As the board is quiet.

[billbaker]

 .
Some may remember back in the mid 40s on the little island in the centre of Peter Pan’s Pool among the trees there was a small hut with coloured statues of Snow White and the seven dwarfs, one Sunday afternoon a friend of mine named Kenny who also lived in Goudhurst Road and I hired one of the little paddle boats and were happily paddling around the pond when Kenny had the bright idea that one of the dwarfs would ‘look really good in his mum’s garden’, so we paddled round to the back of the island out of sight, Kenny stood up in the boat and attempted to jump ashore, slipped and landed up to his knees in the water, he managed to clamber ashore onto the island and with all thoughts of acquiring a dwarf now forgotten, tried to step back into the boat but only managed to push the boat further away and slid back into the water, after managing to haul him back into the boat, we paddled the boat back and started walking home, I couldn’t stop smiling, Kenny kept saying over and over again that it wasn’t funny and that his mum would give him a good hiding, on the way home Kenny was beginning to dry out and his legs, socks and trousers were turning a light brownish grey colour, I said goodbye to him at his gate and dashed home to tell my mum all about it.
Kenny didn’t come to school on the Monday; apparently his one and only pair of school trousers were still drying out.

[Frank (hutchsky)]

Did go to Peter Pans Pool a few times remember the person calling out your number, 33 times up, remember the Island but did not venture on. Did not want to get wet, my shoes leaked and a clip around the ear, that cooper stick was a good deterrent. Frank
 

[Brenda]

Peter Pan's Pool seemed very exciting when I was a little girl and one of our family outings on a nice weekend day.  I can't remember going on a boat but do remember I was somewhat scared of sinking.  Little did I know then just how shallow the water was! 

It used to be a nice outing starting with the walk from home in Durham Hill and down via the Woodland Walk (always a favourite place of mine) and back home the same way.  No precious pennies spent on buses in those days. 

Love your anecdote, Bill.  More please.

Bren

[sixtieschick]

I too have happy memories of Peter Pans Pool...Never went on a boat myself neither..Love hearing these old stories though.xx

[billbaker]

How Kenny intended to smuggle this extra third brightly coloured three foot high passenger out past the man in charge without him noticing was not part of Kenny's cunning plan.
There was also a roller skating rink where Homebase is now at one time, my older brother learned to skate there but I was too young. 
 
Bill.
 

[Brenda]

How Kenny intended to smuggle this extra third brightly coloured three foot high passenger out past the man in charge without him noticing was not part of Kenny's cunning plan.
There was also a roller skating rink where Homebase is now at one time, my older brother learned to skate there but I was too young. 
 
Bill

I, too, must have been too young for the roller skating rink although it always sounded such fun.  I don't know how old I was when I got my first pair of roller skates and starting risking life and limb rolling down Durham Hill (where I lived) towards the main road and only managing to stop by heading for someone's privet hedge.  The path that bisected The Hill was also a favourite place to take risks. 

Now, when I think back, I wonder how my mother managed to save the money for that particular Christmas present.

Bren 
 

[billbaker]

I remember that path down the hill, when it snowed we used to sledge down there on milk crates until the council put railings across the path, I also remember walking through the woodland walks although I only used the part that ran behind Oakridge road that ended by the gas showroom.
Bill.

[Brenda]

I remember that path down the hill, when it snowed we used to sledge down there on milk crates until the council put railings across the path, I also remember walking through the woodland walks although I only used the part that ran behind Oakridge road that ended by the gas showroom.
Bill.

The sledding would have been fun down there.  The railings across were already there when we moved to the estate.
Bren

[davidwcummins]

Phoenix own the land in front of the river and The Meadows next door to the of old Peter Pan Pond, also across from the Green Man. We the Phoenix and Southend residents have named it Peter Pan Park, and we are going to bring back Peter Pan to Southend Village.

[billbaker]

There was also a drinking fountain on the corner by the pond with heavy pewter mugs on chains, you had to press a button and water came out, anyone wanting a drink would all use the same mug, how did we kids manage to survive? we must have been tough, I can't recall any of my friends going down with salmonella or any other transferable disease, (apart of course from the occasional bout of measles, mumps, chicken-pox, german measles, scabies, ringworm or headlice).  

Bill.  
             Them was 'appy days them was, all gawn nah!  

[Splinter]

Peter Pan`s Pool. Oh what memories. There also was a Fun Fair behind the pool, i cannot remember how much it cost to get in but i do remember them putting an ink stamp on your hand so you could go in and out. The Company that owned the motorboats also hired the boats out in Greenwich Park, i used to walk all the way there and then under the footway tunnel across the Thames which was next to the Cutty Sark and then walk home. A whole day out for nothing. I don`t think kids these days would do it even if they were allowed to. I loved to explore and still do when i visit new places.