Aged 16-17 years old in the late 1960s, Pamela moved from Lewisham in London with her family to Basingstoke. Pamela’s dad worked at Sainsbury's. Their first home was in Freemantle Close in Popley, before moving into Silvester Close, a new build in Falkland Road then settling in Chineham.

“My arrival to Basingstoke felt like going to the back of beyond from the busy streets of Lewisham. There was a cattle market once a week at Basingstoke train station, houses were being built, there wasn’t a motorway.”

Pamela recalls her first memories of Basingstoke as being difficult to meet people, she was a teenager out of school, so did not have the opportunity to make school friends like her siblings.

“There was not much infrastructure in place and social life didn’t seem as important.”

Pamela and her sister loved horse riding. She talks to us about Alfie Cole’s horse-riding stables which were situated in the middle of what is now the road between Eastrop and Basing View. Many of Pamela’s family worked at Sainsbury's which had a social club on a Saturday night with a dance and disco. Sainsbury's organised socials for their workers as there was not much to do. Pamela met her husband in 1972 and they searched for social life.  

“We searched for nightlife, Basingstoke had two cinemas and one nightclub called The Blueroom below The Haymarket Theatre. We would often find ourselves going to Southampton and getting the milk train back home to Basingstoke.”

Pamela recalls their first two-weekly rent together being £6.37 back in 1973. They raised a family of two children in Basingstoke. Pamela worked at Southern Echo which was located at the bottom of Church Street. Then working at Basingstoke Gazette before moving to the Broadcaster agency. 

Pamela tells us of a special historical moment when her daughter was baptised at St Michael's Church on live TV at three months old. Their christening was part of BBC Sunday Worship in 1978. Pamela kindly bought newspaper clipping with her.

“This was a really special, big memory of Basingstoke.”

Another historical moment is the Basingstoke Carnival. Pamela told us about the big AWE floats which were amazing, including a three float long dinosaur.

Basingstoke is home to four generations of Pamela’s family.

 “Our children made their lives here.”

Pamela has led and does lead a busy life, being part of BAOS (Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society), volunteering for Age Concern and joining a sing for fun group. She talks abouts how Basingstoke has changed massively, she has seen two town centres being built. Pamela enjoys walks along Odiham canal, pub lunches and Basingstoke Sports Centre.

January 2025