She was born in Cumnor in 1904, in the cottage behind the Farmhouse at Cutts End, Appleton Road. She was then 'Nin' Jeffs, and remembers that their cottage was very attractive to look at and much admired, although it had a beaten earth floor.
Her father walked to Oxford every day to work at the Gas Works. He also grew
vegetables in five allotments and his son, aged 13 then, sold them at Botley. He
later bought a pony and cart to transport the vegetables. He died in 1906 of
blood-poisoning contracted at the Gas Works, aged only 36. He left a widow with
five children, who herself had T.B. The Gas Company paid compensation to keep
the children. The youngest girl was not strong and Mrs Jeffs' last wish was that
this child, the youngest, should be cared for. Mrs Haynes who lived at Cutts End
House, agreed to look after 'Nin', as she was called; the other children were
brought up by relatives.
Another family who moved into the Jeffs' cottage also contracted T.B., so it was
demolished (being designated a health hazard).
Mrs Hicks has happy memories of her life with Mrs Haynes, who did fine dressmaking. Her husband was a carpenter. She remembers the garden at Cutts End which had all kinds of trees and flowers in it, also beehives. When it was sold Mr & Mrs Haynes moved to one of the tall houses in Leys Road.
Schooldays
Mrs Hicks remembers Mr Cole as headmaster. He was strict but the children liked
him and respected him. It was the three R's plus Geography, History and Bible
knowledge, the latter being very important. Mr Cole also played the organ on
Sundays in Church. She also remembers standing at the garden gate at Cutts End
and seeing Halley's Comet, which was 'quite awesome'. In summer time there was a
permanent cricket match under the Lion tree in Leys Road.
Shopping
Pimms came with the grocery from Eynsham on Saturday nights. Fish, fruit and
vegetables were brought from door to door once a week. Bread was delivered from
Botley by horse and by Mr Surman. The oil man came once a week. Shopping was
done in Oxford once a week by carrier's cart. 'Nin' would stand at the garden
gate and shout to Mrs Haynes when she saw the cart and then Mrs Haynes would put
on her hat and coat and collect her basket and handbag and be ready by the time
it arrived.
There was a blacksmith's forge in the brick building by the Vine. When a child
Mrs Hicks loved to help take the horses from Leys Farm to be shod.
Clothing
The girls wore white starched aprons to school with lace or broderie anglaise,
and also thick boots. Above all 'Nin' would have liked hob- nailed boots like
one of the other girls for then she would be able to slide much better on the
ice and the village pond. She remembered Mrs Haynes' black dress with gold chain
and gold fob watch in a watch pocket.
It was almost compulsory that they went to Chapel or Church on Sundays. She
remembered Mr Wastie keeping his carts in the 'Old Chapel' and that it was an
ideal place to play in on a wet day because it had a wooden floor.
Outings and Recreation
The Chapel Sunday School outing once went in a farm wagon to another farm at
Southmoor where they had tea and played games before riding home. Another time
they went by train to Woodstock, but this was not so successful. A Fete was held
in the cricket field and tea was held at the Chapel for adults. There was always
a Christmas Party at the Chapel with a gorgeous Tree with presents.
Transport
Mrs 'Nin' had a bicycle which cost 5/s; also they used to ride Mrs Wastie's
tricycle without her knowledge. The Vicar had a pony and trap, and Jobn Webb,
the builder, as well. It was a great treat to be given a ride back from Chawley
Lane in Mrs Richards' pony and trap (Mrs Richards of Manor Farm). Dr Woodward of
Kingston Bagpuize used to arrive with a motorbike and side-car; he would fill
the room with his bulky weather-proof clothing. Mr Arthur Wastie drove his brand
new Morris car down the High Street so carefully and slowly that a walker could
keep up with him. She used to deliver the milk for Mr Richards, from Manor Farm
round the village. Once when doing this the pony and tub bolted from Oxford Road
for home and did not stop until it got back to Tumbledown. The pony managed to
miss all the cars parked there for a shooting party without doing any damage,
but 'Nin' had to walk home from Oxford Road with her milk can.
(Mrs Hicks was interviewed by Mrs Iris Wastie in March 1980)