Longford (inc. The Red Hills)

Pixrobin, thanks for the information. Now almost all those old cottages, you opened the front door and stepped into the living room, but the cottage I lived in the door was about a foot from the side wall, so when you opened the door people automatically stepped into that corner. But we were gas-lit, so the gas board in all their wisdom put the metal gasmeter there at head height, 'ouch' even the gas-man hit his head on it a couple of times, now you put a penny in a slot turned a handle and you got gas. When the gas man came he would put a small cloth on our dining table, take the small can of the meter and empty the coins onto the cloth, put them in piles of twelve, then put them in small bags, enter into his ledger, and the bags into a larger bag. Weighed a ton. Never ever heard of him getting mugged. System worked, no credit card, no pin number.

Hi all, I have just discovered that six of my aunts and uncles (surname Gardner) were born at 1 WALDONS YARD, LONGFORD, between 1917 and 1927. Any idea where Waldons Yard may have been? Don't think it exists anymore. Gilly.

According to my late 1960s street map Waldens Yard was off the north side of Windmill Road near the school in the area between St Thomas' Road and Recreation Road (formerly Edens Yard, I think).

Gilly, hi. My young brother married Margaret Gardner from one of those Yards in Windmill Road in 1962, maybe you're related, do you want me to ask her to come in on this topic, or just ask her about Waldons Yard?

Not Local, hi. Damn sight quieter in my day I would think, haven't been there for over 70 years, many changes. What I gather they knocked down the school one side of Grange Road, built a new one the other side. Knocked down the Electric Station one side of the canal, built new electrics the other side of canal. Dread to think what they have done with the chip shop top of Hurst Road opposite the church. lol. Pixrobin. Lad from Hurst Road, few years older than me, we both went to Foxford. We met about 15 years later at a racetrack, spoke a few words, it began to rain, had been most of morning. We part and he walks over to young lady, huge pool of water on the ground, he picks her up in his arms and wades through deep puddle, the crowd went wild, clapping and shouting, standing ovation. I hoped it was his wife, for the picture was splashed all over front page of newspaper next morning (Mirror I believe). Gallant lads, Longford lot.

Re: Waldens Yard. There are still some derelict cottages directly behind Longford Park Primary School, you can see them from Longford Park. They fit the description of being between Recreation Rd and St. Thomas's Rd. Could this be Walden's Yard?

Although I went to Windmill Rd school in the 40s I am unable to recall a Waldens Yard. Is it the cluster of buildings above the letter S. Norman

Foxford School - are you on any of these photos, Kaga?

Gilly, my sister-in-law Garner, (No. D) Waldons Yard, believed to be changed to Woolgrove Street. Main entrance to park at the bottom, Eden Street had pub on corner, in between large house where they did spinning and small yard with about four houses.

The Old Crown is still on the corner of Eden St. Just inside Eden St on the left was row of old cottages, my school friend Derek Thatcher lived in the first one. Norman

I was born and bred in St. Thomas Rd. so this should be an easy topic for me, but I must admit until I read this discussion I had never heard or Waldens Yard, or if I had, I have long forgotten the name - it is well over 40 years since I lived in Coventry. However, this simple map (Microsoft Autoroute) shows Waldens Yard. This must be the entrance to Longford Park School. Woolgrove St. is much further down Windmill Road. This other map does not show Waldens Yard, but the small, old houses of Edens Place are to be found at the top right corner of the school property. The houses are along the eastern edge of the school playground. They were still there in June this year. I hope this helps. Longford Lad

Longford Lad. Wonder if you knew the Baldwins?

A VERY big THANK YOU to all of you for your responses. You have all been most helpful as always! Gilly

Longford Lad, wonder if you know my family the Thay's from St Thomas' Road, my nan and granddad, Beatrice and Albert Thay lived there, along with my dad, Maurice, and my uncles; Stan, Harry and Tom. My mum's family, the Arkinstalls lived in Woolgrove Street, my grandparents were Ray and Gertrude, my mum Shirley, and siblings Connie, Ray, and Jill?

There was an Arkinstall at Windmill Rd school when I was there. Norman