[Bring back any memories?]

Bit late joining this topic, but I remember we used to play outside a certain neighbours house when we knew "Muffin The Mule" was on. Most times he would invite us in to watch it and his wife would give us a drink of lemonade. He was the only one in our street to have a T.V. at the time.

[What was your first car?]

My first car was a 1936 Austin Ruby. A couple of us bought two for £25.oo when I was in the Navy up in Lossiemouth, Morayshire. We made one good one out of the two. Went well until you had to go up a steep hill with not much fuel in the tank. Then, because it was a gravity feed fuel system you had to go up in reverse.

Swapped it later for a cine camera to the Chief Pilot of 738 Squadron who then had it painted in the Squadron colours and was used by the pilots to get from the mess to the dispersal area.

[Were you at Berridge?]

Thanks for the welcome Michael.

Pity I didn't know about this site years ago, but never mind I've found it now. i will very much enjoy reading all the posts and subjects. Who knows, I may even find someone who remembers me.

I was brought up on Churchfield Lane. i did Google the post code a couple of years ago and the house where I lived has been extended. I intend to drive round there when i come up in a few weeks time just to have a look.

I also intend to drive down Knighton Avenue and round the bottom part and up Radford Grove Lane. The reason is that on V.E. day night there was a huge bonfire in the middle of the road. I remember we stayed up all night. I don't know if we went to school the next day or not. Anyway, the bonfire burnt a big hole in the tarmac as you can imagine. It was left unprepared for ages but when they did repair the road they used a different coloured tarmac where the fire had been. I suppose in memory of the fire that had been there and the reason it had been there.

[Were you at Berridge?]

Thank you for the welcome. I'm glad I stumbled on this site. It happene because I booked to come up and look at the old place and bring my wife and granddaughter to show them where I went to school etc.

As I said I started at Berridge infants in 1945. That was in the days when you still had to take your gas mask with you!

I remember some of the teachers that have been mentioned on here. I remember Mr. Reid being a kind but strict teacher. There was also a Mr. Dougan who taught French but he strangely disappeared suddenly.

Remember too "running the gauntlet" I think I got it,ore than most for the simple reason of my fathers job. He worked for the Education Department and was what called a "School Board Man" if anyone missed school in Berridge and they had a visit from a board officer I got the blame because it was thought I had reported them. In fact he had nothing to do with our school. Not complaining, just passing on memories.

Truth is my father was a very cruel person and anyone who knew me back in those days would agree. Beat me regularly but back in those days no one believed you if you reported it, especially the police. Moan over.

When I left school I went to work at Boots until 1958 when I signed up to join the navy which I did in February 1959. Did ten and a half years in the Fleet Air Arm. I settled here in Weymouth and went to work at RNAS Yeovilton doing the same job as I did in the Navy.

[First job from leaving School]

Hello there. New member, just found the Web site yesterday.

My first job after leaving school was at Boots, Beeston. Worked in various departments both in Beeston and Nottingham (Island Street). Left December 1958 and joined the Royal Navy Feb. 1959.

[Were you at Berridge?]

I was born in March 1940 and attended all three Berridge Road a schools between 1945 and 1955.