Cherwell Grove Memories

A Memory of South Ockendon.

We moved from Romford Road to Cherwell Grove in 1962 and moved to Australia in 1969. My memories are of wonderful times playing football in Belhus Park, fishing at Buckles Lane and drinking at The Royal Oak. Jim Travers was the football coach who a lot of kids owe so much to, he was great. Attended Holy Cross Juniors and then Culverhouse when it first opened. When we lived at Romford Road I used to ride my bike through Belhus Park to school. I don't suppose you can do that now. Mr Davies was our Maths teacher and I owe my whole life to him. I loved having a pint with my dad sometimes at The Prince of Wales after football on a Sunday followed by a roast dinner at home. Pete Sutton lived next door, Steve Lewis over the road and most of the football team lived up the road somewhere. We spent so much time over the road in the woods with bows and arrows made from the trees, collecting birds eggs and generally having a great time. I believe it is used by organised walkers now. Times have changed. Winter was cold but we used to ride a sheet of lino down the hill at Ford Place onto the frozen Mardyke. I remember the coalman delivering coal, the gypsy rag and bone lady with her horse and cart and a steam roller with real steam. And a big van selling biscuits; mum would send me out for a bag of broken biscuits. I wish I could talk to my good friend Kathy again with her boxer dog playing in the snow and parties at Pete's house. I have been back several times but unfortunately you can't put it back the way it was.