Brentford

A Memory of Brentford.

What wonderful memories of Brentford. My name was Dorothy Pearce I lived in Netley Road with sisters Beryl and Hazel and brothers Richard and Philip. My Nan lived in Potteery Road next door to Edie Joyce. The Shepherds lived opposite and my Nan used to get her shopping from Drapers Stores (where Syd Shepherd worked) in Clayponds Lane. Fond memories of Rowes the fish shop where we could buy 1d. of crackling, and Bentleys , the bakers, with wonderful crusty bread and delicious cakes.
I went to school at St. Georges, which is still standing. I remember teachers, Miss King who was in charge of the nursery, Miss Jennings, Mrs. Inskip, Mr. Allen and Mrs. Maclean. Mr. Du Bois was the headmaster. Miss Murphy was a young teacher who took us to Petersfield for a summer camp. My Dad thought she was far too young to be in charge of us children. (I think we were girls only). Some fellow pupils were Peggy Gomm, Wendy Gomm, Pat Wootton, Pat Roach, Anne Randall, Florence Tovey, Zena Bandy, Maureen Waterhouse, Jean Spooner and Lily Bates. Some boys I remembeer were Stanley Howard, Ronnie Gerrard, ? Burns, ? Jackman, Maurice Joy (all from Green Dragon Lane area) Sydney Lynch, Derek Brown, Derek Shepherd, Teddy O'Brien, Brian (Ka Ka) Wallis, Trevor Scott, Leslie Smith Arthur Wells and Laurie Baker.
About 12 years back I tried to get together a re-union of girls from Brentford Sec. Mod. We now have a meeting and this year we are having a meal at Holiday Inn Brentford Lock in May. I tried at that time to find Jean Maslin (among others) and knew where her brother Alf lived but when I went to his house to locate Jean he had died so I drew a blank. If Jean is interested please contact me by e-mail (I live in Sandhurst) Our first meeting had about 50 girls attending but this has dropped down to about 25.Remembering the war. We lived in Netley Road and had a huge gate post drop through the roof into my Mum and Dad's bedroom (no casualties fortunately). We loved playing on the bomb sites in George Road and there was one behind Walnut Tree Road and the High Street. One day I was returning from teking my sister Beryl to a friends birthday party when the siren went. I was down Green Dragon Lane near the lamp post about half way. I decided to run home. I got as far as Greet Road when the buzz bomb was overhead and its engine cut out. Should I lie down or run home?. I ran home and I believe the bomb dropped on a nursery in Hayes.
I used to do a paper round for Mr. Simpson on the corner of Greet Road. I delivered papers every morning and collected money on Saturdays, all for 7s.6d. a week. I remember hearing Children'd Favourites on the wireless when customers opened their doors to pay me often hearing tunes like Champion the Wonderhorse
Brentford has changed so much but Griffin Park still remains. The Bees are a super football club. It is the same now as it was years back. You can see I'm a fan and season ticket holder. I recall the days of Ron Greenwood, Jimmy Hill and Tony Harper - a super half back line of the 50s. I think Ron Jefferies was the goalie and Jackie Goodwin was a nippy winger. My Mum used to look after bikes in the front garden for 2d. a game. Us children used to "mind cars" for 6d. It seems laughable now.
I've gone on far too long so I hope I haven't bored you. Dorothy Hill (nee Pearce)