Visit our all new interactive website! Dear visitors,The Jalan Kayu Team has created an interactive website for all of you who are keen to experience and learn more about Jalan Kayu and its sights and sounds!So why not visit our Interactive website below! www.jalankayutrail.edu.sg [ Our Brand New Interactive Website!] Warmest Regards, Daniel LimBlog Manager Jalan Kayu Trail is Officially launched! Yippee! Launch of Jalan Kayu Trail - 2 weeks' time! Dear Readers of this blog,The Jalan Kayu Trail will be officially launched in 2 weeks' time on 17th Nov 2007.If you would like to attend the launch kindly drop me an email at dlimws@yahoo.com.sgBest Regards,Daniel LimJk Trail Team Interview with Local Residents of Jalan Kayu Photography by Blog Manager Daniel Lim Wan SengInterviewees:Mr Tan Boon Choon 71 years old (Language: Mandarin and dialect)Mr Ong Kin Bin 74 years old (Language: dialect)Q: Where did you stay the last time?Mr Tan: I stay at Bo Suay Tian road, at the back of Seletar near to Yishun. I was born there.Q: Who lived there?Mr Tan: All of them were Chinese. The Malays resided near the seaside in another kampong. There was a Malay cemetery there a long time ago.Q: What were the living conditions like?Mr Tan: Life was simple. There were very little activities. I did some work but we also reared chickens, pigs and grow vegetables.Q: How big were the houses?Mr Tan: They were standard attap houses. Each of us had a land and all of us were neighbours.Q: How did you live your life back then?Mr Tan: We cycled out to buy things at Seletar market which is about 1.5 km away.Q: Did all of you move to the HDB estates at Seletar West Farmway 6?Mr Tan: Some of us moved to Hougang. Initially during the ’75 moving out, most of us stayed at Seletar, Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio.Q: What means of transport were available at that point of time?Mr Tan: All of us either cycled or walked.Q: Where did u stay after the ’75 eviction?Mr Tan: We did not move out and continued to stay at Bo Sua Tian road because we were not within the sphere of relocation. In 1985, we asked to move again but was not allowed.Q: Were the living conditions tough?Mr Tan: Certainly. In the 50s and 60s, we had to work and do farm work. We reared our own chickens and ducks, and planted vegetables.Q: What work did you do?Mr Tan: I was a grass cutter in Seletar Airbase in 1950 for 2 to 3 years. I had to use a parang to cut the grass, unlike the motorized grass cutter nowadays. I switched several jobs later on from construction to a school servant at Xing Zhen primary school in 1956 until the 70s when the primary school had to close down because of the kampong relocation. So I transferred to Xing Guang primary school. The school closed in 1982. Now I am helping in the PAP kindergarten.Q: What landmarks did Bo Sua Tian have?Mr Ang: There used to be two telephone towers, hence the given the name for the place.Q: When did the government build the towers?Mr Ang: It was the government’s property. It was set up since a very long time by the British government. It was occupied by the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation. I was 8 years old then. Mr Tan was 6.Q: For how long did u stay in Bo Sua Tian?Mr Ang: I began staying in Bo Sua Tian after coming over from China. I moved to Yishun in 1985.Q: What job did you do?Mr Ang: I was a coolie under the British for 6 years and 11 months. After that, I became a driver for a friend, transporting workers to do railroads. Now, I am no longer working.Q: How old are you?Mr Ang: 74.Mr Tan: 71.Q: Why did you not go to Seletar Market to buy? Mr Tan: There were no shops available there. There used to be a big market at Jalan Kayu but it was private. Later, we go to the market at Seletar.Q: Were there many people living there?Mr Tan: Yes, but they no longer stay there.Q: Am I right to say that there is nothing available in the vicinity of the flats (SWF6)?Mr Ang: Now it has been renovated, foreign workers are staying there. However, the locals only moved out at around 2004.Q: Do you know anyone living there?Mr Ang: Most of them had moved to Sengkang.Q: Which is the thing that delighted you the most during your stay in Bo Sua Tian?Mr Tan: What I liked was the Kampong lifestyle. It was friendlier compared to staying in the HDB.Q: What was very special about Jalan Kayu?Mr Ang: There was a wooden bridge in Jalan Kayu that was deemed to be very important. The road was also very uneven and bumpy.Q: What experiences did you have in the past with the MP Nair (WPs)Mr Ang: There was also Ang Chong Beng. Q: What experiences did you have during the Japanese Occupation?Mr Ang: They usually do not touch kids. They target the adults. The Japanese had a way of symbolizing the people. Those with a line drawn on them will be considered safe, while those with a zero would be brought away and executed. My father was caught before. He followed and they crossed the wooden bridge.Q: Were they executed there?Mr Tan: There were a lot of places. We do not know exactly where they would be executed.Mr Ang: The most would be Pasir