The Story of Stonecroft

Originally built in 1760 as three labourers cottages, it was converted into a single dwelling back in the early 19th Century. Stonecroft became part of my family over half a century ago. This photo was taken in 1945 by the previous owners.

Grandpa, Grandma and Mum in 1952

Bought by my grandparents in 1952, Mum grew up here, leaving as a young bride in 1966.

Mum in the garden, 1956

1952

From the road

Mum & Dad bought a house across the road (seen HERE) so my brother and I spent our childhood summers playing in both gardens.

Mum & Dad as Newlyweds, 1966

Southfork style shutters, 1980

Mum, Grandpa and I, 1969

Me & Mum, spring 1967

Mum & I, 1968

First day at school, 1971

Mum & Marcus (my brother), 1968

Grandpa & Dad admiring the new Rover

My Grandma lived here alone after Grandpa died in 1985. She developed dementia in 2000 and eventually had to move to a nursing home. The house lay empty until Jon and I bought it from my Mum (at market value, all legal and above board) to free up the money needed to pay for her continued care.

Grandma & Ginger, 1999

We'd planned to put our Victorian terraced house on the market and to live there until we'd done the work needed but our place sold to a cash buyer within an hour of the For Sale sign going up so we had move in and do it up around us. Its still a mass of unfinished jobs, cracks and missing floorboards. 

Its changed a lot since my grandparents' day, there's an upstairs bathroom, a pair of wood burning stoves and central heating now.

But a lot still remains the same.

Mum in 1959

Me, 55 years later - same gates!

Mum, Dad and me in May, 1967

Wearing a 1960s St Michael nightie (thanks, Lucy!) and Hush Puppies boots (£2, car boot sale, 2012)

47 years later....

I've lived in the same town all of my life, moving eight times and owning three houses. Am I strange that I like the fact that I still live on the same street on which I born and can see my childhood home through the bedroom window? I feel it gives stability to a life, which at times, has been rather manic.

See you soon!