Exotic African birds arrive over Havelock Rec!

Posted on May 7 by Kerry Hood

This weekend the swifts arrived back over Havelock Rec. These African birds journey all the way to the UK to take advantage of our longer daylight hours to raise their families, and only stay until their youngsters leave the nest, before heading straight back to warmer climes.

swifts in the air over Havelock Rec

Our local RSPB group is looking for volunteers to help survey the local summer visitors, as their numbers have suffered a decline of over 50%: [see the RSPB page here].

The British Trust for ornithology has tracked their migrations [see the BTO page here] and it is an epic journey: over the notoriously stormy Bay of Biscay, across the Sahara, and all the way south of the equator:

migration path over Spain, Morocco, West Africa to Tanazania

BTO map of swift migrations from Fowlmere to Tanzania

Every day that a bird has a nest, and is going to-and-fro to it, increases the chances of becoming dinner for a predator, so the swifts decrease the amount of time their young are vunerable in the nest by coming north to the UK’s longer daylight hours. Swifts are very air dynamic but it means their legs are not very useful, so if you find one on the ground, they need to be thrown up in the air before they can fly away. Once they fledge, they spend about 2 years on the wing, even sleeping in the air. This means that they can’t help their young once they leave the nest, so they depart straight back to Africa.

Remembrance and the Neighbourhood in 1914/18 – Group 4 – St Lukes Roads

Posted on March 1 by Kerry Hood

Men who died from the local roads in the 1st World War: (group 4 – St Luke’s roads)

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St Lukes Road Group – households bereaved

See also the interactive map done by A Street Near You, at: https://astreetnearyou.org/

The original data to produce these pages came from http://www.bromleywarmemorial.org.uk/

Bourne Road: (7)

households in the 1909 survey map.

21	Private Greenwood 72902 and Private Greenwood 9323	Frederick and George	17/08/1918 (age 21) and 25/04/1915 (age 28)	Royal Army Medical Corps (53rd Field Ambulance) and Royal Irish Fusiliers	21 Bourne Road, 2 brothers lost from 9 children of Charles & Ellen Greenwood, a Park fencer	21
32	Leading Seaman Anderson J918	William John	22/09/1914 (age 23)	Royal Navy (HMS Hogue)	32 Bourne Road, 6th of 11 children of George & Elizabeth Anderson (nee Watts), a Labourer in brickworks. On board HMS Hogue William was in charge of a group of six inch guns and was present at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. The Hogue was sunk by a U-boat on 22nd September 1914 along with her sister ships Aboukir and Cressy.
33	Sergeant Ashlee 9314	Thomas William	15/05/1915 (age 23)	South Staffordshire Regiment	33 Bourne Road, a Groom and gardener, married Jean Elizabeth Anderson, one of 5 children of Thomas Wiles & Mercy Emma Ashlee (nee Wood), a Farrier	32
4	Private Wyatt 33698	Henry Ernest Walter	01/12/1917 (age 21)	East Surrey Regiment	4 Bourne Road, one of 7 children of John Arthur & Ada Wyatt, a Upholsterer
42	Corporal Lane 1301	Ernest Walter	03/03/1917 (age 33)	Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment	42 Bourne Road, an Errand Boy and Labourer, married to Louisa Agnes Dunlop, father to Stanley, Gladys and Louisa, one of 8 living children of William John & Martha Jane H Lane, a Bricklayer	xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
6	Private Barker 18949	William Clifford	09/04/1917 (age 30)	Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment	6 Bourne Road, a domestic gardener, father to Claude, married to Emily Annie Milstead, one of 4 children of George W & Clara Barker, a Ostler, Gardener	6

Elliott Road: (4)

houses in the 1909 survey map.