Panjang‘Tai Lang Gang’Q: What was your diet like during the Japanese Occupation? Mr Tan: I eat the vegetables I grow myself which include tapiocas and sweet potatoes too. We also bought fish from the market and eat the poultry we raised ourselves.Q: How did you feel when the British returned?Mr Tan: When the Japanese first came, they took away the shoes of the British and asked them to walk barefooted around Singapore. They were not given things to eat. Since the British returned, life was not very hard anymore. There was no sufferings and life improved tremendously. During the Japanese occupation, we could only eat tapioca. They looked like white candles and were as tough as one. Bread was made of corn. It was very hard and could bounce like a ball! The noodles was also made of ‘zhang you’. (millet). However, when you leave your house, there is no need to lock your doors. They will execute you if you steal. They had no qualms about beating you to death.Q: How did the British treat you?Mr Tan: I worked for them in the 50s. Some of them will speak to you. Some wanted us to lower our volume when we are near their houses. Some would also give us water to drink and things to eat.Q: How much did you earn?Mr Tan: I used to earn only $2 a day because of my low education level.Q: What did you move as a coolie?Mr Ang: I used to move things like chairs and tables, almost everything. The storekeepers and clerks will tell us what to do. There were 2 British in charge while the rest were coolies.Q: How much did you earn?Mr Tan: I used to earn $130 a month. When they retreated, they gave me a month's pay as well.Q: What did you do when you are not working?Mr Tan: I used to work continually in the past. After work, there was not much entertainment. I did not know how to play chess. When I wanted to watch television, I would have to go to the community. There used to be a lot of community centres found in the Kampong. One was even designed by then President Mr Ong Teng Cheong next to Pei Hwa Public School.Q: When you came from China, did you already stay at Boh Sua Tian?Mr Ang: I was only a baby then. My parents chose it.Q: Which part of Jalan Kayu did you like the most?Mr Ang: There were not a lot of things to see in Jalan Kayu. There were only 2 shops. The most famous was roti prata. Their curry and bread were nice.Q: When you were young, what did you do?Mr Tan: When we are young, we made our own toys. It was very fun. Tag was fun too.Q: How did you feel about the union and separation with Malaysia?Mr Tan: I remembered that PM Lee cried when the announcement was made. We did not know much about political developments but we felt quite sad that we were being forced out.Mr Ang: I did not really feel anything.Q: What did you work as after you quit your job as a coolie?Mr Ang: I worked as a driver for 3 years. After that I worked in my father’s provision shop. My father was fortunate to survive even though he was caught by the Japanese. He was released at the wooden bridge.Q: Why did the Japanese release your father?Mr Ang: The Japanese did things as they wish. When you do not greet them, they will scold you. They did not require a reason for things they do.Q: What other facilities did the Kampong have?Mr Tan: There used to be a temple. (Addendum by Mr Chua: The temple had a sports association that allowed the young residents to play basketball.)Q: Is there anything you want to tell us?Mr Tan: During 1959, PM Lee came to this area for a walkabout. He would walk from morning to midnight without resting. I would try my luck to see if I can bump into him. I also helped in politics for the PAP because I was interested. Most of the people running for elections were independent.Q: Did you vote at that time?Mr Tan: There was a voting. PM Lee came but Mr Fong Swee Suan and Mr Lim Chin Siong did not. Mr Imbrinaya was selected as the first minister as there were a lot of Malays and Indians then. Even after he lost, he would still come. It was hard on us because we had to glue the posters ourselves. I would go and help after my work. Whenever I see Mr Imbrinaya’s poster, I would stick over them.Q: You mentioned that there were some Malays. Did anything happen during the racial riot?Mr Tan: We did not dare to come out but the Malays in the region did not actually do much because they were outnumbered.Q: Did you take any precautions?Mr Tan: Not really because they were also scared.Q: What did you know about the history of Pei Hwa Public School?Mr Tan: It has a long history. It used to be situated at the community centre (Mr Chua: There used to be Tao Meng, Gong Hua (added by Mr Ang), Xin Zhen, Pei Hua)Q: Were you afraid of the Malays during the period of the race riots?Mr Ang: Yes, of course there was some fear but all of it was in the mind. In fact , we cooperated and looked out for one another. Mr Tan: Yes , that is true. But there was still some fear so we moved around only after sunrise. Anyway , the riots did not last long.Q What was good about Jalan Kayu?Mr Tan: There used to be a “lay long”, night market that operates every Friday night. There were 