50s To 70s In Harol Hill

A Memory of Harold Hill.

Lived in Retford Road Harol Hill from 1950 to 1972 name was Margaret Gatrell. Went to Mead infants /juniors then to Harrowfield secondary school. My first teacher at Meads was called Mrs Fenton. The field opposite my house was turned into a football pitch and we used to go to dances in the club house. When I was very young we used that field to play all our games the grass was always really high and once a year the council would bring a huge cutting machine we used to clime on top of the hay and ride round the field. It was a fun place to live in the 50s and 60s often wondered what happened to people I played with, Sandra Cole, Diane Proud, John boys etc my main friends were Anne Ellett, Jean Richardson.,Janice Knights and Linda Ross whom I am still in touch with. Local shops were in Petersfield but if you wanted more shops had to walk to Hildene. Our nearest health centre was by Hildene and I remember queuing right down the road to get inoculated against small pox as there was a scare. Also polo was something everyone dreaded and a few children in my class were struck down and were in an iron lung also people were being offered assistance to emigrate to Australia and several friends went in hope of a better life.

Have lovely memories at Harold Hill
Margaret