Fifty years ago Buddy Holly and Elvis were taking the charts by storm, seven Manchester United players tragically died in the Munich air crash and work on a cluster of houses in the heart of Petts Wood finished. Scott Mullins speaks to some original residents in a road that time forgot.

COMMUNITY spirit may be a little hard to find in today’s hectic world but in Ember Close that modern lifestyle seems a million miles away.

Out of the 22 houses built on the 300ft stretch, amazingly nine are still home to a rare breed of home owner - the original buyer.

And among the staunch residents who snapped up the new builds in 1958, all but a handful have lived there for over 30 years.

The loyal residents, many of whom moved in with young families or freshly signed marriage certificates, are this year helping to celebrate the tiny community’s 50th anniversary this year.

Pat and Percy Ells bought their home in BR5 for £2,675 on February 21, 1958. An optional extra was a garage and would have set the couple back a princely £100.

The month before, Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man to reach the South Pole since Captain Scott in 1912.

Mr Ells, 79, recalls: “I remember when we first moved in, all we had was a paraffin lamp in the bathroom and an open fire which we had to light when we came in from work.

“There wasn’t even a street sign until the police complained that they couldn’t find us!”

“There were just two cars in the whole close and nearby Nightingale Lane still had gas street lamps.

The former design engineer, added: “We had to walk to the station in the mornings in our wellington boots through thick yellow clay. It was all unmade roads in those days.

“We were snowed in 1963 and I had to take my three year son to the shops on a sled.

“We saved up for five years for this house and we have loved living here. There is a tremendous community spirit”

The Ells attended a garden party in August to celebrate the 50th anniversary. It was attended by all but two residents.

Another original resident remembers in early 1960 the water supply was completely frozen for four months, with the milkman making his deliveries with a homemade sled.

Roy, 77, and 80-year-old Sylvia Wisdom have lived in Ember Close for 30 years and admit they could never leave.

Keen badminton player Mr Wisdom said: “We love this close and would never move.

“You come home from work and just breath in the fresh air from living so close to the woods.

“We haven’t been without trouble and we got burgled when we first moved in but in general it is a very quiet street and the neighbours are fantastic.”

The new face on the block

A newcomer to the close is Heather Rowson. She has been living in the street for just six months although she is already well known among her neighbours.

The musician lives with her husband and says that moving to Ember Close proved to be the right decision.

She said: “There are a lot of elderly people living here but I think the few younger families give a nice feel to the community.

“We have been here six months now and already know everybody in the street.

“We have been made to feel very welcome and it would seem that anybody who lives here never leaves.

“Why would they? It is just so peaceful and quiet and there is just a fantastic community spirit here.”

Ember Close stalwarts remember 1958

  • Most shops used to close on Sunday, Wednesday afternoon and lunchtime
  • Heavy cast iron gas lamps lit the streets
  • Open fires heated back boilers with paraffin used in portable heaters
  • The new walls dripped with water in the first few weeks
  • The street used to welcome any new arrivals with a party
  • Ice froze the water pipes from January to April in 1960
  • Wellington boots were the ultimate fashion accessory on the muddy, unpaved sidewalks
  • A volunteer fire service helped out in the long hot summers