this was amaternity home for evacues from
londons st barts hospital and also hackney
mothers hospital east london and from the
area of daventry northamptonshire
If you are one off the babies born at
the hall i would like to hear from you.
Sunday, 12 August 2007
babies of bragborough hall
thomas ancliff born 1944 at bragborough hall
this was amaternity home for evacues from
londons st barts hospital and also hackney
mothers hospital east london and from the
area of daventry northamptonshire
If you are one off the babies born at
the hall i would like to hear from you.
this was amaternity home for evacues from
londons st barts hospital and also hackney
mothers hospital east london and from the
area of daventry northamptonshire
If you are one off the babies born at
the hall i would like to hear from you.
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60 comments:
My mum was born 1940 at Bragborough Hall as my nan had to leave London during the blitz.
I was born at Bragborough Hall on July 4th 1942. My mother, Olive Marjorie Brignall and my father Edward Rodney John Brignall were local to Bragborough Hall, living at nearby Little Everdon. During August 2009, my daughter and her Partner visited Bragborough Hall and was given a guided tour by the person responsible for the upkeep of the estate. They took many photos which I would be pleased to share with anyone who's interested. My mother is now 95 but remembers her two week stay at BH very clearly.
Colin Brignall
Iwas born at Bragborough Hall on 30th December 1944.Is there anyone born around this time who would like to contact me.I live in Australia now,after moving in 1951 with my parents.Sheila
My Mum was born at Bragborough Hall in 1943.
I was born in Bragborough Hall on 4 July 1943. Since I made my appearance at about 12.15 a.m., had it not been wartime, when double summer time prevailed, I should have been born on 3 July (I blame Adolf Hitler for my birthdate!). My mother was Elsie Irene Hill, married to a railway worker at Woodford Halse; my younger brother John was born in December 1945 at Culworth. After the war the family moved back to North Lincolnshire where they remained until my father's death in 2004; my mother died within the past week. I moved to Ireland in 1969.
Ronald James Hill
It is pleasing to see a few more comments on Bragborough Hall of late. Should anyone wish, my offer to email photos of Bragborough Hall still stands. Just email me at briggers42@sky.com and I'd be pleased to oblige. Best regards,
Colin Brignall (Bragborough Hall born 1942)
I was born at Bragborough Hall on the 14th September 1942 when my mother was evacuated from London. My wife and I now live in Brisbane Australia, we came here in 1963, I would really appreciate any photographs and relevant information and would love to hear from anyone interested
Tony Waters
I was born in Bragborough Hall in '41,I visited the Hall in 2009 on a canal trip,It's just the same as it was!! well so I'm told,.
To "Tony". Send me your email address to briggers42@sky.com and I'll be pleased to send you some photos of Bragborough Hall.
Colin Brignall
I was born at Bragborough Hall
in November 1940 my mother having
been evacuated from London to
avoid the bombing. When Coventry
was bombed my mother said the sky
was red and the house shook.
I was born at Bragborough Hall in January 1942. My mother remembered her stay very well and said she was made to carry her mattress up the stairs when she was in labour and she remembered the glow over Coventry when it was being bombed. My mother was Iris Jeffries and she had been evacuated from east London. After two weeks she had to take me back to London on the train on her own and there weren't any lights I was really thrilled when my brother-in-law and his wife took my husband and I to BH - they live in Buckingham - and we had a lovely time looking around. unfortunately nobody was there but we took photos of the Hall and surrounding views from the drive and front lawn.
I was born at Bragborough Hall on 21st August 1944. My mum was evacuated there from Clapton. She was 18 years old and my dad who was just 20 was in the RAF and had just been posted to the Middle East. I remember my mum saying that it was quite a strict regime and she recalls scrubbing the floors and being sent home on the train after 2 weeks with a baby and a bottle. Is the hall open to the public or is it a private residence? Does anyone know?
