely time
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I am researching the name of Dighton/Diton/etc for a friend.
He is descended from Solomon and Patience Dighton from Croydon, Mitcham Common and other places.
Any link appreciated.
Thanks
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Hi just wondering if anyone here remembers my Nan Ethel Wood, she used to live with Albie Smith in the flat above the corner shop, last time I went there was for Albies funeral years ago. Also whoever mentioned a Nelson...was that Nelson Smith as he was my Nanny Phoebe"s brother and they came from Mitcham. I now live in Australia so all information would be great....thanks
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I was just talking to my brother about this thread and he ask me to ask does anyone remember a pub called the Blood Tub....it was in a field in Rocky and my Nan used to manage it...thanks
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;D
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Oh that must have been it, thanks Loggie
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hi my name is steve lane,im tracing my family who came from mitcham,there names were wilkes and boxhall who lived in fountain road,alsogreat grandmother susan mills who died in wimbledon,any info would be great many thanks steve
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Hi there, thanks for your reply about redskin village. I'm glad someone's replied because I've been trying to find out more for ages but keep drawing a blank. I'm kind of piecing together what little bits of information I can collect with the aim of wiritng a book (or at least an article) about the area for the local library, I've read a lot about the local history but there's a really interesting stiry about redskin village and all the travelling folk of mitcham that never gets told.
I'd love to talk to someone who really knows the area and anyone else you think might be interested in taking part. I'll hope to hear from you again.
Best wishes
Dave
Hallo
Ive just joined and I must say that my wife was born in Redskin villiage or Rocky as we knew it then Bath Road she was born in and then moved to New Close do you need any info
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Hi all
Just joined today there is a lot of names that my wife and I know on these mails.We two grew up in Mitch am both born there my wife was born in Barth r/d rockie or as my dad use to call it Rock Terrace weather that was the correct name I do not know but both our families came from there My wife is a Smith from New Close anybody out there who knows her her dad was Sam and her mother Alice
Alan
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hello Gum.
I am tracing my family tree, and i have a Sam and Alice Smith from the Mitcham area in my tree as a long shot are the parents of Sam, Samuel (Samson) Smith and Rachel Smith nee Deakins?
If this does not relate to your family please accept my apologies.
Ellyllon.
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Hi Ellyllon
my wife Slvia,s perants were Samual and Alice Smith from New Close they use to live next door to he sweet shop that is the one in New Close its self Ernie Eagers she told me
Also Joe and Amy Ayes were her Aunt and Uncle dont know weather her Mum and Dad that is Samual and Alice are the ones you are looking for.All use to go Hop picking for around six weeks call it a working holiday if you like. We both know the Deakins family Alice had a sister that married a Deakin her name was Olive.
Does this help
Alan
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Hi there Daveymart
What sort of things would you like to know about Redskin Villiage
I or my wife may be able to help you as I said my wife was born there and my Nan and Grandad lived there for some time
Gum/Alan
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Hi All - I'm a new person come into the mix. I was born in New Close which at the time was my ggrandmother and ggrandfather's house. This house was also where my father was born (he was the first child to be born in New Close - same bedroom as me). My Mum and Dad still live in New Close along with one of my sisters and I moved out when I got married (although I go to visit more or less on a weekly basis). It has been fantastic reading all the comments re: Red Skin Village as all the names mentioned I remember quite well, the Brookers, the Ayres, the Jameses, the Marney's (Cousins) and also my family name the Dighton's along with most of the others. I also remember on the way to school stopping to have a chat with Nelson which always made me late. (Message for Loggie - are you son number 1 or 2 of Barry's). I also went to school with your Mum. Will be on again soon - take care everyone :D
Hi there, thanks for your reply about redskin village. I'm glad someone's replied because I've been trying to find out more for ages but keep drawing a blank. I'm kind of piecing together what little bits of information I can collect with the aim of wiritng a book (or at least an article) about the area for the local library, I've read a lot about the local history but there's a really interesting stiry about redskin village and all the travelling folk of mitcham that never gets told.
I'd love to talk to someone who really knows the area and anyone else you think might be interested in taking part. I'll hope to hear from you again.
Best wishes
Dave
Hallo
Ive just joined and I must say that my wife was born in Redskin villiage or Rocky as we knew it then Bath Road she was born in and then moved to New Close do you need any info
Hi there, thanks for your reply about redskin village. I'm glad someone's replied because I've been trying to find out more for ages but keep drawing a blank. I'm kind of piecing together what little bits of information I can collect with the aim of wiritng a book (or at least an article) about the area for the local library, I've read a lot about the local history but there's a really interesting stiry about redskin village and all the travelling folk of mitcham that never gets told.
I'd love to talk to someone who really knows the area and anyone else you think might be interested in taking part. I'll hope to hear from you again.
