I lived on Grove Street where my father Petter Broderstad ran a small grocery shop during the war and for some years afterwards. My father, who was brought up on a small farm/croft in the far north of Norway Harstad, moved to England before the war where he met and married my mother who had been a head cook at a pub in Wood Street, Old Town. My father was a much respected person in the community and tried as best he could to help those in need during the war. I remember him cooking huge hams for the shop and buying the best veg he could get from Evesham. I have very happy memories of my childhood in Rodbourne and was very proud also of my Norwegian heritage. I remember in particular correcting one of my teachers at Jennings Street School as to who was the first person to reach the South Pole pointing out that it was Roald Amundsen the Norwegian and not Scott the Englishman. I also remember enjoying the snow with friends on my norwegian sledge. My mother was the most wonderful cook and housekeeper worked tirelessly for our family of 5 girls and 1 boy.
My father was very interested in the history of Swindon and Wiltshire and would have been really pleased with the development of this website giving a flavour of life in Rodbourne.
Petter Broderstad was my Grandfather on my Mum’s ( Grace ) side Meg was my mum’s younger sister There was also Joan who lived in Kent Road and Alma who lived in Redcliffe street Pete Broderstad being their brother and my Uncle ( who I always looked up to ) who lived in Hyde Road Stratton And last but by no means least Queenie who was sadly taken away from us after contracting TB at a very young age of 18 I have only a photograph of my Aunt Queenie as she was taken before I was born My Grandfather also contracted TB and had a lung removed through his back The wound from the operation never healed properly and I can remember vividly My grandmother dressing it twice a day every day for the rest of his life I was always told to leave the room when Nanny was dressing it but one time I managed to see the wound through the gap where the door wasn’t shut properly I’ve never forgotten what I saw and have never told a living soul My Cousin Astrid has a lovely photograph of the shop which I hope to be able to get it on this site so you can all see how wonderful it looked Rodbourne has always held fond memories for me as a child and an adult starting way back in the sixty’s at my Auntie Alma’s where I was always fed and watered very very well Roast dinners were her forte as well as cracking mince pie’s and trifle at Christmas My Aunties husband Reg ( my uncle ) Made the best salmon sarnies in the world And when he went down the lane for Ham for sarnies they were crackers to I’ll have tom leave it for now because spending to much time on this wretched PC Make’s I giddy Right You Are 🙂
Thanks Kev for your memories. It’s great that people are now posting their memories to the site and people responding to them.
Gordon Shaw- Secretary
My Grandparents lived at number 7 Grove Street (Mr&Mrs W Hunt) and I use to stay with them at weekends late 50s and early 60s. I can remember being sent to Broderstad’s for items on occasions. Would love to see a photo of Grove Street and the shop taken about that period if any one has one.
https://www.facebook.com/kev.matthews.963/posts/1009396556551617
Stephen Ruddle i hope this hits the spot