Knights in the sixties
Memories from four ‘early Knights’
Four Knights from the old school share their memories of the club.
Joan Smith, Jane Geary and Irena Wykrota
Recalling our time at Knights brought back many happy memories. Club holidays came to mind as the highlight of those years. We vividly remember trying to manoeuvre our canoe out of the way of other boats on the Norfolk Broads - without success - and our tent mysteriously disappearing while we were camping overnight! We must have sorely tried the patience of the leaders at times.
Aside from holiday mishaps, there were also a few holiday romances. Many romantic relationships flourished on our Sunday hikes to Dorking and provided the gossip when we all met at club and later at the Moo Cow/Blue Riband milk bar on Sunday evenings. We could make a cup of coffee last all evening, waiting for that certain someone to arrive. Partners were changed with sometimes alarming speed but many formed long-term relationships, which in some cases would last a lifetime.
Drama group was also a great joy. There were many memorable performances especially in the pantomimes, and Joan together with Russ Evans even went on to win a prestigious Shakespeare competition, performing The Taming of the Shrew.
We talked endlessly about anything and everything. Sunday morning discussion group provided a forum that allowed us to express our opinions in a way that also remained respectful to others’ differing points of views. On Sunday evenings we took part in a unique act of worship. Guest speakers from all faiths and backgrounds were invited to talk to us and as a result many of us became committed Christians. One truly inspirational speaker was the Reverend David Shepherd who became the Bishop of Liverpool.
Other memorable occasions included a weekend retreat at Mabledon in Kent where we all enjoyed some strenuous rock climbing, a Remembrance service in November held in the woods with the leaves falling around us, and a vigil in the chapel at the time of the Cuban crisis.
All of these memories have shaped who we are today. At the time we did not appreciate the fact that none of this would have been possible without the commitment of Maurice, Margaret and a dedicated team of leaders. Without them we would probably not have been the confident, articulate young adults we became. We would like to thank them.
Frank Lee remembers
I first attended Knights Youth Centre at the very young age of nine (slightly younger than the usual starting age of 12). World War Two had ended and I was permanently back in London after being evacuated several times. Life was returning slowly to normality and Knights was somewhere to go to after school. I remember vividly that there was a canteen in the basement and you could get beans on toast for an afternoon snack for a thruppence.
There wasn’t the variety of activities Knights puts on now, but I did enjoy playing table tennis. There was also a snooker table but you had to chalk your cues on the ceiling if you wanted to play! As you can imagine back then, it was very ‘hand to mouth’ when it came to getting equipment for the centre, so much so in fact that at one of our camping trips we actually bought several tents from the army – this certainly added an interesting element to your usual residential.
The leaders of the club made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile and there was a strong Christian ethos at the club which has stayed with me for the rest of my life. There was a mix between more serious religion and fun bible quizzes. in particular one of the centre leaders, Ralph, was very charismatic and interesting to be around. I remember he was a very skilled piano player. Margaret Smith played piano well too, and I look back on memories with Shirley and Rudy McDonald fondly.
As I got older, I became a leader myself, and took charge of the Juniors for a couple of years. It was a role that I took very seriously. I’d often go to Streatham Hill Theatre to recruit more young people, and I also helped to set up a football and cricket team. It was especially brilliant to see people from across Brixton’s diverse community talking part in sports. Following stepping down as leader, I stayed on in a committee position and continued to be involved with the centre.
Memories from Knights have stayed with me, and it was there that I met my wife Audrey. I saw her sat on the stairs and thought to myself ‘what a girl’. We got married when I was 22 and she was 21 and moved up north. I volunteered at the youth club in the village we settled in, and definitely took inspiration from what I’d learned in south London.
Looking ahead to the future, I hope that Knights Youth Centre goes from strength to strength. I know just how important youth work is to helping young people to gain the skills to have meaningful lives. And me and Audrey are still happily married after all these years.
Sadly, Frank passed away in Autumn 2023. At the funeral the congregation heard how he met his wife Audrey at Knights. Frank asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the centre. Thank you, Frank.