Wealdstone memories
Here are memories of Wealdstone and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Wealdstone or a Wealdstone photo.
The "original" Harrow Arts Centre at Wealdstone
Before the Harrow Arts Centre moved to its new swanky premises in Hatch End, it occupied a collection of what appeared to be old school canteen buildings just opposite the Alma pub. There is little trace of the site now as some new shops have been built there.
I remember going to this original Arts Centre in the late 1970's with my piano accordian. I played for a clog dancing class a few times run by the folk dancing group from the Centre. They were taught by - I think - Sam and Dodi who came over from Reading to teach. The class ran for about a year or so, but I moved on to playing regularly for Whitethorn Morris dancers instead. It was a lovely Arts Centre and attracted many different local clubs from painting to radio!
There was even a nice bar. On occasions in the 1980's my wife Elizabeth and I would take our son David with us and he would... Read more
Memories of Middlesex
Stantone@hotmail.com
My father, Carl Leopold Stanton, grew up in Harrow Weald and left, with his family, for Australia in 1948 on the ship The Ranchi. Growing up, we would hear our father's many stories of life in London in the second world war. I grew up in Australia but now live in London and would love to get in touch with anyone who knew my father and his family. Sadly, my father died a few years ago.
The View From The Top of Harrow Weald Common
Between Harrow Weald and Hatch End is "Old Redding" - a hilly rural lane with glorious ancient beech woods on both sides of the lane. It is notorious for its connection with The Grimsdyke Hotel where Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame met his death in a drowning tragedy.
It is also famous for its reputation among local young people who congregate in the car park for different purposes by day and night. On a clear day you can look south past the spire of St Mary's at the top of Harrow-on-the-Hill and all the way to Heathrow Airport and see a succession of aircraft taking off and landing. As a young boy I would enjoy picnics there and watch the planes in the distance.
However, as I grew older I learned from my teenage friends that the car park was a wonderful place at night for courting! I think most of us in the St Anselm's Church Youth Club in Hatch End parked there in... Read more
Growing up in Post-War Harrow Weald
I lived at 20 Silver Close, Harrow Weald from 6 weeks old in 1941 until I left for Australia in 1961. I atended Harrow Weald Infants School from 1946, the old building was opposite the bus garage in the high road and was still standing when I was in the area on holiday from Australia in 1989, then I went to Harrow Weald Junior School which was next to the parish church, All Saints. Then I transferred to Harrow Weald Primary, called by its students Robin Hood School for being in the street of that name, but after two years I was transferred to Cedars Primary on the new estate and then on to Balckwell Secondary in Headstone Lane. As a kid and a teenager I enjoyed my life there as we had the best of both worlds, being able get back to my extended family in the east end of London on the great public transport system plus having the green belt round us with working farms... Read more
Swimming Lessons
I went to Roe Green school, living in Princes Ave. We had to walk across the grass to the pool to have swimming lessons, very cold water, but great fun. Funnily enough my sister and I have been recalling our lives in the area recently. She went to Kingsbury County, while I went to Orange Hill, all the shops have changed og course but the basic layout is still the same. It appeared countrified back then.
The church is where our parents married , we were christened. A lovely church.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who lived in the area then.
1940's
We moved into Colindale avenue in 1943 shortly after the tube station was bombed. My father was a guard on the northern line. I spent many happy days with my many friends playing in the police college grounds on the anti aircraft guns that were there. Together with my best friend Douglas who lived in Booth rd we wandered for hours in the "back". An area of waste land behind the lower part of the houses in lower Sheaveshill Avenue. When the hospital was hit by a V1 in July 1944 our house which was next door to the hospital entrance was badly damaged and we were evacuated. Dad had chickens in the back yard and together with his allotment we ate well despite severe rationing. He used the Anderson Air Raid shelter in the back garden for growing mushrooms.
I went to Hendon County Grammar School travelling to Hendon Central daily on the Underground.
They were carefree days despite the war and we walked,unafraid ,for miles around... Read more
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