Comments for Flibbertigibbet

Comment on Memories of Hemel Hempstead in the 1970′s by Brian

Brian — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:57:30 +0000

Thanks for the memories here. Hemel Hempstead is my home town and we used to live in Hobbs Hill Raod, Wheelers Lane, Allandale Raod, and latterly, Boxmoor.
I went to school at Bennets End Secondary Modern. Before Belswains Junior Mixed and Infants.

I worked for three years at John Dickenson and Son. First job when leaving school at 15 in 1965. The Addressograph Multigraph on Maylands avenue for six years. 1965 to 1974.

I was sorry to hear how much Marlowes has changed. Especially the back area of it and the gardens. So many childhood memories.
Is the Kodak training school still in Gadebridge Park? You mention the originally Kodak building being made into flats.

As to shops, I remember Timothy Whites, the Odeon where as a family we went many times. Also the Library. Hopkinson the Dentist (!!). Also the old High Street at the top end of the town and the car show room up on the left hand side. Also a lovely couple who operated a very small radio shop on the left hand side at the top. I used to build radios and got the Practical Wireless magazine, and Wireless World.

I also did weekend security work at Kodak Training school in Gadebridge Park and a very erie place it could be as well. Luckily I did not do the night shift. A school teacher from Harrow School for Girls, used to do that. He brought his marking along with him. Rather him than me walking down those empty echooe corridoes late at night I can tell you.

I was trying to find out what happened to Tailor Mckenna toy shop in the High Street. Used to buy Minic Motorway items their. A piece of the track every week.

So many memories. My late sister used to go to Corner Hall School, before she became a teacher. My late father being an Aircraft Inspector at British Aerospace at Hatfield. Before that with Hawker Siddley.

So many memories. But thanks to everybody for sharing yours as well on this web page.

Comment on Memories of Hemel Hempstead in the 1970′s by sue

sue — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:43:17 +0000

Zoe, I recommend you look at the Hemel Hempstead Remembered page on Facebook. There are photos of Gadebridge Park and lots of other interesting old pics and memories on there.

Comment on Memories of Hemel Hempstead in the 1970′s by Zoe

Zoe — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:29:08 +0000

Thank you for those memories – they brought it al back so vividly!I stumbled onto Flibbertigibbet looking for photos of Gadebridge Park playground in the 1970s to show my daughter – does anyone have some they could post? I grew up in Hemel and my mum still lives there in the same street. We now live in Hawaii. My daughter loves to visit Gadebridge Park whenever we come to the UK and I was describing to her how it used to look when I was growing up and the concept of health and safety was a long way in the future! Does anyone remember the hill around 2 sides of the park, with the tunnels through it? The two slides (one for smaller kids, one for big ones) that you climbed up to on up-ended logs? The big climbing-frame, the withes hat, the paddling-pool and ( I think these were there for a while after the park was modernised) the old see-saw and metal horse? I spent hours of my childhood in that playground, and in the park. We used to dare each other to cross over the slippery weirs and then play hide-and seek in the beds of flowering bushes on the other side. So many memories…

Comment on Memories of Hemel Hempstead in the 1970′s by Hans-Peter Bludau

Hans-Peter Bludau — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:46:33 +0000

We, the geman football club from VfB 08 Lünen, was 1963 for a short break guest from FC Bennetts End youth football team. It was for us, age 16/17 years, a great time. I remember the youth club in Bennetts End and the wonderful boys and girls. Perhaps somebody remember us?

Comment on Memories of Hemel Hempstead in the 1970′s by Dirk

Dirk — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:05:11 +0000

I found this blog when looking up Hemel Hempstead photos and i was blown away by the same childhood memories that so many others have that i do. I was born in our council house in Barnacres Road Bennets End in 1963 and emigrated to Australia in 1969, before retuning in1971 and then returning again to Australia in Nov 79. So there were many periods of my childhood in Hemel. I went to Hobbs Hill infant school both before and after OZ and then went to Hemel Secondary School. My Nan lived her whole life in Apsley mostly opposite ‘Dickinsons’ and then futher down opposit Kent Brushes, next door to my grandads favorite pub The oddfellows.

