In August 1969 my husband's workplace was moved to Bristol. Unwillingly he, our sons Peter (11) and Colin (9) moved house. Henbury was chosen for our new home, for several reasons: it was closest to Ken's work, there was green space for our country-reared children to roam in the shape of Blaise Castle and Moorgrove Wood and most importantly, there was the local school.
Henbury Comprehensive School was then only a few years old. Its first head teacher John Luget was energetic, experienced and wise. He gathered round him staff whose interests were wider than outside the school bounds. Thus the school became known nationally as an example of the comprehensive system. And certainly, it established good careers and useful lives for many young people.
About the same time, Henbury Conservation Society was founded by several older Henbury inhabitants who welcomed new residents from the start to an expanding village (Henbury) preserving where possible and developing sensitively when necessary. The most important changes lie in the village itself. Where the present newsagent is, there was a thriving village shop, an invaluable Post Office, which sold a selection of groceries as its stock in trade.
Next door, in the corner house, the front door opened to show a single counter with a display of sweets in jars, trays and tins. The converted barn next door was a hairdresser -always good for a cut and blow dry, a cup of tea and a chat! Across the road from the Post Office was Mrs Lynch's as it was known. Unusual for 1970, she had a small deep freeze from which we could buy cuts of meat and sausages. With these four enterprises, we seemed to manage without the Mall!
Though much has changed, Henbury is still a good place to live and at times, most particularly when the annual flower show is held at the village hall, the community spirit is still there.
Molly Coghill, Henbury resident, aged 86.
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