While the memories are still coming may I continue with my times living on the Kingswood Estate. We were called the Kingswood estate gang in those days, and we would be found over Woodside playing about most of the time. Our main tasks were to find pop bottles and return them to KENTS the newsagents and post office, to earn a penny or two on the deposit. Kents was a great shop I can still smell the aroma of stationary and Magazines, it was a special smell that remains with you from childhood just like bluebells do when you have played in a wood full of them.
Celebrating the end of the war
In the 40s as children we had all had street parties, to celebrate the end of the war and Fernway was no exception. Our parents placed tables all down our road, and we were all waiting to be waited on with jelly, blancmange and junket, along with a treat ice cream! At the corner of Fernway opposite the spinney that took you past the cemetery and Stanborough park a huge bonfire had been prepared, right in the middle of the road. Radios had been place in front rooms by the windows to provide music that went on for as long as my young mind can remember. The bonfire was ablaze and Mr Picton from round the corner was in charge of fire drill in case of emergencies, along with other men and dads who had been demobbed.
My childhood memories of those I played in the road with and were in our gang were, Alan Dyer, Bobby Cotton, Brian Rawlings, Susan Rawlings, Joyce Rawlings, Colin McCrystal, Stella Leach, Pat Leach Carol Marnie, John Griffin, Brian Dowling, Mary Dyer, the Vaughans, The Phillipsons, Chambers, Horne, The Browns and others who escape me at present (apologies for bad spelling).
Kingswood Kindergarten
Kingswood Estate was wonderful in those days, and going to Kingswood Kindergarten was a great experience. We would have air raid drills and told to crouch up against the corridor walls, or under our desks, In the playground there was an Air raid shelter, but I never went in it. We even had school teas as well as school dinners, the teas were because our mums were working in factories, and picked us up later when they finished work. My mum worked next to the fire station opposite Sheepcote Lane, I think its a garage now. (Next to Woodside that was.)
To conclude this little bit of Kingswood in the 40s, us kids had the times of our lives, playing marbles conkers swapping comics playing cricket between the silver birches teasing neighbours with knock up ginger, that’s knocking doors and running away like mad, and all in the street, wow! My next story may include the Rushden Avenue gang of those times?
Comments about this page
My name is Linda Cooper née Ashcroft. My sister was Christine. We lived at 14 Fern Way. Next door to the Vaughans who went to Canada. Two doors away was Michael Southan. The girl who had polio was Judith’ Neighbour. She lived next to the Bakers who in turn lived next to Sandra, Gai and Heather who kept guinea pigs. Both my sister and I went to Kingsway Leavesden Green and Leggatts Way School.
The green van man was called Barkers it was converted single deccker bus in the 50s, once a week on a Wednesday i would hop on board to have a look it had everything, i had no money to spend.
Hi my name is Maurice Perry I’m remembering friends i played with in Fernway 40s through to late 50s.
Ricky Web, Michael Southam, Sandra Gale and Heather Jordan, Clive and David leach, Malcolm Richings, Mary Dyer, apart from Ricky they all lived in houses with even numbers.
I lived at 49 on the other side of Fernway friends on My side were John Burns, Barbara Jinks Trevor Jinks. Tony Tapping, Margaret Susan Ian and David Tennant, Barry Eva Alan Broom John Bachelor, Edward Stanley and Ron Ferrett, Stanley passed on after a tragic accident whilst crossing the road heading for School.
I went to Kingswood School from 1949 then onto Leavesden green then afterwoods to Leggatts Way, i hated school and was a bit of a dunce.
Maurice
My name is Maurice Perry, I was born in Fernway in 1944 Dave Leach was a friend of mine.
I have happy memories living in Fernway untill i moved out ,when i got Married to Margaret Tennant, sadly she passed away at just 44 leaving behind myself and two children.
Margaret lived at No 53 and myself at No 49, childhood sweethearts.
Rebecca i know Mary Dyer
Clive, my Sister Sylvia was friends with your Sisters and i remember my Mum putting medication on one of your Sisters leg, i think she had scuffed it.
I have just come across this.
I was born on the Kingswood estate in 1944 and have so many memories.
My name is Maurice Perry
My brother Bernard is still around and lives in Norfolk, my sister Sylvia, sadly just passed away this year 2023.
I can tell you who lived in Fernway and the house numbers!
Michael Southam cant remember house number except it was an even number.
Sandra Gale, Heather jordan Dad worked for Gas
Board, left his engine running in th morning to warm it up. They kept several guinea pigs i cant remember but they had a friend next to them that had polio.
Further up the other side still on the even numbers was Mary Dier and family brother used to drive a Wolsey car, guess they were wealthy
I remember Heather Gale and Sandra used to play in her shed.
Now on my side of Fernway odd Numbers lived Ricky Web i have a picture of him. Number 33 i think, then number 35 ? Single lady never washed her milk bottles out fot collection by Express dairies .
My is Clive Leach i was born in Fern Way in 1947 the 2 girls mentioned in this page were my sisters Stella and Pat Leach. My older brother was David was born in 1944 sadly Stella and David are no longer with us. It was great to read this Thank You.
I lived in Hemming way and went to the kings wood junior school.I also had the wartime experience of running across the playing field to get to the shelter.Yes I stayed for tea (the first time I had Marmite sandwiches)when my Mother worked at Dent and Alcroft making airmens flying jackets.my father was in the Army ofcourse.The estate was not a dangerous place when I lived there,we all played in the street,no cars except the “Green van”well that’s what we called it that came once a week selling a variety of stuff too numerous to list.So sorry if the estate is not as nice as it was,my memories are happy ones..As I am nearly ninety I doubt anyone remembers me.John Bass Bernard Dimmock,The Margraves,and many others.
I know Alan Dyer, he is my partners Dad and his Aunt is Mary Dyer. It’s lovely to see their names here.
With respect please note and correct my name.It is Tony Atkins not Adkins.
Thank you.
Regards
Tony Atkins
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