I was born on 1st November 1948 at home in a prepab at 56 Warren Avenue, Selsdon, in Surrey where I lived with my 3 sisters until the age of 11 years old.
Selsdon at that time was very countrified. We lived around the corner to what is now Selsdon Nature reserve but in my time it was the most amazing Bluebell Woods. Also in the immediate area were what we called the Primrose Woods. Absolutely beautiful. Sadly along with many bluebells, primroses died out and much of those beautiful woods were torn down for a housing estate. Luckily some was saved and went on to become a Bird Sanctuary.
Most of our fruit was picked wild, such as blackberries, apples, and rhubarb which mother used to make the most tastiest of pies out of.
Even though we were dirt poor and very disciplined I thoroughly enjoyed my childhood and can look back on it with nostalgia.
When I was almost 12 years old the prefab's were torn down to make way for more modern houses and we all, except my eldest sister who was married by then, moved into the nearest town proper, Croydon, where I completed my education, met my Husband and married.
Shortly after marrying we all moved back not far from the area I was born in which once again was very close to the Primrose woods. I was thrilled about this move as I had never been very happy or healthy living in Croydon. Whether this was because of my going through my adolescence years or whether it was simply that town life didn't agree with me I do not know.
It was here that I had my Daughter and once again life was great. Shortly after my daughter was 7 years old my Hubby and I decided to buy our own own house as all my life I had lived in local authority housing and felt we should try to go one step up the ladder.
In those days it was very hard to get a 100% mortgage and the only people that would give those was the London Borough Council on the condition we live in a specific area. This meant moving back into Croydon proper, where we bought what is termed in England as a little workers cottage.
The house was tiny but lovely and it did mean it was easier for me to commute to London for work. Unfortunately after a few years as with most busy towns violence started to rear it's ugly head and I felt I did not want to bring my daughter, who was now 12 years old, up in a violent area.
We sold up and moved to St Leonards on sea in Hastings, East Sussex. I was so happy there that I thought I would never move again. Sarah grew up, met her hubby and had 2 beautiful girls. After 5 years there my hubby and I split up but still remain friends. In 2000 Sarah and her hubby were divorced and Sarah and the girls came to live with me. In total I was living in Hastings for more than 20 years until once again violence followed us. Drugs, Immigrants, and alcohol over took the town and it became unbearable to live there. By now my eldest sister, my niece and family had all moved to Dorset and Sarah and I decided to follow them.
I sold my 4 bedroomed Victorian house and we up sticks and moved. Sarah to a rented 3 bed house with her girls and me......... I bought a caravan which I now live in.
I absolutely adore not having the responsibility of running a house and I absolutely adore living in an open space again where I can see nature all around me. How long I will stay living in a caravan I cannot say, but I can say that I am very, very happy.
Selsdon at that time was very countrified. We lived around the corner to what is now Selsdon Nature reserve but in my time it was the most amazing Bluebell Woods. Also in the immediate area were what we called the Primrose Woods. Absolutely beautiful. Sadly along with many bluebells, primroses died out and much of those beautiful woods were torn down for a housing estate. Luckily some was saved and went on to become a Bird Sanctuary.
Most of our fruit was picked wild, such as blackberries, apples, and rhubarb which mother used to make the most tastiest of pies out of.
Even though we were dirt poor and very disciplined I thoroughly enjoyed my childhood and can look back on it with nostalgia.
When I was almost 12 years old the prefab's were torn down to make way for more modern houses and we all, except my eldest sister who was married by then, moved into the nearest town proper, Croydon, where I completed my education, met my Husband and married.
Shortly after marrying we all moved back not far from the area I was born in which once again was very close to the Primrose woods. I was thrilled about this move as I had never been very happy or healthy living in Croydon. Whether this was because of my going through my adolescence years or whether it was simply that town life didn't agree with me I do not know.
It was here that I had my Daughter and once again life was great. Shortly after my daughter was 7 years old my Hubby and I decided to buy our own own house as all my life I had lived in local authority housing and felt we should try to go one step up the ladder.
In those days it was very hard to get a 100% mortgage and the only people that would give those was the London Borough Council on the condition we live in a specific area. This meant moving back into Croydon proper, where we bought what is termed in England as a little workers cottage.
The house was tiny but lovely and it did mean it was easier for me to commute to London for work. Unfortunately after a few years as with most busy towns violence started to rear it's ugly head and I felt I did not want to bring my daughter, who was now 12 years old, up in a violent area.
We sold up and moved to St Leonards on sea in Hastings, East Sussex. I was so happy there that I thought I would never move again. Sarah grew up, met her hubby and had 2 beautiful girls. After 5 years there my hubby and I split up but still remain friends. In 2000 Sarah and her hubby were divorced and Sarah and the girls came to live with me. In total I was living in Hastings for more than 20 years until once again violence followed us. Drugs, Immigrants, and alcohol over took the town and it became unbearable to live there. By now my eldest sister, my niece and family had all moved to Dorset and Sarah and I decided to follow them.
I sold my 4 bedroomed Victorian house and we up sticks and moved. Sarah to a rented 3 bed house with her girls and me......... I bought a caravan which I now live in.
I absolutely adore not having the responsibility of running a house and I absolutely adore living in an open space again where I can see nature all around me. How long I will stay living in a caravan I cannot say, but I can say that I am very, very happy.
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Last edited by: Sandy 11/11/08 16:09:23.
Edited 4 times.
Comments
Posted: 11/07/08 16:33:48
sawing the legs of your bed
burning the peas.
slice of rice pudding
walking to selsdon at six in the morning on a school day, and running to get back in time
guess who!!!!
Posted: 11/07/08 17:34:06
This blog is purely for my very early years when I was more normal. Are you trying to bubble me, lol.
Lovely to see you pop in and a huge surprise.
Posted: 11/11/08 11:01:19
my childhood friend lived in one I was quite envious , as we live in a tenemant block , I used to love going to her little cottage as we caleld it ..This has been wonderful reading this , thank you so much for sharing
AutumnBreeze
Posted: 11/11/08 16:03:59
Thank you for taking the time to plough through it so far.
Posted: 01/22/09 10:06:21
Enjoy reading your blog ((hugs))
Posted: 01/23/09 08:11:28