School Day Memories £5.00
‘Bought this little book fascinating good read for lockdown’ -JJ
‘It really makes you reflect on memories of your own childhood, as well as learning about theirs. Thanks to everyone who made this book happen’ -MikeT
‘Great read well worth it especially for people new to our village. Great memories of what Liphook was like after the war. Thank you all for putting this book togethe -Old Resident
‘School Day Memories’ can be purchased by emailing The Bramshott & Liphook Heritage Centre at liphookheritage@gmail.com
Calling Irene Ellis on07855666423
Or visiting Gables News, L & S Gift & Coffee Shop and Lazy Lizard Cafe, and Cancer Charity Shop all in Liphook.
School Day Memories FOREWARD
In 2008, Derek Holdsworth, (known mostly by the name Dik to his many friends), had recently been diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease and told it was terminal. After the shock he had thought about the memories he could leave for his family and friends of the life that he had, and so started writing his story which was something he had never done before. It also helped him to stop thinking of the future. On one of his frequent visits to Adrian Bird’s office in London Road, Derek asked if the Preservation Society would put his story of growing up in Liphook into a book. They agreed and when he had finished it Jo Elliot, who was Adrian Bird’s secretary, typed it out for him. Sadly he died before the book materialised. As it was his last wish the family decided to go ahead with publishing his story and approached the Heritage Centre who agreed and suggested adding memories of some of Derek’s school friends
Derek was the second son of Tom & Lou Holdsworth who were the first couple to be married in what was then the new Liphook Methodist Church. Tom was an only child and lived in Bramshott and Lou was one of ten children and lived in Liphook all her life.
Once married they were always very much involved with the Liphook community. Tom was a retained fireman and a Krazy Lad, and Lou was a cook for the Liphook School. The Kazy Lads were a group of men who raised money to give the elderly of Liphook a Christmas dinner and their wives cooked the meal. So it is no surprise that Derek was well known by many people in Liphook.
From a very early age he loved riding push bikes and as soon as he was old enough started riding motor bikes particularly over the common. He would have very much like to have worked as a motor bike mechanic but as he had eczema on his hands it was not possible. This did not stop him riding and maintaining his own bikes as well as became a very good trials rider and when he became a member of the Haslemere Motorbike Club also started organising trials.
He was a full time fire fighter and worked at Guildford and Haslemere Fire Stations until he retired. He then started working for himself, painting and decorating……………
Other Contributors to this book are Irene Ellis (sister), Russ Ellis, Esther Porter, Dennis & Stella Clinker, David Frost, and Pam Budd.