For The Love Of Growing Up

A Memory of Malmesbury.

Susan Williams was born at Malmesbury Hospital in 1949 to John and Shelagh. We lived with my Grandparents at Lea until were housed at Charlton Park. As previous families have said, us children were blessed to live there. I was luckier than most as my uncles, aunts & cousins lived there too. Derek & Jilly (with big Alsatian, Jennie) Bill and Edna with Ginny & Walt, Joan with Christine and Donna & Christopher. My grandma was a cook & my mum a cleaner at "The Wing School" in the big house. I used to get spoiled by the students that were there, they made me dolls clothes & trained me to ride a horse (not that I remembered at the time!). The big nursery had a lovely dolls house which I was allowed to play with, and my mother always knew where to find me! They were happy years even if our family's did not have much money. It was in the early 50's and the country was getting back on its feet after World War 2.
As children, the grounds and woods were our play areas, we would go bird nesting (not allowed now) playing in the fields and woods (such carefree days). Parents did not have to worry about us, as we always came home for tea!!
At the other half of our hut the Andrews family lived, they moved when the boys got bigger, then the Pooleys moved in with 2 daughters Isobel & Christine. The Stevens lived opposite with son Nigel who I sometimes played with, building tents (fork in the ground with a blanket over the top!) or cowboys & Indians. My Aunt Jilly, when not working, was a child magnet (not having any of her own) - the children on the park would converge at her house. She would play them music on a big gramophone player, and would sit in a chair while they washed and set her hair (hopefully started some budding hairdressers), paint her toe and hand nails, cut up her veg for dinner and polish her floor, running around with dusters on their feet, laughing and singing. She would give them cakes and sweets and teach them to knit dolls clothes. Sadly she passed away about 10yrs ago, but they all loved her. My cousins all had the best time, riding bikes and just generally having fun. Many thanks to the Lord Suffolk's who give us very happy memories.