Wilsmere Drive Northolt

A Memory of Northolt.

Hi my name is Debbie I used to live in Wilmere Drive with my Grandparents Lesley and Lucy Vellenoweth in the 1960's. My best friend Margaret Peabody lived next door to me in No 65 she was a couple years older then me and my friend Shirley Burfield lived the other side No 61. Margaret had two brothers David who was quite a lot older then us and also Robert all attended Vincents. Shirley had a older sister Trudy and older brothers Nigel, Terry and Peter. I did at one time manage to contact Shirley but lost touch when she moved to Cornwall. Margaret went on to marry someone who lived in Sandown way surname Crossland? she married at the little church st marys ? near the clock. and moved into a flat in the Heights. She had two Boys one called Vincent. After break down of her marriage we lost contact as she moved away. I did try to contact her parents to find out where she lived but without any luck. It would be lovely to hear from both again. I didn't attend Vincents but I did attend Islip Manor infants, as I moved to Hayes with my mother and attended school there but spent all my holidays / weekend in Northolt with my friends. Debbie Hobbs was also a friend she lived in the flats she had a sister Linda. I remember we used to ride on the banisters in the flat block quite high up, Fun, but mad ! Also bonfires over the flats which were amazing. everyone would collect wood etc for them weeks before bonfire night. Also making a guy and taking it to the shops in the height, ( penny for the guy). Making underground camps the Farmers field at the back and newting in the pond, which we all thought was quick sand!!! Margaret had a great dad who used to take us all over the park in Wilmere to look for Four leaf clovers, we would spend hours looking for them ! she also had brilliant birthday parties. Some of the other kids I remember are Heather Jarman who had two brothers, twins. always in trouble and I think ended up in bostel home! Also Anne Bolan who lived over looking the park and Julie Foley. Karen Hodgekins, She lived in the flats and later moved to Greenford. Also Andrew and Mandy Belivin. Andrew had a nasty scar on his chest from pouring hot teapot on to himself. My Granddad was a coalman and also baker by night. He worked for Carringtons and Belfield bakery. I remember he knew the colemans quite well. Mrs Drew lived along from us, such a lovely lady. Everyone knew everyone then. I had a brilliant childhood living in Wilmere drive able to play in the street and park and walk to the shops to get penny sweets with my friends ( only if Margaret was with me as I was younger then the rest of us and Nan only trusted Margaret to take care of me ha ha!).Going swimming at Northolt pool was great when it first opened something we hadn't seen. Also walking to the Clock, and south harrow and messing about in the steam near the load of hay pub. Going round the block on my bike and playing knock down ginger, holly, holly it, and hotch sotch. making race cars out of old pram wheels, Building snowman in the park and just having fun!! those were the days eh, not a care in the world !!! I do wonder what it all looks like now including Wilsmere Drive, Sandown Way, The Heights etc? Just heard that some poor lad was murdered in Newsham close. Like I said anyone who knows about Margarets where abouts or shirleys would love to hear from them.