What is it about a short dead-end road that has left its mark on all those who grew up there? Oh, I know most everyone looks back with fondness on the simpler times of their childhood, but Clapham seems somehow special for all of us who were lucky enough to spend part of our childhood there. I base that feeling on not only my own fond memories, but the excitement shown by all on the Clapham Facebook page reuniting and reliving, for some, long almost forgotten memories. The street and its homes weren't fancy or high end and many outsiders might feel it to be rather isolated at that time. But for us it was perfect. It's isolation worked to keep us safe. The pastures and forests around presented an ideal situation for our young imaginative minds to grow and explore. The forest was a jungle, an alien world, a homestead, a war zone - anything we wanted. I'm sure we all have many tales to tell.
When I look back at my progression through life while keeping Clapham in mind, I find that I subconsciously tried to replicate it for my own children, but with limited success. They never did experience the diverse group of characters we experienced and I feel sorry for it. I also feel sad for the kids of today who with all this technology available will definitely not know what its like to, basically, run free and wild in a safe setting as we did. Could any of you imagine us being driven to and from school? To spend all our time indoors because "bad people" out there might kidnap us?
So I believe Clapham to be unique. Am I right?
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