100-200 stalls. All sorts of people would be there to patronise the night market.Q: Was there a cinema?Mr Tan: There used to be a Yong Hua cinema. It was a private cinema. Down Yio Chu Kang Road, there was also a Guo Hua cinema.Mr Ang: The cinemas were showing black and white films with sound.Mr Tan: Yong Hua opened around the 60s to 70s. There was no aircon and the chairs were made of stools. It broadcasted mainly Chinese movies. There was also an open air drive in cinema at Tong Lee road. Each movie cost 20 cents. Some British went there to catch a movie. When it rains, however, there would be no business.Q: Was there any other areas of recreation?Mr Tan: There used to be a merger bridge at Punggol River close to Lorong Buangkok. The locals built it themselves. I used to like to walk there. I did not know when the bridge was torn down though.Mr Tan: ( Sudden interjection) During the Jpanese Occupation, whenever the lorry went to sell sweet potatoes grown from Jalan Kayu Luk Soon, people fought over them for their good taste.Q: Do you know about Ju Ying old folk's home?Mr Tan: It used to be a primary school. The land was bought and built into an old folk’s home.Q: How big is each kampong? I noticed there were a lot of schools.Mr Tan: There were a lot of schools because everything was privately funded and built. Our constituency was also the largest. It extended from Serangoon North Ave 1 to Yio Chu Kang, Sembawang and Ang Mo Quee. Jalan Hwi Yoh, which used to have a pottery factory and a prison, was also in our constituency. The factory was near Serangoon Ave. 3. It was owned by Cai Shao Yan, one of the members of the Hwi Yoh community centre. The prison was at Serangoon Ave. 4. It was built by the British. Later, it became a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts. When the HDB flats were built, the rehab centre was closed down.Q: Who gave the schools the money to be built?Mr Tan: The people of the kampong will try to raise the money to build the schools. Some of the richer residents will donate more money. Some would donate furniture.Q: Why were you all so willing to invest so much to build schools?Mr Tan: The earlier government did not want to but we felt that education was important.Q: Where did the textbooks come from?Mr Tan: I am not very sure.Q: Where did the teachers come from?Mr Tan: The directors usually appoint the teachers. Many are locals too. If you studied secondary school, you would usually come and teach primary schools. An interview with a Lorong Buangkok Kampong Resident Singapore's last surviving Kampong is but a few kilometres away from Jalan Kayu. the Jalan Kayu Team brings you an exclusive interview with a long-time resident of this last kampong on mainland Singapore. The lady's name is "Chris" as she prefers to be known in this interview. Q: How long have you been staying in the kampong?A: 34 yearsQ: Is the property owned by you or rented from another?A: It is rented. The land is privately owned. The houses though were built by ourselves. So basically we would just rent the land from the owner but the cost of building the house falls onto us.Q: Does this apply to all the residents or just you?A: All the residents rent the land and build their own housesQ: What can you tell me about this kampong?A: In the past, about 10 years ago, a big developer made plans to buy over the land. I’m that the land wasn’t sold because if it was then this whole kampong would be gone.Q: So who does this land belong to now?A: The land belongs to the one of the residents who is still living inside here.Q: How would you address him/her?A: I believe her name is Mui Hong and she stays inside. She will be able to contribute whatever information that I cannot provide.Q: This whole land (Kampong Lor Buangkok) belongs to her correct?A: Yes….Actually her dad but then it was passed down to her after he died.Q: How many families are still living in here and which race is the predominant one?A: About 28 families and most of them are malay. The thing about a kampong is that people come and go thus it keeps changing and there are still Chinese around.Q: So if you were returning from, say the airport how would you tell the taxi driver to bring you here?A: I would just tell him, Yio Chu Kang Lorong Buangkok. We don’t usually call this place a kampong.Q: How long has the kampong been around?A: Easily more than 50 years and above.Q: Then could you tell us more about your life as you grew up in the kampong? Maybe what you did for entertainment and how you went to school?A: The most common entertainment at that time when we were kids was marbles. This was swiftly followed by matchbox cars, catching and hide-and-seek. The kids also caught spiders and went fishing. Especially since there was a fishing pond behind my house. The pond belonged to a chinese family and during the weekend, we would buy our own fishing hooks and make our own fishing rods. This was definetly unlike the modern day fishing with its mechanized fishing rods. The owner knew of us fishing in his pond but back in those days we were all very neighborly and thus