Oakwood, Lakeside c.1955

Photo ref: O105007

Although I was working in Wales at this time, my parents still lived in Oakwood, and I was married at St. Thomas' in December 1969. I had previously gone to church and Sunday School here when I was still at home.

I was brought up near Boxer's Lake in the 1940s and 50s in Silverdale, one of the culdesacs off the southern arm of Lonsdale Drive. My first "job" was as a paper boy for Murrays the Newsagents on Bramley Parade, the nearest shop in this photo. I used to cycle up Merryhills Drive and along Bramley Road to work. Later, in my school holidays, they took me on as a junior assistant in the shop itself. At this time ...see more

I lived in Oakwood, then Enfield West, from 1937 till 1946. My father had the Chemists Shop in the Parade, his name was George Reid, and we lived above the shop. Opposite was Victor Sasoon’s Estate, where I think Prisoner of War Officers were imprisoned, during the War. Also in the Parade was a greengrocer, with a Mrs. Crick who had a dog called Sadie.There was also a fish shop, grocers shop and a dairy, newsagent ...see more

Among the lovely pictures of 1950s Oakwood is a picture of a lake in Oakwood Park for model boats which I used in the late forties and early 50s. Sailing boats there was a favourite pastime of my friend and neighbour (at the time) Alan Stewart whom is in the foreground of picture O105012. It must have had an effect on him as he joined the merchant navy when he was older. I wasn't so keen as I managed to break the mast of ...see more