Private Adams 49918	Edward Lewis	15/05/1918 (age 21)	North Staffordshire Regiment	6 Elliott Road, a Carpenter & joiner, conductor of St Lukes Mens Choir, married to Lilian Fostall, father of Eric and Kenneth, himself one of 2 children of Edward Whyte & Harriet Adams (nee Lettington)a Stonemason. He joined the Royal Engineers in June 1916 and went to France in September, 1917, being transferred to the North Staffordshire Regiment. He was admitted to hospital on 13th May, 1918 suffering from acute mustard gas poisoning and died 2 days later
Private Ryan 22234	Charles	17/09/1916 (age 25)	Grenadier Guards	17 Elliott Road, one of 5 children of Thomas & Susan Ryan, a Brickfields labourer.	17
Private Anderson G/41651	George	28/04/1917 (age 24)	Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)	28 Elliott Road, Laundryman, married Florence Darn, one of 7 children of John & Annie Elizabeth Anderson (nee McDowell), a General labourer/laundress	28
Sergeant Revens 13732	George Samuel	28/10/1915 (age 24)	Lincolnshire Regiment	36 Elliott Road, a Gardener’s assistant, one of 8 living children of George P & Louisa Revens, a Gardener.	SergeantGeorgeRevens

Management Plan

Posted on January 5 by Kerry Hood

First Draft of the Havelock Rec Management Plan (extracts from)

These are extracts from the first draft (November 2018) of our management plan. It only contains the bits thought to be of more interest to park users, as they already know where the park is, how large it is, and can look at the Friends objectives elsewhere on the website.

About This Plan

This is the first management plan for Havelock Recreation Ground.
It is expected that it would have minor revisions every 2 years.
The layout attempts to be concise, with appendices to explore information, such as survey results, policies, and census data, in full.

2.1 Aim:
The intention is to prepare a plan to develop a strategic and practical framework to improve the park for all parties with an interest.
The purpose of this plan is to:
* Identify, discuss and resolve issues relating to park infrastructure, park users and available resources
* Describe the method of managing and maintaining Havelock Recreation Ground
* Identify and address who is responsible for specific aspects of management and maintenance
* Deliver a benchmark against which delivery and performance can be measured.
* Share knowledge and experiences

2.3 Authorship:
The plan has been drawn up by Kerry Hood from the Friends of Havelock Rec (FOHR), with the collaboration of our committee and the chair Emma Prescott. A template was provided by Caroll Long (as cited on this Friends Forum list) the park’s officer at the council contractors, Idverde.

2.4 Consultation:
Park users were surveyed so that they had a chance to input into the process. Initially this was by interviewing them on the field, later by featuring on the Friend’s website. Though the local businesses, including the Nursery leasing part of the park, were reached out to, none of them responded.

The park is in the SE corner of the Bromley Town ward. The surrounding roads are inhabited by a blue/white collar, white and mixed race people.
These are the roads that many of the park users live in:

The columns are from the survey results of (1) the 70 results in 2018; (2) the 2015 one for the village green application of 90 results. Homesdale road is characterised by a lot of flats; some older ones above the shops, and many in the new blocks (since the year 2000) at the A21 end.
Census data was obtained from Streetcheck website, who had already categorised it. It was collated over several of the census areas close to the park (see Appendix A1):

When the park’s friends group was formed in 2015, the park was not well maintained and gave the incorrect appearance of being un-loved. This section is about the changes to the park since then.

6.1 Improvements on the Ground

In February 2015, Dr Judy Johns did a biodiversity report on the park, and made some recommendations, which the friends have attended to, though some proposals had to be amended to reflect other things that have come to light since. The full report is in Appendix 3: Biodiversity Report from 2015.

Temporary notice boards were placed at the entrances, having gained special permission, in spring 2015.
In 2017, Idverde started to litter pick it a few times a week in the early morning. This has improved the park and we find that a tidy park discourages dog owners from not picking up.

Trees (broadleaf) were planted to replace gaps in the perimeter planting, but those over the rubble infill of the brick pit, have suffered in dry spell the park suffers from every June, so many are struggling and a few have died. The ones behind the houses on the Havelock side of the Park, have been watered by residents with gates onto the park, and have mostly thrived.

Some spare Scots Pine trees were planted the SE corner, forming a pleasant grove at the end of the hedge, in the winter of 2017. At the time of writing, after re-staking in 2018, they are alive.
The friends have been planting a hedge along the chain link fence, in winters of 2015/6/7 – these whips tend to be thinned out in the June dry-out so this area is getting a natural dispersed layout with a variety of species, provided (and thanks to) Evo Energy.

