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I think that Childhood, in the teeming South Street area during World War I, and up to 1926,
was a wonderful experience for all the children who shared it. It was especially so for my sisters and brother and me, even when we had lost our father, and had only our dear mother to
take care of us.
COURTS AND ALLEYS
South Street had many alleys and courtyards and places leading off, with lots of little
cottages. There was a place called 'Grey's Alley !, named after a regiment that was stationed in Gosport long before my time. And down the Beach Street end of South Street was
Sarah's Place, Trinity View and Wash-house Yard, where we did all the big washing. Then in Middle South Street, above Bemisters Lane, there was Child's Court, and Wallingford Place.
This was where I was born in 1912. Our bedroom was at the top and we looked out on to the back entrance of Gosport Theatre, We used to love watching the ladies come down the stairs from their
dressing rooms. They had to come and go in whatever weather and it must have been very annoying when it rained, but it brought lots of imagination and colour to the lives of children watching them,
with their furs and laces and lovely dresses.
GOSPORT THEATRE PLAYGROUND
When the gates to the back entrance of Gosport Theatre were unlocked, this was our
nearest playground. I often remember playing cricket there; the bat was always a piece of wood from an orange box, the wicket any old coat or whatever was available. There were arguments over
being out, and the batsmen would seldom agree, especially if the bowler happened to be a girl The game would often end with no results, but the quarrels never lasted longer than the next day, when
it would all start again.
BLAKES ENGINEERING WORKS
There was Slakes Engineering Works just opposite the Malthouse. It was a source of noise and
nasty smells. As the front was wide open all the young men working there would give the odd cheek to any young girl passing by. Also Wallingford Place ran along the side wall of the building,
and I remember when they installed a Steam Hammer^ how it shook our poor little cottage and made a terrific banging noise, which we got used to in time, although we never thought we would do so.
ANIMALS TO THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE
Also lower down just past Bemisters Lane was Mr. Cox's Slaughter
House* If we were in the street when these animals came in view, we ran home or to the nearest house, because they always bellowed loudly, in such a distressed way. I am sure they must have
smelled the Slaughter House, and sensed what would happen to them there..
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