Bitesize Bratton
@bitesizebratton.bsky.social
A Wiltshire village with many stories to tell
They say that on May Bank Holiday 1978 huge crowds came to celebrations of the battle of Ethandun on Picquet Hill. Although the view across the Plain remained almost unchanged since the 878 battle, this time there were first-aiders, Portaloos, parachutists and a hot air balloon.
January 25, 2026 at 7:33 AM
They say that on May Bank Holiday 1978 huge crowds came to celebrations of the battle of Ethandun on Picquet Hill. Although the view across the Plain remained almost unchanged since the 878 battle, this time there were first-aiders, Portaloos, parachutists and a hot air balloon.
They say that in 1886 the Mutual Improvement Society was formed and held at the National School. Women were not allowed to join for the first year. There was then a stimulating atmosphere of readings, concerts and discussions on topics like ‘Do men have as many brains as women?’
January 17, 2026 at 10:08 PM
They say that in 1886 the Mutual Improvement Society was formed and held at the National School. Women were not allowed to join for the first year. There was then a stimulating atmosphere of readings, concerts and discussions on topics like ‘Do men have as many brains as women?’
They say that ‘The Tynings’ was originally the name of the housing development consisting of Southay Drive, Ethendun Avenue and Seymour Close. Lady Seymour resigned from the Parish Council over the number of homes actually built and today just a row of nearby trees bear her name.
January 10, 2026 at 12:50 PM
They say that ‘The Tynings’ was originally the name of the housing development consisting of Southay Drive, Ethendun Avenue and Seymour Close. Lady Seymour resigned from the Parish Council over the number of homes actually built and today just a row of nearby trees bear her name.
They say that in 1958, 80 year old widow Mrs Hooper was tragically found to have died at 2 Church Road from gas poisoning, despite having no gas appliances. The pipe supplying the neighbour passed through her house and was found to have corroded and gas slowly filled the house.
January 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM
They say that in 1958, 80 year old widow Mrs Hooper was tragically found to have died at 2 Church Road from gas poisoning, despite having no gas appliances. The pipe supplying the neighbour passed through her house and was found to have corroded and gas slowly filled the house.
They say the Jubilee Hall was opened at 1pm on Tuesday 21 June 1887 with a dinner for 150 residents to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of 'Her Most Gracious Majesty’, Queen Victoria. Designed and built by Henry Reeves, it cost £180, paid for by subscriptions from the village.
December 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
They say the Jubilee Hall was opened at 1pm on Tuesday 21 June 1887 with a dinner for 150 residents to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of 'Her Most Gracious Majesty’, Queen Victoria. Designed and built by Henry Reeves, it cost £180, paid for by subscriptions from the village.
They say there were once swans on Luccombe lake. Early on a Sunday in 1936, one landed in the road at Stradbrook and spent the whole day preventing traffic, timid walkers and churchgoers passing. The following year one died during lift-off when it hit the power lines at Luccombe.
December 20, 2025 at 1:54 PM
They say there were once swans on Luccombe lake. Early on a Sunday in 1936, one landed in the road at Stradbrook and spent the whole day preventing traffic, timid walkers and churchgoers passing. The following year one died during lift-off when it hit the power lines at Luccombe.
They say that in 1957, 4 years after escorting Sir Edmund Hillary to the summit of Mount Everest, Sherpa Tenzing came to Bratton, visiting the White Horse, “conquering” Picket Hill, before going to The Duke, playing darts, pulling pints and insisting on shaking everybody’s hand.
December 13, 2025 at 6:50 AM
They say that in 1957, 4 years after escorting Sir Edmund Hillary to the summit of Mount Everest, Sherpa Tenzing came to Bratton, visiting the White Horse, “conquering” Picket Hill, before going to The Duke, playing darts, pulling pints and insisting on shaking everybody’s hand.
They say that on 22nd June 1911, as part of the celebrations for the Coronation of King George V in Westminster Abbey, exchanged Union Jack flags were simultaneously raised at 1pm in Bratton, Wiltshire, and 4,500 miles away in Bratton, Saskatchewan, Canada.
