I was born 12th January 1935 at home 121,Somervell Road South Harrow .
The days before the war I remember as happy day's .My Sister Betty was born 12th June 1936.Not a lot of months between us so we grew up very close .
The area was just being built up. lots of fields with Farm's & Cornfields which was an ideal place to live and play .
The racecourse stretched from Petts Hill Northolt Park to Northolt Station, Mandeville Road round to where Northolt High school is now down to the bridge near Somervell road
There was a pig farm just by the bridge and opposite was another farm where we could go and by fresh milk ect.
The Racecourse had pony trap racing ,People came off the steam trains in crowds.we were taken for walks around the perimeter which as toddlers we thought it was great fun.
My parents watched the house being built.
They said the gypsy caravans were in the field near by.
The houses were built before the war came and the gypsy's moved down to the end of the road.
Sundays we were taken for walks and you would see people doing their gardens and would chat as we walked by.
Usually my Father and Grandfather would take us while sunday lunch was being cooked .
Then In1939 the war came and things changed .I was five in 1940 and had to start infants school, I went to Weldon Park.
The cloakrooms had to have sand bags up against the windows In case the bombs fell. I enjoyed school but had the cane twice by the headmistress it was not that i had done anything really naughty.
I had gone to see if my Sister was alright and gone into the area i was not suppose to be.
I also had the ruler for not paying attention in Geography.
Doubt if that would happen today.
Although the war was on we managed to enjoy the infant day's.
We lived backing on the back of the railway,the embankment was not overgrown so to be near home we would play on there,
We would pick berries for pudding. I can even remember collecting the coal that had come from the steam trains for the fire with the other children.
if the air raid siren went we would go into any of the houses to get into the shelters front doors and back were left open and everyone's houses were open for us all to go into.
In those days we would get heavy snow falls ,which were great fun all the kids would be out playing snow ball. I went onto Eastcote Lane Secondary Girls school after failing to pass 11 plus.
My form teacher was Mrs Ingles, I remember Miss Simms
We had Miss Hart who took us for art .I was in the school choir which was taken by Miss Bannister and Miss Clark I really enjoyed that.
My Sister was also in the choir she use to really worry when I would sneak a bun or doughnuts and sit at the back eating in between songs.
We had school dinners at first they were served in the hall then we had a new canteen built .
We use to play on the back field afterwards .we were not allowed to play in the boys part.If we were in the front playground there was a white line which we could not cross.
Of course some would be pushed across the line.
After dinner sometimes you would see boys waiting to get the cane after being told off for crossing the line.
We also played a lot of sport at the school which was good I felt the School gave me a good start in life and taught good manners and morals.
After school we would play down near Holyrood Avenue.
Betty was friends with Pat Barrett who lived down there.
Of course the fun fair was also an attraction on the field .
Wonderful memories of those days.
I use to like singing and dancing ,I use to go on stage at Saturday morning pictures at South Harrow Odeon When i was 12 years i use to get other children on stage and put on shows ,My name would be on the board outside .I use to do a sing along which worked very well also. I also was in charge of the children ushers who made sure the children stayed in line in the queue,I did this till i was 15 years old. When I was 13 my Mother went into hospital in the January and died in the August 1948.
This put a bit of a strain on me as I use to have to help about the house and make sure Betty was alright.
So January 1950 I had just three months left at school at that time a school scheme had come up for anyone who lost a parent during the war.
The school asked my Father if I would like to go.
It was called West Mark Camp School in Petersfield Hampshire, it was very peaceful but fun.
Some had lost both parents so it gave them time to come to terms with there loss.
I came Home at the Easter Holiday's, I did not go back to Eastcote lane School.
I started work Barclays bank Lombard street .
And was at Fleet street Branch also that was a lovely place to work.
I use to love riding my bike at weekends and evenings and have lovely memories of friends through those years.
When I was I8. I went to The Lyceum the Strand to the Weekend Mail Dance with the stars where I got to dance with Anthony Steele the film star.
I had a photo taken and in the photo was Roger Moore and Dorothy Squires.
That was one of my big evenings in my life.
The following year October 1954 my Sister who had married an American went to the States.It was very sad for my father and myself.
Things got better as Joe Loss was at the Hammersmith Palais 25th October
so i went with the girls from work.
Where I met My Husband Ken we hit it off straight away,
we got engaged February 1955 Married March 3rd 1956.
Had our first daughter Kim 1957.
We have had 52 years of happy marriage, three Daughters four Grandsons three Granddaughters three Great Grandsons and two Great granddaughters
I worked for Woodend lane infants school for 12 Years and was 16 years with Lloyds Bank till I retired.
One of our Grandsons is Tom Fletcher Boy band McFly.
All our Grandchildren are doing well in different jobs and some at school and we are very proud of how they all turned out .
We are enjoying retirement and have lovely holidays abroad in Europe and U.S.A. and Bahamas where Betty's Eldest son is The Island Doctor in Abaco.
As I am writing this memories are coming back, I just hope everyone will find it interesting reading, I have enjoyed reading what others have written.
Big Thanks to Joy and Syd for taking time to do all this;

JOAN RICHARDSON {IRVIN}
© joanrichardson2008