St Mary's On Parrots Rd. 1951

A Memory of Gravesend.

Hello...my name is Joe Farrugia and, along with my younger brother Godfrey, lived at St Mary's from1951 to 1957. I recall very well the times with Fr Baker (think we nicknamed him Fr Backi) with his small black car which I believed was a Perfect or a Morris.During the summer he would take us for long walks...my favorite was to 'Robin Hood forest' or so we called it. From Baker was always at the back of line, walking briskly, and you would not want to fall behind while he had his walking stick with. I remember the shed, cold shed, where we would play soccer,and under the eye of a Mrs Oliver, or Ollie, as we called her. A couple of friends I remember were Alfred O'Dell, and the brothers Norman and Herbert...from India...tho I cannot remember their last name. Of course, a couple of our favorite activities were going to the swimming pool in downtown Gravesend, and afternoon games on Windmill Hill. The summer highlight was going to summer camp in Dom church, along with thousands of other children..riding the Romney Hythe railway and soccer competitions.In those days I was very good at soccer and played on various teams there. When I was 11 I went to St Mary's Grammar School for Boys in Chislehurst and returning home each day by train to St Mary's in Gravesend. Alfred O'Dell and I went together to Sidcup/Chislehurst for 2 to 3 years. In 1957 I migrated to Canada with, you father and brother, and unfortunately lost touch with everyone I had known in Gravesend. I think fondly of those times...especially the Saturday nights TV sessions around the green and white tv screens, trying to sit in front, because it was very difficultto see anything if you were over 45 degrees to the side. The Quarterman Experiments was the big hit show then. It was just by chance that I came across this webpage...I don't know how many of the original boys from those years are around and following this thread, but I would certainly like to hear more about St Mary's from anyone.

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