Emily Wright and old Prestwood

The letter is from Emily Wright and records some memories of old Prestwood. The copy of this letter was forwarded to me by Barbara Ridgley. It appears to have been written in 1970 when Emily was 91 years old. Emily died in December 1973, aged 94 years.

Emily was the daughter of William and Mary Wright. In the census of 1881 William Wright is recorded as a Chair Wood Turner and his wife Mary as a Straw Plaiter.

Ten years later, in the census of 1891, William Wright states he is a Carpenter – Wesleyan (Churches?). The last word in the entry is very faded so difficult to read. Emily, in 1891, aged 12 years, is noted as a Bead Worker.

Emily’s mother may have been Mary Taylor but I would need to do some further research to confirm this. The family appear to have been members of the Methodist Chapel in Prestwood.

The occupation of Emily’s father ties in nicely with the picture of the Chair Turners in Hampden Woods already sent.

The final image is a picture taken from a local newspaper of the old Prestwood Post Office in the 1920s, again sent by Barbara Ridgley. I have worked out now that it was where the current Bakery is.