Teenage Memories

A Memory of Cowplain.

My family moved to Spinney Close in 1965 and I went to Hart Plain School briefly before we moved to Crookhorn Secondary. I remember we hoped it would be called Oaklands but I believe that name was already taken by the Catholic School. The first day was complete mayhem as none of us knew the layout of the building I was situated in the portacabin with Miss Moxham as my Form Teacher. I remember being taught shorthand and typing by Mrs Care who I had immense respect for. I still use shorthand for note taking and diary use. In my time Crookhorn was a Girls' School and the Headteacher was Miss Cross, with Miss Burchell her Deputy Head.
My sister, Marion, and I also went along to Hart Plain Youth Club and a group of us would often pop across to the off-licence of The Rainbow Public House for a can of coca cola and Mars Bar, how daring was that. I even had a paper round along Silverdale Drive and collected the Portsmouth Evening News from Forbuoys Newsagent along the Parade.
I went along to Hills Secretarial Agency and obtained an interview at an Optometrist's in Havant. This was my first job and I used to get the bus to work before I was transferred to Rex Wingate's Branch in Waterlooville and then I used to walk.
I will always have a fondness for the area, even though I no longer reside there.
Christine