25 Years In Beaconsfield.

A Memory of Beaconsfield.

Born in Wembley, I arrived in the New Town of Beaconsfield in 1957 aged 5. With my younger sister and my parents.
I left home at 17 but returned occasionally until 1981 when my parents moved to Scotland.
I lived in Gregories Road at No.52. Enjoying climbing a huge Horse Chestnut to read my books, listen to my little pocket sized transistor radio, and then climbing down to watch steam trains from the bottom of our garden, hurtling through the deep cutting.
'52' as it became known to all, received all sorts of visitors to the family. Coming and going right through our time there.
My first school was Holtsour County Primary School and my teachers I remember, were Mrs.Branch, Miss Blinnman, Miss Atkinson and the formidable Mr. Reeves!
Mr.Thame was the Head Master.
My Secondary School was The Licensed Victualler's School in Slough.
I took the bus to Slough on the notorious 441 route. Which ran from High Wycombe to Staines, calling in at the Old Town in Windsor End, by the Saracen's Head and old Police Station. Pre M40, the road ran straight on towards Farnham Common.
My playing areas were Hogback Wood, Walkwood and Burnham Beeches. Where we often went swimming in the pool there.
Or by, or boating on the River Thames at Bourne End, Marlow, and Medmenham.
There have been many changes as you would expect in Beaconsfield over 50 years.
But in my view not for the better.
Today it is a brash, coarse, competitive place.
Full of people with staggering senses of self-entitlement and new wealth.
Driving up any of the main roads, nearly all the houses are gated and sealed off. Residents in their own protected, isolated worlds. Or new, vast homes wedged in between them.
I'm sure there are pockets where a community feeling is held but it is rare to see.
I have some super memories of a good childhood which I was lucky to have grown up with, in a very nice town. With a friendly community.
Including Bekonscot, The Chiltern Cinema, C.G.Marshall (toy and bicycle shop!) Brendons, Beale & Froud, Hardings grocery shop. Beaconsfield Golf Club.
Then later - pubs! My favourite the Old Hare - one of 13 in the Old Town...
The Earl of Beaconsfield. A very popular haunt for my peers! Not me though, as I had left home when it was at its most dangerous and exciting!
The old Royal Standard at Forty Green.
I am sure there are many more half-remembered stories and recollections which may surface. But for now, that will do!

---

---