The Estate - Bevendean History Project
Diane George remembers Peter Grange
I well remember the Dibbell’s and Peter Grainge and our Summer holidays in Heath Hill Avenue and down on the Avenue Green.
We used to play in my garden at 69 Heath Hill Avenue, one row down on the opposite side of the road or down on the green (the one outside the shops by Manton Road). He lived at Wood Green on the outskirts of London. I remember it was always referred to as the "posh part". Harry - Mr Dibbell to me - was a bus conductor. I am not sure of the relationship but "Eileen" was something to do with them and at some point got married and worked with her husband in what was Pennywise on Lewes Road (near St Pauls Street) I still have a bag that Mrs Dibbell gave me to play with. Next door to them lived Don and Chris Donaldson. Chris had a daughter (Sandra) from a previous marriage to a Mr Dicks (she changed her name when Chris re-married). We were lifelong friends, only losing contact when she moved with John, Sara and James to near Lewes (probably in the 1980/90's). Chris and Don moved from the prefabs to the flats in Hornby Road behind the school and then to the self-build bungalows in Jevington Drive. I also remember the Chessell family, and the Mears (Mary's family) from Plymouth Avenue. I don't suppose he would remember but David Hobden (Robert Brown's friend) lived near them with his parents.
They were good days (well to my young memory and eyes). Of course being a bit of a dinosaur now I can tell you lots of family names from the time and area.
The electoral registers list Herbert and Mable Hobden lived at 42 Heath Hill Avenue in 1955 and 1960.
Charles and Mary Mears were living at 44 Plymouth Avenue in 1960.
Diane George’s maiden name was Diane Perkins and her parents were William and May.
Diane George December 2020
We used to play in my garden at 69 Heath Hill Avenue, one row down on the opposite side of the road or down on the green (the one outside the shops by Manton Road). He lived at Wood Green on the outskirts of London. I remember it was always referred to as the "posh part". Harry - Mr Dibbell to me - was a bus conductor. I am not sure of the relationship but "Eileen" was something to do with them and at some point got married and worked with her husband in what was Pennywise on Lewes Road (near St Pauls Street) I still have a bag that Mrs Dibbell gave me to play with. Next door to them lived Don and Chris Donaldson. Chris had a daughter (Sandra) from a previous marriage to a Mr Dicks (she changed her name when Chris re-married). We were lifelong friends, only losing contact when she moved with John, Sara and James to near Lewes (probably in the 1980/90's). Chris and Don moved from the prefabs to the flats in Hornby Road behind the school and then to the self-build bungalows in Jevington Drive. I also remember the Chessell family, and the Mears (Mary's family) from Plymouth Avenue. I don't suppose he would remember but David Hobden (Robert Brown's friend) lived near them with his parents.
They were good days (well to my young memory and eyes). Of course being a bit of a dinosaur now I can tell you lots of family names from the time and area.
The electoral registers list Herbert and Mable Hobden lived at 42 Heath Hill Avenue in 1955 and 1960.
Charles and Mary Mears were living at 44 Plymouth Avenue in 1960.
Diane George’s maiden name was Diane Perkins and her parents were William and May.
Diane George December 2020
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