Brentford memories
Here are memories of Brentford and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Brentford or a Brentford photo.
My Frist School
I went to school at the house, in the grounds, of Boston Manor Park from 1951-1953. I have very fond memories of this school, Miss Stevenson being the head and Mrs Clark the other teacher. We used to do nature walks around the lake and into the woods and I remember seeing a tramp who appeared to live in the park. We had sports day and danced around the maypole on May 1st. I lived in Boston Gardens which led to the park.I can remember the swings at the bottom of the park and spend many happy hours there. Does anyone know what the house is used for now?
My School Days
I remember my early schooldays very well. I started at Bush Corner Open Air school in 1953. I was born in Ealing Road Brentford in 1947 and first went to school at Ealing Road school. When I was 6 I went to Bush Corner Open air school as I had suspected Polio and had a problem walking. My best memories of this school was the fact we started the day with breakfast ! we also had to have a sleep after lunch, camp beds would be put up in the 2 halls 1 for the boys 1 for the girls and we were supposed to go to sleep, this was sometimes quite easy other times impossible. The teachers would walk round keeping an eye on us and if we were asleep we were awarded a sugar lump !! which we collected from Miss Burridge the Headmistress. Imagine the state of our teeth, not good at all. Living in Ealing Road we all used to play at Karville Hall... Read more
St George's School
This is from my gran, Eunice Burridge, now Smallman.
" My main teacher was Mr Church at the school. I always remember walking across the iron bridge to reach Mr Allen, the headmasters, office. My first teacher was Mrs Forest. My last was Mr Church. I remember the toilet stood out on its own on the side of the building. I used to think it would drop off. My best friends were Barbara Hutchinson, Madelene Green, Anne Winkworth, Jean Bethel, Carol Thomas and Kay Murphy."
My gran is now 66 and she used to live at 9 Cressage Road. Three older brothers: Arthur, Ronnie, Ernie and three older sisters: Shirley, Eileen and Pat.
Shirley, Ronnie and Eileen have died since.
Childhood
I lived in Hamilton Road from 1940 until approx 1958. (my name then was Mortlock) I went to Ealing Road School and then Brentford Secondary Modern. I remember the air raid shelter at the top of Hamilton Road and hearing the sirens and seeing bomb sites etc.
The High Street was full of old fashioned shops, a bakers and a shop where we exchanged accumulators for the radio. Goddards the furniture shop and many others. I remember the gas works and the Fire Station at the top of Ferry Lane.
As children we all played in the street with seasonal toys, whip and tops, marbles, skipping etc. My friend was Wendy Biggs and others were David Martin, Georgina Keeping, Sandra Payne, Jean Jarvis and some I forget the names of.
In the summer holidays we went to Boston Manor Park with a bottle of water and some jam sandwiches, staying all day until our stomachs told us it was time for tea.
When I left school... Read more
Birthplace
I was born in 1937 at 73 Boston Gardens, Brentford, Middesex, near Boston Manor Station on the Picadilly Line. I left the area in 1954 to work on the south coast prior to emigrating to New Zealand in 1961. I remember the public baths (and the library!) where I learnt to swim at a young age and, of course, the domination of the Gas Works! I would dearly like to locate an old friend who lived next door to me, a Frances Atkins, at 71 Boston Gardens. There was a lovely park just at the bottom of our road where we climbed trees and caught tadpoles in the pond! I re-visited over 20 years ago and not a lot had changed!
Gwynne Tilly (nee McBride)
Harnage Road And Surrounding Area.
My mother Rose Rye was born at 24 Harnage Rd Brentford in 1908. She married my father Arthur Collins, from Strand on the Green, in the 1930s. They lived there all their married life until the houses were needed for development in the 1960s. My brother and I were born in the same house, Alan in 1944 and myself Ann in 1947. I have great memories from my childhood, mostly from school days and can remember the Maypole dancing each year.
My Mum was taught at St Georges School by Mr Allen and when I went to the same school he was the headmaster.
My mother worked for many years at the cinema, Queens Hall at the Halfacre and my father was a painter and decorator. My Mum sadly died at aged 59 after a long fight with cancer. I would be pleased to hear other peoples memories of around this time.
Memories of Middlesex
In Line And Two by Two
Miss Cary was short and stout with grey hair in a bun. She always wore a cameo brooch on a white silk blouse, grey skirt and sensible shoes. She was kind and patient, she was also my first teacher. One day as the mothers picked up their children she announced, 'Tomorrow my class is going on a day trip, the children will need a packed lunch and two shillings', and that was that.
The next morning we arrived clutching a packed lunch and a two bob bit, if any kid didn't have the money I think she put it in herself. This was one of Miss Cary's outings, no motor coach to pick us up, no other teacher to help and no classroom assistant in those days. This was 1952 and twenty two six-year-olds from Harmondsworth Primary School were going to Kew Gardens. We marched out the school gates at 9.15am, in line and two by two. Miss Cary at the head, calling over her shoulder 'Keep together, children'.... Read more
Childhood by The Pond
This photograph of the Pond was taken from a position at the top of Priory Road, the street where I was born in 1950, at No 43. The Pond was always a focal point for myself and my sisters during the fifties and early sixties. I remember many an occasion walking on the white railings pretending to be a high wire expert. Yes, it led to many falls and grazed knees. Just to the right of this shot stood Queens School, long since demolished. And the entrance to Watcombe Cottages, where i would often escape to visit my grandmother. Probably this one photo holds the most imbedded memories of my childhood.
Sandycombe Road
I was born in Kings Farm Avenue, just off Manor Road in Richmond in 1964. When I was a baby we swapped council houses with my Uncle and moved into 28 Sandycombe Road - this was to be my home until 1987.
My grandparents lived at number 103 and were almost opposite the corner shop, when I was a very small child it was run by an elderly couple (I remember the man being blind). About 1969ish the shop changed hands and the couple were Mr and Mrs Silva (De Silva?). I used to take the Corona bottles back to them and collect the money which was maked on the bottle tops, I think it was 6d.
Of course, the whole road has changed, I still drive down it sometimes and have a great longing to knock on number 28s door armed with a handfull of old photos of me in that house, adn ask if I can have a look around. Even up until the 80s there... Read more
Grange Academy For Young Ladies
My school in South Ealing was know as 'Grange Academy for Young Ladies', or rather, just simple Grange seniors. I loved my school days and equally net-ball, but hated the fact that we had to play in our blouses tucked into our navy blue knickers. Boys would congregate around our school gate where we would have to play in full view of them. It was most embarrassing. Our class rooms were made up with wooden doors that could be folded back in the Summer leaving one side open to the lovely weather. Compared to schools of today it was primitive yet wonderful in a way. I have never seen a school like it since. I did go back to have a look at the old place in the 1990s. The only change I noticed was they had closed in the sheltered area around the quadrangle so it is no more open to the elements.
I do cherish my school memories.
Mouse Goes to School
When I was about 11 years old I secretly bought a pet mouse on impulse, but quickly realised that it was a silly thing to do as I knew my Dad would not let me keep it. I couldn't afford a cage for it. I hadn't thought it through at all. Frightened to leave it at home I took him to school, stupidly thinking I could keep him hidden in my desk or up my sleeve, but of course the inevitable happened and somebody snitched on me. I thought, 'now I'm in for it' and waited for the screams to emit from my dear teacher as my friend popped his little brown head out from the cuff of my sleeve. but to my amazment she was wonderful about it. She took me aside and gently talked some sense into me. That teacher was Mrs. Lakin and I have never forgotten her. I loved her best of all my teachers. The school, Grange juniors. Consequently I did tell my mother about... Read more
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