In spring 2018 it was finally agreed to leave an area of longer grass to provide a meadow area and improve bio-diversity. This meadow area changed (from the one recommended in the Biodiversity Report, Appendix A3). It is narrower against the northern chain-link-fence boundary, due to wanting benches to be attractive/accessible) and added around the trees on the southern boundary because that was the only part with the original London Clay underneath.

Dogwood (coloured) was planted at Homesdale road entrance, though there are gaps that need replacing.

In 2018 the friends restored the Canadian High commission plaque in memory of Patricia Ann Drennan that was removed when the nursery expanded.

6.2 Improvements with the Park’s status

When it was announced that a school would be built on the park, the friends applied for Town Green legal status for the park, but the council refused to register it.

However, the park was registered as a Local Community Asset (number 18 for Bromley) under the Local Government Act.

In 2016 it became possible to register parks (among other sites) as Green Spaces and the friends successfully applied for this.

The following improvements to the park, have been carefully considered by the (Friends of Havelock Rec) committee, and plotted on the following map of the park (please see our page with the Friend’s Vision Statement):

• Improvement of the park entrance from Homesdale Road. At present it is some broken railings, which gives the wrong impression of how loved the park is. In two parts: (1) planting coloured dogwood, with foxgloves and daffodil/spring bulbs, down one side. (2) adding a chicane of railway sleeper beds in place of the railing. Funding has been applied for (August 2018) from Greggs	• A circumference path, or at least improvements between Homesdale Road and Havelock Road (aka Marlborough Avenue) entrances where the London Clay substrate makes it boggy over winter.
	• Logs / Stumps / bumps to provide natural play features. Logs have successfully been added to Whitehall Rec.
• Replace cheap plywood on temporary notice boards. The Homesdale entrance is done, but the scorching faded and the lettering will be redone in a darker colour	• Picnic and sitting benches. Add a picnic bench, close to the dip, where parents could watch their children play (but not so close as to impede access). Add 2 or more little sitting benches on the south side.
• We like Stephen Lofting (Bromley Biodiversity Advisor) proposal of a bog garden in the waterlogged area just to the east of the container.	• Human Sundial to commemorate our brick making heritage and summer time introduction (with noticeboard)
• Audio Trail (with noticeboard) to inform users of the local heritage, using some of the excellent memories older residents have contributed.	• Smaller works: Bat Boxes, Bird Boxes, and climbing plants and bug hotel on side of the container • Add a [Local Park] road sign on Homesdale Road, as the park is not visible from any of the surrounding roads.
• Litter bins. Currently they are provided at the entrances and are inadequate and inconvenient. We want covered fox proof bins, reducing mess from animals and dumping of domestic waste.	• Native species hedge against the north chain-link fence, and meadow in front of this and in the triangle south of the Homesdale to Havelock road entrances.

Map of proposed improvements (work already carried out, is greyed out):

8.1 First cut at timescales for these proposals:

A plan of the timeline for the Friend’s proposals, and completing the work already started.
It is possible that a fitness equipment/trail could be added, as there appears to be funding for it under Healthy Lifestyles Schemes, and it might be able to include a perimeter path.
The container café idea is not included as there isn’t anyone with spare time to pursue the idea, it would require considerable effort to coordinate volunteers to man.
If either of these schemes materialise then the Friends will see if it’s possible amend the Management Plan.

