Bernard, interviewed on 25th July 2024, is the son of Jack Knight who was interviewed for the project in August 2013. The family lived in Nuns Lane from 1948 until 1967. Bernard now lives on the Gorhambury Estate.
Bernard remembers many of the names of the residents who lived in Nuns Lane during his time. On his side of the road there was Dolling (10), McBride (14), Evans (16), Knight (18 his house), Callow (20 – Kelvin was his best friend), Fountain (22) and Mulcurran (24).
On the other side of the road opposite his house was a family called Burrows. Mr Burrows was one half of Bold and Burrows, electrical retailers in Verulam Road. Then came the Wells family with daughter Vicky. Next to them was Roger Beltham. Going towards Cloister Garth, there was the nice Mr James Nicklin who used to wear a neck tie. He was a lovely gentleman who was friends with his father, Jack Knight. Then there was Bernard Hall.
In Cloister Garth he can remember Walmer, Scott, Davies (called Wag for some reason) who had sons called Carly and Barry, and Lackoshavitch whose son was called Lacko.
There used to be a red telephone box on the green at the Cottonmill Lane end of Nuns Lane.
In 1953, his father bought a television (a Vidor) from Crossley Stocks in Holywell Hill in order to watch the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Lots of neighbours were invited in to watch as well.
In Cottonmill Lane on left hand side towards New Barnes Mill he describes a large plot of land with a large house and orchard. He and his friends were wary of scrumping in the orchard because of the dog – a Great Dane! [Other residents have mentioned this house as well – see Mike Titchener] Just before the bridge there was a piece of rough ground containing large Gunnera plants which Bernard and his friends called giant rhubarb.
New Barnes Mill was working when he lived in the area. Bernard said that once a year it would be closed and sealed off for fumigation in order to get rid of bugs and vermin. Sopwell House was then an old peoples home run by Burke Goddard and wife, Mick and Delia. Bernard was fond of Delia so he was a frequent visitor. The family lived in a house on the right down the driveway to Sopwell House. On one occasion, when the staff were getting the residents’ tea ready, Bernard noticed there was a pig complete with litter under the table! At the back of the House, past the greenhouses and garden on the edge of the golf course Bernard found a grave of a dog called Pip. He thinks the dog may have belonged to Cedric Barnett the son of the previous owners of the House.
He remembers the Ice House which they called it the Witches Dell. He attended the Baptist church in Abbots Avenue run by Mr and Mrs Thoroughgood. Then came the Reverend Keith Soaby who lived in Gorham Drive. He has fond memories of Smith’s Fair in Butterfield Lane. There was Tom Smith, Nelson Smith (dodgems) and Alf Smith (coconut shy). He said they were lovely people. He met Alf some years later and on request gave him a fresh rabbit – Bernie was a gamekeeper – and Alf in return gave him a coconut!
Bernard and Mum behind coalshed 
Bernard and Kelvin Callow by chicken house 
Bernard aged 16
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