Rowlands Avenue

A Memory of Waterlooville.

Hi everyone, just joining you so playing catch up! I lived in Rowlands Ave, I was born there in 1944. Like many of you, I too went to Stakes Hill School/ tin hut. I was in Mr Tuttons class and some of my classmates were John Hancock, George Howie, Joyce Goodship, Roger Money and Roger Wells. The names Elsie Patterson and Christine Moat also sound familiar to me. I used to like filling the inkwells in the mornings. Mrs Lawrence taught needlework. Eileen Sainsbury mentioned the man who lit the gas lamps - his name was Mr Edney and his next door neighbour was Mr Elliott, the local Vet, both of Rowlands Avenue. I lived in the park house next to the car park because my Dad was Head Groundsman of the recreation ground for 38 years until he retired around 1969. He created the park, land draining the ground and levelling it to create football pitches, a cricket pitch, tennis courts and a bowling green. When I visited it 5 years ago (wish I hadn't) it was a shambles, nobody looks after it now, contractors cut the grass and that's about it. There was a bowls match going on and someone unpadlocked the wrought iron gate to let me in. The green was surrounded by a high hedge. Nobody had ever heard of my Dad, Charlie Newman! He was also a part time fireman.
I spent many hours over the brickfields, there was a knotted rope in a tree so you could swing over the pond. The "Marguerite Field" full of pretty wild flowers was later to be my shortcut home from Cowplain Secondary School (quite safe in those days). Who could forget Saturday matinee at the Curzon followed by the dash to be first out and across the road for 3d worth of chips.

Oh happy days! Doreen Newman


Added 07 March 2016

#339232

Comments & Feedback

We live opposite the old 'Parky's' house. My husband remembers your father. I have been trying to find out about the history of the park. I have been led to believe that it was bequeathed to the locals for recreational use. I cannot find out if this is true, and if so, when or by whom. If you have any more information. I would love to hear. My husband is Fred Thompson, and he used to play football in the park for Waterlooville. That was in the days of no posh kit, and a leather football!s
Hi Mrs Thompson. Thank you for responding
We moved to Jubilee Road in 1960, and Mrs Lawrence (who taught needlework and poetry to those of us in Mr Tuttons' class),her husband and family lived almost directly opposite at 'The Cottage'Mrs Lawrence also taught me needlework skills at her home - which come in useful to this day.
I grew up 'down the park', and remember 'parky' yelling 'get off that bike' at anyone who ventured in riding one.
I think the Christine Moat you refer to was one of twins, with an elder sister Mary and younger sister Susan (who I went to school with), their father was a tailor, and ran his business from home in Jubilee Road.
The Park was given to the people of Waterlooville by a Colonel Rowland.

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