Through Our Ancestors’ Eyes – Page 5

Margaret Day, Part 1

An interview with Margaret Day at her house Birchlands in South Gorley in the New Forest on 13^th October, 2016.

Images: Margaret Day, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Margaret Day CH1 Duration: 7:59

So this is Clare Bates at Margaret Day’s house Birchlands in South Gorley in the New Forest on Thursday the 13th of October, 2016.

CB: So Margaret, tell me a little bit about your Commoning history. How long have you been Commoning?

Margaret: I’m trying to think.

CB: You said that Terry started when he worked –

Margaret: Terry was involved in it when he worked at Toms Farm, Linwood, from approximately the age of eighteen and he became their dairyman and milked the cows.

CB: Right.

Margaret: He used to go out onto the Common and bring in the cows that they’d let out, sometimes dry heifers and things like that as far as I can remember; and then became very friendly with Ben Clark at Birch Cottage further down, and that is how he started his association with it.

CB: And what sort of a herd? Did he have a big herd?

Margaret: I’m afraid I can’t remember how many cows it was but I think it was – it could have been forty to fifty.

CB: Right; and that was like the dairy. That was a big job, up early every morning then.

Margaret: Yes, I’m sure (Laughter)

CB: So, when did you and Terry actually start with your own stock on the Forest. Was that cattle or was it ponies?

Margaret: We had ponies: forty years ago we started off with some ponies and we bought them from – we had a pony from Geordie Cook at Bramshaw and some foals from [information witheld], and we kept them at the Brook Grounds in Linwood and let them out from there. And then, when our own daughters, [information witheld] and [information witheld] were approximately 8 to10 years old, he brought two Friesian heifers home from the farm with two buckets and some milk powder to see what sort of a job we would make of rearing them up.

CB: Brilliant! So did you live here, then? How long have you lived here?

Margaret: We’ve lived here in this bungalow – we built this bungalow –

CB: Did you?

Margaret: And he dug the footings out by hand and wheeled it away in a wheelbarrow! And it was 45 years ago.

CB: Wow.

Margaret: And we haven’t done a terrible lot to it since! (Laughter)

CB: Well, it looks good to me. Right, so let’s have a look at this first photograph. (MD001) Get it to come up. Can you see that all right?

Margaret: Yes.

CB: So, tell me, who’s driving this tractor?

Margaret: This is Terry, driving his tractor and baler up near White Field plantation; he’s been baling up some heather, which we used up the track and in various gateways and things so that there was a bed in there and it wasn’t so deep with the mud.

CB: Okay. So did he work for the Forestry Commission or was this his own equipment and –

Margaret: No, he didn’t, but he was happy to go up and bale some of it up and we brought some home and they kept the rest.

CB: So a community thing again –

Margaret: Well, that’s right. (Both talking at the same time; not clear what CB is saying)

CB: -so you did the work and you got some

Margaret: That’s right.

CB: And when do you think this was taken? Nineteen nineties? Looks quite a modern tractor.

Margaret: Possibly, because he was doing that up until three or four years ago.

CB: Really.

Margaret: Yes. Not every single year, but as and when it was required.

CB: Right, okay. So we’ll look at the next one. (MD002) Ah, a lovely picture. Tell me about this one.

Margaret: These are my grandchildren; [information witheld] is driving the tractor; [information witheld] and [information witheld] are in the trailer with [information witheld] -.

CB: The big lad at the front –

Margaret: And – erm – they’re up in our farmyard… I’m not sure really what they’re actually doing… (Both talking at the same time) Well. They were just driving about.

CB: Having fun.

Margaret: Yes. Um, we had to stick a nail in so that he couldn’t go any faster! (Laughter drowns some words) – um, they wouldn’t have been left in the trailer. But this is actually on Christmas morning.

CB: Oh, is it –

Margaret: I think. Maybe Boxing Day morning.

CB: Okay.

Margaret: Yes, it’s Boxing Day morning.

CB: Lovely. It’s a lovely picture. And how old – how long ago do you think that was, roughly. I’m not very good at maths –

Margaret: I’m not too sure. Possibly ten years. (2006)

CB: Ten years ago. Okay. Right. So, have a look at the next one: (MD003) oh, this is nice.

Margaret: We decided to have one or two pigs in our wood, and this is Terry and [information witheld], one of our grandsons, feeding the pigs.

CB: Right. It does look like they’re enjoying themselves. So, on to number four, (MD004) another activity photograph, is that snow on the ground?

Margaret: It is. This is Terry –

CB: On the right.

Margaret: Yeah, Terry with the chainsaw; my son-in-law, [information witheld], and Terry’s friend, [information witheld], cutting up our logs. And [information witheld] is –

CB: Stacking the logs as Terry’s cutting them up. A common activity for us…

Margaret: Yes, getting prepared for next year.

CB: Yes. Okay, so, number 5. (MD005) Is that the same day?

Margaret: I think that is the same day. He’s obviously concentrating on what he’s doing –

CB: – what he’s doing. He is, yes, he’s got a good look of concentration. So, how long ago do you think this was? Roughly.

Margaret: Ten years.(2006)

CB: About ten years ago. That’s great. Ah, now, look at this one. (MD006) So –

Margaret: This is Terry instructing [information witheld] how to calve his cow.

