Playing as a Child in Watford

Watford Live! Oral History Project. Memories of growing up in Watford.

Harebreaks Estate Recreational Ground, 1953
Watford Borough Council

A selection of clips on playing as a child in Watford.

Interviewees include (not in order of appearance):

Bob Leybourn

Helen Perry

Jim Norman

Julie Fisken

Doreen Simmons

Betty Reed

Julie Fisken

Graham Hogben

This page was added on 11/06/2015.

Comments about this page

  • I’ve been trying for many months to leave a comment to no avail. Every time I type this I’m assured this will be printed, but they never are. Over 15 times I’ve done this during the past year or more. I’ve even sent emails to the sites organisers who have totally ignored everyone. Not impressed. This site used to be brilliant and I’ve contributed many times, but since the format changed, it’s gone downhill rapidly. Even comments left no longer have any name to respond to or remember. Such a shame.

    All I want to do is say Hi to Alan Attwood and Diane, nee Cooper and let them know my name is Christine Partridge, nee Sharman and I used to live in Middle Way, Harebreaks, Watford. As a child and I used to play with Diane. I was just trying to reply as requested.

    By Christine Partridge (13/01/2020)
  • Hello Allan,

    This is the eleventh or even twelth time I’ve submitted a response to your input, and despite being told my comment will be printed, it’s never been done. I’ve tried contacting Watford Museum and those responsible for these items, but all have been ignored. I will try once again…..
    I used to live in Middle Way, Harebreaks and played with your wife Diane (Cooper) as children. I remember such having such fun. I wonder if she remembers me, I hope so. All the very best to you both.

    Christine Partridge (nee Sharman)

    By Christine Partridge (nee Sharman) (30/07/2019)
  • Hi Christine – we’re so sorry we had issues with the website that was an oversight on our part. We’ve had a total refresh of the website and hope to have sorted the issue now. Many apologies again, Sarah Watford Museum Curator

    By Sarah Priestley (10/12/2020)
  • Hello Alan and Diane,

    My name was Christine Sharman and I lived in Middle Way as a child and played with Diane. Hope she remembers me and you are both well.

    Sadly, this is the tenth time I’ve submitted this since October last year, but they never print it despite saying my comment is accepted and an editor will include it shortly. They seem to be ignoring all new comments which is sad.

    By Christine Partridge (nee Sharman) (18/04/2019)
  • Hello Allan,

    This is the tenth attempt at responding since October 2018, but each time I’m told the editor will include this shortly, but never does. I have even written to Watford Museum to ask if this site is now closed, but they don’t respond either.

    My name was Christine Sharman and I lived in Middle Way and often played with Diane as chlldren. Hope she remembers me and I wish you both well.

    By Christine Partridge (nee Sharman) (29/03/2019)
  • Hello Diane & Allan,

    I used to live in Middle Way and played with Diane as a child. Hope she remembers me.
    This is the 7th time since October 2018, I’ve added this comment, but despite saying it is approved and the editor will add this, it is never printed. Maybe 7th time lucky.
    I wish you both well.
    Christine Partridge (nee Sharman)

    By Christine Partridge (nee Sharman) (09/02/2019)
  • Hi Allan,

    Oh dear!! I don’t know what’s happened to this site. I’ve responded to your article seven times now since October 2018, but they never print my comment, despite saying it will be added.

    So I’ll try again. I used to play with your Diane as a child when I lived in Middle Way. I wonder if she remembers me. My name was Christine Sharman then. Regards, Christine

    By Christine Partridge (nee Sharman) (30/01/2019)
  • Hi Alan and Diane,

    My name is Christine Partridge (nee Sharman). I lived in Middle Way, Harebreaks and was friends with a Diane Cooper who lived in the Harebreaks on the left hand side as you go towards St. Albans Road. I regularly played with Diane and still remember us using tin trays to sit at the top of her stairs and slide down. Happy Daze. In fact it’s not so long ago I went for a nostalgic stroll all around all the streets in the Harebreaks, Leavesden Road, St. Albans Road, Longsprings and surrounding areas where I had many family members living. I also had a dear friend Ann Henderson who lived in Longsprings who had a sister Maud, but I sadly lost touch. It was such a shame how so much has changed and for me not for the better. I do remember our childhood with such fondness and happy memories.

    By Christine Partridge (20/11/2018)
  • I am Allan Attwood, born Hibbert Ave in 1937.Went to Kingswood and Leggatts Way
    Schools. Married Diane Cooper of Harebreaks in 1961..anyone out there who remembers us

    By Allan Attwood (27/10/2018)

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