Melba has lived in Sopwell for over sixty years. She maintains that she is the oldest person in her street. When Melba first came to Leyland Avenue, it was more of a community and she knew everyone in the street and remembers some of them. She recalls the shops at the top of the road, street parties, opportunities for work in St Albans and talks of how she met her husband.
Interview date: 3 October 2013. Interviewer: Elizabeth Harding.
Hello mrs Buckingham, I lived at 43 Frosts approx 1946-61. It was great all those children playing in the street. I was at the coronation party as the groom in top hat and tails. And yes we knew everybody by name. Happy days. Steve Frost
I am replying on behalf of my mum, Melba. I believe I used to play with your sister Susan, especially in the Wendy house in your garden! Also your Dad took me to St Peters to see the bell ringing. Mum wants to know whether you still live in St Albans? She is 94 years of age, and still lives in the avenue.
Hi Susan Butt I left St Albans over 40 years ago and was happy to find your mums story of Leyland ave . Just hoped your mum was still there and someone might respond . Please tell your mum I’d like to come to the street party for her 100 th . It was a great rd to live in with all those nice people and so many children to play with. Is any one else there from those days ? Yes Sue your right about the Wendy house ( old shed ) .Dad rang at St Peter’s for over 70 years . He died aged 90 in2005 …. Happy days Sue
I think Mum is now the oldest resident in the street. Mrs Duncombe still lives next door, but I think everyone else has either died or moved on. She was very interested to hear you had commented on her story. Where are you now and is Susan still around?
Hi Susan . ,I now live in Congleton it’s between stoke and Manchester , sue lives in Hampshire . I remember mrs Duncome’s son Paul .
They were happy days
Have only just looked on site again, I have a cousin Jill who lives in Congleton- small world! I have read the posts from John- also my cousin! And remember that it was the Riley’s that had the other corgi. There was also the Mitchell’s round the corner, one John , played football professionally. Remember me to Susan.
Hi John . I know your older , but struggle to to remember more !
Did you live next to the Pages . Were you older than John Butcher
Did you have greyhounds . Did you drive a little van . I was 10 when I left in 61 …..time flys… Cheers
Hi Steve. Good to hear from you. We lived at 29, had an older brother called David. John Butcher is slightly older than me and am still in contact with him. My brother was 80 last week, he is 8 years older than me. Yes I did have an A35 In Green. We did have a dog but it was a Corgi. I lived at that address until I got married in 1967 and moved just round the corner in Cottonmill Lane. John.
Hi John I remember corgi dogs ,more than one I think …at 29 you were near paul Duncombe and Dicki Riley ……were you or your brother in the army ?. I remember a boy who did cartwheels and handstands walking up and down in the road ,we were impressed ..on that surface and the ability ….who was that ?
Were there 2 families called Buckingham ?The deaf cobbler at the top of the road . Just on the edge of Ley ave two brothers who were killed in Germany pushing their motorbike . Cheers steve
Hi Steve. I only had one corgi at 29. Paul Duncombe lived next door to my Auntie Melba Buckingham. My brother was in the Army but I think you had moved by that time. It was not me doing the hand stands ! We walked on stilts and skipped in the road, the rope tired one end to a lamppost outside number 37. The Cobbler was called Mr Graham, sorry can’t record the two brothers. B in touch again. Regards John.
Hi John I remember climbing the lamppost outside 37 ( do you remember the Cheisa ,s at 37 ? ) …..it’s a mystery who the athletical boy was . ? . What number does Melba live at ? Cheers John
The lamppost was outside Annette and Gill Chiesa’s house, had no contact with them. Re 1953 party, I recall you dressed as a little right smart little gentleman. I was Humpty Dumpty with a wall to carry. I was awarded a prize for mum’s outfit, a puppet !!! Something last on my list for putting up with the heat in the outfit. Our house had a model Coronation Coach and horses in our front bay window assembled by Mum. John xx
Hi Steve, hope all ok with you. Still think of all the happy times we had when we were youngsters living in Leyland Avenue. Have good summer. Regards John. Xx
Hi John the boy who did hand stands and walked up and down the road was Vera Durrant’s (age now approx now 69 ) older brother .
Their mother was a nurse who worked nights .
