I moved there in 1939 when I was three months old
and Speke really was a kid's paradise to gow up in then, even during
the war. My cousins from the Dingle used to come to Speke on their
holidays! I have written a few memories about those days and will
dig them out and post them. Meanwhile, I think the area you are referring
to was what we called The Laburnum Woods. There were lots of low-level
bushes and a few ponds. A bit further on was Bluebell Wood, which
had a moat around it and then the there was Mill Wood. There used
to be a railway station at Speke and the famous Table Bridge. near
here there were also lots of large concrete triangles designed to
stop tanks. Towards the airport was the Old Lane and on the other
sid of Speke Boulevard was Wiggy's Orchard, which we often raided
and just as often got chased by Wiggy. The whole area was full of
wildlife, particularly birds. I first lived in 127 Rycot Road, right
opposite the entrance to what used to be B,B & G. where I did
my apprenticeship/ later we moved to 37 Bray Road and then to 83 Hale
Drive; my parents must have had something of the gypsy in them. I
now live near Oxford and Banbury.
Brian Reynolds