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.