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I have had an interest in history since I was a child. I was brought up with stories of the Second World War and anecdotes about my father’s childhood. Every summer I would go to stay with my maternal grandparents who would often talk about the good old days! I was brought up in Mitcham in the 1960’s and 70s and there were still bombsites and public air raid shelters. As children we would find a way inside and play soldieries and other games as teenagers!

My late grandfather, Ben Drake, had been a carpenter and cabinetmaker all his working life, mainly in the Kingston area of Surrey. After he retired in 1965 he continued to use his skills repairing antiques and carry out small repair and renovation jobs for neighbours and friends. He never had a shortage of work. I used to ‘help’ him when I stayed. He made wonderful toys for his grandchildren. I remember my cousin Christine had a marvellous dolls house made by him and I had a theatre, garage and farmyard. He had loads of tools many of which were very old and some of which I now have.

My grandparents had an old sideboard and in one drawer it had old copper coins, mainly pennies (1d) and halfpennies. I was allowed to play with them and occasionally have some of them. It was from this that I started a coin collection, with aim of getting every penny from Victoria to present day — with the possible exception of 1933!

My father worked as a postman and thus I got interested in collecting UK stamps. I still have my old collection but I don’t collect modern stamps.

I have been fortunate to live in some interesting places, even Mitcham and neighbouring Morden had some interesting history, practically the Surrey Iron Railway, which had passed near our home. I have lived in historic places such as Exeter and Reading which further inspired my interest in social and modern history. Whilst working for Earley Town Council as their Park’s Officer in the 1990’s I researched the history of the Town. The Earley History Group in a book entitled 'Earley Days' later published my findings.

I am currently researching my family history, which contains many surnames, including; Vail, Royston, Drake, Clayson, Hillier, Hiscock and Wiltshire. I currently live in a Grade 2 listed Georgian House in Newport on the Isle of Wight within site of Carisbrooke Castle. I am looking into my house history too.

If you have old photo’s of the Isle of Wight, or any information on any of the above families I would be pleased to hear from you.