Discover the Story of Pembridge with Portrait of Pembridge

Welcome to Portrait of Pembridge (PoP), a website dedicated to capturing the rich social history of Pembridge—its people, past and present, culture, customs, achievements, farming heritage, trades, and working lives.

The idea for PoP was inspired by a poignant moment at a car boot sale, where I noticed old family photographs and albums being sold—precious memories seemingly forgotten and cast aside. This sparked a determination to preserve and celebrate the stories of Pembridge for generations to come.

Since its launch, PoP has been a collaborative effort. Kay Ingram  has played a key role in bringing the project to life. Together, with Haydn Osborne-Brookes, Asa Temple-Purcell and James Dawes,  we’ve delved deep into Pembridge’s history, uncovering stories that paint a vivid portrait of our village. While we’ve achieved a great deal over the past three years, the project has grown beyond what so few people can manage alone.

One of our proudest achievements has been uncovering the stories of the servicemen listed on Pembridge’s War Memorial. With the help of our dedicated friend Rory MacColl, we documented the life stories of every soldier, even identifying five unlisted names whose families couldn’t afford the plaque fees at the time. Now, these men are no longer just names—they are remembered as part of Pembridge’s history.

As the project continues to grow, we need your help. Whether you’re a researcher, a storyteller, or someone with memories, photographs, or artifacts to share, your contribution could make a real difference. Join us in preserving the legacy of Pembridge and celebrating the lives that have shaped our community.

We look forward to hearing your stories, receiving your information, and seeing your photographs. You can contact us on portraitofpembridge@yahoo.co.uk or call 07342 625796. 

Barry Temple-Purcell