Prefab Estate Shrublands

Catalpa Green

By Bob Fisher

My mother and father (ex army) moved onto the Shrublands estate in 1947 moving to the Magdalen estate in 1967. Most of the early families were ex army, navy and airforce. I believe the prefabs were erected in 1946, we lived at No.13 Catalpa Green opposite the side gate to the cemetary. We had a black Labrador dog named 'Prince' who used to sit outside the prefab, everybody on the near greens and passing the prefab knew old Prince (16 years old when he died). As a young boy I used to help Cliffie Webster the Co-op milkman for several years at weekends and holidays, everybody new Cliffie as he was also a window cleaner and there was also another window cleaner called Robert. I went to the Wroughton nursery, infant and junior school (played football for the Junior 'A' team) then on to the Alderman Leach school, I boxed for the school for 3 years while also playing football for the 'B' team; some of the 'A' team boys went on to play professional football. Great times.