Childhood Memories We Never Forget

A Memory of Cannock.

To anyone reading this; I was born Valerie Harding and lived in Wedges Mills and I remember so many things about my childhood in Cannock. The Maypole dancing at John Woods school, attending Church each Thursday while attending Walhouse, and then walking in a 'crocodile' in twos back to school afterwards. Looking in Withingtons paper shop window to see what new Dinky toys were displayed, going into Salmons grocery shop and seeing the bacon being sliced and butter and sugar being weighed out. There was another grocery shop near Withingtons which always had boxes of broken biscuits outside and you could get quite a lot with your pocket money. Going to live shows at the Danilo; I can remember going to see Cliff Richard, sitting in the 5th row from the front and not hearing a thing because of the screaming fans. My first job was at the Council House in High Green in the Town Clerks Department and then later working for the Medical Officer of Health in Church Street near the Fire Station. Before everyone had cars we would catch a Harpers bus near the Fire Station that would take us on trips to seaside towns and to the Illuminations at Blackpool. I remember school sports at the stadium on Pye Green Road.
The Maypole shop that used to be near where the Hednesford bus started before the bus station was built and Frisby's shoe store next door where I always used to buy my handbags. Rosas cafe which was next to the Wolverhampton bus stop and Dace's ice cream shop near the park.
The Saturday morning films at the Danilo and best of all near Christmas, if you were a regular attender, they gave out Christmas packages with sweets and fruit and that week you did not pay.
Whilst attending Walhouse our teachers would take us for nature rambles on to Shoal Hill and teach us about the different trees and plant species. My father was a member of a group called The Chase Entertainers and they used to go round and give free shows at old age homes etc., they also used to have pantomimes at the New Hall on occasions. In my childhood I had a horse and spent many happy hours roaming the countryside, going out at 8am and returning at 10pm, my parents knew I was safe. I would see normally 3 vehicles all day, one being the bread van and another the post van, I think that those carefree days have now gone forever as there is so much traffic on the lanes. There are so many memories that you never forget. I now live in South Africa but do visit Cannock every few years the last time being in 2012 and even though it has changed a lot the people are still the same and I still regard it as my hometown.