I miss our amenities

1:28pm Friday 4th April 2008

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WHEN I first came to work in Beaconsfield in 1936, there was a police station open and fully manned 24 hours a day, also one or two men on the beat.

There was also a gasworks run by local men, one of whom, Mr John Perfect still lives in The Mead today.

Should you have had trouble with your gas, a man would have been on your doorstep within the hour, and should a hole have to be dug, it was filled in at once. Not like Transco today, who leave holes unfilled for days on end.

There was a town hall, owned and run by Beaconsfield Urban District Council, who employed at least three roadmen, so the roads were always kept clean and tidy. Also in icy weather, the pavements were always sanded.

In the New Town alone, there were five grocers, three butchers three bakers, three greengrocers, two fishmongers, and many other useful shops, all of which kept a staff, and made a living. When I came back to work in 1944 after six years in the Army, all these amenities were still there and thriving. Today however (March 26, 2008) with the exception of "Jungs", all the other amenities have vanished.

So for those people who still remember Beaconsfield as it used to be. I quote a few lines from that well known song: "Where have all the amenities gone, long time gone. Where have all the amenities gone, long time dead now every one. Why have all the amenities departed since that day my job I started."

So now at the age of 92, I pose this question to all of you. Do you, like me, still miss them too?

S Puddifoot Orchard Road Beaconsfield