CB: So this was [information witheld]’s cow, was it?

Margaret: Yes.

CB: Looks like they’re having put the ropes on.

Margaret: Yes.

CB: Out on the dirt pound. And [information witheld] doesn’t look very old there. How old was [information witheld] there?

Margaret: Well, he could have been eighteen or nineteen.

CB: Oh, really.

Margaret: Yeah, or so.

CB: Yeah. And it came out successfully, I take it?

Margaret; Oh, yes, all was well.

CB: Yeah. Brilliant. She’s got a huge udder, hasn’t she?

Margaret: Yes.

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Margaret Day, Part 4

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Margaret Day CH4 Duration: 4:13

CB: And number 19. (MD019) Ah, this looks like a few years ago.

Margaret: This is myself –

CB: Leading the calf –

Margaret: My mother –

CB: And …?… – sorry, on the right

Margaret: Yeah, that’s myself –

CB: Your mother –

Margaret: My mother

CB: What’s your mother’s name?

Margaret: My mother’s name was Jess –

CB: Jess. What was her surname?

Margaret: Biffin.

CB: Biffin. Jess Biffin.

Margaret: Yeah. And this is [information redacted], my daughter, with one of her little Friesian calves and she’s asked my mum if she would like – she used to take it for a walk out on the Green and she’s asked my mum if she would like to have a go and it won’t walk for my mum and – with great surprise to us – and so [information redacted] is trying to push it on a bit.

CB: That wasn’t one of the original calves do you think? [information redacted] looks a little bit older there, doesn’t she.

Margaret: No, because I don’t think it was. I think it was probably the second lot that we had, because, you know, we then carried on and had more as time went on.

CB: (MD020) Yeah, that’s a lovely picture. So let’s run through the names, starting on the left.

Margaret: This is Terry –

CB: In the tractor –

Margaret: [information redacted] –

CB: He’s bent down on the –

Margaret: [information redacted] who’s bent down on the binder, and [information redacted] on the edge –

CB: Far right.

Margaret: Yes. My mother, myself and my friend, [information redacted], from Miami in Florida, who’d come over on holiday.

CB: So [information redacted] –

Margaret: – come over on holiday.

CB: [information redacted] the one left of the group –

Margaret: That’s right, yes. They’re all taking an interest and helping [information redacted] who’d grown some wheat round his house at Brooklands Farm, South Gorley, for the very first… bygone days, 25 years ago, and they were just trying to get it all sorted out. They would sail along, and the little bunches would fly out, then all of a sudden they would not be tying, and there would be stuff everywhere! But they’re having fun.

CB: Yes, so that’s a very old piece of equipment.

Margaret: It is a very old piece of equipment. I wouldn’t be able to say how old it was but the actual thing that they were doing was twenty-five years ago.

CB: It was twenty-five ago. That’s lovely, and then number 21. (MD021)

Margaret: This is Terry; Mark Deacon; my son-in-law, [information redacted]; and [information redacted] and [information redacted], all having refreshments after they’ve been baling up our silage in the field.

CB: And it looks like a hot day?

Margaret: It does.

CB: Lots of squash and biscuits. Biscuit tin’s empty, I think, isn’t it?

Margaret: It does look empty, yes, it definitely would be empty (Laughter)

CB: So, a few refreshments after a hard day.

Margaret: Yes.

CB: Right, number 22 (MD022)Oh. So, who are these two.

Margaret: This is my daughter, [information redacted], and [information redacted] –

CB: So [information redacted] the taller one –

Margaret: Yes, with two of the little calves that we started off our Commoning life with.

CB: Those are the two.

Margaret: I think they are.

CB: Lovely. You’ve got – Is that a beehive in the background?

Margaret: It is.

CB: You used to do bees, collect your own honey?

Margaret: Yes.

CB: Do you still do that?

Margaret: No. We handed the bees over to someone else.

CB: Mm mm. And 23. (MD023) Right. This one was a photocopy, wasn’t it?

Margaret: I don’t actually know how I acquired this, but it was a print of the Hindenburg over Ogdens in 1936.

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Margaret Day, Part 5

Images: Margaret Day, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Margaret Day CH5 Duration: 5:36

CB: Right. The next one is number 24. (MD024) Unfortunately, I can’t turn this round so: tell me about that one, then. That looks like a postcard, is it?

Margaret: I’m afraid I don’t actually know, but this is South Gorley, outside of The Stags, and this is the road and it would be a very long time ago.

CB: Okay…

Margaret: Because the road is not made up.

CB: Oh no, it’s still gravel. Wow. And you don’t know who –

Margaret: I don’t know anything about it at all.

CB: No, not at all.

Margaret: But it could be a hundred years –

CB: Could be a hundred years –

Margaret: You see. But the house, The Stags, still looks very similar today.

CB: Does it. I’ll have to go and have a look. So, number 25. (MD025)

Margaret: This is Terry’s yard, with all the cows that have come in from the Common to eat, and with all our equipment; and it looks as though shortly they will be going out. This would be about fifteen or more years ago. (2000)

CB: Mm mm. And what were your preferred type of cattle for the Forest?

Margaret: We loved Hereford Cross Dairy.

