St Andrews Avenue 1959 To 1969

A Memory of Elm Park.

I moved to St Andrews Avenue from a prefab in Harold Wood with my parents and my baby sister when I was 9. I went to Dunningford school which was really handy as our house backed on to the pathway that led to the school so I could nip over the fence if I was late. I remember Mr Morgan as one of the teachers there a portly Welsh man who used to shout at us but I liked him anyway. I then went to Maylands girls school and became one of the first pupils to go from the first year right through the school. It was a fair old walk to school every day across the park, nice in the summer but horrid when it was snowing or pouring rain. I have many fond memories of my school days with friends Evelyn Blay, Pat McRobbie, Joan Rowarth and Janet Edwards to name a few. We worked hard but played hard too . Memories of Mr Carr, the maths teacher and the only man in the school. He used to throw the board rubber at you if you weren't paying attention. Mrs Nutting the drama teacher and Miss Suttle the English teacher. Miss Suttle taught me to love books and stories something that I have always been greatful for. When I was 14 I was allowed to go to school on my bike, what fun free wheeling down Elm Park hill. It's a wonder I didn't injure myself but some how I never did. I had a Saturday job in a ladies clothes shop opposite Woolworths called Susans. Later moving on to a job in Romford Woolworths as the wages were better. £1 minus 3d for union fees! Sounds rediculious now but i used to do a lot with that buying records and saving for clothes. After taking and passing all my exams, except one I went to work in London for a shipping/insurance company called C.T. Bowring catching the train from Elm Park to Barking and then going to Fenchurch Street. I loved working there and stayed until I got married and moved to Rainham. Mum and Dad lived there for the rest of their lives. Dad passed away in 2004 and Mum in 2008. Lovely memories brought to life with the names of all the shops, schools and places mentioned on here.
Sue Hawkins nee Lightbody