Interviewed: 7 December 1984 Address: 3 Pollards Way, Pirton
Ted Males
Born: 1908
Father: William Males (Railway Plate Layer, Finsbury Park)
Mother: Catherine Emma Males (née Titmuss)
Grandparents:
– Maternal — George and Mary Titmus
– Paternal — Ernest and Mary Males
Ivy Males (née Odell)
Born: 1909, Shillington
Father: Robert Odell (Carpenter / Handyman)
Mother: Mary Odell
Ted Males was born in 1908, the son of William and Catherine Males, and grew up in Pirton, part of a long-established local family. His mother’s family, the Titmuss’s, were also well known in the area. His grandparents George and Mary Titmus lived in the village, while his father worked for the railway at Finsbury Park. Ted’s sister, Grace (later Mrs. Grace Maidment), lived in 5 Shillington Rd in later years.
Ted began school in Pirton at the age of five. Ivy Odell, who was born in nearby Shillington in 1909, moved to Pirton when she was about six or seven. She lived at 45 High Street, while Ted’s family lived opposite the pond, in Palmers Cottages.
Both Ted and Ivy attended Pirton School during the later years of Mr. and Mrs. Donson’s headship. They remembered Mrs. Donson as a very strict teacher. Ted recalled that by this time Mr. Donson was growing old and less active in the classroom, though he remained a keen singer — his favourite song was “The Lincolnshire Poacher,” which he led with enthusiasm.
Ivy remembered having Miss Cotton from Shillington as her sewing teacher. One of her strongest memories was of making a pinafore and having to “stroke all the gathers with a pin” — an endless and painstaking task that often had to be redone if not perfect.
Ted took part in gardening lessons from around the age of twelve. The school garden was situated behind the school, beyond what is now the field and near the present-day garages. While the boys gardened, the girls did cookery — Ted recalled that they once made lentil soup. The curriculum was limited, with lessons in reading, writing, arithmetic, sewing, drawing (for the boys), and singing.
Medical inspections were regular. The nurse came to check children’s heads for nits , the school doctor made annual visits, and the School Attendance Officer (S.A.O.) called to monitor attendance.
During their school years, the First World War was ever-present. Soldiers were billeted in the village throughout the war, encamped under canvas in Three Closes Field. They were artillery troops, with horses and mules. For the children of Pirton, their presence was both exciting and a reminder of the larger world beyond the village.
Ted left school a year or two before the Donsons retired, going to work on a local farm. Ivy first worked at the Glove Factory before going into domestic service in Hitchin. Ted later became a baker, a trade he followed for forty years.
Shops and Village Life
Ted and Ivy remembered a variety of village shops.
– Andrews’ shop, at the Shillington Road end of the High Street, sold general groceries and sweets. Mr. Andrews was a churchwarden and lived in Orchard Cottage 9 High St
– Westwood’s (possibly Westward’s) shop, later run by Miss Burling, stood at Cromwell Terrace in Little Lane. It sold paraffin, sweets, lace, socks, and thread — “you could buy a farthing’s worth of sweets there.”
– Another shop, run by Mr Titmuss was where The Blacksmiths Arms was , opposite the pond, selling nails, tyres, hardware, and even offering barber services.
Church and Sunday School
Ivy and Ted remembered the strong influence of the church in village life. Miss Pollard of Highdown ran the Girls’ Friendly Society at the Sunday School, then located on Great Green where “Rafters” now stands. The girls sewed and knitted there, and once a year were treated to tea at Highdown — “that seed cake!” — where Lady Nicoll would send shortbread down from Scotland.
The Reverend Langmore was vicar in those days, assisted by the Misses Pollard, who were much respected. The children were expected to curtsy to them; both wore high-necked blouses and button boots.
Miss Brittain, Reverend Langmore’s sister, was also a memorable figure. She rode a three-wheeled bicycle with a basket in which her little dog, Gip, sat. She led the Sunday School, marching the children two by two from the school to church, reminding them sternly, “Remember where you are.” Any child who whispered in church was promptly poked in the back and made to stand in the aisle. Children attended church twice each Sunday — in the morning to learn the collects, and in the afternoon for catechism.
