Growing up in the village in the 1960’s
Neil Brearley recalls things that still stick in his mind more than 50 years later while living next to the ‘reccy’ at 28 Dragon Lane.
Neil’s early memories are of long summer evenings filled with sounds of older children playing and the excitement of having a fair in the field. He was often sent back to bed while trying to watch from his bedroom window.
He remembers the severe winter of 1962-63 when milk froze and frost covered windows. Snow created drifts that were fun to play in, but a thaw led to many burst pipes. Water running onto the field formed a large pond which soon froze solid. Children then competed to see who could slide the furthest.
Playing on the old swings next to the school gates could be a dangerous activity and Neil describes an accident one afternoon after school. A girl was thrown from a swing by a boy trying to run underneath, prompting a stern lecture from Benny Clinton, the deputy head.
Kite flying became a craze, and homemade kites were flown from reels of string that sometimes ended up draped across trees and gardens. Model aircraft were occasionally seen in the reccy, but some flights did not always ‘end well’…
Cricket matches were a summer tradition, with local boys forming a team. The batting side would sit in the shade of the rectory trees and listen to commentary on portable radios. Ice lollies called ‘Jubblies’ were used to cool off during breaks.
A kick-around with a new leather football ended in disaster when the ball was run over by a bus. A friend once joined in a game right after his sister’s wedding; this did not end well for his new suit and shirt!
What did Neil get up to before the 1972 cycling championships?
Was there really a ghost in the reccy after a Hammer Horror film shown at the ‘Stute?
What was bonfire night like in the 1960s?
To find out click HERE to read Neil’s full account.
Neil is hoping this will persuade others to share their childhood memories and preserve them for future generations to read in the archive.