Answer to Chris Eastwood's question. I'm afraid Bragborough Hall is now a private residence but, to my knowledge, not lived in at present. There is an estate manager who lives in a cottage in the grounds. You can drive up the driveway and look around the Hall and the grounds. My daughter was lucky enough to get the guided tour inside and outside the Hall by the estate manager. It's a lovely place with wonderful views across the Warwickshire countryside, although the Hall is in need of some TLC.
I now have some old photos of BH taken during the war years and would be happy to email these to anyone interested.
COLIN BRIGNALL
This entry is being made on behalf of Alice Cass who was born in Bragborough Hall on 20th July 1942. Alice visited the house on 21 June 2011 to discover the Grandson in Law of the owner renovating the property prior to putting the building up for sale. The family have only been using one of the cottages, so the house has not been lived in for some time. Alice lives in Sydney, Australia, should you wish to get a message to Alice, Please contact me and I will pass it on.
My brother told me about this blog following my recent (cycling) trip to the Hall, which was my first view of it since my birthday there on Dec 11 1944. I seem to remember my mother saying it was in the early hours of the morning, when maybe I managed to wake one or two of those kindred spirits posting here!
I was born at Bragborough Hall, March 13th 1945.My mother was evacuated up from Canning Town East London, and apparently rules were quite strict, and had to do chores. I was born as my father was serving in the army in Europe. My wife and I have today just come back from a weekend trip to Braunston to check out Bragborough Hall,only to find it in the throws of Proposed renovation. Would have loved to have had a look around but could not find anybody there.We met a lady on holiday in Majorca some years ago who used to work in service at the hall and also her mother before her, when a Lady Mcgowan lived there. Loved the area,and the canals and narrow boats, lots of culture and history, Would love to revisit in the near future.Bryan Holbrook
I was born at Bragborough Hall on 10th June 1943. My mother Iris Rean was evacuated there from Ilford for the birth. My mother, a war bride, and I left Liverpool for New Zealand on VE day. My Father William John Rean a NZer followed on a troop ship.We have lived in Auckland NZ since. Both Mother and Father since deceased. Four more sibblings were born in NZ. I recently visited Bragborough Hall in Oct 2011 and got some outside photos. I noted that the whole estate is currently for sale.
Geoffrey Rean.
I was born at Bragborough Hall 4th April 1942 My mother Ida Eileen Watson was sent there from London to give birth. My farther was at war in Africa and I did not see him until I was 3 years of age. We emigrated to Australia in 1950 to start a new life I am interested in finding out some information on my birth place to add to my family tree.
I was born at Bragborough Hall in November 1942, after my mum was evacuated from Ilford, Essex. Sadly, she told me nothing about her time there, though she did tell my daughter that the mothers were made to scrub floors etc.
I would love to see photos of the place.
Norma
Peter Whitehead – Born 2 January 1945 at Bragborough Hall. On 13 March 2012 I visited the Hall and very fortunately met up with the ‘brand new’ owners, Geoff and Odette Phipps. A lovely and most welcoming couple who despite being very busy gave me the freedom to roam at will. A most enjoyable visit. I do not envy the amount of work that Geoff and Odette have before they will actually be able to move in, I do however wish them all the best and I honestly believe that the Hall is in safe hands.
I am interested in any old photographs of the Hall which can be emailed to me at peterjames.whitehead@ntlworld.com which I will obviously share with anyone who gets in touch with me. Odette has given me some copies of maternity photos which are not brilliant copies but are useable.
I was born at BH in nov. 1941. My Mother was staying with her Grandmother at Charwelton due to evasuation from Coventry when the hose was destroyed.We then went live my Grandparents who were living in Hellidon.
I went and looked in the house a few years ago just brfore it was up for sale. By then it still had some furniture and paintings bit was looking very run down with water coming through the ceilings.
Glad to see that it is now being lived in again.
If anyone has photograohs I would love to see them.
Terence Wilcox
I am very much enjoying the new comments from Bragborough Hall Babies as they come in. We are a very select community, and I wonder just how many babies were born there while it functioned as a maternity home. I suppose there are records buried deep in Whitehall somewhere. It is good to hear that our birthplace is now in good hands.
