Harold Hill Guestbook - Derek Catchpole

Derek Catchpole

1959: After 25 years on a council waiting list my parents finally moved from Dalston to a flat - 11 Camelford House, Chudleigh Road, Harold Hill. As an eleven year old who was comfortable with life in London I was forced rather grudgingly to go with them. The depression evaporated when I recognised a whole new world opening to me. I had never really seen much open countryside before, it was a revelation. From the pair of crows making a daily visit to the field opposite, to the house martins nesting under the eves above us. Our balcony afforded an excellent view of both and it took but moments to cross the road & field to be on the banks of Paines brook where there were other birds and voles and rats to watch. The stream also had an abundance of shrimp and horse-leeches, and then there was The Manor, another area to explore. Even after all these years I am still convinced I saw a red squirrel in some pines behind the lily pond.

Schooling at Quarles wasn't bad either with messrs Backhouse, Adams, Piggot, Leeson and others doing their best to educate us. We must have driven them to distraction, but when we overstepped the mark we were able to exercise our pupil rights and choose between being caned or ‘slippered’. I still wince at the thought of Mr. Adam’s size 13 plimsoll connecting with my backside.

Other memories are of cold evenings spent eating salt and vinegar drenched chips outside the fish shop in Hilldene. Spending pocket money on fishing tackle in Jeffry Cycles(?) - situated at the opposite end of Hilldene shops. Getting my hair cut at the barbers next to an ironmongers shop in Whitchurch Road. Later, when older, buying pints of bitter in the Duckwood. It was in the Duckwood I met my wife Pat (nee Cuthbert). I was really impressed with the way she downed a pint when I offered it to her. She still hasn’t paid me for it. Aye, a good Harold Hill lass! Pat’s family still all live on ‘The Hill’. I’m glad we moved to Harold Hill. The area, families and individuals have left me with many warm affectionate memories.

I may have my rose tinted ones on but I don’t really recall any negatives.

Harold Hill: A People's History Guestbook
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	1959: After 25 years on a council waiting list my parents finally moved from Dalston to a flat - 11 Camelford House, Chudleigh Road, Harold Hill. As an eleven year old who was comfortable with life in London I was forced rather grudgingly to go with them. The depression evaporated when I recognised a whole new world opening to me. I had never really seen much open countryside before, it was a revelation. From the pair of crows making a daily visit to the field opposite, to the house martins nesting under the eves above us. Our balcony afforded an excellent view of both and it took but moments to cross the road & field to be on the banks of Paines brook where there were other birds and voles and rats to watch. The stream also had an abundance of shrimp and horse-leeches, and then there was The Manor, another area to explore. Even after all these years I am still convinced I saw a red squirrel in some pines behind the lily pond. Schooling at Quarles wasn't bad either with messrs Backhouse, Adams, Piggot, Leeson and others doing their best to educate us. We must have driven them to distraction, but when we overstepped the mark we were able to exercise our pupil rights and choose between being caned or ‘slippered’. I still wince at the thought of Mr. Adam’s size 13 plimsoll connecting with my backside. Other memories are of cold evenings spent eating salt and vinegar drenched chips outside the fish shop in Hilldene. Spending pocket money on fishing tackle in Jeffry Cycles(?) - situated at the opposite end of Hilldene shops. Getting my hair cut at the barbers next to an ironmongers shop in Whitchurch Road. Later, when older, buying pints of bitter in the Duckwood. It was in the Duckwood I met my wife Pat (nee Cuthbert). I was really impressed with the way she downed a pint when I offered it to her. She still hasn’t paid me for it. Aye, a good Harold Hill lass! Pat’s family still all live on ‘The Hill’. I’m glad we moved to Harold Hill. The area, families and individuals have left me with many warm affectionate memories. I may have my rose tinted ones on but I don’t really recall any negatives.


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Harold Hill: A People's History Guestbook

Derek Catchpole

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