The Read Family
Having recently
discovered and enjoyed this site, I thought I might post this on
the notice board to jog some memories. My family used to live in
George Street from 1953 to 1970, when we moved to Derbyshire
because my father’s job relocated from Leighton Buzzard to
Alfreton.
Dad, Fred, used
to be the Treasurer for the CIS Working mans club and I can
remember assisting with the construction of the new site at the
entrance to the allotments to allow the club to move from
upstairs in the village hall.
Mum, Margaret
(Maggie) Was the Chairwoman for the parish council when it was
announced that Cublington was a proposed site for the 3rd
London Airport, which started the WARA (Wing Airport Resistance
Association) campaign. Many happy times were had at fund raising
events for the cause throughout the village and beyond. The media
interest also brought the Panorama (BBC) team to the village
amongst many. She also started the playgroup that ran in the
village hall for many years and towards the end of our time in
the village ran the Brownie troop. These events coincided with my
sister Janette as she was growing up. Lastly but not least, Mum
was also President of the WI that used to meet in the village
hall. I can remember being enlisted to perform in one of the
local area WI drama competitions as William Shakespeare’s
son in Anne Hathaway. An event that was to lead me to avoid
public performances for the rest of my life, although the
adulation from mature groupies gave me a buzz at the time!
I, Kevin,
although born in a broom cupboard in Stoke Mandeville Hospital,
(1957) the maternity unit in Aylesbury was closed at the time
(family joke – accounts for the spiky hairdo) consider
myself born in Wing and have very many fond memories of my early
years in the village. I used to help the local Co-op milkman,
Martin, with his round, on the horse and milk float during school
holidays and at weekends, and knew all of the best watering holes
for both milkman and horse. The best parts were the trips to
Linslade to have the horse shod, although the ride back up the
hill was a long old plod, and preparing the Float and horse for
the village fete where we used to provide rides for everyone.
I also used to
deliver the morning papers along Leighton Road and the High
Street, one house, you know who you are! Only used to have papers
delivered on a Sunday, all editions, in a narrow letterbox 6
inches above the threshold. I would hate to think what it would
be like now to feed the current editions and supplements through
such a narrow slot.
Janette and I
were members of All Saints Sunday School (I’m sure it was to
give Mum and Dad a bit of piece and quiet on a Sunday morning,
especially after a Saturday night in the CIS Club). I was also a
member of the 1st Wing cub and Scout troop.
If you remember
any of this or us please contact me through