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Old Redding Both Famous And Notorious !

A Memory of Hatch End.

Old Redding is a hilly rural lane connecting Hatch End with Harrow Weald. 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 all the way as far as 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 parked there in the 1960's!  


Added 28 November 2006

#218426

Comments & Feedback

I delivered newspapers there in the 60's when I moved to Bushey Heath in '62, the Grimsdyke was on my rounds and was a TB sanatorium as was the one in Oxhey Lane to which I also delivered. It scared me and I ran all the way when delivering the papers.
For 4 years I travelled this road whilst riding to Blackwell Secondary Modern in Headstone.
I recall the Old Redding as notorious for serious road accidents.

I don’t know if the issues have been addressed, but I was reminded of this last week of a young man who died there, when I saw him in an old photo. I won’t give details as it was a double death ending what was to be a wonderful day.
Yes it was dangerous - I first started cycling up and down it in 1956 and later drove carefully when I was older. A pal recklessly rode his go kart there without brakes.

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