CB: Oh, okay.

Margaret: They were really, really gentle and they had a lot of milk. But we did have a selection of different ones: we had some Charolais Cross, Belgian Blue Cross, Limousin Cross and Hereford Cross, but the Hereford Cross were our favourites.

CB: Yes. Number 26, (Long silence on recording) (MD026) Look at that.

Margaret: This is Terry, on the baler and tractor, and [information redacted] with the wrapper baling haylage at the back of our bungalow where we lived, in a field called Red Lawns belonging to [information redacted] Brook Farm.

CB: This was an annual event?

Margaret: It was.

CB: For most of your married life, I should think.

Margaret: I’m afraid it was, yes.

CB: It looks like you’re baling the sunshine in, there –

Margaret: Yes.

CB: Right. So, number 27. (MD027)

Margaret: This was one –

CB: Is this a photograph or is this a photocopy, I can’t remember.

Margaret: It’s a photocopy of Wishing Well Cottage that is almost opposite Hockey’s Farm and heading down towards The Green at South Gorley, where the old school is.

CB: Okay. Is that the old school in the background here –

Margaret: It is. Yes.

CB: Okay. And this is the shop on the left –

Margaret: That’s right. And Hockeys Farm Shop is on the right hand side.

CB: On the right. And that was a few years ago; hasn’t got –

Margaret: It was, ‘cos the road doesn’t look as though it’s made up, so it could be much the same age as the last one.

CB: Yes, golly, okay. Let’s see if this last one will come up. Right, so, number 28. (MD028) That’s lovely. What do you know about that one?

Margaret: I don’t know a lot about this one and I’m not sure who is sat on the wagon, but this is the Wyatt family who lived – I think, lived at Hockey’s Farm years ago, and it is the Wyatt family.

CB: And ‘s that a hay cart or straw cart?

Margaret: I would have said it was hay cart and that would have been local young people sat on there –

CB: – who came and helped. So what do you think – Nineteen twenties? Nineteen thirties?

Margaret: Yes, I would have said probably; yeah, Nineteen thirties.

CB: Lovely. (MD029)

Margaret: Same one.

CB: So the last photograph – Oh, so it is, it is the same one. Okay. So – oh, I probably did it because it’s got the information: Newtown Farm, Roy and Ethel Wyatt. Okay. Lovely.

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Marion Ingram Remembers

Marion is from a commoning family and has been involved in it all her life, marrying a commoner. She recalls many New Forest events in the mid to late twentieth century including pony drifts, sales, point-to-point meets and the Queen’s visit in 1979. She tells us about commoners’ gatherings and celebrations. Her children carry on the commoning traditions.

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 1, part 1

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 1, part 2

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 1, part 3

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 1, part 4

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 1, part 5

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 1, part 6

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 1, part 7

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 2, part 1

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 2, part 2

Marion Ingram, transcript and audio 2, part 3

Marion Ingram, Transcript 1, Part 1

An interview with Marion Ingram at her home in Hilltops on 10^th November, 2016.

Images: Marion Ingram, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Marion Ingram Trans 1 CH 1 Duration: 6:18

CB: This is Clare Bates interviewing Marion Ingram at her home in Hilltop on 10th of November, 2016. So Marion, can you tell me a little bit about your Commoning history.

Marion: We’ve been Commoners all our lives, my parents were before me; and I would guess that grandparents all were, before that.

CB: Okay, and what were your grandparents’ names?

Marion: They were the Mansbridges of Longdown

CB: Longdown. And then your parents were?

Marion: She was a Ransom, my mother was a Ransom.

CB: What was her first name?

Marion: Joyce.

CB: Joyce.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: So Joyce Mansbridge.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: And her maiden name was Ransom.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: Okay. And your father’s name?

Marion: Leonard William George – great, long name, I’m afraid (laughs)

CB: Oh, okay! But we all knew him as Leonard –

Marion: Yeah.

CB: Okay.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: And you grew up…?

Marion: I was born at Mullins’ Farm at Hythe, which is just on – well, it would’ve been within the Forest boundary at that time – and then when I was five years old we moved to Ashurst and I was there until I got married and then I had – I married Brian Ingram and we lived at Furzey Lodge for about three years and then, when the bungalow came on the market, we were able to buy it and we’ve been here ever since.

CB: Lovely. Now what’s your prefix for your ponies?

Marion: My prefix is ‘Dear Leap’ but [information redacted]’s is ‘Oakwood’.

CB: Okay. And do you both have separate brands?

Marion: No. We share ‘BI’.

CB: BI. And your two children –

Marion: Yes.

CB: [information redacted] and [information redacted] –

Marion: Yes.

CB: They’re now practising Commoners –

Marion: Yes. They have been all their lives as well.

CB: And what are their prefixes and brands?

Marion: [information redacted] prefix is ‘Hilltop’ and her brand is LI; and [information redacted] prefix is Roehill. He changed; there are ponies registered, or were registered as Bishop’s Ditch, but [information redacted] didn’t like that. Unfortunately, it’s one of those instances, that we’d set up prefixes for them when they were young but, as he got older, he didn’t like it and then he had the opportunity to use Roehill, so he stuck with that. And his brand is 7A.

CB: Lovely.

