Norton Bavant Snow Scene
Norton Bavant Snow Scene Norton Bavant Snow Scene Norton Bavant Snow Scene Norton Bavant Snow Scene Norton Bavant Snow Scene
 
Interview with Geoff Frost  

Geoff, we understand that you have lived in Norton Bavant on two separate occasions and the first time you moved in was during the 1960's. We'd like to take you back to those times so that we can find out what the village was like almost 50 years ago. I'm sure that many people have come & gone during the passing years and some new houses have been built since then, so you will have seen quite a few changes.
 

Where did you live the first time round and did you get on with your neighbours?

I moved into the Village in 1962 as a newly wed into the Old School House which had been empty for many years as the school closed in 1921 but the local farmer Mr Drake had purchased it and had his odd job man do it up. So at least we had a new roof! When we moved in there were only two rooms habitable so Drake didn’t charge us any rent for six months which was £6 per week. The only neighbours we got to know really well were at Corner Cottage and they are still in touch.
"...as he was the only living person born in Norton Bavant."

Did you arrive here with a young family?

We lived in the village for approximately six years and both the boys were born during that time. Andrew was actually born at home at the Old School House, so he is Norton Bavant born and bred. Interestingly, some years ago when Robert had a Village ‘do’ to commemorate the return of the Milestone by Langley’s Gore, he asked my son, Andrew, to open the ceremony as he was the only living person born in Norton Bavant.

Why did you choose to move to Norton Bavant originally?

We chose Norton Bavant because we had no money to buy a property and so had to rent.

How many properties made up the village in the 60's?

I don’t know but there was a mini building boom in the 70’s when Drake retired as he then sold off a lot of plots and some houses including the School House. Two houses were built on the site of the old Pig farm and another next door to Scratchbury Cottage.
Is there anyone still living in the village today, that was here when you originally moved in?

No one although Jack Bowden is still involved with the Church although he lives in Warminster now.
So what was happening in the Village when you first moved in, back in the day?
Very little apart from parties organised by the Heads (Cathy & Pete) who now live in France but do come back to visit quite often especially in time for the Sutton Veny Flower Show.
Who were the movers & shakers at that time?
Modern words! Probably the two most important people were Drake, the farmer and Lady Nicholson (Priscilla’s mother).

"...he didn’t like many people in the Village including me!"
Can you think of a memorable event in the 60’s?
Yes, the snow in 1962-63, the Village was practically cut off for 3 months, I would travel to work at John Wallis Titt in Warminster by tractor as the road down from Corner Cottage was completely blocked for most of the winter and the other access roads were not much better.
What kind of music were you listening to in the 60's?
The Beatles, who else was there?

Who were the really interesting characters then?

Drake and his house-keeper Miss Ewen and Matthews the scrap iron merchant. Mr Drake loved his cows, fast cars and gold coins in that order and Miss Ewen kept an iron grip on him! Whereas Matthews would only sell to people he liked and he didn’t like many people in the Village including me! Yet, when I moved back to the Village years later he treated me like a long lost son.

So when did you leave the village the first time round?

We left the Village in 1979 and moved to Warminster. I moved back to Norton Bavant in 1987 as I had been happy living here. I loved the Downs and our house.

Once you've lived in Norton Bavant, is it hard to live anywhere else?

I think so now, as I think it is a much nicer place to live in than it was in the 60s.

Were you living in Norton Bavant when JFK was shot? If so, do you remember what you were doing when you heard?

Yes, we were at a concert in Salisbury and the pianist played Chopin in honour of JFK

So, now that you are working at the Warminster Museum what interesting things have you discovered about the village and the local area?

The local area is very well documented and there is a lot of information about local digs especially Pittmead the Roman villa on the other side of the Village. The other factors are the number of farms in the Village and the fact that in 1914 the School had over 30 pupils.
 
Would you like to be interviewed for the Village People page? Do you have something interesting to say? If so let us know.

 

 

 
   
   
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