Guy Fawkes

A Memory of West Hendon.

As it's Guy Fawkes time again it reminds me of when I lived in Milton Road in the late 30s to early 50s. As a youngster the whole street came together each year to build a huge bonfire by the Welsh Harp reservoir with everyone collecting old wood and anything suitable to add to it. A special guard had to keep watch at all times to protect it from the kids in Stanley Road who were likely to sabotage it. The excitement was tangible. Early evening all the kids in Milton would start gathering around my brother Fred's house waiting for him to come home from work. He was the one in charge and no-one would dare dream of setting light to the fire before his arrival. Suddenly a cheer would raise the roof on the sight of Fred striding down the road, big grin on his face. We would all then race to the bonfire and dragging a few scruffy guys behind us watch as matches were put to the dry timber and flames would rise to the sky. The guys were burnt, fireworks set off, hot drinks supplied, and Guy Fawkes Day proved as wonderful as ever. Being the little sister I was so proud that it was my big brother that took charge of these splendid and memorable evenings.
Ann Midson, nee Harding