Marion: And that was done because Brian went to the Office to get their brands made and [information redacted] was okay – her initials were still there; but [information redacted]’s weren’t, so [information redacted] was the clerk at the time, she said “How old is he?” and Brian said “7”; he said, “That’ll do – 7A”. (Laughs)

CB: Brilliant! That’s lovely. Okay, so let’s look at this first photograph. (MI001) Tell me a little bit about this one.

Marion: Well I don’t know too much about this one because obviously that was before Brian and I met, but the horse was Grey Boy or Briscoe, and I don’t know which it was; and I don’t know if Brian even remembers which one, because they belonged to [information redacted] and different local lads would ride them. But, anyhow, the point-to-point that year was finished at Bolton’s Bench – I don’t know where they started – and Brian won the children’s race.

CB: Did he? With his cup, that looks lovely. And what year do you think that was?

Marion: Um – About nineteen fifty-two

CB: Lovely. So photograph number two (MI002)

Marion: Yes, that would have been the same year.

CB: Okay.

Marion: I like his britches. (Laughs)

CB: Oh yeah! The old britches. So he’s sat on his pony again with his cup, looking very, very proud. So again, that was nineteen – what did you say?

Marion: It would have been nineteen fifty-two.

CB: Nineteen fifty-two. Lovely. So, number three. (MI003) Tell me about this one.

Marion: That was in nineteen fifty-seven. And the point-to-point finished on Backley. And I was riding in the children’s race which started – I think it was called Berry Wood? Back towards Verily and whilst I didn’t win the race, because I was in the Pony Club I won the Pony Club Cup.

CB: Lovely. So that’s you in the foreground; and who’s the lady behind you?

Marion: I’m not sure. This was Mrs. Parsons –

CB: To the right –

Marion: Yeah.

CB: And she’s got a bit of paper in her hand –

Marion: Yeah. Well, she was secretary at the time. But I would imagine that one was the president. No doubt, with a little bit of research, I could find out who she was that year.

CB: Okay. Do you know any of the other people in the back…?

Marion: No, I can’t say that I do.

CB: No. Again that’s lovely, looking very proud – So, photograph number four. (MI004) What can you tell me about this one?

Marion: I can’t remember how any of us got on in that race. I believe, looking at that one, it started in the middle of Wilverley Enclosure, the point-to-point did, and finished on Whitefield Moor. I know coming down the track I hit a clay hole and ended up upside-down.

CB: Oh no –

Marion: But I can’t remember what happened to Brian, whether he was placed or not; and I think that must have been… We were at the Finish and we were just having a celebration drink of some sort. I don’t know whether Brian won or not or whether we were just having a Christmas drink…

CB: So who’s in the foreground of that one?

Marion: [information redacted], he’s my brother-in-law.

CB; Your brother-in-law, and behind him is –

Marion: That’s Brian.

CB: That’s Brian.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: And what year do you think this was?

Marion: Nineteen sixty.

CB: Nineteen sixty.

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Marion Ingram, Transcript 1, Part 2

Images: Marion Ingram, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Marion Ingram Trans1 CH2 Duration: 6:27

CB: And number five (MI005)

Marion: Again this is the point-to-point and finished again at Bolton’s Bench. I can’t remember where they started that year, but Brian was riding… I haven’t got the name there, I jer – oh, yeah it does say – Jill; and she belonged to [information redacted] – or the Ralphs family, I’m not sure if it was Sandra, she used to use her most, but she – that was in the Open Race and Sandra wasn’t old enough to be able to ride in that race, so that’s why they gave Brian the chance to ride her. So ‘course no hats were required at that time (laughs)

CB: Scary, isn’t it? And that was Brian winning.

Marion: He won, yes.

CB: He won, and that was in nineteen sixty-five.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: Lovely. So, number six. (MI006)

Marion: Is [information redacted], and he would have been about twelve at the time, riding Oakdene Laddie that belonged to [information redacted] at Furzey Lodge. And again, I’m pretty certain he won his race. But again nobody was too worried about clothing being correct or anything, it was generally jeans. (Chuckles)

CB: Get on and go. So that was the same year, nineteen sixty-five?

Marion: Yeah. At (Polston?).

CB: So number seven (MI007)

Marion: Picture that was published in ‘The Echo’ if I remember right and [information redacted] and [information redacted] both rode. [information redacted] was riding – he’s holding Wootton Starflight and that was his rider and [information redacted] is holding Deerleap Zara. Um, yes that was the year that they started up towards Ladycross and finished up on Lovely Hill; and Zara was quite a goer and she, she – well, I walked down, on down – that was the first year she rode her in the point-to-point – to see where they were, and I thought “Oh, there’s something coming.” Well, she’d finished and was off the horse and everything before the next horse arrived!

CB: Wow!

Marion: So she was a very fast mare.

CB: And that was nineteen eighty-five.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: Lovely.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: Number eight. (MI008)

Marion: Yes, that was the following year in nineteen eighty-six and my dad, Len Mansbridge, he rode in it. And that was to satisfy a wish of his brother because he was dy- he had cancer badly, and he was coming towards the end, and one of his wishes was to see his brother ride in the point-to-point again.

CB: So Leonard’s in the middle on the grey and then, who’s on the left?

