A Trip Down Memory Lane
A Memory of Waltham Cross.
June 2012, I had a great treat from my daughters. Together with my wife and two girls we went back to Waltham Cross for a nostalgic weekend, staying in Waltham Abbey and visiting all the places of my youth. So many places have changed beyond recognition, while others remained unchanged.The high street is now a pedestrian precinct with wide new roads replacing the old High Street. Most of the pubs I grew up with are now gone, The Castle, The Four Swans The Temple Bar and so on. As a young man these places were so paramount to my growing up. Cheshunt Boys club is still there I was allowed in to look around, it brought back so many memories. We visited The Imperial Hall, or as it is now known The Conservative Club, unfortunately I was met at the door by a rottweiler of a lady who flatly refused us entry as we were not members. On the other hand Cedars Park is still a haven of tranquillity, and although Temple Bar is also gone I was able to describe to my girls where it stood amongst the woods which still give off the feeling of peace and tranquillity. A trip into the grounds of what used to be Theobalds School and now is the De Veer Hotel and a look at the old swimming pool near the entrance where we used to climb the wall and get in for a free swim. Then a short drive up to the King and Tinker pub for a drink and a snack. All these places we walked to as kids and thought nothing of it. Christ it was good to be back again,
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If you want a bit of real nostalgia and want to re-visit Balmoral close/Park Lane/ W.X High Street / Waltham New Town (Brittania Road)/ Jones's Scrap Yard /...on film in 1962, go onto youtube and type in "Look at Life: Any Old Iron" an you will be treated to a short, but very nostalgic movie of those halcyon days back in Waltham Cross. The video starts and ends at the end of Park Lane with views of Balmoral Close where my cousin Julie Charlton used to live..it's realy amazing. If you look real close when the clips of Jones's scrap yard are shown, you might catch a glimpse of Old Charlie Finch, the rag & Bone man with the continual runny nose! It's a facinating glimpse back to a time when W.X had still not lost it's safe village feel and the sense of community still held strong. It breaks my heart to see what it's become. Anyhow, go to that site and take a walk back in 1962. Enjoy! Mick Wraight.
Norman Mckean