he did not mind. We also dug for worms to use as bait.Q: Wow I have never played or done some of those things before.A: The kampong is naturally very close to nature and I find that it’s a shame that children nowadays cannot get to do any of these things. I had 3 brothers then and we would play everything from match box cars to hide-and-seek. These were the games, the entertainment that we had back then.Q: So was your school around this area?A: Yes I shifted here when I was in primary 2. I was in the school that later became known as Crescent girls. That was when I was still staying at Holland road. After I shifted here then I went to Yio Chu Kang Primary.Q: Where was Yio Chu Kang Primary?A: It was somewhere in Hougang. Actually it is just next to the salvation army and a condominium.Q: Was the school near enough for you to walk there?A: Yes it was but usually my dad would drive us there though the walk to school was a very good one because we could walk by what is now the current Buangkok Green. There were a lot of flats there and it was a land full of colonial housing. It was very English like. I had a friend who stayed inside the area. We used to walk home together past Buangkok green. It was close to nature then, but now it is all cold hard concrete.Q: Do you work in the kampong you stay in?A: Generally, people who stayed in the kampong left for work by buses in the morning. The kampong is mainly residential and we do rear some animals like chickens for food.Q: Did the government have any plans to develop the area?A: The government did not plan to develop the area but a private developer offered to buy over the area. They did not agree on the price though and the plan fell through. There used to be a leprosy home, called “Sila Leprosy Home”, down the lane where I live on but it had been demolished already. They were all shifted to the mental hospital. The government wanted to acquire the land for housing estates.Q: How was life like under the Japanese Occupation?A: My parents used to tell me that there wasn’t much changes to their lifestyle during Japanese Occupation. They used to stay in another kampong at Holland Road and life in kampong was peaceful then.Q: Did the race riots in the early 1960s affect the kampong?A: The race riots did not affect us because we rented the houses to a lot of Malay people back in the kampong at Holland Road. We enjoyed good relations with the Malays and we lived peacefully together.Q: What’s your opinion on the kampong being dubbed as “the last kampong”?A: I felt that it was a shame that the kampong is fast disappearing. So many people who once lived here are shifting away because of their families. They grew up here since young, got married, shifted out and moved on with their lives. There was no reminiscence. I have stayed here for 32 years and I love the nature. Staying in flats makes me claustrophobic. I asked friends who stayed in flats and they did not even know who their neighbours were. I used to visit another friend of mine in a private estate and I hardly saw any neighbours around. People are so caught up in their own lives and have turned self-centred. You do not get to see such kampong friendliness around anymore.Q: Are there any examples to show that the environment in kampongs was really so different from staying in flats?A: I can hear the birds chirping and raindrops splattering on your rooftops. The air I breathe feels so refreshing. My father used to grow flowers and curry leaves. Unlike kampong, housing estates appear more cooped up and you’re devoid of human interaction. I feel so much closer to nature.Q: So where is your favourite hide out in the kampong?A: I like the entire area around my place. If you appreciate nature, even the smallest life form is beautiful. When my nieces and nephews come for a visit, they’ll play traditional games like catching and chasing around. But all they do in their homes are just computer games all day long. If the government does not resettle us, I’ll remain here in this kampong as long as I can.Q: Do you think the government will resettle you?A: Yes I think so. I got the hint when the government closed down the leprosy home. It was like a hint to us all. People’s reaction was “Oh, the leprosy home has been shifted, so we will be shifted too?” A representative from the Ministry of Environment came down for a check on dengue fever recently. The elderly here will feel very reluctant to leave, so they will cherish the time they have left here in this kampong. An Indian gentleman told me that he returns to India without fail every year when he takes his annual leave. Even after staying in flats for 30 years, he could not get use to it.Q: Are there more concrete hints to imply the government’s intention of resettling the kampong?A: No, it was just hearsay but we took the relocation of the leprosy home as a hint.Q: Has anyone written in to newspapers or ministries requesting for the kampong to stay?A: No, as far as I know of, no one has written in. We recognize our common sentiments when we spoke to each other on this issue. If the government