Football By The Flats

A Memory of South Ockendon.

I lived on Daglen(sp) drive opposite the flats in the early fifties. Dad worked at Ford in Dagenham and older sister Brenda went to Bonnyfield? Primary. We played football on the grass outside the flats wandered in the woods and went on adventures to Mardyke. I was one of the youngest kids on the street and lots of the memories reflect that ; being told to crawl down a foxes den allowed to jump in the deep end at the swimming baths and so on. I don't remember names except perhaps Costain the animal loving family next door. A friend who thought we could jump out of the second floor bedroom window using a bed sheet as parachute was involved in most of my serious childhood injuries. My love of nature was nourished at Bonnyfield primary school where recess involved playing Cowboys and Indians in the grassy, hilly, orchard and taking science class nature walks in the woods. I only recall Ms Read who seemed to like me (one of the few who did throughout a long education). Hazy,lazy,amazing first conscious memories of life. Ken Hodder.