Happy Days At Elmcroft Crescent

A Memory of North Harrow.

Hi,

I came across this site by accident but I am delighted to recap on happy days spent living in North Harrow. We lived in Elmcroft Crescent off Headstone Lane and attended the comprehensive school at the boundary connecting George 5th Avenue and the Pinner road.

The headmaster I still remember - Mr Manser! Two canings put me in order although our PTI (name forgotten) was also handy with a black plimsol.

I recall doing well at sports - particularly shot-putting (I had developed the Parry O'Brien method of swinging at 180% to the front) and also at rugby when I had the unfortunate distinction of falling on an opponent in a ruck and breaking his arm - match cancelled and Day junior mentioned in assembly the next morning!

My twin sister, Gladys, excelled study-wise and sports-wise; in fact she was a real clever dick! Her favourite trick was to bring a motley selection of netball buddies home to taunt me and pinch Mum's cakes. My dear mother was of Russian Jewish descent and so we enjoyed massive meals and cakes galore with visits by relatives from Israel who always visited a Jewish aunt living in Herga Court, Harrow on the Hill.

Pinner was my favourite spot - super cinema and villagey setting - my first romance lived at Pinner Green - are you reading this A.G.?

I was always keen on sport - we had Headstone lane sports field just down the road with a running track, I think owned by Kodak based down the road.

Dad was in the RAF based at Northwood (now part of NATP) and was away first thing in the morning in his Austin A35 or VW Beetle - the family outings were quite something in these cars - how things have moved on.

I have lots more memories to share of friendships with guys (and girls) but let us first see if there is any recognition first!

Best wishes

John Day