Hi all A friend found this site for me as I have been trying to look up information about Bragborough Hall.
My mother was born at this hall on April 8th 1941. She doesn't know anything about this hall and I know its a big hole in her life. I am trying to gather some information about this hall for her so she can get a better picture of the area she comes from.
I would love to get some pictures of this hall so she can see the place she was born, or any Information on it.
I know my grandmother was evacuated and went here where she gave birth to my mother.
I really don't know much more
I thank in advance for any Info on this
Caroline
Caroline, send me your email address and I'll forward you some photos of the Hall.
Colin Brignall
email: briggers42@sky.com
Hi Colin I am so sorry I have only seen this post tonight, i gave it a few days and haven't checked. I am so pleased you replied.
My mother as found a bit more about her past but still no success on pics of the hall.
It would be great If you can forward me some.
Many thanks again
Caroline
Dear babies of Bragborough Hall,
My name is Annie Phipps. My family now live at Bragborough Hall and we have been intrigued to find out about its history. It has been really interesting to read your posts and find out a bit more about the experiences of some of the women who stayed here during the war. We have been working hard to restore the hall and the surrounding buildings since we moved here in 2012 and thought some of you might be interested to know that we now have 3 holiday cottages available should you ever wish to visit. Please visit the site below if you would like to have a look.
www.bragboroughhallholidays.co.uk
Best Wishes
The Phipps family
Ron Hill has just published a memoir of his early life, which began in Bragborough Hall on 4 July 1943. GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOY: A LINCOLNSHIRE EDUCATION is available online at www.ypdbooks.com
johnggibbs@hotmail.com
I was born at Bragborough Hall on 14th January 1945. Mum was moved there from her house in Stoke Newington, London N16. Dad could only visit her twice during her stay and Mum said that she had to help with the cleaning during her stay.
My curiosity as to what the BH looked like was answered in 1985 when my wife and I were in the locality. I walked up the drive to take a picture and as I was pressing the shutter noticed a couple of big dogs running towards me! I beat a hasty retreat but the photo was OK.
Colin, I would love to see your photos and if you let me have an email will send a copy of mine.
John Gibbs, Enfield, Middx. 03/12/2014
Hi Annie Phipps
Well I never! You've bought the house I was born in,well done,I would have bought it myself along with the shooting rights,but it was just a little short at the time, (only had £7.50)close to the asking price?
Still I shall paint a picture of your home very soon (my hobby),the records for the hall wartime activities are held by The Mothers HOSPITAL OF THE SALVATION ARMY, National archives in LONDON.I believe they are very informative.Also Captain Riddle deserves a mention as it was his home and which he graciously lent for the (duration of the war,)Bragborough Hall to the Salvation Army, ! What a chap!!Jim Batt
In an idle moment I had a look for Bragborough Hall on the web as it is the name on my birth certificate and I had no idea where it was, being a Londoner. My mother was evacuated there to have me and I arrived on the 3rd October 1942. My father was an anti-aircraft gunner and soon after I was born he was sent off to the Mediterranean to shoot down Nazis. Unfortunately the ship was sunk on 7th January 1943 so our time together was short. Mother succumbed to some illness shortly after so I was orphaned at 3 months. Grandparents lived in London's West End and that's where I was until I went to boarding school. I emigrated to South Africa in 1966 and lived happily ever after (mostly).
Thanks to Tom for making this blog. Only another 3000 or so entries to complete the list of births.
I was also born at Bragborough hall on 16th April 1944. My mum was evacuated from Barking in Essex where there was a lot of bombing. Dad was away in the army so we were living at nan & granddad's house. Mum never told me anything about the place. My birth was registered in rugby which is where my son now lives. I hope to be able to visit the hall one day. I am surprised that it is still being lived in. It's got quite a history
Bragborough Babes reunion
Inbox
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annaelle phipps
11:03 AM (1 minute ago)
to bcc: Hill, bcc: mbarlow351, bcc: aandabarlow, bcc: Mannion, bcc: Loman, bcc: Eager, bcc: mrsjoycewells, bcc: charliemole22
Dear Bragborough Babes,
I hope this email finds you well. Bragborough has had its first snow of 2019 today and is looking particularly lovely in the winter sunshine!