Like the people above i remember so well Seafarer Fish and Chips although i thought it was Seafare.Also Wimpey with the ramp and Pond.
I also remember the Odeon cinema and Sat pictures ,i used to go with my sister and our friends on the bus to the Sat cinema and remember taking my record to be played and danced to it on stage.

I was also in the car with my mum at the magic roundabout the day it opened with some person standing on top of scaffolding set up in the middle and at 9.00am he blew the whistle and everyone went.(brilliant design).

I remember getting crcket pads and gloves at Peter Spivey and all the other stores people have mentioned bring back great memories of school days.

I have lived in Sydney now for over 30 years but still return to uk / Europe each Northern summer for holdays. I have stayed in contact with a friend from School who still lives there near the Mayflower. I like others think it’s sad to see Hemel look the way it does today, particularly with so many vacant shops and it just doesn’t have the character i remember, which was all brought back reading the blogs above.

My wife and kids are facebook addicts, but its not my scene, or is writing on these blogs, but this really got me, so thank you Sue and all.

Comment on Virgin Media (NTL as was) – a complete loss of faith by tiredofwaiting

tiredofwaiting — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:54:18 +0000

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GO STRAIGHT TO ISPA, THEY REGULATE VIRGIN AND YOU WILL FIND YOU WILL RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE CHIEF EXEC OFFICE VERY QUICKLY. GOOD LUCK!!!

http://www.ispa.org.uk/consumers/complaints-form/

Comment on The Fountain by ENRIQUE MENA CAVIEDES

ENRIQUE MENA CAVIEDES — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:59:42 +0000

Leer mi comentario en http://www.cinebajolalupa.com/la-fuente-de-la-vida-the-fountain/

Comment on Memories of Hemel Hempstead in the 1970′s by Ray Brooks

Ray Brooks — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:48:59 +0000

I moved to Hemel at the age of 3 months from London in 1953….have so many memories of Hemel in those early days. It was a great place to grow up and I have fond memories of the Town Centre. Does anyone remember Tee Vee Services on the ramp? ..and in the town : Times furnishing, yes the Wimpy Bar, Timothy Whites, Rumbelows, Hiltons (shoe shop) Finlay’s coffee upstairs (managed by old ladies). VisionHire, British Relay Television. Wagon and Horses pub..The delicatessan that was next to Quality House was called ‘Bird’.
The question I have never had answered by anyone is : Why was the ‘Pavilion’ knocked down. Would love to know….I spent a lot of my school summer holidays at Churchills Swimming Pool. I remember the water gardens being well maintained and looked great (not now Im afraid). I went to Apsley Grammar school and ironically have returned to Apsley having spent 20 years in Berkshire. Its still good to be back !

Comment on Memories of Hemel Hempstead in the 1970′s by Robb

Robb — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:34:23 +0000

Everyone here u must go 2 FB Hemel Hempstead Remembered, u’ll LOVE IT!!!

Comment on Library trials by Grace Tierney

Grace Tierney — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:43:10 +0000

I had a similar experience in my local library (in Ireland) earlier this summer. Yes, I could manage it (after a few false starts) but I don’t see how it’s going to help less tech-saavy users, those with sight issues, or those that need to juggle bags and perhaps a walking stick. And yes, those readers have every right to use the library too. I usually have two small (button pressing manic) children with me when using the machines and that doesn’t help either.

Part of the joy of using a library is often the interaction at checkout – commenting on books, suggesting similar authors, and that’s gone now too.

More recently, I managed (accidentally) to check out 2 books without registering them against a card. Library system thought they were still “on shelf” – I could have kept them!

Progress for progress’ sake I think. And yet I still can’t check out ebooks from my library, only digital audio books?!