A Little Canadian Girl In Putney In The 50's .

A Memory of Abingdon-on-Thames.

My Dad was in the Canadian army and was posted to London when I was 7 years old . We lived in the top flat at 27 Chartfield Avenue . What a magical place ! The back yard was huge, with apple, pear and cherry trees to climb and a massive grassy area to run .
We were an international neighbourhood. Our building had Canadians in the top flat, English in the middle and Japanese on the main floor . The house on the right had Norwegians and US citizens and to the left were German and a lovely retired English missionary, Mr Ledsome . He was our neighbourhood Grandpa . At 89 years old ( I think) he was still tuning pianos by ear. His daughter danced for the Royal Ballet .
Chartfield Avenue in an early misty morning with the amber coloured street lights was like fairy land . When walking to Granard School,I kept expecting to see an elf or pixie pop out of the hedge .
My youngest sister was born the same day as Prince Andrew . People at Dad's pub thought she should have been named Elizabeth.
I remember the shops on High Street, especially the fish shop. Whew ! The smell!
Almost 60 years later , I still have fond memories of my time in Putney. History lessons in school came alive because I'd been there . Lifelong friendships were made . The people of Putney made us feel welcome and at home . Although it drove my Mum crazy when I dropped my h's .
Thanks for the memories, as Bob Hope used to say
From that former little girl, Lilly Snow