Mayfield Youth Club
Jacki Terry asked: Do you remember the Mayfield Youth Club?
Photo provided by Jacki Terry
1966 Mayfield Old Boys RFC
D. St. Peir, J. Burchell, D. Hurrell, T. Furlong, D. Thompson, V. Rogers, B. Hardwick, L. Goold
K. Flook, I. Mortimer, S. Smith, J. Hornby, G. Smethurst, D. Riddle, J. Scanes
I believe it started just to have a place for refreshments for the night school classes that were held at the school, but it became a bit of a drop in centre. This was around 1963. It was just a prefab, that had a small kitchen in one end and some tables and chairs, and a sofa or two. I think after the Council saw that it had become a going concern they stepped in to make it a little more formal. Table tennis tables were added. There were dances, and a group was spawned, I think they were called “10 DB’s” or something like that. We went on weekend trips to Wicken House and another residential youth centre, and of course there was the Rugby Team. I belonged to a group of girls who “hung around” with the team as most of us were dating member’s of the team. We were a great cheering section, braving the mud and bad weather in stiletto heels and tight skirts, it was the middle 60’s and we were all “mod”. I left in 1967 to come to Canada, but I believe the club went on for a time afterwards, maybe Pam Jones can help with some later history.
Jacki Terry
Mayfield Youth Centre was the best thing around in the mid sixties. I joined along with Jackie Terry and there were about 10 girls mostly from Mayfield girls school including; Lynda Harris, Linda Low, Frances Warburton and Elizabeth Thornycroft. We palled up with the boys of the rugby team and we would go along on Saturdays to wherever they were playing. Several of the boys could drive and the meeting place was Goodmayes station. Mayfield’s home ground was actually Fairlop boys school, and many a time the ball would land on the underground railway line. I’m not being horrible but they weren’t very good, and lost more games than they won. But they were a lovely group of boys who were very protective of us girls. The youth club was run by Mr Pusey, and he was very proud of his club. The building was in one of the playgrounds, and I really enjoyed going there. Although we were a big crowd, only Frances Warburton and Len Goold got married. Most of us went our separate ways and married other people. I married my husband in 1969 and we are still happily married and have two grown up kids.
Pam Jones (nee Wilkinson)
I joined the Youth Club in 1943 and it had been going for some time for ex Mayfield girls and boys. There were Saturday night dances, and Sunday cycle rides out to the country. It had its own band made up from the boys, and there was table tennis. I think the man who ran it was called Mr. Fowler, but I can’t be sure. The Youth Club was held in the hall at Mayfield School in Goodmayes Lane, where the boys could have their band on the stage. I remember a boy called Rex Harrison who played the trumpet, and went on to play in a big band later on. Then gradually the boys were called up at age seventeen and a half, but the Club still carried on.
Doris Chaplain (nee Jones)
Does anyone remember the Youth Centre trips to Glasbury in 1967 and 1968? The first year twelve of us went. On the second trip we were joined by another youth centre, Frenford, I think. On this trip a group of us went to Snowdonia and climbed Tryfan; see photo. It was reported in the Ilford Recorder that we were the youngest to have made the climb. The one thing I will never forget is looking down and seeing the Red Arrows flying past.
Judy Clarke (nee Stubbs)
Sue Thomas (nee Browne): I remember Glasbury. Went pony trekking, abseiling and skiing on the dry ski slope. Think there was a video of me, taken by Miss Whiston (music teacher), in the ‘toilet position’ going down the slope cos I was too scared to stand up!
Sue Thomas (nee Browne)
I remember back in the sixties we had a weekend trip away, to Wicken Bonhunt in Essex, with the youth club. About 20 of us went and as I recall it was a very hot and sunny weekend. On the saturday a walk was held and we were split up into groups and all taken to different places, given a map and a compass and told to find our own way back. Our group was dropped off in a pub car park, and being as it was very hot a cool drink was in order. I expect you can guess that we were the last group back, but we had such a laugh.
Pam Jones (nee Wilkinson)
I remember our visits to Glasbury House with affection and am delighted to know that you still remember them. The Youth Centre in the sixties was a lively and creative organisation and it pleases me that members found it a worthwhile place to visit and were able to gain some inspiration in their earlier years.
Don Pusey
Am I the only one who was at Mayfield (1958-63) who has absolutely no recollection of a youth club?
Barry MacLennan
I was at the Christie Gardens girls school between 1958 and 1962 and there was no Youth Club at Mayfield then. My friends and I went to the nearest club, which was on the Marks Gate Estate in Rose Lane.
Eileen Dean (nee Fifield)
When I was at Mayfield (1937 to 1940) we had a Youth Club, and there were dances etc. I went a couple of times but the war interrupted that. I do not recall a building for this we used the Assembly Hall.
Derrick Mumford
I joined the Youth Club in 1943 and it had been going for some time for ex Mayfield girls and boys. There were Saturday night dances, and Sunday cycle rides out to the country. It had its own band made up from the boys, and there was table tennis. I think the man who ran it was called Mr. Fowler, but I can’t be sure. The Youth Club was held in the hall at Mayfield School in Goodmayes Lane, where the boys could have their band on the stage. I remember a boy called Rex Harrison who played the trumpet, and went on to play in a big band later on. Then gradually the boys were called up at age seventeen and a half, but the Club still carried on.
