Words seem inadequate when thinking of Hilly Fields. Around 1947, my mother would take me on walks in all weathers pointing out the different trees, sticky buds, catkins and various other wonders. Hilly Fields was a wonderful playground for us children in all weathers and seasons. The one hill was known as "Toboggan Hill" and there was a nursery section as well as the dangerous one that had sudden dips which meant that the tobogganeer would be airborne on occasions. I can also remember people going so fast that they failed to stop at the brook at the bottom of the hill and disappeared from view. During summer when the grass had been cut, we would pile the clippings into huge piles and spend many hours just jumping into the piles and burying ourselves. We would do the same in Autumn with the huge amounts of oak leaves that fell. September was also a favourite when the chestnut trees started dropping their conkers. Another favourite was catching sticklebacks and minnows in the brook. On one occasion with a much older girl from the house across the road, I fell in the brook and anticipating a grilling when I got home, my friend said that I should tell my parents that it was not my fault as the tide came in. As you can imagine, this caused much hilarity in my house and I was never allowed to forget the episode. I do believe that during the second world war, the area just to the right of the photograph going up the hill was used as allotments for growing vegetables that were in such short supply during the war. What a beautiful walk along the path by the brook and turning right at the second bridge up to St. John's Church. On special occasions our entire family from various parts of Enfield would get together for a picnic and play rounders on those balmy summer days. Oh what I would give to go back to that era.