Late Childhood Memories Of Watchfield

A Memory of Watchfield.

Like others on the site I have very happy memories of living in Watchfield (1956 to 1966).My father was the Hall Manager of Kitchener Hall (RMCS) and we lived in army quarters in Hill Road. The houses were two bedroomed but so designed that they could be made into three bedrooms by including one of the bedrooms from next door which we did. I spent many happy hours at the small play area just around the corner with my friend Mary Bailey who lived opposite and Marilyn Johnson who lived down the road. We also spent time swimming in the local brook which I believe is now no longer there. From behind our house I could walk across the fields to the village which I still remember as being very peaceful.
I attended Shrivenham School and for some reason spent 2 years in the top class with "Wally" Walden whose wife also taught at the school. I used to cycle there as I don't remember there being any other form of transport. Mr Friend was the Head Master and his son ,John, was in my class in my first year there. In the second year I now boast about being in the same class as Justin Hayward of Moody Blues fame. He was already good-looking even in those far off days. After my time I believe there was a primary school in Watchfield where Mrs Lait was Head. I knew her as her daughter Rosie was in my class at Shrivenham and we both went on with others to The Elms in Faringdon. I think she lived there but I went daily on a rickety school bus where we sat 3 in a seat and I had to sit on someone's lap which would not be permitted today.
My mother worked at the NAAFI shop which was not self service initially but was definitely so by 1971 if not before. I remember buying books at WH Smith's opposite.
I attended Brownies in a Nissan hut which I think was at the top of our road and later went on to Guides which was held in the College in one of the Halls possibly Beckett. We attended the wedding of our Guide leader, May Godfrey dressed in our uniform. I believe it was held in Watchfield Church. There was a chapel in College where I went to confirmation classes run by the Padre and was later confirmed by the Bishop to the Forces. I also belonged to a Drama group run by Mrs Yates-Fish who I think was an Officer's wife .We put on a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream where I starred as Bottom The Weaver!
Later, when I started school in Faringdon I had less time to wander around Watchfield and the "bright lights" and shops of Swindon beckoned but I look back on 1956-1958 as a very happy time. I would love to visit again but doubt if I will. I believe I would find it much changed.

---

---