Bournemouth, From West Cliff c.1869

Photo ref: 5495

Reading my Mother's notes in my 'Baby Book ' ,something seemingly not done nowadays, I was reminded that I was born in a Private nursing home, The Gables, Pine Tree Glen ,Westbourne in 1947. Now flats and ironically retirement flats. Somewhere for me to be born and die. Ha Ha. The Doctor was Dr Gallop* who had a practice in Poole, How my parents could afford it I don't know, My father was in the Navy until ...see more

we moved to Montgomery ave in 1949 I remember when long rd estate was being built, we used to follow the Barber Green machine around because of the brilliant finiish of the tarmac roads.they were ideal for our roller skates. anyway to cut a long story short we were skating down hill and all the lads crouched down (I presumed for more speed) I crouched down and my cycling cape went under the skate wheels ...see more

I remember staying at The House Beautiful in the 1950’s and to me it was not a good experience and has left its mark on me all my life. I was sent there on two occasions by Social Services as my mother was recovering from an operation and no one in the family would look after me. One occasion was over Christmas when I was joined by my brother. we were given lots of presents even taken to a local family ...see more

This was my first school, back in 1965. I think we had maroon blazers. I did well to start with, my older brothers had taught me to read & write - but I was the last person in the class to be able to tie my own shoelaces! I remember winning a couple of 'Biggles' books for being top in the class in my first year. A teacher had found me reading one during a lunch break in the school library. ...see more