December 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
They say that on 22nd June 1911, as part of the celebrations for the Coronation of King George V in Westminster Abbey, exchanged Union Jack flags were simultaneously raised at 1pm in Bratton, Wiltshire, and 4,500 miles away in Bratton, Saskatchewan, Canada.
They say that in 1895 when shoemaker Mr Burgess and engine fitter Mr Millard refused to vaccinate their children they were fined £1. Henry Reeves JP, Westbury Anti-Vaccination Society President, collected subscriptions to refund the fine. 6 of the 9 Parish Councillors donated.
November 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
They say that in 1895 when shoemaker Mr Burgess and engine fitter Mr Millard refused to vaccinate their children they were fined £1. Henry Reeves JP, Westbury Anti-Vaccination Society President, collected subscriptions to refund the fine. 6 of the 9 Parish Councillors donated.
They say that Muriel Brinkworth was a self-taught water colour artist who captured the changing views of Bratton, having moved here after WW1. Despite her paintings being shown at the Royal Academy in 1939, she remained a perfectionist who tore up any works she did not like.
November 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
They say that Muriel Brinkworth was a self-taught water colour artist who captured the changing views of Bratton, having moved here after WW1. Despite her paintings being shown at the Royal Academy in 1939, she remained a perfectionist who tore up any works she did not like.
They say that when 'Patcombe Farm', along Melbourne Street, was rebuilt in 1953 it was renamed 'Reeves Farm' by the Ministry of Defence because they repeatedly got them mixed up. The real 'Reeves Farm' had actually been up over the top of White Cleeves above Longcombe Bottom.
November 15, 2025 at 3:09 PM
They say that when 'Patcombe Farm', along Melbourne Street, was rebuilt in 1953 it was renamed 'Reeves Farm' by the Ministry of Defence because they repeatedly got them mixed up. The real 'Reeves Farm' had actually been up over the top of White Cleeves above Longcombe Bottom.
They say that there are two war memorials in Bratton. The Wheel Cross, erected in 1920 by Mr Diggle, for those lost in the First World War and then the Second World War. The Chestnut tree was planted to mark the relief of the siege of Mafeking in 1900 during the Second Boer War.
November 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
They say that there are two war memorials in Bratton. The Wheel Cross, erected in 1920 by Mr Diggle, for those lost in the First World War and then the Second World War. The Chestnut tree was planted to mark the relief of the siege of Mafeking in 1900 during the Second Boer War.
They say that in 1882 the London and South Western Railway Company proposed a new line to run below the White Horse, crossing the road by Daneslye, passing close to the Vicarage, running up Luccombe Combe, before entering a two mile tunnel out onto the open Plain.
November 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
They say that in 1882 the London and South Western Railway Company proposed a new line to run below the White Horse, crossing the road by Daneslye, passing close to the Vicarage, running up Luccombe Combe, before entering a two mile tunnel out onto the open Plain.
They say that when the MOD owned The Butts house in the late '70s one resident was Colonel John Blashford-Snell, the renowned explorer, who once took a grand piano on a canoe up the rapids to a remote Wai Wai village in Guyana. He then returned two years later to tune it.
October 25, 2025 at 12:36 PM
They say that when the MOD owned The Butts house in the late '70s one resident was Colonel John Blashford-Snell, the renowned explorer, who once took a grand piano on a canoe up the rapids to a remote Wai Wai village in Guyana. He then returned two years later to tune it.
They say that, in the 1960s, Lord and Lady Seymour allowed adults and teenagers to slip into the gates at Bratton House, skip around to the side, and play on the tennis courts two or three evenings each week. They had to bring their own tennis racket though.
October 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
They say that, in the 1960s, Lord and Lady Seymour allowed adults and teenagers to slip into the gates at Bratton House, skip around to the side, and play on the tennis courts two or three evenings each week. They had to bring their own tennis racket though.
They say that on a Sunday afternoon in April 1961 2,000 people came to watch two motorcycle scrambling races on a mile and half circuit around tranquil Luccombe Bottom. Imagine those swirling echoing roars. A sudden severe storm added extra growling excitement to the second race.
