The Ventnor & District Local History Society has published a new book telling the story of life in Godshill during the early 20th century through the memories of one of the village’s former residents.
Growing Up in Godshill: The Memories of Joy Draper (née Thorne), 1907-1995 is based on 2 talks given by Joy Draper to pupils at Godshill School when she was in her 80s, recalling childhood during the First World War and her early working life.
Born in Godshill in 1907, Joy left school at the age of 13 before starting work as a House Parlour Maid just a year later. She spent the next decade in domestic service before marrying at the age of 24.
In the book, Joy reflects on family life in rural Godshill during the First World War, describing her father’s work on local farms, her mother’s responsibilities at home and the role children played in supporting the household.
She also recounts humorously the realities of working as a House Parlour Maid at a time before vacuum cleaners, washing machines and piped water were commonplace. Among her memories is the quiet decision to stop wearing her maid’s cap because she felt “it was no honour”.
The Society says the talks have been reproduced largely unchanged, with only minor edits, and are accompanied by additional historical information and photographs from its archives, as well as images supplied by Joy’s family.
The publication follows in the tradition of the Society’s earlier memoir, It Used to Be Like This: Life in Niton Undercliff in the Last Century by George R. Haynes, which documented everyday life on the Isle of Wight before many traditions disappeared.
The Society has also revealed that 2 further books in its series exploring life in South Wight communities – A Whitwell Life by Audrey Joyce Chiverton and A Ventnor Lad by Kevin Digweed – are currently in preparation.
Growing Up in Godshill is available to purchase from the Ventnor Heritage Centre or through the Ventnor & District Local History Society’s online shop.
