My Life In Northolt 1960 1989

A Memory of Northolt.

I moved to Northolt from Greenford in 1960 aged 6, to the Racecourse Estate and lived at no 15, Plumpton Close with my mum and dad and sister Corinne and brother Clifford. Our little road was all families with small children so we had lots of friends to play with. Next door to us at no 11 were the ‘Bulls’, May and Basil with Ray, Ron, Richard and Ruth. On the other side at no.17 were the Williams, the parents’ names escape me but the children were Robert, Ray, Shirley and Sylvia. Shirley was my friend for years.
Other families in the road that I can recall were, the Fields, Theobalds, Norths, Stockers, Goslings, Halls, Yoxalls, Storeys, Wilkinsons, Rices, Graces, and Wishers. I expect I will remember a few more if I give it a bit more thought.
There was a small parade of 6 shops in Haydock Avenue opposite the Green. The famous shop being the Cabin newsagents, along with a greengrocers, butcher, chemist, small grocers and a launderette. There was nothing at the end of our street just a huge field/ waste ground where there was a huge hill which we called the Black Hill. It was such an adventure running all round the fields and over the waste ground. Years ago it became school playing fields bit I now think it has been used for housing. ( I just checked on street view and it has all been built on.)
At the other end of the estate the original Racecourse Gates opened onto Petts Hill. We could walk right through the estate out onto Petts Hill and onward through to South Harrow. There was a huge green which was all along the Mandeville Road from Northolt Station round up towards Petts Hill. In the summers the local residents association used to organise sports days for children and adults alike, it used to be such fun where everyone would get together on the green. Prizes were awarded to children and parents.
Years later the Notholt swimming pool was built next to Northolt Station which in my teenage years was ‘the ‘meeting place for youngsters. The last time I was there it was called Swimerama or something similar. I expect that has changed too. (I just checked there and a new sports faclility is being built there.) I can recall my Mum going down to the Rent Office to pay the rent, which was then where the pool was built.
I first went to school at Islip Manor Infants then Juniors, Barantyne Junior School was next to Islip Manor Juniors and we were always rivals, as I am sure we shared the same playground. Growing up I then went to Greenford Grammar School, which has also now been demolished. My sister and brother went to Vincent Secondary School in Eastcote Lane. Please add to my memories, especially if you lived in Plumpton Close, or the surrounding roads.
As a teenager I met my husband to be at a youth club in Halsbury Road in South Harrow and we also frequented The Pendulum Youth Club and another one up near the Target pub (now a drive-thru Mc Donalds I believe!).

Years later, I married and lived in Rayners Lane, then in Kenilworth Avenue, South Harrow, then on to Carr Road in Northolt (no.196). I have many happy memories of the Oriel Youth Club which later became a nursery which my all my 3 children attended. They later went to Wood End First School and Middle before we moved in 1989 to the Isle of Wight, where I am now, and only my son still lives here, my 2 daughters moved back to London. Northolt seems a lifetime away now, but I had a lovely childhood growing up there.