MR PERRY, of 30 Kenilworth Drive, Croxley Green, continues his memories of moving to Croxley Green.

My thoughts turned towards a real motorcycle. The old orphanage behind the junction station (now a housing estate) was the venue every Sunday morning to learn via the RAC ACU scheme to ride a motorcycle properly.

My first ride on the course was an ex-Army Triumph single cylinder 350cc, still in a camouflage colour scheme.The course was very comprehensive and I think it should be compulsory for all new motorcycle riders.

My first venture into bigger machines after my moped was a Matchless 350cc with jam pot springing so-called because the rear springs were short and fat like a jam pot. Then, after seeing an advertisement in The Watford Observer, I became the proud owner of a BSA 600cc M21 single cylinder with sidecar, which I purchased for the princely sum of £30.

Then, I went on to a BSA 650cc twin with double adult sidecar, and finally a brand new 650cc Matchless twin with double adult sidecar, if my memory serves me correctly. The sidecar was made in Blackpool by Watson. This was my last motorcycle thereafter, I joined the motoring fraternity proper.

Rates then were £24 for a full year and included water, sewage and local services, payable in two half-yearly instalments at Watford town hall, the entrance to the rates office being opposite the public library in Hempstead Road.

In the summer, it was possible to buy ice cream from Mazzone's in Durban Road. Grillo's kept their ice cream floats in a yard with the entrance in Pretoria Road and, if my memory serves me correctly, Grillo's still sold ice cream at the gates to Cassiobury Park at weekends.

There were several builders with yards nearby behind the houses in Chester Road, with the engineering firm of Hannafords down the road a bit further, almost opposite the Pretoria Road turning.

I have to mention the Co-operative Society in Whippendell Road with a provision shop and the Co-op hall above, and, on the corner of Queens Avenue, the Co-op greengrocer with the Co-op butchers next door.

When I have spoken to people who shopped at the Co-op, it's quite surprising how many can remember their society number.

I have not mentioned all of the shops in the area just the ones we would have used. For instance, the post office would have been very popular, so we went towards Park Avenue for most things.

October 30, 2001 15:30