Now we have finally finished all the major building work and various renovation projects, we are delighted to invite you all to a Bragborough Babes Reunion here on Saturday August 31st 2019. Fingers crossed the weather will be a little warmer by then!
We are hoping to hold a 'bring your own picnic' in the main garden from 12pm. You are of course very welcome to bring friends and family along too. I will confirm details a little closer to the time when we know what the weather will be like!
If you would like to make a weekend (or longer!) of it, our 3 holiday cottages are currently available. For those of you who haven't stayed with us, if you would like to have a look at the properties I have attached the link below:
https://bragboroughhallholidays.co.uk/
If you would like to stay with us, please email me, contact me through the website or call me on 07841450682.
If you are in contact with any other babes please do let them know!
If you have any questions or if I can be of any help please don't hesitate to contact me.
We look forward to hopefully seeing you in the summer!
Very best wishes
Annie
My name is Douglas Griffiths and I was born at Bragborough Hall on 18/05/1943. My brother, Tony Griffiths (although not born at Bragborough Hall), still lives in Braunston Village. We would like to come along on 31st to meet everyone and for the picnic at noon with our wives, depending on whether you have any restriction on numbers.
So glad that Douglas Griffiths and his wife will be attending the picnic on 31 August, and I do hope there will be lots more Bragborough Babies there. By definition, by and large we don't know one another, so it is not exactly a reunion - but, I hope, a great opportunity to meet other septuagenarians and compare notes. I'll be coming from Ireland with my wife. We have stayed a couple of times in one of the gate lodges, and I can honestly say that the Phipps family are extremely friendly and charming, so we're looking forward to meeting them again as well.
Gwynneth Moylan, nee Walsh. I was born at Bragborough Hall on 7th January 1945 when my mother was sent there from Seven Kings, Ilford. My husband, Patrick, and I visited last October when we were made so very welcome and were able to see a little of the house. The weather was glorious and the views from the garden stunning. We are looking forward to the picnic on the 31st August and to meeting other Bragborough Babes - a very long time since I was a 'Babe'!
Colin Brignall said......
Myself and my wife Brenda have also accepted Annie's kind invitation to the picnic on August 31st. I am so pleased to learn that others have said they will be there too. It will be a lovely occasion with much sharing of interesting stories handed down from our parents who gave birth at BH. As you may have read from my previous blogs, i was born on July 4th 1942 and both Mum and Dad were local to BH. I moved to Walthamstow, London with my parents during the mid 1950s and now live in Shoeburyness, a suburb of Southend-on-Sea. I have to say, it was quite a culture shock moving to London's East End after spending my boyhood years in sleepy little hamlets such as Little Everdon and Ashby St Ledgers! I still have two aunts and an uncle and numerous cousins living around Brauston. Indeed, i was related to one of the Berry brothers who were the village butchers for many years.
Really looking forward to August 31st. Cant wait!
Peter Whitehead born Bragborough Hall 2 January 1945. Looking forward to meeting all my brother's and sisters on 31 August
Good evening everybody. I'm so pleased that several of you and your families will be attending on August the 31st! We're really looking froward to welcoming you here. So far we have 12 Bragborough Babes confirmed! Please feel free to bring your families with you, children and grandchildren are welcome too!
If you wish to have a look at what we have been up to since we moved here, we have a facebook page and Instagram (both under Bragborough Hall Holidays) which will give you an little insight!
I will post on here as well as social media when we have finalised details.
Fingers crossed for beautiful weather on the 31st!
Annie
So looking forward to the Bragborough Babes picnic on the 31st August and to meeting up with other Babes and their families. I was recently reading a book by William Trevor, an Irish writer who died in 2016 and decided to Google him. In the long Guardian obituary on him is the following : "...he and his wife Jane moved to England, settling first in the Midlands, then in the West Country. Trevor taught at local schools and continued to sculpt. Pilgrims on the William Trevor trail should make their way to All Saints Church, Braunston, Northamptonshire, where the carved lectern and screen is entirely his work."
