Characters
Eric Kidwell
One of my favourite characters was the late Eric Kidwell the local "Rag & Bone" man, who was a familiar site with his horse John +cart loaded with tin baths and suchlike, or grazing his horse on the pre-dual carriageway grass verges. He also grazed John by the Bonesgate Stream and I think he had a yard nearby.
I'm not sure if John's the star in this photo taken at Chessington Methodist Church.
Chessington Charlie
"Chessington Charlie" was the nickname given to a burglar who, over a period of very many years, stole only cigarettes and money from houses and caused minimal damage - he was viewed with mixed feelings as anyone who suffered a break-in while they were asleep would be slightly relieved to learn from the Police that they thought it was "only" Chessington Charlie.
Although he was clever enough to only steal disposable items which could not be traced, he made two simple errors which led to his conviction. At around 2.30 am one night a new policeman on his night beat saw him leaving a house and getting on a bike. He told the policeman he was going to work, but when asked did not know the number of the house he had just left. Had he known the number he might have got away with his story. Earlier, ( about, 1960 or 1961?) he had changed from stealing untraceable items and had stolen a man's wrist watch which the owner had been bought in Jersey - this distinctive item secured his conviction when he was caught, and he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The Chessington Kid
Chessington Kid was a man who dressed up as cowboy most days and raised money for charity
Petula Clarke
Petula Clarke was talent spotted at a talent contest organized by my Grandfather, held in the function room of the Blackamoor's Head pub, and went on to have a career as a singer. The contest was held as a monthly event during the war, organized in his role as Head Fire Guard for Chessington - we have a photo of one such event - with some of the people in costume. He invited Petula Clarke to entertain as a child as he knew her father.