Cheers steve
Hi Steve, good to hear from you. Last week we were in undated with the flying ants again, not so severe as in the past. Yes, I remember the Durrants, was he called Ronnie ? Mrs Durrant was a nurse who came to me when Mum tried to poison me !!!!!! I think they lived at number 11. What a small world. I met up with my second cousin Gill, round Melba’s yesterday and she said she knows you and lives in your town. What a small world a !!! Have you been into the Sopwell Memories web site, I helped to launch it few years ago, all very interesting reading. Trust all well your end, the summer is flying by far too quickly and the holidays will be here and gone before we know it. Great to hear from you. Regards John xxxx
Hi John .. I only remember the name Vera Durrant’. My sister Sue knew it was her older brother Ronnie who could do the hand stands etc. yes John I read the Sopwel Memories site with interest . I of course never saw the the club house …was it on the gasworks side ..Susan Butt said you had a cousin in congleton .. Gill or Jill….what’s her surname ..take care John ..cheers steve
Hi Steve. Autumn’s here and you can feel the temperature dropping, sorry not been in touch lately. In that time, my cousin Jill Gover and her brother John who now lives in New Zealand met up at Melba Bucks, Jill now lives in Lamberts Lane, Congleton, it was an enjoyable time talking about old memories. The Boys Club is very run down, it was built on our field, Gas works side against local wishes as they took the land. It was opened by Derek Nimmo, now departed, I believe. Rumours are now this will be flattened and flats built on the ground. Any spare ground round here is worth a lot of money. Trust you all well. Have often wondered what career path you went down and your sister. Regards, John. Xxx
Hi John ….yes it does seem autumnal but after the warm sept it had to end sometime . Yes it is a small world I do know Jill and her husband Mike….I’d forgoten we had made the connection of St. Albans and Melba
Some years ago . As for a career path I served my time at TA Bickertons as a joiner..then went into the pub game for 25 years ‘up to 2000. Then back to the building which is at a slow pace now, almost retired. My 5 grandchildren help to keep me young . It will soon be Christmas John and I wish you a peaceful ,blessed time ,regards to all
Cheers steve
Hi Steve, sorry a bit late in replying to your last e mail. Just to say hope you and all your family have a lovely Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Can’t believe this mild weather, I’m sure we may well suffer in the New Year !!!
Take care and will be in touch in the New Year. Regards John xxx
Hi John the same to you and yours , have a blessed 2016 .. I think you might be right about the weather ….chat in the new year….cheers steve xx God bless
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Hello mrs Buckingham, I lived at 43 Frosts approx 1946-61. It was great all those children playing in the street. I was at the coronation party as the groom in top hat and tails. And yes we knew everybody by name. Happy days. Steve Frost
I am replying on behalf of my mum, Melba. I believe I used to play with your sister Susan, especially in the Wendy house in your garden! Also your Dad took me to St Peters to see the bell ringing. Mum wants to know whether you still live in St Albans? She is 94 years of age, and still lives in the avenue.
Hi Susan Butt I left St Albans over 40 years ago and was happy to find your mums story of Leyland ave . Just hoped your mum was still there and someone might respond . Please tell your mum I’d like to come to the street party for her 100 th . It was a great rd to live in with all those nice people and so many children to play with. Is any one else there from those days ? Yes Sue your right about the Wendy house ( old shed ) .Dad rang at St Peter’s for over 70 years . He died aged 90 in2005 …. Happy days Sue
I think Mum is now the oldest resident in the street. Mrs Duncombe still lives next door, but I think everyone else has either died or moved on. She was very interested to hear you had commented on her story. Where are you now and is Susan still around?
Hi Susan . ,I now live in Congleton it’s between stoke and Manchester , sue lives in Hampshire . I remember mrs Duncome’s son Paul .
They were happy days
Have only just looked on site again, I have a cousin Jill who lives in Congleton- small world! I have read the posts from John- also my cousin! And remember that it was the Riley’s that had the other corgi. There was also the Mitchell’s round the corner, one John , played football professionally. Remember me to Susan.
I have great memories of living in Leyland Avenue growing up with lots of friendly faces and still live just round the corner.
Hi John . I know your older , but struggle to to remember more !
Did you live next to the Pages . Were you older than John Butcher
Did you have greyhounds . Did you drive a little van . I was 10 when I left in 61 …..time flys… Cheers
Hi Steve. Good to hear from you. We lived at 29, had an older brother called David. John Butcher is slightly older than me and am still in contact with him. My brother was 80 last week, he is 8 years older than me. Yes I did have an A35 In Green. We did have a dog but it was a Corgi. I lived at that address until I got married in 1967 and moved just round the corner in Cottonmill Lane. John.
