They are the very areas I meant Splinter. On most road corners and in front of the flats there was an area of small trees and shrubs - it wasn't grass then - and they were known as 'council grounds'. They had 3 strand wire fences around them with black channel section posts, but they were no obstacle to a gang of small boys! Of course, the biggest example was the 'Bank' which I see from Street View is still such an area. From time to time, the council workmen came round and pruned the trees and dug the ground over. In the top right hand corner of Merlin Gardens we built a smashing camp, shielded by trees, with the very stout, high garden fences as the back walls. It was handy there as, if the Dalton Gang got a bit too close, we could climb over the fence into mine or Ronniee Hill's back garden!
Vic.