Northolt=Racecourse Estate/Community/1960s

A Memory of Northolt.

My name is Nick, and I lived in Northolt at 43 Kempton Avenue, going to the old Northolt Primary at the Target, the new primary off Mandeville Road, then Islip Manor junior. This was from 1962- 1971. All Crittall steel windows, coal fires and hardly any cars

My mum, Margaret lived there and passed away 7 years ago. I bought my 2nd home (with my 2nd wife, who I met in Devon) in mid Portugal about five years back, thinking of retirement, only to have a stroke – from which I’m mostly recovered. Let’s just say that I lived life to the full for too long.

I got close to both Tina and Cora McMorrow, Val Green, Jacky Hall , Debby Howell of the “14 story”, and a few others with whom I was more a passing friend – including Pauline Crutchley (we were more friends of a mutual friend). I had a fabulous upbringing.

The community was strong, St Richards on a Sunday, the 9th Northolt cubs, spending pennies at the Cabin, swimming at Ealing Baths (or Harrow open air at weekends), shaky dens on the field, playing on “Black Hill”, playing in the "stream" by the Plough/old libdary, Saturday Club at the Odeon (before the roof fell in), milk delivery, learning to smoke No 6, shopping in South Harrow, riding my 650 with sidecar, “Parkies” on silent Velocettes and loads of memories.

After Islip Manor and the dreaful Mr Hatfeld . I won a scholarship to UCS then UCL, all very posh, and what my dad wanted (but I hated).

I fancied myself a bit of a “greaser” before my hippy phase. I knew Anth Stanton (“Beethoven”), Rick Hall, the Goslings, The Stone twins, Richard Donald, Chris Cobbold (before his dad deserted his mum, and he changed his name), Phil Taylor, Dave Knight, Dave and Rob Walker, Phil Burrell, Robin Scrafield, Kevin Veness, Mick Gardner, Rob Crossman, Phil Taylor, Steve Barron, Rob Frost, Gary Coulson (RIP) and many, many, more.

I left my steady girlfriend (Angie Sharp, whom I’d met at a college do in Harrow) of 2 years for Ann Clinch of the White Heart, as she was more “hriendly” to put it politely.

We married at Acton, she gave me a wonderful daughter 10 months later, and then a rather unpleasant and unforgettable present from her dealer 2 months later. The marriage ended then. It took us 20 years to get my daughter back into our lives, but she is (unlike her mum) a real treasure.

EMI had sponsored me at UNI and RACAL as a postgrad,, and I eventually met another whilst visiting Devon. She had a daughter from her previous marriage, a wonderful girl, and her mother and I have been together 47 years. During which time I was postgraduate at Reading and an electronics specialist for the military.

If nothing else, I hope that my memories have made you smile, if it hadn’t been for Kempton Avenue, the Cabin, the Heights, The Load of Hay, the Plough, the field and above all, the people, I don’t think I would have made anything of myself. I’m a long changed person, and I barely recognise the place. No spirit, just take-aways, and bad ones at that!

Now. I’m just an ageing stroke victim living in Portugal, with a wonderfully supportive wife, 4 cats and two fantastic visiting daughters. I am also a great grandad!

I’d love to hear from anyone who knew me or remembers what we shared

---

---