Burgh Heath, The Parade c.1960

Photo ref: B723030

We always went to the Gallion swimming pool because it was cheap, maybe one penny ? I don’t remember. But the Sugar bowl was expensive for us, a half crown, I believe . We used to go to the pond to get spawn, which we took home, much to my mother’s despair 😬 we had frogs in the garden. I worked in the haberdashery shop called ´Freida’ (or Freda??!) on the parade when I was 14 years old , all day ...see more

My grandparents always considered that Burgh Heath was the best village to live in. At one time, it had two swimming pools, two tea rooms and pubs for locals to meet. One pub had a projection room and offered children a free Saturday morning silent film to watch. My great grandfather was Joseph Ward who was the manager of Surrey Tennis on the Reigate Road, Burgh Heath. He provided a mobile racket string service at ...see more

I learnt to swim in the pool at the Sugar Bowl. My dad worked here as a part time gardener/odd job man.There was a Spanish chef working here in the late 50s who showed me how to pick up a Lobster properly he was badly pinched by the said Lobster and had his hand bandaged for over a week.It makes me feel happy to see it again as I was so happy and carefree then I wish I could go back in time but it is impossible.

Looking at the photos brought back so many happy memories, I lived at Homefield Gardens across the Heath & went to the Methodist School from 1956 to 1963. Miss Fletcher was the headmistress & I think Miss Watts was my teacher & seeing the photo of Miss Marshall was just as I remembered her. Walking across the Heath every morning to school, through the snow in winter, my first kiss at age five with a Janice ...see more