So Braunston is famous for something more than just Bragborough Babes.
Dear Mr Griffiths,
On my annual summer narrowboat trip, I ran into an old childhood friend of yours who told me how you used to leg the butty boats through the Braunston tunnel aged around 7, for the princely sum of thruppence, and then run back over the hill to spend your hard earned pennies immediately in the ice cream parlour in Braunston. His name was Trevor Sheppard (Shep) and I filmed his tale and posted it on YouTube. HeHe mentmentioned youyou, RobertRobert CharCharles and GarnetGarnet BeresfBeresford . He mentioned you, mentioned youyou, Garnet Beresford, andand RobertRobert CjharCharles .
I am fascinated to learn things constantly about the place of my birth (like all of us Bragborough Babes, I suppose, I left at the age of a few days). I recently caught a re-run of a particular canal journey with Timothy West and Prunella Scales, which ended with what is apparently an annual festival at Braunston. Having visited a few times in recent years, I am fascinated to discover facts about the place. Born there because my mother happened to be in the vicinity at the time (July 1943): my dad worked on the railway at Woodford Halse; the family returned to Lincolnshire after the war. I first discovered that Braunston is on the Grand Union Canal when I was being 'questioned' by an immigration official at Dover, in about 1963: he saw 'Braunston' in my passport and identified it as on the GUC. For 27 years I lived close to the Grand Canal in Dublin, Ireland, which was twinned with the GUC in 1995; near Lock 3 or so there is now a sign that reads "Braunston 296 miles"; Lock 35 is 377 miles from Braunston.
I write on behalf of David James Rowley, born at Bragborough Hall 30.1.1944. His family were Braunston locals. He has lived in Australia since 1985, is unable to attend the Reunion and would appreciate a street address so that he can submit a synopsis of his life. Thank you in advance.
Trish Boase (David’s ‘wife’ and secretary.
You should get in touch with John Dennet off.Dennets nurseries his father was a ambulance driver who took the ladies to Bragbrough hall ,spoke to him today and he has lots of photos f the wards and hall ,think it would through some light of things
I am looking forward to our get together on Saturday 31st August. We are staying in the New Lodge for a few days around this date. Joyce Wells
Good morning all!
We have hopefully contacted all of you who are able to attend tomorrow's Bragborough Babes reunion but just in case anyone has been missed, we will be delighted to welcome you for a 'bring your own' picnic from 12pm until 5pm. Please bring something to sit on and layers as it can get quite breezy on top of the hill! Family members are most welcome too!
Just in case you don't have it, the postcode is NN11 7LD. Any problems please just give me a call on 07841450682.
Best wishes
Annie
The unique Bragborough Hall Babes' picnic proved every bit as delightful as I had expected - and everyone else agreed. Wonderful to meet over a dozen seventy-somethings who, quite by accident, shared a place of birth. Lovely to meet again Odette and Geoff Phipps, who had gone to the trouble of erecting a marquee, which proved necessary during a heavy shower at about 3 p.m. Photos of Bragborough Babes were taken, and I'll look forward to seeing some of those once life gets back to normal (I returned to Ireland a week after the picnic, after much travelling and visiting in the UK.) It was inspiring to walk round the house and grounds, aware that my mother did something similar in the summer of 1943. Inspired by Gwyn Moylan's note (see above), my wife Ethna and I made a point of visiting the village church to see the fine carvings by William Trevor - a side of his creative talent of which we had been completely unaware.
One thing occurred to me after the event. My mother told me a few things about her short stay in Bragborough Hall, including her very unfavourable opinion of the registrar who visited from Daventry to record the births. She also said that the midwife who delivered me had a strong influence on my name: my mother wanted to call me "Ronnie"; the midwife said "Why spoil a nice name like Ronald?" - so Ronald I became, and I hated it! I abbreviated it to Ron after I left my parents' home in 1961. I wonder whether any other Bragborough Babes were told anything by their mothers about their experiences. If so, I'd very much like to hear them, either on this site or to my own email address. If I get any comments or anecdotes, I'll try to write them up for circulation.