Here’s the result of our SWOT analysis for the park:
(SWOT – below – SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound)

Strengths

• Open space
• Trees planted around perimeter 2017
• The mown area provides a good place to relax and sit
• Park has popular events run by the Friends of Havelock Recreation ground
• Good transport links
• Hedge and meadow areas being developed have improved biodiversity

Weaknesses

• Inaccessible to the disabled or local infirm residents that need to access by car, as there is no non-zoned parking places.
• No toilet facilities
• No refreshment facilities
• Limited seating
• Problems with dog fouling
• Has been ASB in summer months
• Noticeboards are temporary and replacement needs work
• Some entrances are not welcoming

Opportunities

• Create stronger links with other community groups
• Container Café
• Develop and widen sports facilities in the park, eg Outdoor gym
• Develop a range of wild life Habitats
• More nature days
• Improve signage
• Develop links with Raglan School
• Plant more trees
• Plant more spring bulbs
• Establish wet/bog plant area

Threats

• Anti social behaviour
• Development (venerable as only non-ornamental park in ward)
• Underfunding/lack of investment
• Limited number of active residents from the community

8.3 Considerations arising from talking to Park users

Some differences of opinion that came to light from the surveying:
• Some remonstrations between parents and dog walkers, where children find dogs scary and dogs find children scary
• Disagreements as to whether a dog off the lead is allowed or under control
• Concern that a perimeter path might allow children with bikes and scooters to ‘push’ less able people off the path and frighten nervous dogs into running/barking.
Note: in this park, the received wisdom about having gates from resident’s gardens into the park, is the opposite of our findings: rubbish is tipped by (renting) people who have unkempt fences and rough vegetation areas behind their properties; whereas those with gates take a proprietary interest in the field and are more involved. None of them have dumped rubbish behind their gates.
On discussion, a few of the more elderly park users wanted some car parking that is not in the permit zone (because we are on the edge of a zone, and some people two roads away are in a different zone). They felt that by the time they’d walked from their house, they were too tired to then actually enjoy the park. One of these had conflict with the nursery manager on this issue. The nursery fenced off the park’s car park in 2002/4 without consultation or notice (the planning permission was entitled ‘Single Storey Extension’) to the residents (and contrary to their planning permission at LBB planning portal page)

Practical Management Plan for the Year

Paying attention to –
• Growing seasons
• Wildlife disruption

Key:
LBB – London Borough of Bromley
IDV – Idverde
FOHR – Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

9. Site Management

Please see the idverde statement in appendix A6.
Other parks in the town ward have bi-monthly meetings with their park officer. This sounds like it would be a useful thing to have for our park too; perhaps every six months?

10. Sustainability

Please see the idverde statement on sustainability, in appendix A11

11. Document review and site / work review

The friends would welcome a regular meeting to inspect park, troubleshoot issues, and review the plan. Other ward parks meet with their park officer on a monthly basis, but as the Friends consists principally of volunteers who hold full time jobs (or are working around the needs of small children and/or school runs), it might be more practical to meet 3-monthly (if that is possible).
This document is expected to last for 10 years, but it is felt that it should be reviewed, updated, and amended every two years. This would then incorporate any changing situations.

A list of everything in the document

The Table of Contents in the document, which can be downloaded as .pdf here: Havelock Rec Management Plan v1 Nov2018 lowres

HAVELOCK RECREATION GROUND 1
1. The Park. 1
2. About This Plan 2
3. Demographics 3
4. History and Heritage 4
5. Social Links 5
6. Summary of improvements since 2015 5
7. Policy and Strategic Context 6
8. Plans to improve the park: 6
9. Site Management 12
10. Sustainability 12
11. Document review and site / work review 12
Appendices: 14
Appendix A1: Analysis of Survey Results: 15
The full text answers to “What would you particularly not want to see in the park?” 17
Appendix A2: Friends of Havelock Rec Vision Statement: 18
Appendix A3: Biodiversity Report from 2015: 19
Appendix A4: Analysis of 2011 census data from Streetcheck: 21
Appendix A5: Example of a joint monitoring inspection sheet. 25
Appendix A6. iDverde’s management procedures & plan: 25
Appendix A7 – Policy and Strategic Context 27 Promote Healthy Communities 27
Appendix A8.1 – Map of Local Park and the local Green Space Deficiency 30
Appendix A8.2 – Entry for Havelock Rec in the Draft Local Plan: 31
Appendix A9 – London Borough of Bromley Biodiversity and Arboriculture: 32
Appendix A10 – iDverde statement on park users and staff: 34
Appendix A11 – Idverde’s Sustainability policy 37
Appendix A12- Idverde’s Foreword & Introduction 37

Our Privacy Statement

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

We respect your data. If you add your email to our mailing list, then we will use it in Mailchimp and Excel worksheets. We will not share it except when the UK Law requires us to.

