Growing Up

A Memory of Northwood.

I lived in the Northwood Hills area until 1968.
My father was a postman at Northwood Post Office in the 1950's (now a restaurant).
My grandfather was caretaker of the Oaklands Gate Methodist Church during the late 50's and 60's (William Gilbert). He and my grandmother lived in the flat that was provided with the job.
He was hard working and was a stickler to detail and was always ensuring that the church rules were obeyed by persons on the premises.
He retired unwillingly in the early seventies going to a retirement flat where he passed away aged 96.
Prior to my grandparents living on the premises they lived at 28 Frome Court, Pinner Road, Northwood Hills for many years, and I can remember my younger brother and I used to visit every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for our teas. On a Friday we would go to the church with him and purchase sweets on the way from a little sweet shop in Green lane, just prior to the station at Northwood. He would go to the church to ensure that whatever organisation had been using it that afternoon had tidied away behind them.This was not on his agenda but had to be done the same day.
We used to return to Frome Court afterwards and then walk home to Wiltshire Lane on our own in the early evening. No worries about our safety in those days.