Marion: And that’s [information redacted] on the left on Wootton Starflight. And [information redacted] is on the right, and he is on Ridgeway – her proper name was Ridgeway Sugarplum, but she was always known as Popcorn.

CB: Popcorn.

Marion: And she took on Popcorn after [information redacted].

CB: Oh, okay.

Marion: And he took on Pop – yeah. ‘Cos she used to be ours, and then, when we got Starflight, he, er, [information redacted] fancied her.

CB: Oh, okay.

Marion: But, anyhow, that was the reason dad rode in it. He didn’t come anywhere, but it was just, just, to sort of fulfill the wish.

CB: Oh, that’s lovely. Lovely. So, number nine. (MI009)

Marion: Yeah. And that was – is dad on the grey mare, but I don’t know what she was called.

CB: So that was the same year.

Marion: The same year.

CB: So, Leonard Mansbridge –

Marion: Nineteen eighty-six.

CB: Fulfilling his brother’s wish.

Marion: Yes, that was in Whitley Wood Car Park where they met.

CB: Oh, okay.

Marion: And I can’t remember… Don’t know where the children went to start that year, but the older ones, they took them down to Pondhead.

CB: Oh, okay.

Marion: And again, in that race, which was – [information redacted] won it again and she came in streets in front of everybody (Laughter). But I think she was lucky because there were a lot of them; there were a lot of clay holes between Pondhead and the Underpass but Zara happened to be one of those, she’d just skip over the top and, of course, she just left them all there ..?.. (Laughter)

CB: So, number ten. (MI010)

Marion: Yeah. Oh, sorry, yeah. This was [information redacted] on Popcorn, at the point-to-point nineteen eighty-six and – hang on a minute, I can’t remember whether he came anywhere now, or not, but…

CB: It’s funny how these days we’ve all gone out in our colours –

Marion: Yeah

CB: And in those days you wore what you wore in the morning.

Marion: Yeah, when you went riding. Yeah’

CB: Number eleven. (MI011)

Marion: This is still at Aldridge Hill and that was Ralph Hayward, he obviously won the veteran’s race.

CB: Lovely.

Marion: And he’s having his prize presented by Pat Mangin –

CB: Okay.

Marion: I guess she was the president that year.

CB: Right. And the little boy underneath the arm?

Marion: I think that was – It looks like it’s [information redacted].

CB: And above him, in what looks like a suede coat –

Marion: Yes.

CB: Sheepskin coat –

Marion: It looks like it’s – that’s my mother –

CB: That’s Joyce

Marion: Yeah. And then, stood to her right is – I think it would be Mrs. Cook.

CB: Yes, and then as we look at the photograph, on the right, just next to Mr. – Ralph was –

Marion: Mr. Hayward.

CB: Mr. Hayward, sorry.

Marion: It looks like it’s [information redacted].

CB: Lovely. And that was in nineteen eighty-six.

Marion: Yeah.

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Marion Ingram, Transcript 1, Part 3

Images: Marion Ingram, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Marion Ingram Trans1 CH3 Duration: 6:03

CB: So number twelve. (MI012)

Marion: Yes. This was after the point-to-point and in that photograph is my brother, Lenny Mansbridge and then my Uncle Peter and he was the one that had cancer. It was him that wanted dad to ride in the point-to-point

CB: So Peter Mansbridge –

Marion: Yeah.

CB: And then in the white shirt –

Marion: He was the announcer of the time, David Maton.

CB: And to the far right –

Marion: Oh, yeah, it’s Len, Len Mansbridge after –

CB: After his race. On his grey pony, looking very pleased with himself. Lovely. Number thirteen. (MI013)

Yes. This is [information redacted] being weighed. You had to weigh in once you reached the Senior Races. You had to weigh in to ride in the race, and you had to carry a particular weight for the size of your horse. And then, when you completed the race, you had to weigh in again and make sure you hadn’t lost any on the way.

CB: And who’s doing the weighing?

Marion: That’s Mr. Roy Lee. He used to do the weighing.

CB: Lovely. And that was in nineteen –

Marion: Er – eighty-eight.

CB: Nineteen eighty-eight. So number fourteen. (MI014)

Marion: Yes. That’s [information redacted] collecting his rosette. A red one, so I presume he must have won it; I don’t know, I can’t remember. And the president of the year would have been Miss Brooks; and the gentleman there is Eric Young.

CB: And that was in nineteen eighty-nine.

Marion: Eighty-nine.

CB: And number fifteen. (MI015)

Marion: Yeah. In this one we’ve got – I don’t know the name of the horses, but it’s [information redacted], one of the agisters today –

CB: He’s on the chestnut pony on the left –

Marion: Yes, and Ralph Hayward, his grandfather. He’s up on the right, and that was getting ready for the point-to-point at Hill Top. In nineteen eighty-nine. I’m almost – did they meet at – somewhere near Longdown, ‘cos that looks very similar to – the car park at Longdown, doesn’t it?

CB: It does.

Marion: Unless ..?.. I don’t know. Have to check that one with Brian.