Best wishes
Dave
Hallo
Ive just joined and I must say that my wife was born in Redskin villiage or Rocky as we knew it then Bath Road she was born in and then moved to New Close do you need any info
Hi my Granny and Grandfather lived at number 1 New Close. Neddy and Violet Marney. My Grannys' father was Joe Ayres and the other side of my family were the Dightons, some of them are still there. I ca think of a place where I felt safer but I know a lot of outsiders were warned not to go there and a lot of people were scared of going there. Amazing people, amazing times there when I was younger. can remember a portacabin which was a sweetshop, run by two old ladies (I think one was called Dolly) I remember everyone there so fondly and although I live in Devon now whenever I go up to London I try to go to New Close. When I was younger it seemed as though I was related to almost everyone in New Close, one way or another! (Perhaps I was!) Would love to hear from anyone who remembers my grandparents. Take care everyone, Debs xxx.
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Hello this is Nellie marney I was married to Alfie marney
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hi nellie you must know my wife sylvia from new close.
Neddy use to cut my hair when i was a lad in dearn gardens and latter on in bond road mitcham would this be your grand father?
sylvia lived with her sisters rannee, hariet, and amy would you have known them
Gum/Alan
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Hello in reply to your message Alfie marney was my husband son of Emily marney and brother to Matty , Sally, Nielsen, billy,
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Hi i am a new person too. My nan used to live at no 38 new close she was ethel salis nee boxall nee kinget. i used to go round there quite a lot. Everyday after school. i remember the portacabin type sweet shop and osbornes the shop. i used to play with linie smith and my nan had a few friends around there 1 of them was called harriet who, as i remember, used to know quite a lot about using herbs and plants to help any ailments. my parents and i lived on the estate. my grandad who i knew was called ernie sallis and my other grandad was called Thomas Boxall. i remember black sarah, soapy sid and liqure. If you know us or anything please contact.
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im new to all this but reading some of your post i see a few names that i remember that my aunts and uncles used to tell me about. i still have family in new close the Ayres some still live there my aunts and uncles lived at number 10 they moved there when it was first built many stories from them. i remember the lady in the green shed selling sweets loved getting a penny from my uncle and going to the shop :)
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hi all,
Question, who was Black Dot Sarah? nobody has said who she is. Do we know her surmane? did she live in new close? Who was she married too? Why is she remembered as black sarah? I'm very interested in the answer. As i have family who live in new close and bath road.
I hope someone had the answer.
Many thanks
Ellyllon.
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My GG Grandfather Jesse Adaway moved to new close when it was built, he died in 1939 at number 74.
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hi all,black dot sarah real name ,sarah smith was married to georgie licker.im not sure but soapy sid was
one of the harding family.sarah was my nans 1st cousin and there family were the smiths who lived down seaton road behind the gas works.
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My G grandfather was William Bundle Cooper and me granny was Amy Cooper was Deacons all me grannys people were stoppin around there and there is still loads of em rouwnd mitcham me G grannys brothers and sisters was Rachel,rose,abraham,thomas,britania(polly),Rebecca,alfy and Leonard(piggy) were all deacons and there were probably a few more, I am a smith as me granny was bundle and amys girl Liza Cooper and me grandfather was derby smith, does anyone remember any of these family people.............
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Hi Needyboy
Notice on one of your posts your grandparents were Eliza smith nee' cooper and derby smith. would you have any photos of them? You could pass to me please? I have the book about the family think it's called Old ways and New days. Lots of photos of their children.
Aug
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Yes I know the book well there are loads of good pictures of my clan in the book and will ask relations of any photos they might have but I am lookin for info on coopers and deacons that are related to me and I am told there are still a few that still live in the surrey area.
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Hi ya Cosworth,
I think that I have made a connection to your Smith family in Mitcham, if these names ring a bell I would be delighted to hear from you.
Rachel and Samuel Smith
Sarah Smith and Samuel Chambers
Rebecca Smith and Harry Willoughby
Florrie Smith and Joseph Penfold
and many more....... all of the above lived in and around the Bath Road and New Close area.
I would be happy to PM you with any information.
Good luck on your tree. :)
E
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Might be worth a look, London Borough of Merton have just scanned and uploaded 15,000 historical photos of the area.
http://photoarchive.merton.gov.uk/
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Hi all, my family are the Bushaway's and lived at 11 New Close until moving to 144 Phipps Bridge Road. My dad and his brother went to Western Road school. They were a family of boxers (of some repute).
The boys were John, Paul, Peter, David and Walter Bushaway. They are all great Rocky story tellers.
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All,
Reading the comments about the Lee family with my Dad. We are the Bushaway family and Dad was great pals with Lofty (John Bushaway). They lived at 11 New Close then 144 Phipps Bridge opposite Brooksies shop. Dad knew the Brookers very well, and often talks of Marky.
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Hi, I hope you won't mind my asking but does anyone know who are the couple in the photo? (jaytoot) the gentleman looks like Tom Sparrowhawk. Regards thecrafter. Sorry my first time here so hope I've done things right!
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I am researching the name of Dighton/Diton/etc for a friend.
He is descended from Solomon and Patience Dighton from Croydon, Mitcham Common and other places.
