Good Neighbours

Have times changed?

Cecile finds people friendly

Times have changed

Hugh Slavin

The early residents maintained a polite civility but were ready to help each other out and this strong feeling of community grew and strengthened after the war.  Nowadays, many of our interviewees feel that something has been lost.  People move in and out too quickly and everyone seems to be in a hurry. The cars crowding the roads cause friction and make the street a less pleasant place to spend time. Even so, many residents find St. Helier a friendly place.  What do you think?

My father-in-law, he knew all the neighbours.  There was a little door into the next-door neighbour's garden and they had keys to each other's houses and if one was away or whatever, they could get in and everyone was helpful to everyone else.  That was very noticeable when I moved in . (Margaret Thomas)

I know lots and lots of really, really nice people. I've never had any problems - just the arguments about children and things which you get wherever you live.  Nothing really  that I can say "Oh, it's a terrible place to live" at all. I've lived here for 43 years so I mean, I wouldn't still be here if it was awful. (Jeanette Tidy)

Photo:Peterborough Road Coronation Party

Peterborough Road Coronation Party

James Jackson

This page was added by Cheryl Bailey on 20/08/2010.
Comments about this page

 I cannot comment about modern times, as I left Waltham Rd about 1959 60. and it had already started to change, people were still friendly but a lot of the trust had gone, people had become better off for the most part, more cars were appearing, putting and end to the street games, sadly its no bodys fault, affluence always seems to creates division, yet in a crisis I think most will still jump in and help.

I count my self fortunate that I lived on the estate when most came from similar areas, so knew each others backgrounds, no one locked their doors, children were all raised in a similar manner, rarely spoilt treated like children, expected to have manners, this was all reinforced at school.  Chidren were not expected to decide what they would eat or not eat, wear or not wear, that came with working  adulthood and bringing home some cash.Despite the deprivations of War. It was a marvellous, safe, harmonious, community, I doubt we will see its like again.  

By Ted Blowers
On 23/05/2014
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