Memories Of Mardyke School

A Memory of South Ockendon.

Reading the memories of Dennis Reed and my brother Terry prompted me to share what I can remember about Ockendon and in particular Mardyke School. I went to Benyon School at aged 5 years in 1952 when Mardyke was being built. I switched to Mardyke later in that year OR early 1953. I have photos of my brother and myself outside the school in those early years circa 1955 when Terry (Terence) started there in 1954. It was good to hear from Dennis in these columns as he and his dad Jimmy were great friends of ours and I later worked with Jimmy on London Transport. I also remember that Mr West was my class tutor, but others teachers names escape me. I do remember one female pupil in my class Christine Birch, who was an early friend, but very few others. I recall more about my later days at Culverhouse School from 1958 and my English teacher Mr John Walsham, who was a brilliant man, and later to have a headship at Aveley School. If anyone has knowledge of Mr Walsham now I would appreciate it. Being an Ockendon boy from Orchard Road, where both of my parents lived and remained until their dying days, is very important to me. It remained so, throughout my working years, where locally I was employed on London Transport and then Essex Police right up to my last retirement in 2006 after spells teaching myself at The Grays School and Grays Police Station front Office. I would welcome any feedback from anyone related to my comments, especially you Dennis.