School Days and Local History
by Sue
When Malc and I were at our respective senior schools - Quarles and Broxhill, each school often had local bands play gigs there.
Castle Farm was probably the most popular local band for school dances. They played around the local area and were a rock band. I went to the school dance on Thursday evening on a regular basis as I liked dancing - and still do. Malc also used to go to his school whenever Castle Farm appeared, to see them as he loved rock music.
Sadly, times have changed and both of our schools have been bulldozed down and the land has been ‘developed’ meaning they have replaced by yet more houses. There are hardly any schools left now on Harold Hill where we went to school and kids have to get a bus and go into town to get to school. Castle Farm was a big part of our days back in the 60s and 70s. It has been sad to see so many changes over time.
I really like local history and it is so interesting to visit websites covering our childhood area. I came across a great site named ‘Friends of Dagnam Park’ which traces the history of that area and goes as far back as the mid 17th century to the time of Samuel Pepys who himself visited Harold Hill during the time of the plague in 1665 and the Great Fire of London the following year. I found Malc’s school mentioned on the Friends of Dagnam Park site and Malc and his brother Gordon’s names listed in the class lists.
What intrigued me most were the wonderful pictures of the Manor House in Dagnam Park and the picture outside showing a man-made circular pond, where many years later Malc and his brother Gordon would often play. They also fished in the nearby natural lily pond. The smaller pond is all dried up now and sadly became a tip for dumping rubbish. Such a shame. Most of us are not so keen on change, perhaps because sometimes they are for the better but often not so.
Malc and I still love music and have more recently gone back to buying vinyl albums. You just cannot beat the sound and mood that comes from vinyl. One time we went into our local Salvation Army charity shop and picked up a Roy Orbison LP. When we arrived home Malc did what he had always done with Vinyl Albums and read every inch of the cover. He spotted something very interesting. He discovered that the Roy Orbison International Fan Club was actually based in Harold Hill where we had lived as kids.
I look back at that area from time to time to see what other changes are being made and hope they are for the better.
The changes the Lord makes in our life if we let Him, are ongoing but they are always for the better. His word says if we belong to Him, He changes us from Glory to Glory. How marvelous!
The changes the world makes are unfortunately not for the better indeed for the worse. The Bible makes it clear that terrible times lie ahead.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Malc and I continue to trust Jesus and the promises that He has given us for the future – and You can too:
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
(Romans 10:9-13)