Barnes In The Sixties

We lived in Railway Street at about the same time, in the end house next to the allotments from 1955, opposite Ashley Brandon's. I believe the main part of the school was used for storage as I remember looking out the bedroom window as the front shutter was raised and things unloaded from what seemed at the time were big lorries. Just as well there were virtually no cars in the street at that time. Especially as we played games like 'what's the time Mr Wolf?' across the road. Our garden backed onto the school and the fence up the side of the house backed onto the allotments- it was made of railway sleepers- well preserved, but a bit creosote smelling. The allotments were a wonderland to us, I remember the pigs and the path that ran though to Railway Side and the Orchard. It was an old orchard with old apple and pear trees and one plum tree near Mr .....?s the park keeper's bungalow and the large shed where you could hire clubs forest things for the putting green. There were stag beetles amongst the trees I remember, they were amazing. It broke my heart when they grubbed up the trees to make it a tidier recreation ground The park keeper kept the bowling green and hedges near the common in marvellous order too. When I was moved into another bedroom, I used to look out the window at night when the stream trains where going to and from Barnes Bridge station, I can still see the mysterious glow from the furnace lighting up the cab as the stoker put coal into it! Up near Cross Street, on the 4 corners -Mrs Clamps sweet shop with the penny drinks and all the best kids sweets including 4 a penny chews. The United Dairy, the greengrocer, the bakers and just into Railway Street the butchers and pet shop, and just into Cross Street, Dickinson's family yard where they kept the horse and cart (rag and bones?) and small lorry for removal. It was Miss Arundel I believewho was head mistress, and Mr Reece was one teacher I remember well. The Street entrance to the school was near our house, the brick arch looked so grand, we went home for dinner at lunch time as it was so close. It was awful when they closed the allotments and the animal went and the allotments were untended, but until they built the flats it was a wonderland of amazing flowers from onions and other crops that were left.I collected some beautiful big mauve onion flowers, but mum was not very happy as they smelt! But I could still see the railway line at night even after the flats went up. Happy days. Our name was Christmas, and my uncle and aunt, with the same name also lived in Railway Street. Shared memories are wonderful.