A Family Outing And A Disappearing Act

Continuing our post-Christmas sort out, I came across a Fortnum and Mason picnic hamper from a previous Wolf and Luci Christmas present. This now contains various items of photographic interest, including some early negatives and slides.

I scanned four black and white negatives from a family trip to Richmond Park in 1962. Three of these have been published before, but scanned from rather faded prints because I had not found the negatives. Despite the fact that a considerable amount of retouching was required, I have now been able to offer more clarity. The wallet in which they were contained was labelled, telling me that I had taken these shots with my old Box Brownie camera. The format of these  images is square.

Mum, Joseph, Maureen, Auntie Jean & Vivien, Uncle Derrick, 1962

Given that I found them in a hamper, it is fortuitous that the first picture is of a picnic (complete with hamper) taken in Richmond Park. My two year old brother Joseph is here stuffing a titbit into his younger cousin Maureen’s willing mouth. Continuing clockwise around the image we have my Auntie Jean, Vivien, unfortunately chomping, Mum, and Uncle Derrick. My sister Elizabeth is largely obscured by my first wife.

Joseph and Maureen 1962 001Joseph and Maureen 1962 2

Joe gave Maureen a piggy back,

Dad and Joseph 1962

and had something to say to Dad.

I have learned through overlaps with my blogging friend Geoff Le Pard, how small a world we inhabit. Geoff grew up not far from where we now live in Hampshire, and he now lives near my childhood home in London. We have often jogged each other’s memories. In a recent post of his, he wrote of the gardening he did in his teens for Mr and Mrs Gosling who lived in a house, which he thought was called ‘Silver Thatch’ on the corner of Vaggs Lane and Silver Street, and wondered whether one day I might photograph the house.

Jackie drove me there today to investigate. Unfortunately we couldn’t find such a house.

April CottageApril Cottage and Spar garage

The only thatch on that particular spot, now featuring a mini roundabout, is actually behind the petrol station and Spar shop on the corner of Silver Street and Everton Road. It is called ‘April Cottage’. Jackie parked in Everton Road whilst I took the above two photos

VaggsLane/Silver Street corner

then walked across to photograph the Vaggs Lane corner as it is today.

I am afraid the Goslings’ house has probably disappeared. Just as Jackie had done when I walked back over to where I had left her. The Modus was nowhere to be seen. Had she done a runner?

As I stood there scratching my head she sped down Vaggs Lane from the other end, round the roundabout, and into the garage forecourt. I entered the vehicle. ‘Where were you? Didn’t you see me parked beside you?’ she asked me most calmly, and with not the slightest inkling of a screech.

Well, no. Why would I? I was concentrating on what I was doing.

My driver had considerately followed me over to the opposite corner, not seen me cross back to Everton Road and had torn up Vaggs Lane in search of me. So, what was she doing? Perhaps whoever spirited away ‘Silver Thatch’, had been having a laugh.

Gammon Steaks meal

This evening we enjoyed the second of our Hello Fresh meals. This was excellent Honey Mustard Gammon Steaks with Parsley Sauce, with which I drank equally good Solliard bordeaux 2014 given to me by Shelley and Ron; and Jackie drank Hoegaarden.

40 comments

  1. You have restored those old photos extremely well Derrick – they are wonderful shots! You must have been very young when you and Vivien married with a a two year old brother to hand! Despite the fact it is not Geoff’s thatched cottage it is a beauty! I bet Jackie was secretly relieved to have found you xo

  2. I love that house! What a shame it is beside a petrol station now. Your post made me laugh- the silver thatch fairy playing games.

    So, in the picnic pic was your 2 yr old brother and your wife? I’ve pondered the possibilities there but would love a bit more info. I kniw, I’m neing nosey ?

      1. Thanks Derrick- I like how you’ve dealt with the FAQ’s. Also like how you have just built on thd very same drawing of the family tree that one of your readers created.

  3. Thanks so much to you and Jackie for the hunt. That’s not it so I’m afraid so I’m off to do some more research and see if Google will help correct my memory! I will return!!

  4. Your photographs are so beautiful of the family picnic in black and white. I wonder if young people still picnic? The photographs reminded me of family reunions we had in the 1960s at local forest preserves because no one had a home large enough to hold everyone. It was the only time the children saw grandparents and great aunts and uncles play baseball, something that tickled us to no end.
    Ginene

  5. Joe and Maureen are definitely the stars of this show. I’m sure they appreciate your capturing those moments. Such clear images – I can see every blade of grass!

      1. My first camera was the earliest Kodak Instamatic and I thought that makes me old; I’m still using point and shoots after all these years 🙂

  6. That little camera was certainly a gem, as are the pictures. Yes, Joe and Maureen stole the show.

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