Sheila my wife was told by a council official that there was a house for us at a site known as Cantley, Aldesworth Road. This news was exciting and gave a sense of relief - to know that we would soon be living in a home of our own.

The relief came after the long wait from marrying in 1950.  With no idea what the implications were of being reliant on the generosity of other people - who allowed us to share there home.

The shortage of houses at that time caused by the war years and the disruption caused to family life whereby families were accustomed to following a pattern of life.

Acknowledging there social standings in their world.

Marriage was (amongst working class people) the expected future - combined with working for a wage - bringing up a family and repeating the pattern with each generation.  I use the term working class as it was an accepted definition of poorer members of society.

The council officer could not - at any time, (when Sheila visited to ask about house vacancies) - give any answers as to how long we would have to wait for a house.  “It’s not your turn yet” making sympathetic glances to the one baby which had arrived in the office with Sheila. (Kenneth our eldest Born 1953 and Lynne who would arrive 1954) - At that time she was a large lump carried in her mother’s stomach.

Sheila was coming to the end of a long pregnancy - feeling worn and tired, desperate for a home of her own.

Having had the experience of living along side of other people who also were becoming fed up with the loss of there privacy, all had been affected by the war years  rationing and futile ambitions - for better things as promised by political people.

A place fit for heroes, there were too many heroes that were living! With cloth caps and white scarves,  Some with pinnies (Aprons) and head squares.

Walking the two miles to the council office with the same question turning over and over in her head, how to ask the same basic question in the most impressive way without resorting to tears. Give us a home quickly?
 
Out of breath nervously.  Sheila waited her turn to speak to the council officer for the fifth time that week. Going through her story of the conditions she found herself living in. One small room heated by gas, fed by a penny in a meter  - which always seemed to need replenishing .

The words from the council officer came hesitantly - you will be given keys for the next available house.. A letter will be sent to you from the head of housing Mr Tucker to confirm this.

Three years waiting to hear these words only brought a thank you to Sheila’s lips she turned and hurried   back to the one room to wait to share her news.

Shopping at the local shops a few days later Sheila met a friend  who excitedly informed Sheila that she was about to get a house in Cantley and had only been waiting two years. This obviously was some mistake as Sheila had been waiting three years. Why? What had happened to the promise of the next house - Mr Tucker and the letter in the post?

This was wrong and Sheila determined to get things put right set off with her pram to walk again the two miles to the council office. The officer smiling agreed that she would be getting keys for a house when one came available. “The next one” Sheila said.

You have started to give keys out a friend of mine has been told to pick her keys up, she has only been on the housing list for two years.

The next day the story changed at the council housing office.

Mrs Barker we are sorry, we know of your position and have to tell you that your application upon the housing list had not been entered correctly. 

Because your husband had war service you should have been given extra points. This would have meant you should have been given a house much sooner.

The ordeal was not over, A few days later a young council official visited Sheila. She explained that she had to inspect the property to see if Sheila was fit to have a council house.  Noticing a cobweb on the staircase the lady tutted!   And she said “this would not do, adding don’t forget you will have to keep the garden in order.”

Six weeks later Sheila and family moved into a house at Aldesworth Road, Cantley which had a large garden - transported on the coalman’s  lorry, which had been cleaned up for the job.

After a few weeks had passed, whilst shopping at the local shops, a lady said to Sheila “You took my house, where you live was promised to me. Yours is set in a pretty position near the woods.”

What could Sheila say, only to walk away pushing her pram and wishing for a speedy end to her pregnancy.  Lynne did arrive safely, as husband Roy walked in the wood with Kenneth. Who was 15 months old, and also walking!

Submitted by Donny