CB: Number sixteen. (MI016)

Marion: This celebrations after the point-to-point in nineteen eighty-nine; and in the back row is [information redacted] in the yellow and white striped top; [information redacted] with the glasses on; [information redacted]; Lee Noble; and then in the front row we’ve got [information redacted] and [information redacted], and Didi, their mother; Kate Whetren –

CB: With a great big bouquet of flowers!

Marion: Yes, I don’t know what that was about. I can’t remember. And then [information redacted] and [information redacted]

CB: On the far right. And number seventeen. (MI017)

Marion: Yes. This was the point-to-point in nineteen ninety-one at Bramshaw Telegraph, and in the picture we have got [information redacted] and [information redacted]; then, in the foreground, in the blue and grey striped top, is [information redacted]; and the person with her head turned slightly, that was [information redacted]; and then again with number two on is [information redacted]; and Brian. I don’t know if that was the start, they look fairly –

CB: Clean (Laughter)

Marion: And they were probably discussing tactics.

CB: Number eighteen. (MI018)

Marion: Was the point-to-point finishing at Holmsley in nineteen ninety-two, and it looks like [information redacted] won her race; I think she did, I think she won the Ladies’ Race.

CB: She’s with the Father Christmas hat on.

Marion: Yeah. Then in the picture from the left is [information redacted]; [information redacted] –

CB: So [information redacted]

Marion: Yes; [information redacted] as she was then; she’s now [information redacted]. And [information redacted] hanging over from the back and [information redacted], [information redacted] and, oh, the other person not really being right in the picture, I think is [information redacted].

CB: [information redacted], with her hair tied back.

Marion: Yeah –

CB: Just behind [information redacted]. So, number nineteen. (MI019)

Marion: Yes. This again is in the point-to-point, nineteen ninety-three, when they finished up at Longdown. And we’ve got [information redacted] on the chestnut mare, riding Duchess; and then Brian Ingram. He’s riding Fiddler’s Bruno.

CB: So, number four was [information redacted] and Number 2 is Brian Ingram.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: So this is a very dramatic picture, I think, number twenty – (MI020)

Marion: Mmm. This would have been coming through the Ipley River when the point-to-point finished up at Longdown and it’s [information redacted] riding Fergie, the chestnut pony, and she is wearing number five; and [information redacted] is on Heather, which was my brother-in-law’s animal, and it would have been in the Ladies’ Race.

CB: Absolutely flying through that river.

Marion: Mmm. Lovely splash …

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Marion Ingram, Transcript 1, Part 4

Images: Marion Ingram, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Marion Ingram Trans1 CH4 Duration: 6:11

CB: So, number twenty-one – (MI021)

Marion: Yes, That’s [information redacted] receiving his prize in the point-to-point in nineteen ninety-three, wearing his usual gear for out on the farm.

CB: Yeah, and who’s the lady to his left?

Marion: That is [information redacted].

CB: And behind her…

Marion: Er, oh blimey..

CB: That’s Raymond Stickland.

Marion: Yes, Raymond Stickland, right in the background; and then the announcer is [information redacted], one of the auctioneers from Southern Counties.

CB: Who does all the Beaulieu Road, or used to do all the Beaulieu Road, for us.

(MI022)

Marion: Yes. At the start of the point-to-point in nineteen ninety-four. Started at Aldridge Hill and finished at the Naked Man.

CB: Okay. So that’s number twenty-two we’re talking about –

Marion: Yes.

CB: And in the picture is –

Marion: My father, Len Mansbridge, and he is with Joan Wright, and she used to be the chairman of The Pony Society. But they were good friends, they’d been good friends all their lives.

CB: So number twenty-three – (MI023)

Marion: Yes, is Jean Henvest, she used to live at Lyndhurst, on St. Christopher of Church Place and she was riding in the point-to-point. I think that would have been the Veterans’ Race she was riding in.

CB: Lovely. On to number 24. (MI024) Tell me about this photograph.

Marion: Yes. This is a picture of the finish, they’re all holding their rosettes. A new fun activity they decided to do – at first, for the spectators really – and it was Cushion Polo. You had teams of four –

CB: Okay –

Marion: And, um, John Broughton organised it and he was the polo man sort of thing and they called themselves the Forest Flies ‘cos they were pretty sharp (Laughter)

CB: Okay.

Marion: And in the picture we’ve got [information redacted], he’s got number five on him –

CB: Yes, the far left, [information redacted] –

Marion: And that would’ve been with… Can’t think what the pony was called, now. No, can’t think. Um, and then, [information redacted] with his – the horse he rode of the day; Don Stevens with his rider and then Brian, and he’s with – he’s got Flicker, and that was, we reckon, about nineteen sixty-ish.

CB: Okay. What were they trying to um… for the spectators; whose event was it?

Marion: It was for the Pony Society. It was just an added thing for the show.

CB: For their main show, to draw the crowds in, to have a laugh…

Marion: Yeah, yeah.

CB: And on to number twenty-five. (MI025)

Marion: Yes. A terrible picture – that was me on Flicker, we’re obviously having our instructions for the Drift that day; and Jeff Kitcher on his horse.

CB: And which Pound was that?

Marion: That was – Oh, at Crab Hat Pound, that’s the one not terribly far from Beaulieu.

CB: I know. And that was when, roughly.

Marion: Roughly in – some time in the ‘sixties, early sixties.

