My Childhood In West Horndon

A Memory of West Horndon.

I lived in West Horndon at 22 Cadogan Avenue when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I can remember it was such a lovely time, all the kids knew each other, we were always over the rec or in the bluebell woods( are they still there?).  We had a big newt pond at the bottom of our garden, us kids used to love it fishing for newts. I can also remember the old village hall which was also a library, it really was an old wooden building, but us kids had great times there. The village was full of children and I can remember most of them. We didn't have many material possesions but that didn't seem to bother us. There used to be a lady at the bottom of our road who always asked me to go to Hays shop to buy her a packet of fags (remember my age, I couldn't do that now), any way she always gave me threepence so I couldn't wait for her to ask me. I don't suppose Hays are there now, but us kids loved the sweet shop. We used to get out of date comics for a penny, loads of lovely sweets which you cannot get now, and got a penny if you took your lemonade or Tizer bottle back.
Another thing I remember was our bungalow being flooded, in fact twice.  The water came half way up the walls.  My parents were obviously upset, but as a child I thought it was rather exciting.  We had to stay with people who were not flooded.  I believe it happed because Thorndon Lake overflowed when it rained hard and we could see the water coming across the fields towards our bungalow.  Now that wouldnt happen, they have probably laid pipe etc.,
My mum and lots of ladies worked at Howards Rotavators in the canteen. Well I know my mum never seemed to buy any cigarettes when she worked there but she always had loads of packets, she always was bringing them home, I can remember her saying "Well if the manager is on the fiddle, so can I". I think besides that we hade a lovely childhood and besides her little 'fiddles' we were taught discipline which has stayed with me throughout my life.
I loved West Horndon, I do not know what it is like now but to me it holds the most wonderful memories and I will never forget it.

Mary Rawson (Croft)

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