READERS have fond memories of living at the Slade camp at Headington, Oxford.

The former Army camps off Horspath Driftway and The Slade provided much-needed housing for dozens of families in the post-war period.

What’s more, many of them were extremely happy there.

Jean Jeffs, of Sandford-on-Thames, sparked our interest in the camp when she wrote about her memories of living there (Memory Lane, July 5, last year).

She was just three when she, her mother, father and sister moved into their hut in 1950. Mrs Jeffs, whose maiden name was Robinson, recalled: “I remember entering the camp from an entrance opposite the Corner House pub – the first huts as you came in had verandas – then walking up the concrete roads called avenues.

“I remember playing in the woods and enjoying many walks to Shotover with my parents and my sister. My late mother always said how lively it was living there.”

Her sentiments were shared by Sue Barden, of Bicester, who lived in Fifth Avenue with her family from 1955 to 1959.

She recalled: “Fifth Avenue ran parallel with The Slade from Cinnaminta Road to the Corner House pub and had lovely large fir trees.

“One year, we had an infestation of daddy longlegs – they were all over the walls of the bedroom I shared with my sister.

“We had to sleep in the living area on a ‘put-u-up’ bed until all the insects had been dealt with.

“I also remember the stove – it kept us very warm and cosy. I was happy there.“ Another Fifth Avenue resident was Judy Davis, of Dashwood Road, Rose Hill, Oxford.

She wrote: “We had a three-bed hut, with a fire in the living room.

“We loved it there and would move back tomorrow if it was still there.”

Daphne Perks lived in a farm cottage, with an outside bucket toilet and no bathroom, before moving to Fourth Avenue.

She recalled: “We had a toilet and bathroom and it seemed like heaven. I lived in my hut for four years and they were happy days.”

She now lives in a bungalow in Three Fields, the new name for Fourth Avenue.

  • Any more memories of Slade camp to share with readers? Write and let me know.