CB: Okay. Number twenty-six – (MI026)

Marion: Is a Drift at Balmer Lawn. Drove up the Drift Way then, towards Trim Holly Pound, I believe it was. Nineteen seventy-seven. And in the picture we’ve got Cecil Tillyer to the left; then Brian in the middle with his arms raised; and Mrs. Dunlop. She used to live at Bull Hill Farm many years ago, then she moved to Sway, and then she emigrated to New Zealand.

CB: Okay, so she was a Commoner?

Marion: She was a Commoner. Yup. Her ponies were the Bull Hill Ponies.

CB: Okay – so number twenty-seven, now. (MI027)

Marion: Yes. This is [information redacted] right, on his pony; and we’re obviously up on the top somewhere and I should think he’s seen ponies disappearing somewhere, so he’s just pointing it out to the other people.

CB: Do you know roughly the year?

Marion: Not really; I should say in the ‘seventies.

CB: ‘Seventies. That’s [information redacted].

Marion: Yeah.

CB: Now, so number twenty-eight – (MI028)

Marion: Yes, um, this would have been at Burley Show, nineteen seventy-eight, and they used to always have a Fancy Dress Class then; and, for whatever reason, [information redacted] on Mopley Sir Galahad, which was one of [information redacted], and we dressed her up as the Queen.

CB: Fantastic! That’s lovely. And number twenty-nine (MI029) That’s a nice Drift scene.

Marion: Yes, this would have been a Drift at Pilley in nineteen eighty-nine. Difficult to identify all the people, but the person in a white shirt holding a whip is Brian; and then to his left is [information redacted]; I’m not sure on whether that’s [information redacted] to his right, and I’m not too sure about the others in the picture.

CB: So they look like they’ve just had a good gallop and they’re heading back. They look quite sweaty, don’t they? So, number thirty. (MI030)

Marion: This again is the pony drift at Pilley in nineteen eighty-nine and it looks as if they’re riding through the – what used to be the allotments, just by the Pound and in the picture we’ve got [information redacted] –

CB: Far left.

Marion: Yeah. Then [information redacted] with a brown hat on; [information redacted] in a very slouched position; and [information redacted].

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Marion Ingram, Transcript 1, Part 5

Images: Marion Ingram, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Marion Ingram Trans1 CH5 Duration: 5:43

CB: So number thirty-one. (MI031)

Marion: Yes. This was at one of the Pounds, and I’m pretty certain it was Sandhole Pound, the old Sandhole Pound near Ashurst and it’s a representative from the ILPH presenting a cheque to Don Stevens and Len Mansbridge. I’m not sure what the cheque was for, but –

CB: So Don’s on the left.

Marion: Yes.

CB: In the middle, and Len Mansbridge is on the right. So number thirty-two. (MI032)

Marion: Yes. (Laughs) That animal’s the most awkward looking thing by one of Gig Alford’s thoroughbreds. Zara wasn’t really a very good one to breed from, but anyhow, I rather think that was out hunting.

CB: Oh, okay.

Marion: It’s [information redacted] on Heather in the nineties, and I rather think they were following probably the Buckhounds.

CB: Buckhounds.

Marion: Mmm.

CB: So, number thirty-three. (MI033)

Marion: Was the end of the day of the Drift at Ipley in nineteen ninety-four. And in this picture we’ve got [information redacted] with the red jumper on; sat on the Pound, slightly in the background is [information redacted]; then stood next to [information redacted] is [information redacted]; and then Don Stephens peering through the rails of the Pound. Jeff Kitcher and [information redacted], and quite a young-looking [information redacted] and [information redacted], [information redacted] – don’t know what’s happened to him, haven’t seen him for a long time. And then at the back is [information redacted], and then the lad at the front with the striped top on is [information redacted], then to his left is [information redacted]. Then in the front, half sort of kneeling or half-sitting on a rail is [information redacted], [information redacted] the keeper’s, one of his sons; and Brian Ingram.

CB: Number thirty-four. (MI034)

Marion: Yes, it’s releasing the ponies at Blackfield Pound. In fact, I’m not sure they’re releasing them, I think they’re possibly just bringing them in.

CB: Okay, and what year do you think that was?

Marion: About nineteen ninety-four.

CB: Lovely. On to number thirty-five – (MI035)

Marion: Yes, in this photograph we’ve got [information redacted] on the grey pony, and that’s his daughter [information redacted] on the bay pony. I don’t know what the ponies’ names were. And that would have been – I’m almost certain that was on Culverley, on the Drift at Culverley.

CB: And roughly when would that have been, do you think?

Marion: Erm … early ‘nineties I would say.

CB: Okay. So on to number thirty-six – (MI036)

Marion: Yes. This again, was a shot at the end of the day and in this picture we have got [information redacted] and [information redacted] –

CB: Sat on the rails.

Marion: Yeah, and then Brian leaning on his stick; [information redacted] and John Booth. This was at Woodfidley Pound when the reporter from ‘Horse & Hound came and took part in it in nineteen eighty-eight-ish.

CB: Wow! Number thirty-seven. (MI037)

Marion: Yes. This was at Pilley Drift in the nineteen nineties again, and that’s Sam Drodge, he was chief fireman at the Drift there; and that’s his wife with him. And he used to bring all his gear up with him in the wheelbarrow because he just lived a short distance from the Pound, and it was always him in charge of the fire then.