I echo your sentiments Ron - and it was good to meet you and your wife at the picnic. Thanks must go to the lovely Phipps family for inviting us "Babes" for what became a very special occasion and for their amazing hospitality and kindness in allowing us into their home. It was so interesting to hear the different stories which bought us together with our shared birthplace. I think we were all reminded about the difficult times our mothers would have experienced and I imagine they did not view Bragborough Hall as the beautiful and welcoming place that we were visiting in 2019. Doug and I stayed in the New Lodge with our little dog Chrissie and had a really delightful weekend. Looking forward to seeing some photos to add to the little booklet thoughtfully provided for us all as a memento of the day.
My name is Pamela and my parents were Clara and George Duncum. I was born 11th January 1943 in Bragborough Hall. My Mother was evacuated from London, my Father was in the RAF. My Mother was forced to scrub floors and was shoveling snow the day before I was born approximately 5 o'clock in the morning. When she went into labour she was put into a cold, dark room and told not to call or cry out, that she would be attended too when thought necessary. A truly frightening, long and very painful experience. Three days after my birth my Mother was able to send a telegram to her family in London and two of my Aunts arrived to take us home. A tremendous row ensued but my Aunts won the day and we were on the next train back to London. I was brought up in Stoke Newington. I do not think that Bragborough Hall Maternity Home can go down in the annals of the history of the Salvation Army as being "its finest hour" at least not at the time of my Mother's nightmare stay.
A very sad story, and probably quite a common experience. A few months later, my mother gave birth to me at a few minutes past midnight on 4 July (which, had it not been wartime, would have been a few minutes after 11 on 3 July). She told me nothing about her experience of the nursing side of her confinement, but more than once she told me how much she disliked the registrar, a Mr Porter (I think), who came from Daventry, once a week (I'm guessing), to register recent births. A fair number of the new mothers were not married, or perhaps very recently married given the attitudes of the time, but the registrar embarrassed some of them by cheerfully asking, in a voice loud enough for everyon in the 'ward' to hear: 'And how long have your been married, my dear?'. My mother's word for this behaviour was 'horrible'. It's hard to disagree.
RON HILL
I was born 5 July 1943, my mother apparently having been evacuated from London. Sadly its too late to ask her more about it. She did say she stayed there for a month and I don't recall any complaints from her. Would love to attend any future get-togethers or hear from others born around the same time at the Hall. Teresa
I was born on June 13, 1943, my mother came from Enfield Middlesex. I cannot ever remember recounting her experience. There cannot be many of those born during later period still alive. I also would like to attend the next union. With much appreciation for the accounts provided. I think it has helped me better understand the impact of my pre-school years, my relationship with my father, my brother and men in general; and the effect it had on my personality. Ken
May 29, 2022
Very much enjoyed Ken's comment. There aren't, of course, many Bragborough Babies left, but the reunion very kindly arranged by the wonderful Phipps family a few years ago was for me a very moving experience. All we had in common was that our mothers were there during the war. We grew up in different places and pursued different lives, but I have always treasured the knowledge that I was born in that part of the world, because my parents lived in the vicinity at the time (my Dad worked on the railways at Woodford Halse). It has been a great joy for me to rediscover my roots over the past decade or more. At the reunion, I discovered from another Bragborough Baby that the Irish writer William Trevor, before he became a writer, had done wood carving, and that the village church at Braunston had examples of his work; after living in Ireland since 1969 (and acquired citizenship a few days before my 78th birthday) I was intrigued to see bits of my life connecting up. Another was the discovery, quite a few years ago, that the Grand Canal in Ireland - I lived half a minute from it in Dublin for 25+ years - was twinned with the Grand Union Canal; a sign near one of the locks says "Braunston 296 miles", and I felt moved every time I walked by it. I hope soon to publish a memoir that mentions these details, all of which have helped make me who I am. Thank you, Ken, for your comments. If there is ever a further reunion, it would be great to meet you and chat: we Bragborough Babies all have stories to tell.
