What if … we recorded the stories of our older residents?

Did you know that there could be a plague burial ground in a far corner of Brill Common? And that during the Second World War Brillites gathered on what is now Spa Close to watch London burning during the Blitz? Have you heard about the aeroplane that crashed near Touchbridge - and Brill boys teaching London evacuees how to snare rabbits? No? Well, you’re missing out.

Twenty years or so ago, a venerable Brillite called Den Rolfe held court in the Memorial Hall once evening, telling stories of his youth to an enthralled audience. Was it recorded? If it was, the cassette tape is long lost. Sadly, Den is no longer with us but how about we do the job properly now, before it’s too late, recording the recollections of our senior residents and then making these stories available online for local people and historians near and far?

In the meantime, spare a thought for the three nuns evacuated from London in WW2 who became the object of fascinated horror to Brill children convinced the nuns’ wimples hid shaved heads. Did the locals ever learn the truth?

Update March 2025!

Two years ago, a surprisingly large group of senior Brillites met to talk about growing up in Brill, a lively joyful session facilitated by members of The Brill Society. This group is still going strong - with plans for recordings and podcasts. Sometimes it pays to dream!

(The picture shows Hazel’s Harman’s Jubilee Flag.)