Swaffham Bulbeck, High Street c1955

Elephants in Waterbeach

I am assured that my memory is not playing tricks on me when I recall elephants living in the large garden close to Dr Pritchard's old surgery. The nuns at the convent off the A 10 road used to terrify my sister and I. They were all partially visible behind a decorative gridded screen to the side of their chapel, black-clad and mumbling.
The parcel people would pass through Waterbeach regularly. A woman who turned naked cartwheels through The Fen was a popular sight.

Playing in the corn fields

I lived in the cottage next to the Chapel, and played with Wendy, we used to cycle to Upware and Wicken fen. At one point we would sit on the haystacks after the farmers had finished them. I would go horse riding in the corn cut fields, wonderful thing to do.

One good memory was when it snowed, Mrs Dowdswell used to pour water on the playground so we could all slide on it. Not allowed to do that sort of thing for the children today, Health & safety and all that!  The village used to have a few shops, which sold more or less anything you wanted, and two pubs. We had lots of places to play, cadnam, down the fen, up heath road. It was a happy time. Children now adays do not know how to play with each other.

My first experience of England

When my family arrived in England from the US we went straight to our home which was located in Burwell. While my parents went to buy groceries for the kids we were able to start meeting our new playmates in the area. This was my first expereince with the difference in our english language. To this day I still get a laugh remembering when a young girl was leaving she said "Cheerio" and I thought to my self why is she talking about a cereal.

34 Fulbourn Road

Hi John Moore, I am very interested in what you remember. I was born at number 34 in 1941 and lived with my nana Ethel and grandad, mother Rita and sister Rita, there was also a boy from London, Douglas Kitson, he lived with Nana until he got married in 1957 but died in 1983 aged 47. My mother Rita died AUG. 26th 2009 aged 93 years, my father Phil. in 1997 aged 79.
I live in Nottingham now (since 1964) but would love to meet you and go over things about what we remember. My e.mail is:  ronclarke1@talktalk.net kind Regards,
Ron Clarke

Evacuee from London

I was interested to read the article by Ron Clarke (1950s football team). I lived at 34 Fulbourne Road with Mr and Mrs Clarke in the war. They were looking after their grandson whose father I believe was named Phil and was posted abroad. I have a few memories of Cherry Hinton in the war, some good, some not so good. I had a good time with the Clarke family and they are among my best childhood memories.

Before them I was billeted at 'Mafeking Cottages' and then Cherry Hinton Hall. I was one of 9 children and never saw my mother till the war ended. I left 34 Fulbourne Road in 1945 to return to a very poor family. I would love to hear if Ron was that grandchild. I am 75.