Our Mission Statement

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground – our Purpose and Objectives are:

Maintain the open vistas and big skies of the park
The park should be about freedom not restriction. Let the wide-open spaces be used by the community in ways that they desire.
Try and increase the natural diversity of the park, but not detracting from points 1 & 2
Make the park a more rewarding experience for our visitors
Work under the supervision of the council* to maintain the park in good order and to try and achieve the objectives highlighted in the previous points

Our Constitution

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Constitution of Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

ARTICLE 1 : NAME AND LEGAL STATUS

The name of the organisation shall be The Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

The legal status of the Group is an unincorporated “not for profit” organisation where its Committee

members are responsible for any contracts entered into.

The Group shall operate in the area known as Havelock Recreation Ground (the “Park”)

ARTICLE 2 : AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Group will be as follows:

To help with practical conservation through voluntary action for the benefit of wildlife and the community under the supervision of the London Borough of Bromley (LBB) and its professional officers.

To help to secure and promote the conservation and protection of the Park. To monitor its plants animals and wildlife habitats and maintain and improve its biodiversity.

To promote its use as a place for quiet, informal enjoyment, recreation and study.

To assist in providing an educational experience for the general public in the history, natural history and biodiversity of the Park.

With a view to maintaining a sound financial base and seeking other funding or donations to further activities which meet the above aims and objectives.

ARTICLE 3 : POWERS

To further these aims and objectives the committee shall have the power to:

Obtain, collect and receive money or funds by way of contributions, donations, grants and any other lawful method towards the aims of the Group.

Associate with LBB, voluntary organisations and those with an interest in the Park in a common effort to carry out the aims of the Group.

Permit the Committee to enter into contractual arrangements. To have its own bank account.

Do all such lawful things as will further the aims of the Group.

ARTICLE 4 : MEMBERSHIP

Membership will be open to anyone interested in promoting the aims of the Group. Applicants for membership shall normally become members upon submission of their application form or email address.

Membership will be for one year from the date of the annual meeting. There will be one level of membership known as ‘household’ and this will be free of any subscription. There will be no pre-set minimum amount for any voluntary donation.

Membership will entitle each individual in the household over the age of 16 the right to vote.

The continuation of free subscription levels shall be determined and/or varied by the Management Committee and confirmed annually.

At its discretion the Management Committee may refuse to admit an applicant or to terminate the membership of any member provided that they give written reasons to the member. This may arise as it becomes apparent that a household does not share the Group’s aims and objectives.

ARTICLE 5 : MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A Management Committee elected annually at the Annual General Meeting shall manage the Group.

The committee shall consist of a minimum of 3 without a maximum number of individuals and shall include a chair, secretary and treasurer.

The committee may co-opt additional committee members during the year

All Committee members shall retire at each Annual General Meeting although may offer themselves for re-election.

The committee shall meet at least three times each year. Representatives of the London Borough of Bromley shall be invited to attend committee meetings in an advisory capacity.

The Chairman will have a second and casting vote.

Two committee members or one third of the committee being present (whichever is the higher) shall enable the business of the Group to be carried out.

A proper record of all transactions and meetings shall be kept.

All Committee members must be members of the Group.

ARTICLE 6 : FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Monies raised from voluntary donations, sale of goods, gifts, other sources or grants awarded to the Group shall be used for the express purposes of pursuing the aims and objectives of the Group.

The funds shall be paid into an account operated by the management committee. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members of the Management Committee.

The Management Committee is empowered, to pursue or make applications for grants to secure funds to support the Group’s planned activities and may take whatever steps are necessary to meet the requirements of the awarding bodies.

No persons representing the Group shall make or enter into any agreement with any persons or organisation that may incur a financial liability save for those purposes as agreed by the Management Committee as necessary to carry out the objectives of the Group.

A current record of all income, funding and expenditure will be kept and presented to members annually at the AGM.

