Meadvale as A Living Village

When we first moved to "the estate" in the early fifties I would have to catch the bus into Reigate as I went to school in Holmesdale Road. The school I have forgotten about but what is memorable was the smell of the fresh baked bread coming from the bakery across the road from the bus stop. As kids we would go in and the lady (cannot remember her name) would give us nubbins of left-over dough that had been baked for that very reason. In those days it was a thriving place of commerce with a Butcher, Baker, Newsagent, Hardware store, Grocer, Shoe, Electronic shop and Post office. I still visit when I can as I still have family there. However I left for America over thirty years ago. My life-long friend was apprenticed to Friths and we would carry around a half plate camera taking all kinds of photographs some of which may be in these archives. Good memories indeed.