The Green Ore

[saxonsteve]

It's not an old building or a street but it's been there a long time. Next door to the Salvation Army Hall. Used to play 'kick-the-can', hopscotch, football, cricket etc amongst other things on it. Always a great meeting place way back in the 50's. Was just thinking, where did it come from? Wasn't an old bomb site, but it must have been something originally. Had buildings either side but was just a largish grassed off area with a steep bank halfway down it, but no one seemed to look after it. Havn't been that way for many years so don't even know if its still there.

[whiffler]

Looking at maps

1874 - Gap from Alfred Rd to Christ Church (and hall?)

1899 - many houses from Alfred Rd, but short of the turn in OLRd, 2 built S of CC

1909 - pretty much as now, although no SA yet

1929 - SA now in place, 'Green' dissected by path to track* and dwellings/huts


Looks like it's always been open, if not green space

* 1st of 3 tracks parallel to OLR, 1st to above old Sandown School, 2nd back of school, 3rd below school - became Graystone Lane. All 3 running through what is now Sparrows Wood

[Richard Pollard]

The Green at Ore! Yes, if you look at my web site richardpollard.co.uk you will see the history of that piece of ground that was placed into the local Councils hands to look after, BUT! did they?

[saxonsteve]

Thanks for the info. I never knew the Salvation Army building was originally a cinema. Just another question, sorry. On the opposite side of Old London Road from the Green, was a steep bank. Used to use it as a short cut to get to Saxon Road. Also, used to sit at the top of it, and 'lob' berries at cars passing below. Great fun, until we came upon a car driver who could run faster than us. Is it still there?

[Oscoe]

throwing things at cars was a great source of entertainment back in the day. I remember dropping wotsits and other snacks from above onto cars as they queued at the barrier to get into the multistorey carpark in town.....if you could get it into the sunroof it was a bullseye!

Harmless fun! made us laugh and run about trying to avoid the cars if they came up to the upper floors to park!!!