Horndean And Catherington

A Memory of Horndean.

I was born in 1954 in Queens Crescent, Horndean, to Vera and Jim Thomas (both deceased), I had an older brother Roland (deceased). During the war my dad was in the Horndean Homeguard before being called up and my mum tried to join up under age and suceeded in the end. We moved to Drift Road, Catherington, in about 1957. I went to Catherington School under the watchful eye of Miss Reeves the Head, but started with Miss Pitts then Mrs Bywaters. We had a Wednesday teacher when in Miss Reeves class, a Mrs Stone, to allow Miss Reeves to do paperwork; I think, she later went on to be the head of Buriton school. The winter of 1963/64 was a memorable one for the area with lots of snow - an igloo was built at the school. There was scrumping down the Creek, hunting snakes under sheets of tin, smoking creeper stems and getting catapult elastic in Horndean - we even dared to buy peardrax from the off license at The Brewers Arms. I have many memories of the early years but terrible with names so if anyone remembers me, get in touch. I only get back on high days and holidays one of the last for my brother's funeral last October (2012) with the reception being held at the Football Club where he had been a player. Roy Thomas.

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