An Interesting piece of history......

Our invitation for memories from the early days of The Centre included some fascinating details from Geoff Eames. As many will know, he and Pat have spent their lives in Billesdon and for family care reasons they are about to move to the Isle of Wight.

Geoff has handed over this bell for safe keeps. ARP is the inscription. Air Raid Protection. It was issued during the war to the hostel which stood on the present site of The Centre. So what were people to do if it was rung? Geoff tells us there were three air raid shelters in Billesdon. Or, just scarper to the fields!

The other photo here is of the group of residents of that hostel on an outing to the coast, courtesy of Toone’s coaches of West Lane. Geoff’s dad is the bus driver in the hooped sweater, and Geoff himself one of the kids near the front. Also hooped!

There will be more of Geoff’s memories in future editions, copies of all of which will be forwarded to him in his new abode.