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My name is Elizabeth Farman nee Gibbons and I was born at 14 Whitehouse Estate, Suffield Park, Cromer in Norfolk in May 1937.
At the age of seventeen I met my husband-to-be, Clifford Horne, who had just returned from Korea. We were married three years later in the February of 1957 at Cromer Church, and lived and worked at Roseacre in West Runton as Chef and helper.
Our daughter Rachel was born in the November and in 1958 we moved to Cholmondeley in Cheshire, on Rachel's first birthday. We left Norfolk and went to live in a grand home.
A castle no less! Cholmondeley Castle in the small close-knit community of Cholmondeley -- the home of the Marquis and Marchioness.
My husband was to be their chef and I was to help if required. Our flat looked out over the front entrance and was on the second and third floors, with large rooms and open fires.
The village had a school, the headmaster was Mr Wood, and the teachers were Mrs Wood and Mr Worrell. Italic writing was taught there. We also had a village shop and post office combined.
On Boxing Day the Cheshire Hunt would meet at the castle. It was quite a sight to see the huntsmen in their scarlet jackets and cream breeches. Drinks were served to them before the hounds were called in.
This was a busy but interesting time for us as were Grand National Day and Chester races, as well as the grouse and pheasant seasons.
Our son Terry was born on March 13th 1960. Three months later her ladyship also had a son after having had three daughters.
My Rachel went to school by taxi along with the Bailiff's son and two other children. Rachel won a bicycle for her handwriting when she was nine.
By the time Terry was four we had moved from the castle to a cottage in the village. This gave the children space to play outside. With both of them at school I worked part-time for a local farmer.
The worst job was cutting the cabbages, as they would very often be covered with ice. The dirtiest job was setting strawberry plants. Why? We had to dip the roots into charcoal before planting them, and believe me even with protective clothing, which was supplied, our under clothes would be black as well.
Gathering the strawberries was a back-aching job. We had a sledge that you sat on and pulled over the plants so less fruit would be spoilt. The sledge would hold 12 punnets and for that we got 3/6d.
I joined the Women's Institute and became treasurer. We were quite an active group and had great fun putting on concerts and plays, although learning lines was not one of my good points. In fact I remember one time skipping about two pages and this meant one of the ladies never did get to perform her part.
I attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where one member from each W.I was invited. All the members' names were put onto a hat and I was the lucky one out.
As you can see from the photo I was dressed for the part. I also have memories of the Opening of Parliament. His Lordship, who was the Lord Great Chamberlain, invited some of the staff. We had a very good
view of the State Crown and of people coming up the staircase after alighting from their carriages.
When Rachel was seven I started a Brownie pack. We held our meetings on Monday evenings, firstly at the vicarage and later at the Coronation Hall. I did this for nine years.
We made our toadstool out of papier-mache. Besides earning their badges we had Thinking Day Parties, and Sports and Pack Holidays. A Guide camp was held at Cholmondeley Park and Princess Margaret was coming to inspect it. My Brownies lined up just inside the castle gates so we had a good view of her arrival.
I have enclosed the names I remember: Carol and Helen Jones, Margaret and Susan Manning, Susan and Elizabeth Oakley, Ann and Kay Lewis, Ruth and Helen Bowker, Clare and Ruth Mossford, Hilary Cox, Amanda Davies, Jeanette Chesters and Wendy Summers.
This brings me to 1969 when our second son was born. He was christened in Cholmondeley Chapel.
The photos are of and also at eleven years; and seven years;
Rachel at seven months
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Rachel at 11 Years old
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Elizabeth Farman, Norfolk, 2002
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