Happy Days In Woodford Bridge

A Memory of Woodford Bridge.

I've just come across this site. My memory years are really from 1938 up to 1958, when I married and left Crownhill Road, but I have returned several times recently, as it draws me back to 'home', although we moved there (from Burnley), in Oct.1936, when I was just over 4/years old (I am now 77). I had a brother, (Gervase, now called 'John' ), 3/years older than me.  My wife & two sons, have lived in Newport, South Wales, since 1969, but if and when we motor East, I try to go via Woodford, and I am pleased to note that the St Paul's church area is still well kept, this evokes many good memories, as I went to the Sunday School there, and was in the choir, and was also a  Sidesman for a while.

Some good times were had, despite the Second World War. We could roam around the fields all day,without parents worrying at all. We had the cricket field at the end of Crownhill Road, plus Claybury hospital grounds (forbidden, but more exciting!), and Drapers' Hill was a favourite. I cycled around all the area, including cycling to Buckhurst Hill school, in all weathers, for 5/years (it did me no harm...).

I think I recognise some names already on this site, but am not sure now. My cousin, Brian Parrott, lived four doors away from us, but emigrated to Canada and we lost touch.  Other 'play-mates' were John Adkins, Brian Farmer (now deceased)and, in my later youth, several very nice girls of course. (I wonder where Maggie Holton is now, from Holtons butchers... a second home to me at times?). She married, & became Mrs.Peter Scott & moved away, & we lost contact after some years.   
I belonged to the 'SPYF's' - St Paul's Youth Fellowship, and we were never short of company and things to do and see, unlike some folk today. We had the Ashton Playing Fields (sport and dancing etc available), plus several cinemas in South Woodford and Leytonstone, so plenty of choice.

One of our play areas was in the 'Bluebell Dell', at the top of Claybury Road. My father was an A.R.P warden, and they had an underground base up there, alongside a huge emergency water tank. As a 'kid', the War did not seem frightening, in spite of bombs, one of which went through the chimney of No. 29 (we were at No. 33) and settled in their basement, and was not dealt with for several weeks, as no one knew it was there. I also recall running away from a Doodle-Bug, heading towards us in the cricket field! We spent many un-comfortable nights in our garden Anderson shelter, as well as the large underground shelter on the green, near the 'White Hart' public house. My cousin Brian and I used to make fireworks from the magnesium scraped from unexploded incendiary bombs, which we pulled from their holes in the fields, until we nearly set fire to his fathers shed, and were naturally banned!
Our schooling was rather fragmented during some of the war, as we only went 'part-time'.. either am, or pm, so we had plenty of time for mischief. I went to Ray Lodge, in Snakes Lane, and naturally in those times we walked, even in the bad snow/floods, of 1946.   

Woodford, has changed of course, but there is still countryside around, though the estate roads are now crammed with parked cars, like everywhere else. The new roads have really changed the old original Bridge, plus the course of the river Roding, so it is very different.
 
I must conclude this... if anyone wants to contact me, I'll be pleased to hear from those who may have known me.

Doug.A Parrott.  Feb.18th.2010.