Article author, Kim Bachl (left) pictured around 1977, with her sister
My family hold the proud accolade of being the first ever family to move into Websters close Glinton. The development was brand new and the year was 1976.
These were the first houses to be built in the tiny village of Glinton for years. The fields to the back of our house were later to become Saddlers Close, but throughout my formative years Glinton Park was my back garden (despite what kid’s from elsewhere in the village had to say on the subject !)
The Park only had a swing, a slide and a climbing frame, but I don’t ever remember being bored, In the summer we were out until dusk and I recall games of ‘tag’ and ‘kiss chase’ (my personal favourite)
Later we were far too cool for games and hung out in ra ra skirts and Frankie says relax T. Shirts… Kiss Chase progressed to just kissing.
There is one particular day however that will stay with me forever . It was 1977 and council workmen had kindly ‘left’ some enormous concrete pipes for local children to play in, ( the sort that are usually buried underground during construction. ) We had a fine time rolling them around the park with several children inside them.
After several days of general wear and tear the unthinkable happened and when it was my turn to be ‘rolled around’ with two other friends, the concrete collapsed on top of us.
I can remember hearing my sister screaming my name over and over. Then, I was later told, she tried to lift a piece of concrete and unable to hold it dropped it back on top of me… I think I must have passed out after that as the next thing I remember was waking up in an ambulance.
I was very lucky, a broken shoulder, cuts and bruises, stitches to my head and arms. The injuries sustained by one other friend were much more serious and she was rushed straight to Addenbrokes.
In the aftermath I got my first taste of what it really is to feel part of a community… presents, cards, even a knitted doll (well it was 1977.)
Lots of visitors to my sick bed all regaling me with details of what happened. There were people everywhere, thank goodness a doctor arrived on scene, they drove the ambulance right into the park!’
Of course life soon went back to normal… Council officials removed the pipes, (health and safety was still in it’s infancy.)
I had to go back to school (right arm in a sling for several more weeks, what a blow that I happen to be left handed )
If you have any memories of events or ‘incidents’ in our Tribune villages we would love to hear your story. Simply email your recollections (and photographs if possible) to: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com or type and post them to: Tony Henthorn, Editor, Village Tribune, Golden Drop, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7DW. All efforts will be made to return photographs to their owners after publication.