CB: Lovely. So on to number thirty-eight – (MI038)

Marion: Yes. This is turning the ponies loose at the end of the Drift at the weirs at Brockenhurst and they’re just ambling through the water; but you always have to wear your welly boots to that Drift or you end up with wet feet!

CB: And that’s one of the only Drifts where they let – release everything all in one go at the end, isn’t it?

Marion: Yes

CB: Because they have to go out across that – road

Marion: The road, yeah. well, that’s a better one of them all coming out together –

CB: Yes. To number thirty-nine. (MI039)

Marion: Yes. These are ponies in the Pound on the Ashurst Drift. And then, in the background we’ve got the short person with a whiteish top on – was Bob Munday, a chap that used to come quite regularly to all the Drifts. I don’t know that he actually ever had any ponies, but he always came; and then stood next to him is [information redacted], she is now; I still refer to her as [information redacted] And I don’t know who’s that we’ve got with the coat, or who the person is with their head turned away. Then the gentleman there, is [information redacted], from Lyndhurst.

CB: What year do you think that was?

Marion: Two thousand.

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Marion Ingram, Transcript 1, Part 6

Images: Marion Ingram, copyright reserved. For any rights requests, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre in the first instance.

Marion Ingram Trans1 CH6 Duration: 5:17

CB: Okay, so number forty. (MI040)

Marion: This was taken at the Ashurst Drift and there’s Beatrix (Beatrice) Cook and May Ingram. Both of them in their – would have been in their very late seventies, I could guess; and they were sat right in the middle of the opening, waiting for the ponies to come! (Laughter) But I think that’s a lovely picture.

CB: That is. And that was about two thousand and one.

Marion: Yeah.

CB: So on to photograph forty-one. (MI041)

Marion: Yes, this was the year that the Queen was visiting the Forest and Sir Dudley Forward was the Official Verderer of the day and he wanted all the agisters to be riding his grey Arabs, so that’s why they’re all on these grey animals. There’s Raymond Bennett on the first one; and then John Booth; and then – I think it’s Raymond Stickland, and then Brian Ingram on the end. Nineteen seventy-nine, that was.

CB: On to number forty-two. (MI042)

Marion: Yes, in this picture we’ve got Maldwin Drummond; Joan Wright, the chairman of the Pony Society; and Prince Philip. Again, this was in nineteen seventy-nine and it would have been on Whitefield Moor. And the Royalty went round and met all the people that had arrived there with their horses, whether they were led or being ridden. And Joan Wright accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh and Pam Harvey Richards accompanied the Queen.

CB: Lovely. So, number forty-three. (MI043)

Marion: Yes, this would have been a shot at Beaulieu Road at one of the sales; I guess it was raining by the looks of the clothing they’re all wearing. And that’s Jim Winter in the duffle coat; John Stride next to him; and brother Richard Stride next to him. Peering over the rails is [information redacted]; and then we’ve got [information redacted] and then Raymond Bennett.

CB: Did we say what year that was, roughly?

Marion: I haven’t got a year but I would say from the look of [information redacted], I would say late ‘eighties, early ‘nineties.

CB: Okay, so number forty-four. (MI044)

Marion: Yes, is the arrival of the – no, not the arrival but – the Duke of Edinburgh being accompanied by the Lord Manners; he was the Official Verderer at that time.

CB: He’s in the centre, slightly to the back –

Marion: Yes, and then Maldwin Drummond –

CB: On the right.

Marion: And he was – had quite a lot to do with the museum, so I guess he was in an official capacity there.

CB: So number forty-five. (MI045) This was the same event as the last photograph.

Marion: Yes. And all they – they had a guard of honour, I suppose you could call it, of keepers one side and the agisters on the other side. And in this picture the keepers we’ve got are: [information redacted], Derek Thompson, [information redacted] and Derek Gulliver.

CB: Lovely. And again, that was nineteen – seventy-nine, wasn’t it?

Marion: No, that was when the Queen came, wasn’t it.

CB: No, okay, scrap that year. Number forty-six. (MI046)

Marion: Yes, this is the branding ceremony we had, and they put all the brands there. Everybody took their brands up to the museum and then they took a forge – a mobile forge – there and then put all the brands all onto the back of the door. And in this picture, – we’ve got –

CB: Far left –

Marion: Yeah, [information redacted]; I don’t know who the lady is; and then Brian Ingram holding a brand; and [information redacted] with the fairisle type jumper on; and Terry Jones.

Brian Ingram joins in: [information redacted], Archie Ings –

CB: Hang on, hang on. So [information redacted] is between Terry and [information redacted]. Where’s Archie Ings…?

BI: With a cap on –

CB: Oh, with a cap behind [information redacted] –

BI: Annie Ings

CB: Oh, Annie Ings. Lovely. Number forty-seven. (MI047)

Marion: Yes, um. Unfortunately, one of the agisters – Terry Jones, one of the agisters – he committed suicide and they decided to build a Pound in his memory; that was in nineteen ninety-one. In this picture is Terry Jones’ father. He came to the occasion.

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