Any link appreciated.
Thanks
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:)hi ive just been looking at this dighton family, would they be related to florence dighton born 1888, she had the same parents :)
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I am researching the name of Dighton/Diton/etc for a friend.
He is descended from Solomon and Patience Dighton from Croydon, Mitcham Common and other places.
Any link appreciated.
Thanks
Hi, this site no longer available, but if you google, BBC Kent message board Romany roots Dighton there are lots of post for that name. Hope this helps? thecrafter
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please say you can help my dad Robert goddard was brought up on the western road site mitcham behind the gas works he was living there in 1962 please help its my dad and ive been looking for him since I was 14 im 51 now please help x
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Just after finding information about me dad Alan ridley. Used to be with the Chapmans. ....penfolds.......and maccy.
yes this is the ridley that was at mitcham nick....
anyone can help
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I’m Alan ridley’s Sister, what do you want to know about him?
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Hi All,
I'm new to this, but I lived at 62 New Close between 1960 and 1984. My parents lived there until 2004.
Names remembered:
Guys
Reader's
Kelly's
Brooker's
Marney's
Ayres'
Rose's and Osborne's shops
Goodwins
Parrott's
Great old community who still collected for and attended my mother's funeral in 2004.
Great to hear so much about the place I grew up in and hope to hear more.
Cheers,
Chris
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Debbie Marney I remember and aunt Betty as everybody older than u was an aunt or uncle lol best place in the world to grow up the green shed one was deaf the other blind still couldn’t chore a thing from there used to get me grannies senior service and weights from there... aunt ivy used to sit at the front window of the house just before u turned into new close and the ol chippy on the other side overlooking the laundrette don’t make streets like them no more
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Hi
I lived at no. 86 New Close from 1956 - 1967 our house was in the circle oposite the pylon,next door to the Brookers.
I remember your Nan & Grandad's house , It was the one on the corner and It always seem to have runner beans growing up strings.
I moved to New Close from Colliers Wood when I was nine but I still went to the same school ( Fortescue)and I went past your Nan & Grandad's house every day on the way to and from school. I cut through the alley to Phipps Bridge road.
I remember Lofty more than anyone else, he sometimes came over to talk to my dad but thats about it.
People from New Close were looked down upon- but I have never known such a good community
Do you know anymore on the Brookers?!
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Hi, my grandad Alfred (Alfie) Leonard Smith grew up in red skin village (born 1932) his parents were Unity and Ernest. I'd love to hear from anyone who knew him and has any photos to share. Sam Smith
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Hello Sam I am your cousin on your great granny Unity's side. My great granny Ellen was her sister. I have done a lot of research into their family tree - there was 23 children (4 boys and19 girls) what a lovely big family to have! I do know some of your great grandfather Ernest Smith's people who are the Chambers family. I believe Alfie was the only child they had together. Did you know Unity was married to Frank Bird before your grandad and had some daughters with him (Amy, Alice and Olive) not sure how many. I would love to see a photo of Unity and Ernie as I have never seen one of them. My great aunt Omy Lee is still alive (your grandad's first cousin) she had a photo of him years ago but lost it. I think unity had a sister Louie who married Abraham Deacing who lived in Redskin Village until she died. I would love to here more about them - please reply back yours sincerely Waynus James
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Hi, thanks for getting in touch. Sadly my grandad Alf passed away in 2021 of covid. I've attached a few photos of him from when he was younger if you'd like to share with Omy, he had happy life living in Morden with my nan Pam; he loved cars, motorbikes and a good old chat he had several tattoos along with one of his mum Unity. He definitely talked about Amy and Olive and how he had large family, but never knew as many as 23! I'd love to know more about Ernie and unity if you have anymore to share like what jobs/hobbies they had? I don't think we have any photos of Ernie or unity but will check with family.
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Hi Sam thank you so much for coming back to me with this firstly so sorry to hear that your grandfather Alf passed away recently - it sounds like he had a wonderful and happy life. My aunt thought that he passed years ago. I will tell her all about him when I go up to Surrey where she lives and show her these photos they were lovely thank you. He looks like my uncle Nelson Lee who would be first cousin to him. In regards of Ernie and Unity I don't know a lot about them. I can tell you a bit more about the James side of things from what my granny told me and what I have found out on ancestry. Her parents were John James and Minnie Collins she had 18 sisters and 4 brothers. I think the family travelled around the Surrey and Kent area until the family settled in Mitcham in 1900 - living in Seaton Road in 1911 and Queens Road after that. This was known as Rocky Terrace or Red Skin Village due to the darkness of their skin tones. My dad told me if you put a feather in aunt Violets head she looked just like an Indian from America. I hope there is a photo of Unity to put to my family tree search it would be lovely to have a face to the name. Someone must have one hopefully or if you find any photos of her brothers or sisters that would be lovely. Do you know any of Amy and Olive's families - they might have one fingers crossed. Best wishes waynus james
Please stay in touch
p.s. How many children did your grandfather Alf have?