Celandine Road

Hi Brenda,
I remember you. I lived in Celandine Road until 1966. I left for Vancouver, Canada, then on to Los Angeles, next to Hawaii and finally Arizona. I was happy to see your message.
Glennis Wainwright Johnson

I was born in Celandine road in the pre fabs in 1961. Cynthia French is my sister. We moved to Little Belhus Close in 1966, and my sister got married and moved to South London. I still live in South Ockendon in Verbena Close. I went to Benyon school with one of the rubbettes younger brother. Ockendon was a lovely place back then.
Annette Bayfield nee French

Hello Annette. I remember Cynthia well, but I didn't realise she had a sister. I lived in the prefabs til about 1965(I think)' til we all had to move when they started pulling them down. We went to Fullerton crescent on the estate and I was there until 1967 when I got married. I then moved to seven kings until about 1971, then moved to Hornchurch, where we lived with our two children until 2001when we moved to Somerset to be near our daughter and grandchildren. Sadly, my husband died three years ago, so I might be moving again to live in dorset with her. Hope that will be the last move. I loved living in the prefabs. Everyone was so friendly. I remember richardson boys well. We all used to play in the field. Probably was their brother peter you went to school with. I lived opposite Cynthia, no.82. Wonder if she would remember me. Seems a lifetime ago. But such happy memories. I have made contact, through this page, with a couple of people I knew and it is so nice to talk old times. Keep in touch, if you wish. Regards, Brenda redgrave.

Hi, Brenda, I am Peter Griggs, younger brother of John who you mentioned in your comments. John died exactly 10 years ago, sadly, from multiple cancers (which was a a shock given he led such a healthy lifestyle). We moved from Paddington to 78 Celandine Road in April 1953, when John and I were 8 & 5 respectively and moved to Kent in 1965, a short time before they demolished the prefabs. We both went to the Benyon School in the village (West Road, from memory) and Grays Tech in Hathaway Road, subsequently. I drove past there today, coincidentally, on the way to Lakeside. I now live near Billericay. I remember my years on South Ockendon with great affection. I loved running wild with John and our friends in the countryside. I was friends with John Richardson and Charlie, Keith Barber, Mickey Davidson, Johnny Sutton and the Sangster brothers, the younger of whom, Ian, ended up in the same business as me, I do remember Johnny banging away on the drums but had no idea he became famous. We lived next door to Diane Strand. Moving across the water in the 60s was akin to moving abroad and I lost touch with everyone. I did bump into Betty Frost once and Dave Clark and his company did a lot of work in the financial markets trading room in which I worked in the late 1970s. I now spend my time playing golf, gardening, playing the guitar atrociously and doing voluntary work for our local Catholic Church. We go abroad several times a year especially as our eldest boy is living in New York currently. I have been meaning to take a look around SO for years but, somehow, have never so done. How’s Lindsay? Regards, Peter

Hello peter. I remember you well. Sorry to hear about john. I remember Diane strang, I believe they moved to Kent when they pulled the prefabs down, was always sad about that because I loved living there. We went to Fullerton crescent on the estate and I hated it. You brought a lot of names to mind. I remember Betty frost and the Sanger brothers, especially Keith. Such happy memories. I think we saw the best days, wouldn't want to be a child/teenager in today's world. When I married we moved to Hornchurch, then Somerset. When my husband died four years ago I moved to devon to be with my daughter and son in law. I lived two prefabs away from you. Do you remember the chandlers, they lived next door to me, one of the sons was Stephen. Such happy times. It was great to hear from you. I know so many names on here now. Take care, brenda

Hi, again. I remember Steven Chandler well. I recall he was crazy about Tottenham Hotspur and was ecstatic when they did the double in 1962. I became a devoted Charlton Athletic supporter when we moved to Kent & still go to an occasional match tho it’s a bit of a journey. Despite my age I am still crazy for rock music and this year I have seen Joe Brown, The Dubliners, the Rolling Stones and I saw E.L.O. a couple of nights ago at the 02. Great music. I hope to see UB40 & Fleetwood MAc next year. I have also seen a couple of operas at the Royal Opera House this year so, as you can see, music is important to me. I also play a lot of golf and am quite involved with the golf club. I became a Granddad for the second time earlier this year. Sadly the grandkids live in New York at the moment but we do get to see them 3 or 4 times a year. I have been married for 38 years to a wonderful girl I met while working in Ireland. Like you, i remember the village very well and all the shops, the scrumping in Autumn and running wild in the fields locally. We lived on our bikes. Our kids will never know or understand the freedom we had. It truly was a different world. My Mum & Dad loved living there and missed it greatly when we moved. I was just 17 when we went so never gave it much thought, if I am honest, until recently. How is your sister Lindsay? Best regards, Peter