ARTICLE 7 : EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

Any organisation is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. This commitment extends to our volunteers and we welcome everyone from our community as a volunteer.

We will not discriminate against our volunteers on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, disability or impairment, age, race, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, trade union activity, HIV or marital status, religion or belief or similar bases.

Furthermore, we value difference, and recognise the value that the different backgrounds, skills, outlooks and experiences of our volunteers bring to the Group.

ARTICLE 8 : GENERAL MEETINGS

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held within 15 months of the date of the adoption of this constitution and each year thereafter.

Notice of the AGM shall be given at least 21 days before the meeting and a report on the Group’s financial position for the previous year will be made available at the same time.

The AGM agenda will include formal business as follows:

– Minutes of the previous AGM

– Chairman’s report

– Treasurer’s statement including, independently examined accounts (e.g. two ordinary members elected at the previous AGM)

– Election of Management Committee members for the following year. Nominations for Management Committee members shall be received by the Secretary before the published date of the AGM. Nominations shall be supported by two members and signed by the nominee indicating willingness to serve.

Review of this constitution, as necessary

The activities of the Group shall be approved at the AGM.

Decisions needing a vote shall be decided by a simple majority of those members present, the Chairman having a second and casting vote.

Voting rights shall be restricted to members of the Group over the age of 16 years and each member shall have one vote.

An Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called at any time at the request of the committee. A notice explaining the place, date, time and reason shall be sent to all members at least three weeks beforehand.

A minimum of two committee members plus one tenth of the membership being present shall enable a General Meeting to take place.

Open General Meetings (i.e. meetings which may include members of the general public and not necessarily sole members of the Group) should be held every three to four months. These would include a general discussion on progress of the Group and how well it is meeting its aims and objectives.

ARTICLE 9 : AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the constitution can only be made at the AGM or EGM. Proposed amendments must be circulated at least 21 days before the Meeting at which they are to be considered, and must be approved by a majority of those members present.

ARTICLE 10 : DISSOLUTION

The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting.

After the payment of all bills and other liabilities and the fulfilment of any requirements of any external bodies e.g. grant providers, the committee shall distribute any assets remaining to other group(s) or organisation(s) having aims similar to the Group or some other charitable purpose(s) as the Group may decide.

Under no circumstance should any assets of the Group be paid or shared out amongst members of the Group.

LBB and any body external funding organisation must be provided with accounts and other documentation as they require.

Our Vision

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground

OUR VISION

1. Maintain the open vistas and big skies of the park

2. The park should be about freedom not restriction. Let the wide open spaces be used by the community in ways that they desire.

3. Try and increase the natural diversity of the park, but not detracting from points 1 & 2

4. Make the park a more rewarding experience for our visitors

5. Work under the supervision of the council* to maintain the park in good order and to try and achieve the objectives highlighted in the previous points

*the professional officers of the London Borough of Bromley (LBB)

Remembrance and the Neighbourhood in 1914/18 – Group 1 – Havelock Roads

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Kerry Hood

Men who died from the local roads in the 1st World War:

Bugs, birds, bats and beyond day for 2018… followed by a bat walk

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Kerry Hood

event held on Saturday 14th July 2-4pm.

We were joined by Friends of the Earth and Kent Bat Group. The bat group helped us conduct a survey of our park in the evening, and we recorded 3 different species of bats! 😁

A Roesels’ Bush Cricket – a species that’s expanding it’s range across the country.

1940s: “My memories of my early life are still so vivid it’s as if we never left…”

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Kerry Hood

My memories of my early life are still so vivid it’s as if we never left, there is so much to tell. You mention the mounds of rubbish and rubble, so I’ll start with that. Much of it was the damage from the bombing during the war. In one place was a large mound where the lorries from the gasworks sometimes used to come and tip the clinker and byproducts from the gas works. Often the local lads used to go and collect bits of coal and coke. It earned quite a few of us a fair bit of pocket money.

One particular occasion was when a large general store in the market square was bombed. It was I believe called Edward Isard, much of the rubble was also tipped over there.