Hi John I remember corgi dogs ,more than one I think …at 29 you were near paul Duncombe and Dicki Riley ……were you or your brother in the army ?. I remember a boy who did cartwheels and handstands walking up and down in the road ,we were impressed ..on that surface and the ability ….who was that ?
Were there 2 families called Buckingham ?The deaf cobbler at the top of the road . Just on the edge of Ley ave two brothers who were killed in Germany pushing their motorbike . Cheers steve
Hi Steve. I only had one corgi at 29. Paul Duncombe lived next door to my Auntie Melba Buckingham. My brother was in the Army but I think you had moved by that time. It was not me doing the hand stands ! We walked on stilts and skipped in the road, the rope tired one end to a lamppost outside number 37. The Cobbler was called Mr Graham, sorry can’t record the two brothers. B in touch again. Regards John.
Hi John I remember climbing the lamppost outside 37 ( do you remember the Cheisa ,s at 37 ? ) …..it’s a mystery who the athletical boy was . ? . What number does Melba live at ? Cheers John
The lamppost was outside Annette and Gill Chiesa’s house, had no contact with them. Re 1953 party, I recall you dressed as a little right smart little gentleman. I was Humpty Dumpty with a wall to carry. I was awarded a prize for mum’s outfit, a puppet !!! Something last on my list for putting up with the heat in the outfit. Our house had a model Coronation Coach and horses in our front bay window assembled by Mum. John xx
Hi Steve, hope all ok with you. Still think of all the happy times we had when we were youngsters living in Leyland Avenue. Have good summer. Regards John. Xx
Hi John ,hope your summer is going well , .do you remember the air black with all those flying ants that came from the pavement. Cheers steve
Hi John the boy who did hand stands and walked up and down the road was Vera Durrant’s (age now approx now 69 ) older brother .
Their mother was a nurse who worked nights .
Cheers steve
Hi Steve, good to hear from you. Last week we were in undated with the flying ants again, not so severe as in the past. Yes, I remember the Durrants, was he called Ronnie ? Mrs Durrant was a nurse who came to me when Mum tried to poison me !!!!!! I think they lived at number 11. What a small world. I met up with my second cousin Gill, round Melba’s yesterday and she said she knows you and lives in your town. What a small world a !!! Have you been into the Sopwell Memories web site, I helped to launch it few years ago, all very interesting reading. Trust all well your end, the summer is flying by far too quickly and the holidays will be here and gone before we know it. Great to hear from you. Regards John xxxx
Hi John .. I only remember the name Vera Durrant’. My sister Sue knew it was her older brother Ronnie who could do the hand stands etc. yes John I read the Sopwel Memories site with interest . I of course never saw the the club house …was it on the gasworks side ..Susan Butt said you had a cousin in congleton .. Gill or Jill….what’s her surname ..take care John ..cheers steve
Hi Steve. Autumn’s here and you can feel the temperature dropping, sorry not been in touch lately. In that time, my cousin Jill Gover and her brother John who now lives in New Zealand met up at Melba Bucks, Jill now lives in Lamberts Lane, Congleton, it was an enjoyable time talking about old memories. The Boys Club is very run down, it was built on our field, Gas works side against local wishes as they took the land. It was opened by Derek Nimmo, now departed, I believe. Rumours are now this will be flattened and flats built on the ground. Any spare ground round here is worth a lot of money. Trust you all well. Have often wondered what career path you went down and your sister. Regards, John. Xxx
Hi John ….yes it does seem autumnal but after the warm sept it had to end sometime . Yes it is a small world I do know Jill and her husband Mike….I’d forgoten we had made the connection of St. Albans and Melba
Some years ago . As for a career path I served my time at TA Bickertons as a joiner..then went into the pub game for 25 years ‘up to 2000. Then back to the building which is at a slow pace now, almost retired. My 5 grandchildren help to keep me young . It will soon be Christmas John and I wish you a peaceful ,blessed time ,regards to all
Cheers steve
I knew a Susan Buckingham who lived in Leyland Ave…she had freind Iris Wilson I believe… Went to St. Peters
Hi Steve, sorry a bit late in replying to your last e mail. Just to say hope you and all your family have a lovely Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Can’t believe this mild weather, I’m sure we may well suffer in the New Year !!!
Take care and will be in touch in the New Year. Regards John xxx
Hi John the same to you and yours , have a blessed 2016 .. I think you might be right about the weather ….chat in the new year….cheers steve xx God bless