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BECCA Centre, Bevendean

Photograph of the "twitten" in Bevendean

Photo by Sam Carroll

Memories of "The Farm"

By Lynn Carroll

"I remember moving in to the new council house in 1958. We lived in Hornby Road. The 'Farm' was a functioning building in the middle of the park. The 'footpath', just a narrow mud track, worn in the grass, veered round it, as you were going from one side to the other. Half the building was someone's home. The rest of it was a village-hall-like place. They used to have some service or other on a Sunday. There were Scouts and Brownies and I had ballet classes there.

"In the early 60s, on Sunday nights, after dancing to records and Sid Deans's Band at 'The Suite', I had to get the last bus home. If it was the 111 it went round the estate Hornby Road first, so it stopped near my house. If it was a 110, I'd have to get off the bus at the Farm and walk through the park and the 'Twitten'.

"I was always glad if Chunky Ralph was on that bus because he would 'escort' me through the park, being the true 'gentleman'. This was before women's lib and mugging! I wonder if the two bear any relationship to each other?"

Submitted to website 12th November 2003

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments about this page

I used to run through that twitten, playing as a kid, though I lived in Fitch Drive, down the road from Chunky. R.I.P, lovely bloke.

By Andy Crook (03/01/2011)

How long have you lived at Lower Bevendean, Andy, and how old are you? I have lived here since the '50s - I am now 64. The east was still being built, I was about 2 at the time. Along that twitten somewhere was a strange farm cottage, and my brother was friends with their son. Over the woods between the church and the steps coming down from the woods was a big concrete mixer dug into the bank used for making the roads. It layed derelict for years and was eventually dismantled and blocked in. I also knew Chunky Ralph and his brothers! I am surprised to here of his death.

By Mick Cork (25/02/2012)

We moved in to 7 Hornby Road in 1949 and remained there for the next 30 years. It was a time of not having much but sharing with neighbours. That path you re talking about was the path to the farm house which remain there after they left as my Mother had to push our prams along it due to the steps in front of the house being to steep. I remember the schools opening, my brothers and I all attending. Later my mother was to become Lollipop lady up until she died in 1967. Who remembers Mr Keeble, Mr Novis the school caretaker, and Sunshine corner? For information, when we moved into Hornby Road it was just six houses and only part of Norwich Drive. You must read my book when it comes out. Brian Ralfe.

By BRIAN RALFE (03/03/2012)

Hi Brian. I shall certainly look out for your book. Best wishes to you. Did we not call you Sid in our group many years ago? Or, has the old memory played tricks on me? Kenny Pattison, the McEwen brothers, Brain Philips etc,etc.

By Jennifer Tonks nee Smith (04/03/2012)

Hi Brian. Remember Bevendean in the 1960s - 1970s with Mr Webb the head master, Ken the grocer and his son John? Let me know when your books out ( lrolf9@me.com ) with care.

By Lee Rolf (11/05/2012)