By Shirley Dunaetz (nee Evans)
Where do I start with my memories of growing up in Godmanchester? Well, I was born October 1941 and lived in a terrace house on St. Ann's Lane until I married in 1963
This house, along with many others when I was young, was without electricity or indoor plumbing. The four terrace houses used an outside central water tap in the back of the middle house and the shed at the end of each garden contained the toilet and coal storage.
The toilets were emptied twice a week by what we referred to as the "Bucket Men". My grandfather got the biggest joy out of inviting these "Bucket Men" into the front room on a Christmas or Boxing Day for a holiday drink. They made their appointed rounds regardless of what the day fell on. You can just imagine the women folk of the house faces when he did this, I think that was part of the fun for him, but I have to admit they really didn't smell that sweet! This particular activity was still going on in the town when I was old enough to be walked home by a young man not familiar with small town ways and to say I was embarrassed to explain what was going on, was putting it mildly!
Bomb disposal experts were called to a house in Godmanchester on Thursday afternoon following the discovery 
of a World War Two aircraft bomb at Tudar Farm, Earning Street.
The listed building, which belonged to the late Teddy Page, was being cleared out by men from Abels, the removal firm, when one of the workers stumbled across the device.
Mr Marshal White, of Abels explained: 'I was clearing out one of the rooms when I found what looked like a bomb under some rubbish - bed frames and that sort of thing.
'I thought it looked like a bomb. It was shaped like one, so I thought I'd better get it outside as this would be safer. I picked it up, carried it downstairs and put it outside on a rubbish heap.'
Mr Richard Haywood, an auctioneer with Ekins, Dilley and Handley, the estate agents supervising the clearing-out, helped Mr White to carry the bomb into the garden.
'It looked like your typical children's toy bomb,' said Mr Haywood.
By 1pm police had arrived at the scene prohibiting access to the immediate area of the bomb. Half an hour later, two men arrived from the Royal Army Ordnance Bomb Disposal in Colchester.
After photographing the bomb, they decided to 'open it explosively' which involved taking it to an open space and attaching a change to it.
The bomb was carried from the back garden of the house and placed in a van for transportation to Godmanchester Tip. Here, it was successfully exploded at 2pm.
The explosive experts carried out an inspection of the room where the bomb was found, and discovered some live shot gun cartridges which they also took with them to the tip.
One of the experts, who for security reasons did not wish to be identified, said that the two feet long bomb could have blown the house down if it had gone off. The surrounding houses would also have been severely damaged.
Weighing between 30 and 40 pounds, the bomb is thought to have come from a Second World War German War German arcraft.
How the bomb got into the late Mr page's room remains a mystery, though it is thought that he enjoyed collecting things.
Original article from The Hunts Post, 1985.
Subcategories
Past Events
The Porch Museum holds special exhibitions or events each year.
In May 2010 the Porch Museum showed its first produced film'Godmanchester Remembered', based on interviews with a remarkable man, Neville Markham at 96 one of our oldest residents. The film includes wonderful historic photographs from private collections, the museum and archives.
The film was a great success with over 100 visitors coming to view the film on its first showing. With many requests to purchase a copy of the film it has now been made available on DVD and can be purchased from the Museum Shop.
A preview of the museums second film Children of Godmanchester was show before the museum closed for the winter months. Again over 100 visitors attended and many requests were made to purchase a copy of the film. The museum hopes to release this DVD for sale in Summer 2011
The Porch Museum also made available to purchase, on CD a copy of the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar school Pence Book 1850 and 1855. A copy can be purchased from the Museum Shop.
A new addition to the museums family history boards was the story of George Cross a Godmanchester hero which now forms part of the museums collection.
Museum Open Days
The Museum is now closed for the winter months.
Opening dates for 2014.
| Sunday 6th April | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 4th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 5th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 25th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 26th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 15th June | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 5th July | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 6th July | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 24th August | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 25thth August | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 14th September | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 28th September | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
Newspaper Articles
A selection of Articles featuring The Porch Museums events and achievements.
Bridge Magazine
Articles in this section were first published by Godmanchesters Community Association in The Bridge magazine.
The Porch Museum would like to thank them for giving us permission to reproduce these articles covering the past 35 years.
Some of the articles have had relevant images added by The Porch Museum.