Heath Park memories
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Memories of Essex
Harold Court School
I remember moving from the east end of London in 1947 to a then new housing estate that is named Harold Hill. The nearest shcool then to where we lived was Harold Court, we used to have a very long walk either down Gooshays Drive, continue down Gubbins Lane, turn off at Arundel Road and proceed up Court Drive to Harold Court School, or we could cut across fields, one of which was known as Guys Field which was a short cut to the school, in those days it was a long walk to school in all weathers, but very happy carefree days. I would like to hear from anyone who used that way to school.
Gubbins Lane Harold Court Primary
I lived on Shepherds Hill and attended this school until I went on to Redden Court Secondary Modern at age 11. My name was Marguerite Valentine at the time. I would be interested to hear from anyone who attended during this time and especially those who lived on my route to school. Linda who lived just before the bridge that crossed the river Ingrebourne. Or Ann Swain who also lived on Shepherd's Hill. I have been in Toronto Canada since 1966 and am married to Alan Wong who I met in Hornchurch in 1965. We eloped in September 1965 to Scotland . Married in October 1965 and came to Toronto November 1966. I lived at 22 Shepherd's Hill with my sister Valerie, mum Ivy and my dad Walter James Valentine who worked at Warley Hospital as an electrician. My brother John was 11 years older than I and got married at 19. I don't remember too much about him as a kid except the ear... Read more
I Lived Here From 1951 to 1977
Petersfield, Hilldene and Whitchurch shops, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd woods starting in Dagnam Park Drive and heading towards Petersfield shops, the 66A bus, Dycorts School (an excellent school with Mr Tanner the head and a truly excellent teacher called Mr. Smith), Quarles School with a bully for a head but with a true gent as the deputy head, Mr Gerrard, the moat, the green lake, the perch pond, the lily pond, The Manor, the old house at the junction of the Colchester road and Gubbins / Gooshays, the adventure playground in St Neot's with Amy Crockford running it, the A&BC Chewing Gum factory, the Eastern Electricity Board canteen where my dear mum worked, the White lady (ghost!), the mud hill, the death track, Central Park, the toy shop, sweet shop, shoe shop, Fairways (Roy), Pearks, the fish shop, the hardware shop, the cafe, all at Petersfield shops, the tennis courts at the manor, a Mr Hill? who hanged himself at the manor (sorry about that!), the Jungle Jim (Gym)... Read more
I Lived on Harold Hill From 1953 to 1967
I lived in Sedgefield Crescent, opposite Dycorts School main entrance; I had Mr Smith as a teacher; across the road from our house lived the man who hung himself! We used to make camps on the island, crossing the moat on the log; we fished for sticklebacks in the green lake, we virtually lived in The Manor, particularly around a massive log near the Harrowfield Girls School (my school) entrance. I remember the concrete pond and the beautiful lilac growing all over the walls. I met my husband 'over the manor' in 1963 and we married in 1967, he has his own adventures of 'the manor' to relate. I remember Wally's van parked outside the school when we came out, and I used to buy Palm Toffee, either strawberry or banana, it didn't matter as I loved them both :) I remember walking to Petersfield Shops on Good Fridays to buy hot cross buns at the bakers, which was the only shop that would open... Read more
BBC Documentary About Harold Hill
The BBC is looking at the day that Margaret Thatcher introduced the 'Right to Buy' scheme, allowing people in council houses to buy their own homes.
The film will look at the benefits for several million people who became homeowners, and the difficulty for councils in replacing the stock of social housing.
We have BBC footage of the time when Margaret Thatcher visited Harold Hill when the scheme started.
We're trying to track down people from Harold Hill who bought their council home using the scheme in the 80s and find out how it affected their life.
If this applies to you, please could you tell us a bit about your experiences?
Or if you know anyone else who bought a house in Harold Hill in the 80s, please do let us know.
Below is our e-mail and telephone number.
Thank you for reading.
E-mail: real@reallife.co.uk
Tel: 0113 237 1005
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