Barrack Road, Hounslow Heath

A Memory of Hounslow.

I used to live in Hinton Avenue, off Barrack Road. I went to school in Martindale Road initially and then onwards to he Junior School in Cambridge Road leaving in 1961. Mr Such was headmaster, Mrs Wilson was my first teacher here, followed by Miss Elborn, Mr Gilbert and Mrs Peck. After The 11+ exam I went to school at Spring Grove Grammar, getting there via the 120 bus route from Hounslow Heath to Lampton Corner on the Great West Road. Walking down Barrack Road past Cardington Square I used to pass the green grocers next to Powis and Sinclair, the butchers shop. The green grocers always had a huge display outside their shop on the pavement. Down at the 120 bus stop, behind the Hussar pub, there used to be a really small sweet shop. On the Hussar side of Gloucester Road right on the corner, was another green grocers again with an outside display. On the other side of Gloucester Road, beyond the building site, was a grocers shop, which in the late 50's and early 60's had everything on the shelves and in tin boxes behind the counter. Next door was a ladies hairdresser and next to that was a newsagents.
The 120 buses used to come down the Staines Road from Hounslow turning right into Gloucester Road. This was when Tivoli Road was connected to Gloucester Road and not as it is now. We used to jump off the bus at the Tivoli Road corner, as the bus slowed down, if the conductor would let us.
Across the Staines Road was the Heath. A huge playground for young boys. An old army camp, acres of heath, humps and bumps, a large railway shunting yard full of men who used to shout at you, tunnels under the yard and a river. Everything a boy of 12 on a bike could want.

Several fairs used to set up on the Heath and there was the occasional circus as well. Greenhams, a gravel and concrete firm used to use the Heath as well and their lorries were constantly leaving the concrete road they built on the west entrance.

Round the corner, in Beavers Lane, was the Beavers Lane Army Camp. Built as an extension for the Cavalry Barracks at the top of Barrack Road, by the early 1960's it was falling into disuse. The army sometimes posted a guard at the barrier but at other times you could walk straight in. It was a typical early 20th century camp, numerous dark wooden huts built on short stilts surrounding the parade ground. It was falling into repair, broken windows and doors ajar. Again a wonderful playground if you didn't get caught. Very interesting reading the comments on the walls though!

Finally, a trip down into Hounslow, past the old trolley bus turn-around at the Wellington (last one went May 1962 I think) and off the bus (116, 117, 237 or 120) outside the Co-op. At the Bell junction, right in the middle of the road were the only public conveniences around. Down the steps, deep underground. When designed their probably wasn't too much traffic around.
Trebles department store was here, opposite Gardeners Estate Agents. This was a fascinating shop as they only had one till and all the sales details were sent via little containers via overhead wires to this place. Better than a train set?
Treaty Road had the library, the Town Hall and the Swimming Pool. Cubicles along either side, straight out poolside and straight in. No heated water in those days. This was how you learnt to swim!

It's a bit different now, not much of the old town remains but here and there, if your lucky you can spot something that's survived.