Owning a toyshop, the family has become a SELLER of toys, but in the past several generations have enjoyed making them too, and the recipients of the made toys certainly enjoyed playing with them.
Also included, a selection of toys and books various members of the family, still have in their possession (some in picture form only)!
This garage, was built in 1944, for my Dad, by Grandad. (Grandad was a motor mechanic). Sadly it had to be demolished in 2010, after heavy use by 3 generations of children. Dad had a number of Dinky toys, added to by my brother in the ’70’s Recently he gave the best ones to a friend/collector who renovated them. The friend still has them, but photographed them and gave the photos to Dad. He added an extra touch to one of the lorries, and returned to Dad as a memory.In 1968, a more modern garage was built for Paul, by Father Christmas! I received a hand-built Dolls House, modelled on Nana’s bungalow.
The previous Christmas, Paul received his own Train Engine, and I, a dolls cot.
Later on the cot received a red lick of paint, and was passed on to Elizabeth, then onto Kate c2012.
Grandma’s (1920 – 2008) Dolls Tea Set.
A book which belonged to Norah Gillott, 1916-21 ( Grandma’s sister). Passed onto Grandma, then Dad.Wooden Doll, made by Uncle Tom for me c1970.
Brian John Harvey, was born 14th January 1932, to Charles and Winifred Harvey. He was the second of 3 sons and one daughter, and the first family baby to begin his life at 162 Cranford Lane, Heston Hounslow.
Boys at the seaside c1938, Brian (right).
To me he was ‘Uncle Brian’, a renowned joker in the family, with the knack of telling a good story, and also the subject of many a family tale.
Gordon, Brian, Malcolm and baby sister Cynthia
‘Happy Christmas from Home’ 1943, to Italy.
Family photo shoot c1953
Brian (centre), with family
Childhood photos.
Much of his childhood was spent teasing his siblings and exasperating his mother. On one occasion his mum sent him to a local shop to purchase “gun metal” coloured stockings to be worn for a funeral. The shop owner later said when asked the colour, Brian couldn’t remember what his mum had said and asked for “old iron or something like that”. Brian joined the Navy in 1946 aged 15, training at HMS Ganges. During his training he was confirmed into church. This event caused some amusement in the family when his mother remembered proudly announcing to friends at her whist drive that she was off to see her son “circumcised”.
The Navy lark!
Little sister Cynthia always looked forward to when he came home on leave with stories about the far-flung places he had visited. Also she knew he would take her to the local ice-cream parlour for a “knickerbocker glory” !!
Brian and Joan Wedding 1955
In 1953 Brian’s cousin Doreen introduced him to her workmate, Joan Ewles – both members of a friendly team of assistants at Etam, Hounslow – a well known ladies’ outfitters at the time. In 1955, Brian married Joan at Heston Church. Philip was born 1956, and Christopher 1959.
Brian worked as a Postman after retiring from the Navy. Soon after Chris’s birth, the family moved to Lee-on-Solent, near Gosport. Unable to get a job as a postman there, he ventured into self-employment, and for many years ran a mobile grocery business. These jobs suited Brian’s outgoing friendly and humorous nature. All through his life he looked out for his customers and neighbours, and was actively involved in the local social life with Joan.
Over the years the four Harvey siblings and their families continued to keep in touch from all parts of the world.
A rare sibling get together for Gordon’s 60th Birthday. 1989.
Brian and Joan fostered two further boys, David and Jon, providing a stable, loving family life for them.
The children all grew up. Philip married Jackie, with children Tom and Emma, Chris married Karen, and had children Amy and Daniel. A true family man, Brian was a Great Grandfather several times over by 2021.
In 2020, he became ill, and underwent surgery, recovering quite well – due in part to his positive cheery nature. Unfortunately further surgery, to improve his quality of life following the previous operation, took its toll and he sadly died on June 21st, 2021.
A great loss to his family, but also a great inspiration to all those who knew him and his positivity for life. xxx
My sister celebrates her 50th birthday this year – 2021, but in my eyes she will ever be ‘5 years old’
My Naughty Little Sister!
One of my favourite books as a child, was ‘My Naughty Little Sister’ by Dorothy Edwards, illustrated by Shirley Hughes, and I couldn’t help noticing the similarities. 🤣
A little more than 50 years ago, on a day out to Old Mother Shiptons Cave in Knaresborough, with our Grandparents, I made a wish!
Old Mother Shipton, lived as a reclusive ‘witch’ in a cave in the 1400’s, and was supposed to be a seer. As an attraction, it is also famous for it’s petrifying water and wishing well in her cave. I was instructed to make a wish, but couldn’t decide on whether I should wish for a pet rabbit, or baby sister. In the end I plumped for a sister. Soon after this, my wish came true, when sister Elizabeth Anne, was born in xxxx. We were instructed she was to be called Elizabeth, never Liz, and it was Anne with an ‘e’.
I wasn’t sure I had made the right choice, when I saw the contents of her newborn nappy. She was named as a ‘Witches Daughter’, by her loving siblings. And known as ‘Liz’, by everyone else!
Weighing in at almost 10lbs, she made her presence known, and as the chattiest of the three of us, has always managed to keep the conversations going.
Donkey Derby
Luckily she inherited her acting skills from her mother, and singing skills from her father, and not the other way around!
Lead roleWymondham carnival ‘Putting on her parts’!School OrchestraRock ChoirRock ChoirParty AnimalMixing with the starsThespian, Musician and friend to the stars!
As a baby sister, she has also been lucky to receive hand me down clothes and toys.
Baby Sister.
In 1997, Elizabeth married John, at St Nicholas Church, East Dereham. James was born 2000, and Kate in 2005. They all enjoy life on the high seas.
Family Life and Cruising around.
Liz has always had an affinity with animals!!
Donkey DerbyDucklingsOn the galloppersCamel stoolMy Little PonyShe inherited the family business along with John and Paul, expanding, enlarging and consolidating, ‘Models, Accessories, Toys, Crafts and Hobbies,’ before adding Nursery Goods. Preparing to hand over the reins.Fun and Games in the Toy Shop.
Getting involved with the Weatherills, has led to some interesting antics, such as sleeping in a trailer on the side of the motorway in France!
Birthday girl loves cake!
And finally – perhaps she really is a ‘Witches Daughter’!
Todays date, is one that will be remembered by historians for years to come.
2021 Census request form
The National census began in 1801 as little more than a head count, it continued in Britain, every ten years except 1941, instead there was the National Register of 1939.
Some pre 1841 censuses are available to research, although the information is very basic. The census’ show us who lived where, family relationships, occupations, and age, and are invaluable in family history research.
They have become more detailed as the years have passed, with some older documents difficult to decipher. This years census, is to be completed online. The ‘Hundred year Rule’ means the public are only able to access the census’ over 100 years old.
Historians are looking forward to the general release of the 1921 census.
7th January 2021 is the 119th Birthday of Nana (also known as Grandma and Granny) Winifred Alice born Tranter, on 7th January 1902, married Charles Harvey.
Winifred Alice Tranter – Harvey 1902 – 1982
4 Generations of Tranters
‘Win’
1943
1945
1947?
1954
1977
1980
Winifred Alice Tranter 1902 -1982
I am in the process of relating the individual stories of the Maternal line of my ancestry, so for more information, visit;
