Playing outside in the 1950s

We have recently shared some of John’s memories of places where children played around Market Lavington in the 1950s. (SeeA 1950s childhood – freedom to roam.)

John also said that he often played in the local woods, such as Ladywood, known to present residents as a street name on the Grove Farm housing estate. (See Ladywood Lane.)

This postcard probably predates John’s era of playing in this area. John also spoke of playing in the Manor Woods and our photograph from 1980 is later than John’s childhood.

Market Lavington locals nowadays would also be able to place John’s reference to playing along Periwinkle Lane as Periwinkle Pond still exists if you walk by footpath towards West Lavington. However, some of his memories are harder to place. John recalls accompanying an older boy into the entrance to three rooms, built underground. They had very low ceilings and were damp and he only ventured in there once. He said they had been built by the SOE (Special Operations Executive) for use in case of invasion during World War Two.

We were told that these rooms were ‘near the rec.’. The recreation ground at the time was along The Spring on the south side of the main road through Market Lavington. (See From the old rec.)

The grassy area in the foreground of this 1960s postcard was the recreation ground, but does anyone know where the underground rooms were? If you could provide Market Lavington Museum with information or even a copy of a photograph, do please add a comment to this blog post.