Annual visit to Wateringbury

 Hi John,

It's been a while since I communicated with you - too long!

I visited Wateringbury last week and after parking in the church lay-by went for my usual walk: down Mill Lane past Mill Lane House where I lived until December 1959, down to the pond (into which my sister fell and was pulled out soaked and covered in weeds), passed the Mill in which we were specifically told not to play - but did anyway (naturally) then turned left into the yard passing what was my Dad's office on the left and then climbed Love Lane, with the gushing stream coming down from the left bank as it always has, then up to the main road. Then turned right towards the village.  Incredibly, I passed by a Pillbox which I'd never seen before but must have been there all the time I walked back and forth to school!  I assume it was completely overgrown until recently. Then to the crossroads and left up Red Hill and stopped at the top opposite where my school used to be. I crossed over and found the outline of the school lay-by now filled in.  Then down Red Hill to the crossroads (there used to be a double trap-door in the pavement that led down into the basement of "Where Memories Meet" (only it wasn't called that then). Then right at the crossroads and forward to the Church and on my way trying to see over the long wall on the right hand side.  I couldn't when I was 5 and still can't now!  The church was open and I paused for a while therein.  I can still remember being asked to read the lesson one day in front of the whole school: a terrifying experience.  

I return every year or when I'm passing by.  I have so many happy memories of growing up in Wateringbury - precious memories I'm trying to retain.       

 

Thanks and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Nick Bond