Leslie Sykes sent this about his new life is Mission Viejo, California.

Update from Leslie Sykes in California

I was offered a position as an inspector with a company carrying out research and development of top secret airplanes and equipment for the United States Government.

After the contracts were completed and due to my previous experience, I was selected to become an Airplane Inspector after receiving the same training as the Government Inspectors and was employed by McDonnell Douglas and obtained complete certification to enable me to inspect passenger aircraft.

When the C-17 Airforce Cargo plane came into production, I was transferred to that program where I was called upon to inspect in all areas of research and production finally taking retirement.

We live in a detached bungalow in an area similar to Kenilworth with a population of over 90,000, a City Hall, a large hospital and shopping mall, Home Depot and animal shelter where they are kept until adopted.

My fondest memories were the many friends and being able to shop at Snelsons, Moores and Talisman Square, also the walks around the Leyes Lane, Glasshouse Lane, Abbey Fields, swimming baths and the show before and after it moved to Stoneleigh, plant nurseries and last but not least a good pint at the local.

My wife, who is an American by birth, was a Registered Nurse employed as a Charge Nurse in the O B dept of a large local hospital but has now retired. We drive to Minnesota and Texas once a year to see relatives and make the occasional visit to England. We also run the local polling station at the school. I was invited to become a member of the Grand Jury and the Traffic Advisory Commission.

I do not miss the class distinction and snobbish attitude which I received when I moved into my new four bedroomed house in Leyes Lane in the 60s and was ignored by the other residents, but was befriended by other long-term neighbours. It was even suggested by some and by my doctor who had a large family that as I was a fitter in the Test and Rec Dept of Jaguar Cars I wasn’t professional enough to own such property which I did. Free and clear, as we say in the United States.

Thankfully I had many good Kenilworth friends of long standing even some who worked with my father at the Deasy in Coventry in the First World War.

I do not have any reason to visit Kenilworth now as I was so disgusted with the condition of the front gardens in Leyes Lane and the run down area in general when I last visited five years ago which I attribute to the influx of people from the university. I will keep old memories alive by continuing to visit you on-line.

This message was received on July 14, 2004
FROM: Les Sykes, Mission Viejo, California.

Hello, how nice to read about the carnival and that the rain cleared in time for the parade.

This brings back some fond memories of leaving the car at home and taking the bus to Kenilworth with friends in the 50s when I resided in Allesley Park, Coventry, and of spending the whole day there, picking a spot to watch and throw coins onto the floats.

Everyone was friendly and enjoying themselves, I then moved into town so was able to walk to Abbey Fields and the friends from Coventry could park in my drive.

I miss being able to grow my own vegetables, in particular broad and runner beans which are unobtainable here.

I make up by growing some nice roses which stand the heat and bloom all year if allowed to. Most trees shed their leaves as the others are growing and our oaks which are like English ash mature in about 20 years.

This year has been cooler. W have the worst to come along with the fires. At the moment we are troubled with mountain lions attacking people and pets due to the ever expanding housing, so my cat is a house cat and thankfully my rescued sheepdog doesn’t like the outdoors so it is easy to supervise her exercise in the back garden.

At 3pm the clouds rolled in from the South Pacific as forecast with just a few large spots of rain. Good Luck.

Email Leslie Sykes