The Reverend Winkworth succeeded Langmore and did much to strengthen the church’s role in the village. Formerly a schoolmaster and a fine organist, he restored Pirton Court (then the Vicarage) and later moved into the old Hall. Church life flourished under his care, with Church Army missions held under a large tent on the site of the present vicarage. Sister Whiteside, the Church Army sister, was beloved by all. Reverend Winkworth remained in Pirton until around 1935–36.
Ted and Ivy’s memories together offer a warm and lively picture of Pirton between the wars — a village of strict teachers, patient sewing, and hearty singing; of soldiers in fields, farthing sweets, and long Sunday afternoons in church. Their recollections remind us of a world where community, faith, and hard work shaped every day — and where even the smallest things, like the smell of paraffin or the taste of seed cake, were never forgotten.
Joan’s notes INTERVIEWED : 7 December 1984
IVY & TED MALES, 3 POLLARDS WAY, PIRTON
Ted Males born 1908
Mother’s name : Catherine Emma (Titmuss)
Father’s name : William Males (Railway Plate Layer, Finsbury Park)
His grandparents : maternal : George Titmus Mary Titmus
Paternal : Ernest Males Mary Males
Ivy Males (nee Odell) b. 1909 in Shillington
Father : Robert Odell – Carpenter / handyman
Mother : Mary Odell
Ted went to school at 5, Ivy came to Pirton when about 6 or 7.
Went into Mrs Donson’s class – she was very strict.
Had Miss Cotton (from Shillington) for sewing. Remembers making a pinafore, and stroking all the gathers with a pin – took ages and often had to be done again!Ted remembers gardening at about 12 – the garden was up behind the school where the garages now are (beyond present field)Girls did cooking – Ted says they made lentil soup,
At this time lived opposite the pond (Palmers Cottages)
Ivy lived in cottage 45 High Street
Nurse came in to inspect heads, doctor visited and S.A.O
Boys did drawing – object drawing.
Curriculum very limited.
Mr Donson didn’t do a lot at this stage – he was getting old; but he loved singing and particularly “The Lincolnshire Poacher”!
There were soldiers in the village all through First World War. They were under canvas in 3 Closes Field. Artillery (with cavalry, also mules).
Both left school a year or two before the Donsons left . Ted went first to work on a farm, Ivy went to the Glove Factory, and then to do domestic work in Hitchin. (Ted was later a baker for 40 years)
Shops : Andrews (at Sh. Rd end of the High Street. General groceries, sweets. He was a churchwarden and lived in Orchard Cottage)Westwood (?Westward), later Miss Burling sold paraffin, sweets, lace, socks, thread etc. at Cromwell Terrace/Little Lane. Used to buy ¼d worth of sweets.Next to Blacksmiths Arms (opp pond), there was a shop selling nails, tyres, hardward etc. and also a barbers.
Church Miss Pollard ran the Girls Friendly Society at the Sunday School (where “Rafters” now stands) Great Green. There they sewed, knitted etc. and went once a year to tea at Highdown (that seed cake!) Lady Nicoll used to send shortbread from Scotland – Rev. Langmore was Vicar – the Misses Pollard came to the Church then. Children had to curtsy to them. Misses P. wore high necks and button boots.Miss Brittain (Langmore’s sister) had a 3-wheeled bike with a basket in which sat Gip, her dog. She took the Sunday School. They marched 2 by 2 from S.S to Church and then she said “Remember where you are” If you talked in Church, she poked you in the back and stood you out in the aisle. They went twice a day to Church had to know collects in morning and catechism in afternoon.Rev Winkworth did a lot for the Church. He had been a schoolmaster and played the organ v. well too. He bought Pirton Court (then the Vicarage) and put it to rights and then it was sold and he lived in the old Hall. There was also a Church Army sister – Sister Whiteside – whom everyone loved. There used to be Church Army Missions, with tent pitched on site of present (new) vicarage. Rev W was there till 35/36.
Kathleen Watts and Ivy Males are cousins
Her mum Her dad brother and sister
Grace Maidment (next to Gentle’s) is Ted’s sister. Grace Males
