Old playmates

[smiffy]

:? Did you 'ear about the sandwich that walked into a bar asked for a drink &  the barman said sorry we don't  serve food here, or was it like that. :x

[Dickie eagle]

I'm christening the new forum with my request from the old - finding the old Durham Hill playmates. I'd love to know what happened to Carol Orme, Betty Ingram, Jean Spooner, Mary Edwards, Susan Hill, Carol Phillips, Janet Hayes.  
Brenda

Having just seen the coverage and participated in the remebrance Sunday parades and services, it was time for a quiet reflection on old freinds, especially those who didn't make it !  Those from Downham alone make quite an impressive but sad list Bert Jordan (RAF), Arthur Adams (RAF), Ivor Plum (RAF), Kate Taylor (RAFR),Charlie Peek (Army), Ray Francis (RAF), plus a few I can't name but remember faces. even St. Barnabas Scouts lost about seven former members.If any reader has info. relating to the pre-war 13th. troop I'd be happy to swap notes.meanwhile life goes on for us lucky ones (touch wood) . We even had a demise during the remembrance service at the garrison church as one veteran collapsed (And Died) the Service had to be closed while the unfotunate family were consoled. He was in his 80's so in my book he did well , bye now Dickie..................          (Dismal Desmond ! )[/quote]

[Dickie eagle]

! Isn't there anyone left who got their Cottage loaf or a 3d, packet of " Day by Day" or Petit Beurre Biscquits from "Grooms" Bakers Van ? ? ? I used to enjoy being a Bakers Boy back in those balmy days on the estate and even remember most of my customers      Dickie .....

Back again, I found an old Groom's customer living in the same house Dolly Stevens in 16 Churchdown,well she was the daughter and one of "Terry's Juveniles" (Along with one Charles Springall,better known as Charlie Drake !). Can anyone check whether the Scouts or St. Barnabas are doing anything for their 75th. anniversary this month  (Please?) that's all,., Carry on!        Dickie.............

[Dickie Eagle]

My mother purchased bread from the Groom's Bakery and the horse drawn cart. She also had milk delivered from the Express Dairy horse and cart. I know where my Grandfather got our garden manure from but do you know where the bakery and the bottling plant was located.

                Sorry it took so long replying Graham, but I did work in the mornings before school with the Express Dairies for the Princely sum of  2/6d  and Grooms Bakers round on Saturdays from about  6 a.m until usually 8 p.m. for 2/- the original Bakery was in Erith and so was their milk "bottling" (actually square waxed cardboard containers with a metal strip closure ) Tips incidently were non existent  because Percy the Baker used to pocket the lot which made it embarrassing when old ladies at Christmas used to ask if I got my Christmas Box,usually 6d.

and thought me ill mannered because I forgot to thank them  . ce la vie     Dickie..............

[adcross]

I have just joined this web site and refer to a message posted by Brenda making enquiries about a Carol Phillips. If this is the Carol Phillips that lived near the Durham Hill School she was also a friend of my wife
Frances Day from Ballamore Road who has a twin Margaret who lives at Chinbrook and went to the school.Other friends were Margaret Cannon and Shirley Coward. There was also a boy names " three penny bit " because he swallowed a coin at some stage.

Frances lost all contact with Carol when we got married in 1960 and migrated to New Zealand in 1961 then to Oz in 1999.

Frances went to Durham Hill from approx 1948-52

Ring any bells ?

Regards Tony Cross.

[adcross@ozconnect.net]

I'm christening the new forum with my request from the old - finding the old Durham Hill playmates. I'd love to know what happened to Carol Orme, Betty Ingram, Jean Spooner, Mary Edwards, Susan Hill, Carol Phillips, Janet Hayes.  And I often wonder what happened to the McKay (not sure if that is the correct spelling) twin boys who lived on the other side of Durham Hill in a close near St Barnabas.
Brenda

Hello Brenda,
I have just joined the web site and read your message regarding a Carol Phillips. My wife, Frances Cross nee Day knew a Carol Phillips who lived near the Durham Hill School but lost touch with her when we married in 1960 and quickly migrated to New Zealand and then to the Sunshine Coast of Queensland in 1999.
Frances had a twin, Margaret and they lived in Ballamore Road, other friends were Margaret Cannon and Shirley Coward amongst others.

Hope to hear from you sometime, Regards Tony Cross.

[Anonymous]

I have just joined this web site and refer to a message posted by Brenda making enquiries about a Carol Phillips. If this is the Carol Phillips that lived near the Durham Hill School she was also a friend of my wife Frances lost all contact with Carol when we got married in 1960 and migrated to New Zealand in 1961 then to Oz in 1999.
Frances went to Durham Hill from approx 1948-52 Ring any bells ?
Regards Tony Cross.

                                   You didn't say where in NZ Tony, I found it a wonderful place, especially Wellington,we always berthed alongside the jetty with the bar and dance-hall with a whacking great sign "Hare Mai"on it ( my spelling may be off ) and we could go up to the radio station on Mount Victoria' it would be nice to pay a return visit  cos I haven't been back since 1970 on the RFA "Resource"          dickie....................

