I wonder where George Hayes fits in here? He was a self employed builder/bricklayer and was one of the participating men who helped to 'self-build' those bungalows! Bet Hayes, aged 86, still lives in one of them but husband George died quite a few years ago.  They were industrious people in those days. None of yer TV couch types full of complaints and doing little about it. You can count that as a compliment to yourself, Cyril. Things got done and yobs were unheard of.  Unfortunately, I know that Bet has no computer to read these comments but nevertheless, it is good to record such events from the past which show the endeavour and cohesion existing between neighbours and friends. Also, I wonder what she would be saying about this matter today.  Never again, it seems, will we see such effort and enterprise between ordinary people embarked upon. Indeed, do those of today even have the muscle (I won't use the normal word of today) to accomplish in such a way?  Good luck to those remaining ones who have enjoyed the result of their industry over the years and may they do so for some years yet to come.

I first got to know George (mentioned above) when he followed his brother Ernie Hayes in joining my dad, Jack Spicer, on rabbitting excursions before WWII. Ernie went elsewhere but George continued with the association, enjoying the fruits of rabbit hunting with nets made by dad Jack. Long nets positioned across the whole of one side of the burrows in case a rabbit escaped from a bolt hole, and small nets specially made with a double pegging arrangement to ensure capture. Due to the turmoil of the time and the total lack of housing, which incidentally prompted a system of squatting by some. George and his wife Bet lived with us for a time but eventually they were allocated number 61 Norwich Drive at Bevendean. Being a bricklayer/builder George was always speaking of building his own place and his constant mentioning of so doing soon grew into a probability. In the meantime, I had moved to Eastbourne with similar idea but he succeeded where I failed! Bet still lives at Heathill Avenue and the bungalow looks as good as ever. What an achievement in such hard times by those industrious people! Each bungalow built in just over three weeks.