Villager who’s lived in the same house for 74 years shares his memories of generations past
Barry Thrower with his parents and older sister pictured after WWII. - Credit: Archant
One man has watched his village transform from a rural idyll into a forgotten community as time and villagers moved on.
Barry Thrower, a West Winch parish councillor, has been living at his home in Setchey for 74 years. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Archant
Barry Thrower has lived in the same home he was born in, in Setchey near King's Lynn, for 74 years.
In 1944, his parents moved from a bungalow in Saddlebow into a former institute for a nearby brewery in St Germans Road.
'My parents used to live in a bungalow that sits on the river bank, you could fish out of the window,' Mr Thrower said. 'They were very self sufficient, they had a boat which they'd use to get across the river to do shopping in West Winch.'
Using the sand and clay from the banks of the river, the Throwers' house gradually grew into a home for three generations of their family. As a young lad, growing up in Setchey was about being part of the community, where locals would frequent the Bowling Green, congregate at the village shop and swim in the River Nar before being chased off by the village bobby Jack Troope.
Barry and Christine Thrower at their home in Setchey. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Archant
Mr Thrower said he remembered the times when residents would have to heat water in copper tubs to use in outdoor privys and bathrooms.
Whenever there was a big footy match on, he and his mates would go straight over to Tom Porter's house next door, the only house to have a TV in Setchey.
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Close to 30 people squeezed into the chip man's living room watching Nat Lofthouse on the black and white telly.
But the pub, the store, the church and village hall are now faraway memories as they've been demolished or converted into housing over time.
Barry Thrower, a West Winch parish councillor, has been living at his home in Setchey for 74 years. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Archant
'The change of the nature of the village, we don't really get to see anybody now,' Mr Thrower said.
He shares his home with his wife of 48 years Christine Thrower, 68. Together they have created special memories with their five children and 11 grandchildren.
Mr Thrower hopes their home stays with the family for generations more, adding: 'It would be really up to them, I have made the decision to stay and it's up to them to make theirs now.'
When asked why he had stayed in same house his entire life, he said: 'Why not? I'm very proud of the village.'