Some of the local Mums soon spent some time over there recovering molten bars of soap and other items. However, back to the brickie. My older brother Bob spent some time in hospital with a badly burnt foot, caused when the mound collapsed. the heat generated by spontaneous combustion was terrific. But to younger kids it was the most wonderful playground.

Many of the kids camps were either in the huge patches of Burdock that used to grow there or the older ones made quite large more permanent structures out of the abundance of water tanks.

“God Help You” if you ever went near or touched a camp belonging to another street. Among the rubble there was a constant supply of asbestos sheets that when thrown on any of the numerous bonfires resulted in loud explosions. Be assured I am in no way fantasising or exaggerating, To young kids it was the most fantastic playground you could ever imagine with new material being tipped there on a daily basis. Quite often there would be tipped a tanker of a creosote like product from the local gas works. It lay in the ground like tar. Many a kid had a good hiding after going home with it on your boots, after a couple of days the soles of your boots just fell off.

Every November the competition to build the largest bonfire caused many a fight as it was almost a nightly job to nick stuff from anywhere you could find. There was always a large one near the Walwyn road entrance.

Reading your oral history brought up just a few of the local names. My grandmother lived at No. 13 Havelock Road, next door was the Crist family of boys from the top was Jackie, Johnny, Dougie and Leslie. A little further up in the last house before the bombsite lived George Aveling and his sister Flossie the other side of the bombsite was the Matholie family and the last house lived Sheila Jarrett Then there was Mr Clapsons Shop (General Store). Directly opposite on the corner of Marlborough lived the Shaddocks family next door to the Danahers Billy, Monty and twin boys, pretty sure there was a sister Margaret also. Coming back down Havelock there was the Luck Family and the Wiles sisters Sylvie and Betty. A few doors further was the Phillips family (quite large in number) I remember the oldest George I believe joined the Guards. Then came Ray Brigden, cousin to Teddy Brigden who lived opposite me in the cottages in Homesdale Road Ted sadly died last year. Next door lived Neville Stubbs who had a printing business and shop in Homesdale Rd. Also his sister Lorna.

The Model Railway Factory you mention was located at the top of Homesdale but on the Main Road and was called Graham Farish. They are still in production and are at the top end both in quality and price. There is a stockist near me in East Grinstead called Martells

I know I’m flitting about somewhat but you mentioned free coke ? If there was any it never came my way !! It was regular pocket money for a lot of us. My dad made me a purpose built barrow that took 28lbs of broken coke (that is what you had to ask for when queuing at the window in the gas works). From memory you could get a small coke, broken which was larger lumps and then boiler nuts (they were a form of compressed coal dust and something else) they were the most expensive and burned very hot.

The Gas Works was I believe run by a Mr Skudder who lived in a house just inside the Main Gate and the ticket windows were further along on the left. You bought your ticket and one of the prisoners of war would take you with your barrow under the hopper and dispensed your measured amount. They, the POWs, would be all over the place driving low trucks called Lister trucks.

I had a regular delivery to the lady next door at No 109 Homesdale called Mrs Stokes, her husband was the manager of a large Ironmongers in the High Street called Weeks, Manager or not, he still had to come in the house through the back door AFTER HE HAD CHANGED INTO HIS SLIPPERS AND CLEANED HIS SHOES FOR THE FOLLOWING MORNING. But she was very kind to me. I still remember her giving me a lovely shiny Half a Crown for my birthday in 1943 I dropped it between the floor boards when we were hiding in the cupboard under the stairs.

My parents continued to live there until my mother died and i moved my father to live near me in Crawley He sold the house to a Mr Hennesey in 1986, I often wondered if he found my half Crown.

I think it’s time i stopped rabbiting on but if you are still interested I can clearly recall the Mornington and Walwyn Crowd And many of those from around Bourne and Jaffray Rd

Quite apart from the Homesdale road lads. Has any body mentioned the large Horses and their tip Up two wheeled carts that used to tip in to the brickfield? They were stabled in Old Homesdale Road at Mackintosh’s Yard The Night Watchman during the war was a Mr Jerry Hodder From Waldo Road He would sometimes roast a potato for us in his fire.

Peter