October 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
They say that on a Sunday afternoon in April 1961 2,000 people came to watch two motorcycle scrambling races on a mile and half circuit around tranquil Luccombe Bottom. Imagine those swirling echoing roars. A sudden severe storm added extra growling excitement to the second race.
They say that, at the start of the 20th century, Bratton was a very popular Summer holiday location, with many hundreds drawn to experience the White Horse, the fine views, the clean air, the church steps, the two tea gardens, the whale bones, and the simple charm of the village.
October 5, 2025 at 7:08 AM
They say that, at the start of the 20th century, Bratton was a very popular Summer holiday location, with many hundreds drawn to experience the White Horse, the fine views, the clean air, the church steps, the two tea gardens, the whale bones, and the simple charm of the village.
They say that when Howard Couldrake joined the Navy in 1907 he was 6 months underage. He became a Royal Marine Lance-Corporal, travelled the world, earned 4 medals in the thick of WW1, and kept a snake as a pet, before returning home to Luccombe Terrace to run a haulage business.
September 28, 2025 at 6:05 AM
They say that when Howard Couldrake joined the Navy in 1907 he was 6 months underage. He became a Royal Marine Lance-Corporal, travelled the world, earned 4 medals in the thick of WW1, and kept a snake as a pet, before returning home to Luccombe Terrace to run a haulage business.
They say that Carpenters Lane got its name when Ralph Robins was allowed to build his house and carpenter's workshop along there in 1657, many, many years before R & J Reeves Ironworks set up shop alongside the lane in 1830.
September 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
They say that Carpenters Lane got its name when Ralph Robins was allowed to build his house and carpenter's workshop along there in 1657, many, many years before R & J Reeves Ironworks set up shop alongside the lane in 1830.
They say that, due to emigration in the great cloth trade depression, the population of Bratton halved from 1,295 to 610 in the century after the 1821 census. Despite the large 20th century housing projects, the population has still not fully returned, standing at 1,171 in 2021.
September 13, 2025 at 9:56 PM
They say that, due to emigration in the great cloth trade depression, the population of Bratton halved from 1,295 to 610 in the century after the 1821 census. Despite the large 20th century housing projects, the population has still not fully returned, standing at 1,171 in 2021.
The Wiltshire Times, Saturday, June 12th 1937.
September 9, 2025 at 6:29 AM
The Wiltshire Times, Saturday, June 12th 1937.
They say that it wasn't until 1931 that the first lady bell ringers were introduced into the tower at St James Church. They proved to be such a success that within just a few years a complete band of lady ringers could often be heard chiming out over Bratton.
August 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
They say that it wasn't until 1931 that the first lady bell ringers were introduced into the tower at St James Church. They proved to be such a success that within just a few years a complete band of lady ringers could often be heard chiming out over Bratton.
They say that in one week in 1940 residents of a council house, Yew Trees, 2 houses on Luccombe Terrace, The Duke and The Manse were fined for showing lights from their homes during blackout. Box Cottage was also fined 5 shillings for allowing a bonfire to flame during blackout.
August 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
They say that in one week in 1940 residents of a council house, Yew Trees, 2 houses on Luccombe Terrace, The Duke and The Manse were fined for showing lights from their homes during blackout. Box Cottage was also fined 5 shillings for allowing a bonfire to flame during blackout.
They say that Matilda Brinkworth, of Yew Trees, had celebrated her 100th birthday with 24 telegrams, 61 letters, a visit from children of the village school, and a trip to the Polling Station. When she died in 1939, aged 104, she was the oldest woman in the West Country.
August 16, 2025 at 5:28 AM
They say that Matilda Brinkworth, of Yew Trees, had celebrated her 100th birthday with 24 telegrams, 61 letters, a visit from children of the village school, and a trip to the Polling Station. When she died in 1939, aged 104, she was the oldest woman in the West Country.
They say that in 1843 James Withey and Simon Watts were committed to the new Devizes County House of Corrections for three weeks each, having been found guilty of stealing a quantity of water-cresses from the garden of Thomas Mead in Bratton.
August 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
They say that in 1843 James Withey and Simon Watts were committed to the new Devizes County House of Corrections for three weeks each, having been found guilty of stealing a quantity of water-cresses from the garden of Thomas Mead in Bratton.