Near Oak House
20 February 2008 
This is the tower block where I lived from a baby to the age of seven. It’s called Near Oak House.
I think that there’s only one or two people living there now, as the few remaining blocks like this in the area are to be demolished pretty soon. Most of the residents have been rehoused.
We lived on the 7th floor and I have mainly good memories about this place.
Memories of living in Near Oak House include:
The old record player on which my mom played Joan Baez songs and my dad played David Bowie. (my mom says I scratched all of my dad’s Frank Zappa records but I don’t remember this happening)
Our kind neighbor, Melody and her friendly son, Robbie.
The tiny kitchen where my mom gave me camphorated oil to drink by mistake (instead of cough medicine. I had to go to hospital but was fine in the end).
The dirty, metallic smelly lifts and cold hallways.
The little puppy we took home that bit at my ankles and played up so much that we had to give it back.
The Christmas when I received a Brownie camera which was such a great gift.
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On 22 July 2008 Alex said:
That’s cool… sent shivers up the spine. I always look at tower blocks like this and wander who lives in them… I felt it unfair children should grow up in tiny spaces way above the ground with no garden… but you have shown the other side, the human side… I’m glad you had happy memories from here*)