A stroll in the park

Highfield Trust was no doubt grateful that the weather remained dry for the fascinating guided walk the trustees had organised, and which was enjoyed by over thirty Sunday morning walkers.  We were talked through the story of Hill and and Cell Barnes hospitals, and were able to spot a few of the buildings and other features remaining from hospital days.  It gave us the opportunity to appreciate the work the Highfield Trust has already completed in what is a long-term development project.  Its legacy will be a wonderful public estate resource, available to all.  Those already lucky enough to live in the residential developments  at Hill End and Cell Barnes, already take advantage of the paths, parks, woods and fields which form part of their home patch.  Thank you Highfield for an enjoyable walk – and cake on our arrival at the end.

Former Hill End Halt (right); Hill End Hospital (centre) and Cell Barnes Hospital (background left)

One consequence of publishing the book is the number of people who have taken the opportunity of dusting down old photo collections in shoe boxes and albums.  On one visit recently a house owner invited me to peruse a substantial number of "people pictures," mainly teams, classes and employee groups.  One which caught my eye was an early football team photograph similar to those published near the end of Volume 1.  Looking more closely, I could see the word Albion painted on the ball which the goalkeeper was holding.  Here was, undoubtedly another street team, made up from the men and boys from Albion and Cavendish roads.  There will, I am sure, be many such teams still to find.

Another such picture has turned up on the Friends Reunited website: a class photograph taken at Fleetville School in 1955.  It was submitted by Mary Oldcorn, and she would like to recall the names of some of the class members shown (so would I).  Unfortunately, the file size submitted to the website was not large enough for the picture to be enlarged, making the faces more clearly visible.  So Mary, if you are reading this post, could you please send a larger copy; or if anyone else recognises this picture in their own collection and can make a higher resolution scan, there are people here who would love to pick their way along the rows of smiling faces from the past.