[adcross@ozconnect.net]

I have just joined this web site and refer to a message posted by Brenda making enquiries about a Carol Phillips. If this is the Carol Phillips that lived near the Durham Hill School she was also a friend of my wife Frances lost all contact with Carol when we got married in 1960 and migrated to New Zealand in 1961 then to Oz in 1999.
Frances went to Durham Hill from approx 1948-52 Ring any bells ?
Regards Tony Cross.

                                   You didn't say where in NZ Tony, I found it a wonderful place, especially Wellington,we always berthed alongside the jetty with the bar and dance-hall with a whacking great sign "Hare Mai"on it ( my spelling may be off ) and we could go up to the radio station on Mount Victoria' it would be nice to pay a return visit  cos I haven't been back since 1970 on the RFA "Resource"          dickie....................

Hello Dickie, We lived on the East Coast in Hawkes Bay in New Zealand for 38 years after migrating from Downham in 1961. We moved to the Sunshine Coast of Queensland in 1999 and should have made the move years ago as it is a very nice place to live.
I was hoping to get a reply from Brenda as she mentioned a Carol Phillips, Carol was a friend of my wife.s until we left for NZ and my wife would like to know if Brenda was talking about the same Carol Phillips.
Regards Tony Cross.

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[maureen]

I remember the old muffin man, he used to come round on a Sunday when we lived in Shroffold, I remember Mum sending me out there with a huge bowl to get faggots and peas pudding. I remember Peter Pans a little clothes shop in Downham Way where you could pay off weekly for your clothes.

Going a little further afield does anybody remember "Haircuts" in Catford, he had an open type of pet shop where you could buy your mice, guinea pigs, rabbits etc. I don't know why he had this name but I don't think he had a very good reputation with animals.  I once looked after about a dozen mice for school and our cat had them all and I had to replace them and I remember letting one loose on the top of 36b bus and that caused a bit of a stir!!

[Pauline]

I remember the old muffin man, he used to come round on a Sunday when we lived in Shroffold, I remember Mum sending me out there with a huge bowl to get faggots and peas pudding. I remember Peter Pans a little clothes shop in Downham Way where you could pay off weekly for your clothes.

Going a little further afield does anybody remember "Haircuts" in Catford, he had an open type of pet shop where you could buy your mice, guinea pigs, rabbits etc. I don't know why he had this name but I don't think he had a very good reputation with animals.  I once looked after about a dozen mice for school and our cat had them all and I had to replace them and I remember letting one loose on the top of 36b bus and that caused a bit of a stir!!

I remember 'haircuts' my Dad used to buy his chicks there. (No dickie not the ones you want)

[Bel]

:lol: I used to go to Haircuts every week, because they used to let you cuddle the kittens.  My Dad bought me one for 10 shillings ( a lot in them days) but it dies of the cat flue within a month. Also a blue bevan rabbit, which became vicious and ended up in the stew pot.  (stayed to school dinners all that week as Queenie was my pet) |Belx

[Robert]

This is one for the real "Old Timers" I'm Bob Appleby started at Pendragon school during the war. And left Durham Hill school in 1951 and lived in Whitefoot Terrace. After national service moved abroad for many years and now live in central London. Paid a visit to my old Downham a few weeks ago. So much has changed but a lot was the same, I took a walk thru woodland walk but the Splendid cinema and my old school have lone gone along with the Northover pub. I recall old mates, Dave Mason who lived in Jennifer Rd and Frank Bailey who lived all his life in Oakridge Rd and worked on the railway we kept in touch for years but lost touch about 10 years ago. Then the was Tug Wilson and Arthur Rose and his girlfriend Pat Richardson. Pat & Boy Maggs,I recall the teachers Mr Gilbert (Great Teacher) Mr Russell, Mr Holditch and Mr Black (Head Master). After driving around the estate for a couple of hours I could'nt see for the tears in my eyes. So many voices, faces and memories from so long ago. I told my driver to take me back to town. But I'll be back because Downham stays in your heart no matter where you go.

[Brenda]

Hallo Bob,

Lovely to read your reminiscences.  Must admit, I got a lump in my throat because I know should I ever return to Downham for a look-around (left England in 1974 and have never returned) I, too, would have tears in my eyes.  I loved the Woodland Walk.
And I wish I had a dollar for every time I walked along Whitefoot Terrace.  My dearest friend lived in Whitefoot Lane and I used to go to her house via the back gate. 
Yes, Durham Hill School went some years ago now. I used to live right opposite. My mother was a cleaner there for many years. I used to go over after school and help her. 

Do you have any photos to share with us?  Do hope you'll be contributing again.

Bren

[Robert]

Hello Bren. I did not realise my letter was on show I can't seem to find it, where did you see it.? What was the name of your friend in Whitefoot Lane.? I may have known her. You say you lived opposite Durham Hill school do you recall Len Bucket ( HE lived around there) he was the head park keeper for Durham Hill park, Woodland Walk, Fosters Park, etc.. He was always driving the park tractor around the estate going from park to park. To be honest it made me very sad to go back, but I'm glad I did. Regards Bob.