Doris Chaplain (nee Jones)
Remember it well! Loved the ‘old’ tea lady behind the counter and the fun we had getting an old record player set up in the corner and painting the corner with Psychedelic colours and patterns. Remember when the fire department came to show off their ‘equipment’ and the army even bringing some heavy gear to show us. Didn’t we have archery classes for a short time in summer outside on the grass?
Malcolm Smith
The building (a temporary but new hut) on the edge of the school field was known to us, in the mid sixties, as the ‘Terrapin Building’, this being the name of the manufacturer. Year five boys could use it during the lunch break for table tennis and a tuck shop, manned by the boys but supervised by Mr. Pusey. I also went to Thursday evening youth club and remember going on a club holiday to Arundel Youth Hostel. Coincidentally, I still use the same hostel every year for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, some 41 years later.
Andrew Anderson
I was at Mayfield between 1957 and 1964. Should have left in 1963 but stayed on for further studies. There was a youth club there I attended around this time for rugby and atheletics. Some of us then went to the Port of London and some to Ilford rugby teams. I remember some of those in your 1966 picture above with whom I played with in the 1962-1963 team but being a bit older its good to see they kept playing at Mayfield.
I remember the youth club in the early 70s. I loved playing table tennis, I believe I attended a typing class there too. Remember the discos?
Christine Taylor (nee Birch)
Having left in July 1963 I remember the club building being on the playing field near the art class. There used to be 2 ladies looking after the canteen side, one was the wife of the caretaker and the other was a lady from Dagenham who we called “mum”. I played table tennis there along with Robert Preedy and John Lindley and we represented the centre in that sport. Having been at evening class at East Ham college I used to pop in afterwards.
I would have sworn there was no youth club at Mayfield when I was there, but look what I’ve found. Just goes to show how ones memory can play tricks on you. These two scans are from issue 11 of the Mayfield Magazine, December 1952.
I remember the Friday night discos and the names Mark Rossi, Sidney Olivera, Anne Trot, Christine Howarth, Mark and Tim Fenn. They were happy days.
I remember the youth club and discos 1974/75. I the think DJ’s name was Ronnie. Lots of names spring to mind. I remember the Fenn brothers; Dave and Phill Smith, Dave Gregory and Marc Potter to name a few. And us girls; Louise Carey, Susan Warner, Patricia Rollinson, Jackie Hudson, Rita Souto, Jackie Harvey, Deborah Willats and Anita Rackham. Good times.
I remember those Friday discos 1973/74. ‘Me and Mrs Jones’ springs to mind along with James Brown. I remember Sharon King, Terry Springgate, Paul Burrell, all from Barking. Those were the days. Where are they all now?
Hi Margaret. I remember you very well. You were friends with Stephen Langham, and you came round my house once with a gift from him. I lived in Ilfracombe Gardens. I was in a year or two below you. I also went to the youth club disco on Friday nights. Where do you live now?
I Remember playing Rugby under the influence of our leader Trevor Furlong. We didn’t win many games but we were a group of lads that wanted a challenge. Some Saturday nights we had some very good parties. Nothing got out of hand as we looked after one another. The girls were great coming to watch us, and I believe Len and Frances got married and moved to Ipswich. I had just got over a double fracture to my right leg (it happened on the first day of the new year 1966). Ten days after coming out of plaster I was playing full back for the Youth Rugby Team. I’m lost now, but I do remember going to Glasbury house on the River Wye and canoeing down to Ross on Wye, then being transported back to Glasbury. John Burchell was in the team and 3 years ago I met up with him and his wife, who live 110 miles south of Sydney Australia, while on the Ashes Tour.
Hi Pauline. I do remember your name. I was at Goodmayes Junior School then went to Mayfield Girls. I also remember the names you mentioned too, Mark Rossi, Ann Trott and Christine. It would be nice to get in touch. My married name is Susan Burdikin.
I remember the portacabin on the playing field near the art building. Sure we use to go in there during lunch time and belonged to the Fencing Club. You could buy soft drinks and confectionary. I left Mayfied at Easter 1967 which you were allowed to do if you had finished your exams and had a job to go to.
Remember playing football on the field with Phil Manby, Pete Goodfellow and Geoff Chandler. Also remember playing table tennis and listening to proper music. Happy times.
Remember playing table tennis against Trevor Furlong on many occasions in the evening. Youth Centre was a great idea.
Remember a youth club at Mayfield Boys School in the 60s, used to walk along Goodmayes Lane singing with my friends on way home. Happy days
Hi Kelvin my name is Colin Haydon we were in the same class with Phil, Peter, Geoff hope you are all well. Yes I remember playing football on the sports field outside the youth club. Regards Colin
Kelvin you forgot me I do remember playing football with you, Phil, Geoff, Colin etc. If you remember went on to play rugby for Mayfield Old Boys.
Hi Colin and Alan, remember you both. Still in touch with Phil and Pete, sadly Geoff died in his early twenties. Hope you are both doing well. How time flies.