SunGreen web site: Old photos, memories and family history of the Forest of Dean
Bannock Tree Cottage, Bream, Gloucestershire
Photos courtesy of Derek Pitcher
Outside Bannock Tree Cottage seen from the lane. L-R Ernie Pitcher?, Edward Pitcher, Coey Pitcher, Marge Pitcher? (Ernie’s wife), Maud Pitcher?Bannock Tree Cottage from the front gate. Left to Right – Edward Pitcher, Ernie Pitcher?, Donald?, Harry Pitcher, unknown girl.
The cottage was once divided into two dwellings, hence the two front doors. Later it was converted to a single property.Far right Edward Pitcher, child he is holding is his son John Pitcher. The photo was taken c. 1946/1947.Derek had this one restored from a crumpled photo.
L-R: .Edward Pitcher, possibly Colston “Coey” Pitcher.L-R: Edward Pitcher, unknown lady, Maud Pitcher (seated) girl unknown – could be Kath Lucas? Marge Pitcher? Ern Pitcher?Harry Pitcher and Maud Pitcher The Morris van belonged to Jack Lewis. The photo is from 1960/61.
Harry Pitcher was born in the village of Bream, Gloucestershire . He worked underground for 50 years first in the Yorkshire coalfield and later in the Forest of Dean coalfield. Harry retired from mine work at the age of 65 due to severe illness. Maud Pitcher nee Wills was I believe born in Harrogate Yorkshire. She was employed as a servant girl until marriage in around 1912. Little is known of her family except that her father was a regular soldier and her two brothers served in the First World War and both died at an early age due to the effects of gas attacks” (Harry was born in 1876 and Maude in 1882)
Edward Pritchard
L-R: Edward Pitcher, John Pitcher his eldest son, Maude Pitcher his mother, Dorothy Pitcher his wife.
Edward Pitcher: I was educated at Bream and Lydney schools. My first job was a plumber’s mate on a building site in Cheltenham. I then went to work at the tinplate works in Lydney from 1933 to 1941 when I was drafted to the ROF (Royal Ordnance Factory) Puriton (Bridgwater) There I met my wife. I was called in to the army early in 1943 but my military career was very modest indeed. Following initial training, I joined the 5th battalion Devon and Cornwall Light Infantry but was regraded due to a damaged right elbow. Did a short tour of France and Belgium. I was finally discharged from Cornwall Barracks, Plymouth in 1946 returning to work at ROF in Puriton until 1961 when I joined the BCL (British Cellophane Ltd.) which is the bonded fibre works in Bridgewater, where I worked until 1980.
Edward Pitcher
Bannock Tree Cottage from the front showing both front doorsThe rear of Bannock Tree Cottage. The upstairs green door is only accessible from the outside steps. The room was used to store gardening equipment. Derek’s elder brother, John is sitting on the bench to the left of the house.L-R: Derek Pitcher, Maude Pitcher. The front door of Bannock Tree cottage. On the left is Derek Pitcher on the right is his grandmother Maud Pitcher sitting outside the living room window.. The stonework was eventually plastered over and the stone lintels removed to allow bigger windows to be fitted.L-R: Derek Pitcher, Dorothy Pitcher, Maud Pitcher, John Pitcher.L-R: Dorothy Pitcher, Maud Pitcher, Edward Pitcher, John Pitcher.Bannock Tree cottage vegetable garden. Harry Pitcher is pictured on the garden path. The outside privy is out of shot to the left.Bannock Tree cottage vegetable garden. Derek’s brother John Pitcher on the left and his father Edward Pitcher on the right. Harry who kept the garden gave his sons the task of working on the garden after their school day. Harry insisted on straight rows of plants and order in the garden. The orchard which was U-shaped is in the background.The orchard of Bannock Tree Cottage showing the tin shed in which cider was made. This part of the orchard became the site of a bungalow after being sold in the 1960’s. Edward Pitcher is on the left and his father Harry Pitcher is coming out of the shed.Noxon Farm and Pond viewed from Trow Green.Derek recalls taking these photos with a Kodak Brownie Cresta 3 camera.
One response to “Bannock Tree Cottage, Bream, Gloucestershire”
johnpitch123@hotmail.co.uk
on the first group photo for the bannock tree is Ernie pitcher Ted pitcher. Bill Lucas Kath Lucas (Nee pitcher) Margaret pitcher.The cart picture is Ernie pitcher and brother Ted pitcher sat in the back.On the bank with the dog is Ted Pitcher and Bill lucas.In the back garden is Ted Pitcher margaret pitcher(ernies wife) unknown girl maud pitcher Kath Lucas( ernies and Ted’s sister) and Ernie pitcher).Derek Pitcher is a cousin to me. Thanks John pitcher.
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