New book tells of life in Spondon and family links to famous county cricketer
Anita Hayes, of Spondon Archive, gives an insight into a new publication about the town put together using the memories of Ken Porter
IN 1998, Ken Porter put together a website telling us about the history of Spondon. It was interwoven with the memories of his early life in the village. He was born in 1925, the fourth child of John and Harriet Porter who lived at 89 Willowcroft Road.
Even though he left Derby to live in Canada in 1956, he retained a love of the village which inspired a new book.
A full timeline of Ken’s life and career was sent to us by his son, Derek, who lives in America. We felt this list of achievements, throughout his working life, was well worth recording.
The book includes many stories of his boyhood.
It starts with a history of the Porter family. There were many lines to follow but he narrows it down to two, or three, possible ancestors going back to the 18th century.
It includes a chapter on Spondon’s most famous cricketer, George Porter.
This contains details of his career and was edited by two members of Spondon Cricket Club.
Ken talks about his memories of living in the new houses which had been built on Willowcroft Road.
One part of this is particularly evocative as it tells of a boy’s memory of the days leading up to Christmas in Spondon in 1935.
The images conjured up will remind many of the Christmases we celebrated when we were young.
It includes chapters on the church, schools, farming and other trades carried on in Spondon.
He also reminds us of life during the war and the friends who took part in it. He did his national service in the RAF, and then spent some years working for RollsRoyce.
Later, he went to live in the USA and stayed there for the rest of his life. Although this memoir has been around, in various forms, for some years, Spondon Archive decided to make it more widely available by including it in our archive publications.
In view of the fact Archive has now published 14 books on various aspects of the history of Spondon, including St Werburgh’s Church and the schools, it was decided to edit the chapters on these subjects in Ken’s original document.
We have left enough of the historical details to provide a good framework for his personal memories.
You can buy the book from shops in Spondon village centre: Spondon News, Housley Pharmacy, Cherry Tree Picture Framers and Simnett Funeral Directors in Sitwell Street, or by contacting: info@ spondonhistory.org.uk
Books cost £3.50 plus postage when appropriate.
You can see a list of other books in the series at: www.spondononline. co.uk/sca/spondon-communityassociation” www.spondononline. co.uk/sca/spondon-communityassociation and at spondonhistory. org.uk
We have left enough of the historical details to provide a good framework for his personal memories.