A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF
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Shortly after the war, my parents separated, and I along with my two brothers was looked after by my mother in a two room flat in The old London Borough of Finsbury. Along with my mother and two brothers was added my mothers new boyfriend. Things were very difficult for us all with my mother going out to work as a office cleaner at 530am each morning, and my mum's boyfriend trying to look for work, me and my brothers were "latchkey" kids. We were at an age when we got up to all sorts of mischief. By 1950 my mother could cope no more and it was decided that we kids were put into care.
I along with my elder brother was sent to Langham Oaks School, while my other brother was sent to a school at Bristol. I can remember very clearly being driven from a Smokey dismal London to the fresh air country lanes of Essex during the month of June 1950. As we drove through the entrance of Langham Oaks, I saw this lovely big house, with a drive and a avenue of trees.( I think they were Spanish oaks). I met the headmaster and other members of staff who made us very welcome.
I was just eleven years of age and had been living in a smoke filled London. I spent three and a half years at Langham Oaks, and I have many fond memories of walking each Sunday to the primitive Methodist chapel with a old penny in our pockets to put in the collection box. I can also remember on many occasions walking on a winters night to the old village hall to see a film show. We mostly were issued with a penlight torch to see our way back to the Oaks.
I can remember on the 6th Feb,1952 being in the classroom and listening to the announcement that the King was dead, and long live Queen Elizabeth.The previous year we were working like mad to design and paint posters for the festival of Britain.
We use to go swimming in the river stour Sundays afternoons near an old mill. I can still see next door to The Oaks a very large orchard, and in front of the main building the old airdrome. I can remember playing over on the airfield and around the old control tower. I swear to this day I saw a pilot with his flying gear o running from the control tower as if to catch a plane. I fled as fast as my little legs would carry me.
In 1953, coronation year,I can remember planting a popular tree along with the other 65 lads,at the top of the field we called the pasture. We had jelly for tea and allsorts of treats.
The Headmaster was Kenneth Cowling, My teacher was Mr Priestly. He was also a lay preacher at the chapel. Other staff members that I can remember were a Mr Wreford, Mr Fisher, a Mrs Blake who was the cook.(lovely woman), Mr.Frewer and the Head gardener was a Mr.Dear and his wife was nurse. The regular Methodist minister was a Harry Sutton, never to be seen outside the chapel without a cigarette in a long black holder protruding from his mouth. I will always remember at chapel a Mr. Ablewiight singing at the top of his voice "Come Ye Thankful People come". Also there was a Mr. Thurlow. I think he was a undergardener. In the main entrance I was always fascinated my a plauqe on the wall commemorating Max Plowman.
I left Langham Oaks in December 1953, and went to live with my Mother once more in London. That very first night, I sat in front of the coal fire and wept my heart out. How I missed those school chums and teachers and staff. I often wonder what has become of those boys now 50 years on.




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