What A Wonderful Place To Grow Up

A Memory of Aveley.

I lived in the High Street (122) from 1946 until 1981. I went to the Infants and Junior schools and graduated to 'Bushey Bit' which basically means I failed the 11 plus. I have so many fond memories of the village 'beauty' spots: Reidy Pond, The Tunnel Pit, The Flat Pit & The Dog's Grave to mention just a few. Most of all I remember playing football during the school holidays on the Tunnel field. Mr. Fletcher the groundsman would even let some of us play table tennis in the wooden pavilion when it was raining. Can't imagine that happening these days.
Our neighbors in the High Street were the Girkens and Mrs. Frankland who was grandmother to Michael, Jimmy and Freddie Tubby. I can't remember the other brothers names.
My Dad and Granddad played cornet in Aveley Silver Band (as it was called then), unfortunately I couldn't blow a note. The cornet however has been saved and has been handed down to my grandson, unfortunately the band doesn't have a junior section anymore.
In our teens we spent time in the Ordnance Arms, especially on a Friday evening before going down to the TBM clubhouse. Without a doubt it was the 'In' place to be. People would come from far and wide to listen to bands such as 'Johnny Milton and The Condors'.
I know that this is a long-winded post but I recently organised a reunion for people I still keep in touch with or can contact. however I'm sure you will be able to relate to some of these names from the Village and Bushey Bit, here goes: Jeff Collins, David Warren, Kevin Savill, Peter Clark (Elm Road), Stuart Vaughan, Bernard & Roger Blakemore, Gwyn Davies, Terry Havis, Robert Wright, Bill 'Nibby' Shaw, Alan Smith, Barry Clarke, Ronnie Crisp, Eddie Shutleworth, Alan Bradley, Derek 'Spike' Evans, Eric Tuffee, John Sach, Keith Mead, Eddie & George Barber, Willie Geaney, Helen Goldstone, Brenda Upton, Linda Cogdell and Michael Miller. sadly I am going to Michael's Mum's funeral tomorrow she was 99. Hopefully some of you will have memories of some of those names.

Fond memories of Aveley - David 'Tiggy' Shelley