That last comment was actually from RON HILL (who has posted items before - see above)
Hi babies of bragborough hall,me,born 30th december 1941 in bragborough hall,have been tracing my family history 1805 to 2020,whats missing are the mzternity records of the time it was run by the salvation army, my mum was living in Dewey street Islington, and my dad was in the heavy artillery.
But,if you can help I would be delighted.
Also I paint as a hobby and have painted Bragborough hall my birthplace,anyone who wants a copy by email I'll post it
80 years ago today (approximately), my mother Elsie went into the Bragborough Hall Maternity Home to produce me, and she soon went into labour and I was born at five minutes past midnight on Saturday 4 July. I think I probably told the story at the happy Babes' reunion in 2019, but I blame Adolf Hitler: had it not been for Double Summer Time (because of the war) I'd have been born at 23.05 on 3 July. So I've always had to wait an extra day for my birthday and other significant events. The compensation, as it were, was that the whole of America has celebrated on my birthday ('celebrated on my birthday' NOT 'celebrated my birthday'; I spent my 70th in San Francisco and made a trip to Alcatraz -less pleasant than Bragborough Hall). My proud father, in his first letter to my mother, sent to Bragborough Hall, referred to that date as 'our day', and he came over on his bike several times while my mother was there (he worked as a train fireman, based at the Woodford Halse depot on the Great Central Line). My mother wanted to call me 'Ronnie' but was dissuaded by the midwife, apparently, with the phrase 'Why spoil a nice name like Ronald' - so Ronald it has been, for almost 80 years, and I have hated it. My birth was registered by Henry Porter, who came over from Daventry, 'a horrible man', by my mother's account. I have visited Bragborough Hall on several blissful occasions in recent years, and can think of no finer place to have entered the world.
My greetings and best wishes to all surviving Bragborough Babes and to the Phipps Family, in whose capable hands Bragborough Hall continues to thrive.
RON HILL
Hi Ron,
Early birthday greetings to you as I'm about to go on holiday. You share the same July 4th birthday day as me. Yours is the big one this year and as I'm a year older, thanks to my family, I celebrated in style last year. However, I'll be celebrating once again this year with my family and will raise a glass to you on the day. I wish you a truly happy birthday. Have a great time.
Very best regards,
Colin Brignall
Hello to those Bragborough Hall Babes who are still around! I was born at Bragborough Hall on the 3rd August 1942. My parents, Elma and Robert lived locally. I was not alerted to the place of my birth until I needed my birthday certificate! I was fortunate enough to attend the Bragborough Babes Reunion in 2019 - both my parents had passed on but my husband, Bernard, accompanied me to the Reunion - sadly we missed the first part - having travelled from the East Coast on the day taking the 'scenic' route which turned out to be much longer than anticipated. We were overwhelmed by the warmth of welcome from the Phipps family who made us feel very special. I still have a few relatives living in Northamptonshire. In the past, my mother's Uncle Don was Mayor of Daventry. Mother's sister, Marguerite lived at the old Vicarage in Daventry and eventually emigrated to Australia with her husband and four daughters. Yes, I agree with comments from other Bragborough babes - the Hall is a special place and wonderful to think that so many babies were born there at a time when the country was at War. Tessa Foster
Good day everyone, I to was a Bragborough baby, Born 18th October 1943.
My Mother Hilda like many other mothers to be was evacuated there from Tottenham during the war, Obviously I have no memory of the place or any names of other mums my mother might have befriended.
Does anyone know if there are any records left from those days?
My nieces are putting together our family history and would like to know the dates when my mother arrived at Bragborough Hall and eventually left with in tow..
I would appreciate any comments, thanks in anticipation.
Les'.
Hello Colin. I have only just today found this Blog page and was hoping to get further info' re my mothers stay at Bragborough Hall, I was born there 18/10/1943, If still available I would appreciate copies of the photos of the Hall.
Thanks in anticipation.
leslie.fowl@gmail.com
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