Life at St. Clement's Heights – by John Stratford

I used to live and work as an Engineer in Zambia, My wife Barbara and I were living in Livingstone next to the Victoria Falls. When my wife died (Cancer), I stuck it out on my own for a year then came back to the UK to live in Wanstead with my son. During my almost daily wandering around London, I met a very attractive lady (Maureen), same age as me, with a similar history as she had lived in Nigeria until her husband died. At the time we met she was already living at St. Clement’s Heights (Flat 10).

Maureen and I became very “attached” to each other and in late 2005, we went to talk to The Height’s resident Manager (Mrs Janice Ellis), regarding the possibility of living together at the Heights. 

After the compulsory vetting programme was done, I was interviewed by the Chairman, and in early January 2006 I moved with Maureen into Flat 1 (the only flat designated for dual occupancy). Time went on and I was soon integrated into the St Clement’s Society, and became designated “Newspaper Collector” as I had a car! I fetched 10 Daily Mails, 1 Star, and 1 Express every day for several years. As time went by, the number of Daily Mails decreased gradually as residents became ill or moved away. 

Maureen and I organised several impromptu “Talent Competitions” among the residents, I even wrote a sketch about the History of St Clement’s Heights Almshouses which went down well with the Trustees who saw it. We also had an allotment at the bottom of Wells Park Road, which kept us occupied nicely. Then in late 2012, Maureen complained of stomachache, and was in bed for a few days. She recovered and life went on, but I noticed she wasn’t being her usual self. Then one afternoon she showed me her stomach; it was really swollen and she was in pain. We drove to Lewisham Hospital, where, after the usual barrage of tests, she was eventually diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Sadly, she passed away a few months later. 

Having lost everything I held dear for the second time; I was totally devastated. To spend the days, I would get on a bus, without caring which one, and ride to the end of the route, change buses, do the same, then come back to the Heights. After a few months, I branched out and started to travel on the trains the same way. This went on most days for a couple of years. Then as I looked out of the window on a Jubilee Line train, I saw the sign “Swiss Cottage.” Curiosity kicked in, and I got out to explore. 

It was a warm afternoon, and I thought about a cup of tea or coffee. I saw a very quaint old café, and went in, to see only one chair available, and a lady (Isabelle) already sitting at the same table. So having asked permission to join her, we started talking and Isabelle told me that she had lost her Belgian husband recently and had come to England (from Israel) to live with her eldest son, in the Swiss Cottage area . We made arrangements to meet again “soon” and exchanged phone numbers. 

In the meantime, the new St Clement’s Heights building was completed, ready for occupation. I was offered my choice of flat and moved into number 43 on 6th November 2016. I was the first ever resident in the new building, and I actually spent my first nights here as the sole occupant. 

After I had properly “settled in” I took Isabelle to see Mrs Ellis (still managing the Heights). The usual vetting system ensued, and Isabelle was admitted to the Heights, to share my flat. 

As we were getting older, the allotment became too much for us, so we gave it up. I also began noticing mistakes with my driving, so I sold my car. After all we have bus passes! 

(Later, in October 2018, Isabelle and I were married in Lewisham Registry Office.) 

This new phase of my life brought vast changes in my outlook. I began to be interested in things again, and began to wonder what it was like to live in Israel. We arranged tickets and accommodation and flew to Tel Aviv for a month’s holiday. We actually stayed with Isabelle’s daughter and her three children so we weren’t lost for something to do. I had a marvellous experience, and as we were on the plane back to Luton airport, we vowed to do it again….soon!

We did it again in 2019, but this time we travelled about more – went to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Acre and down south to Eilat where the weather is NEVER cool, and the sea is ALWAYS warm…lovely! 

Then came the year 2020, and with it came COVID.

Our Trustees together with our management, decided that in order to protect us older residents, it would be wise if we didn’t leave our flats to go shopping. A lady was chosen to do everyone’s shopping each week, lovely! To try and help, I contributed what I could in the way of engineering jobs, and assembled incoming equipment that arrived “flat-packed” in boxes. 

Then the decision was made to start an on-site Minimarket to offer essentials to residents. This project started in a small way in the vacant Premises Manager’s office.

The position of “Shop Supervisor” was offered; I asked, and got the job! The first-floor Drying Room was commandeered for the shop location, brand new freezer, fridges and shelving were purchased, and the initial stocks were put in place. 

As the years pass, I still “run the shop” with help from our managers as needed, and it helps to keep my brain working!