Pype Hayes
Hi, Jennyann. I was born in 1957 so it is a little before my time. I remember the cafe. Are we talking about the same building? Between Pype Hayes Hall (then a children's home) and the swings etc. I remember there being a stable there, and I am sure in the early to mid sixties it was still used as such. I wonder if it is still there? I also remember the 'pre-fabs' that were, I believe supposed to be temporary dwellings during/after the war. They were still there in the 1970's! If I remember correctly, when they actually began pulling them down in the name of progress, the residents were very unhappy about it as they loved their little homes. I also remember the fishing lake. You walked up some steps into what I remember as being some lovely and well kept gardens. To the left, going towards the bottom of the bowling green there was a large holly tree, covering a wooden bench, As kids we often went there because the holly tree was so big and climbable! Later, in my teens, I remember carving my name into the bark with a pocket knife. Something we all had, but we had them because they were useful tools for all sorts of stuff- minor repairs to bikes, sharpening sticks for no other reason than the stick was there! drawing 'battle plans' in soil when playing 'army' and, of course, the obvious one- removing stones from horses hooves! Never entered our heads they could be a weapon. Such innocent times- not perfect but kids were kids and respected adults.