She and her twin sister were born on 3rd October 1897 in the
house at the corner of Chawley lane and Norreys Road. They had one brother,
Albert, also born there. He died aged 43. Their mother was nee Coates and had
lived at New Farm, Cumnor (now owned by Mr Gee). Her father was foreman at
Chawley Brick Works - his wage was 15s a week.
The family shortly moved to No 5 Hurst Lane but Mr David Organ, Superintendent
of the Brick Works, arranged for them to have the house at the yard where they
lived for eight years. Later they moved to No 21 Hurst Lane, Miss Neale's
present home.
The family was very strictly brought up, their father always keeping a cane
beside him at table to deal with any misbehaviour or bad manners on the spot.
They had one penny pocket-money each week. Their father died 15 June 1939, aged
76, and their mother in 1941.
The twins' schooldays commenced when they were four and a half years old, at
Cumnor. Mr and Mrs Cole were Headmaster and Mistress. Mrs Cole is remembered for
wearing pink dresses and a dark rather untidy wig. However, she was kind to the
children and both she and her husband were well liked. Mrs Lock was Assistant
Mistress. The Infants class was in the smaller room, which was then built on two
levels. The large room was divided into two, Standards 1, 2 and 3 by the door
and 5,6 and 7 at the top. Miss Neale says she was "no good at school" and left
when she was 14 years old. However, she was awarded a prize for regular
attendance and good conduct. On leaving school she went to work in the Food
Stores at the Radcliffe Infirmary, where she stayed for many years, rising to a
senior position.
Her grandfather was manager of the Chawley Brick Works. He was clever at
pottery, making articles out of surplus clay. These were displayed outside the
house, for sale. Pigs were kept and when one was killed, the girls were sent
with food parcels to various people in the village.
Sunday School treats were greatly enjoyed. Parties were given by Mr and Mrs
Hughes at Oakenholt. These took place in the summer and at Christmas, when
seasonal plays were usually performed. Food was plentifully provided and very
good. When leaving, the children were all given muslin bags of fruit and sweets.
One of the highlights was being collected from Cumnor Church by Mr Payne with
his waggon and horses.
Mr Douglas, the carrier from Northmoor, came through Cumnor to Oxford on
Wednesdays and Saturdays. His arrival at Chawley was announced by blowing a
coaching horn. The fare was twopence each. He eventually gave up and it was then
necessary to walk to the bottom of the hill to pick up the Eynsham carriers or
walk all the way to Oxford and back. Miss Neale remembers her mother getting up
very early in the morning to have time to walk into Oxford, pushing the pram
containing the three children, doing the shopping and getting back to Chawley in
time to get father's dinner at 12 o'clock.
Groceries were bought at Mr Hollifield's shop (now 11 Appleton Road), and Patty
Fowler's shop in the thatched cottage by the pond. Groceries were also delivered
on Saturdays by Mr Pimm from Eynsham. Meat came from Mr Freeborn from Botley; he
called for orders on Wednesdays and delivered on Saturdays. Skimmed milk at a
penny a pint was obtained from Miss James, Burnt Farm, High Street. This made
lovely rice puddings. Mother made all their clothes. Shoes, stockings etc were
bought at Capes in St Ebbes. Plain stockings were fourpence three-farthings per
pair. Very best ones with clocks up the sides were 1s 11d per pair.
Mr Joe Webb, the University Huntsman, kept his hounds on the Hurst and lived in
a cottage nearby. Mrs Hayward (Filchampstead) was a friend and used to cycle
with the hounds when they were being exercised. A Mr Didcock lived at 21 Hurst
Lane before the Neale family had it. He bred and kept magpies. Lord Abingdon's
keeper lived in one of the cottages in Hurst Lane. A Mrs Peart lived in another.
She was very fond of a drink and when 'merry' always sang 'Halleluia'. First
World War German prisoners worked in the Brickyard by day and at night parties
were taken up Hurst Lane to dig trenches on the Hurst.
Recorded by Mrs Gourdie 17 March 1981