1953
I had to leave school in this year, because my parents couldn’t afford to let me stay on as I had wanted to do. I really enjoyed going to art school at Ealing, but unfortunately my dad said that I had to end my education and leave when I was sixteen. My friend Alvis, however, was allowed to continue her education which was a shame for me, but my life did turn out well later on. After leaving Ealing Art School I accepted a job with Boots the Chemists as an assistant.
It was the Coronation year. I remember going to see Barbara off on a trip (organised for many London school children) to see the spectacular parade of the Queen’s Coach and procession, from seats which I believe were in the Mall. Later on we all watched the crowning on Auntie May’s television.
Later that year on November 5th, we moved from Goldsmith Road to Arundel Court,[37] a newly built block of flats on Woodhouse Road, just inside North Finchley and just up the road from my Grandma Lawrence’s home in Summers Lane. Because of the date, we were able to get rid of a load of our old furniture as well as some from Auntie May’s. It was all piled up into a huge bonfire with a Guy sitting on top.
My Mum was expecting at this time, but had no idea she was carrying two babies. She had been having a lot of pains, so I went with her to Barnet Hospital for a check up where it was decided to keep her in for observation. Just before Christmas, I can remember a telephone call for me while at work; it was the hospital saying that Mum was having twins and that they needed to reduce the high amount of fluid she was carrying. But another call from the hospital at teatime said that they had moved Mum to Victoria Maternity Hospital at High Barnet.
It was so sad, as Mum gave birth to two tiny little twin girls on the bed. They were so small, and Mum said that she saw them moving on her legs. Of course, at that time, things were not so advanced for births, and they were not to survive, yet the babies were christened and the births registered. Mum in her haste named them ‘Jenny’ and ‘Jennifer’ and then they were taken away.
Mum was in hospital all over the Christmas period, so Barbara and I had to make it as bright for our dad as possible, helping with the cooking and other things at home. He had gone to Wood Green, buying an enormous turkey which wouldn’t even fit in the oven and had to be cut in half. Besides all the mess that Barbara and I had made and had to clear up, the turkey was tough and even Grandma Lawrence’s cat turned its nose up at it.
Nanny Trusler and Auntie Ada came over to see us on Boxing Day when the buses were running. Uncle Jim came too—which was very nice of him—along with cousin Violet.
Some time later, Mum became very depressed over losing the babies and was admitted to hospital for a time, but fortunately, she did recover well. 1953 was an important year and one to remember in many ways for me.
There was so much that happened thereafter, with different jobs, meeting my husband Arthur and having children and a family of my own. It would deserve another book.
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