intends to sell the land, we will acquire it.Q: Life in kampong seems slow paced and carefree. So do you find any pitfalls or problems staying in a kampong?A: People complain about the mosquito. My brother who grew up in the kampong, now staying in a flat, visits my parents occasionally. When his family sees the mosquitoes, they would run miles away. Their lifestyles have changed so much. They grew up in the kampong area since young, so it’s unfair to complain about the mosquitoes. I have a friend who stays in Jalan Riduk. It is a private estate, but the mosquitoes there are fanatic. Basically, if you get used to the mosquitoes, falling leaves and the heat, the kampong wouldn’t be a bad place to live in.Q: From the papers, there has been flooding in recent years. Was that an acute problem?A: 20 years ago there was a big flood that occurred. It affected our work land, the place where we built our houses, because it was built on a lower height. After we shifted, we raised the height of our houses and flooding was never a problem since. It was a rather bad flood to waist level high. We had to use a sampan to shift people out temporarily. The flood was probably caused by the bad drainage around Jalan Kayu. It subsided pretty quickly though. A big drain was created after the flood.Q: I read that some polytechnic students actually came to help out with the flooding?A: Yes. Over the past few years, students have been coming down to do their projects. They just come and go. Nothing much was done though. There was once an MP came down too but it was more for publicity sake. I believe if the government intends to retain the area, they would have implementations or contributions to make the cause worthwhile.Q: Throughout all these times that you’ve stayed here, were there any crimes that occurred or attempted?A: Yes there was one incident where my father’s bicycle parked in front of our house got stolen. Otherwise the area is rather safe. It’s safe even into the wee hours.Q: Do the Malay residents here converse in English?A: No, they converse in Malay.Q: So were you fluent in Malay?A: No, just mediocre because we used to rent out the place to Malays in the past.Q: How much has the kampong shrunk over the years?A: At least 70%Q: Is that figure in terms of the number of people or the number of houses?A: 70% refers to the number of people. The number of houses has probably shrunk by 50%. There are a few big houses on stilts opposite my place. The owner of the Tian Hua Press owns them. He rents the land nearby out to the welding industries. School life and fond memories at old Pei Hwa Public School The following piece was based on an interview done by young Pei Hwa historian Christina Koh,14, who spoke to Pei Hwa Public School's last acting principal Mr Wang Qing Shui, an ex teacher of Pei Hwa, who was acting principal for Pei Hwa's last year of existence.Mr Wang recalls how education was in a Chinese medium school from the 1950s through to the 1980s. Pei Hwa Public SchoolPei Hwa Public School along Yio Chu Kang Road was founded around 1934 by Chinese immigrants residing in Jalan Kayu. They felt a need for a school in proximity to their villages. Back then, schools were located in the cities and not everyone had the means to send their children to and from the city. Pei Hwa began humbly as a small village school but as time passed and with financial aid and leadership from community leaders, she had become one of the largest and most complete village schools in Singapore by 1976. There were 17 classrooms and even a dormitory for the principal and teachers. The school received many awards in the areas of Chinese Art such as Calligraphy and painting. In terms of academic performance, Pei Hwa Public was been known to be a school which produced students with consistently good results. Pei Hwa was ahead of its times in terms of teaching and had many “modern facilities” that complemented the teaching efforts of its teachers. Although early education approaches, as in all other school back then, more teacher-centred , Pei Hwa gradually gained the reputation for being a school which encouraged more student-centred teaching with a great deal of hands-on activities. Pei Hwa was also known for its rigor in academics and dissemination of Chinese values. As a Chinese stream school, the took Chinese as their main language together with Mathematics, Moral Education, Physical Education and Arts & Crafts. Many activities were student-led. Extra Curriculum Activities (ECAs) were started by students. The Chinese Calligraphy and Drawing Club won the most awards. There were a few annual sports events where sports representatives from various schools were invited. An eco-garden in the school was set up and some teachers grew vegetables with the help of students. Unfortunately, the enrolment for the school began to dwindle when many of the surrounding villages were relocated in the 1980s. This led to its closure eventual closure in 1990.Pei Hwa ReturnsHowever, in 2004, the idea of resurrecting Pei Hwa arose from a group of former students who had since started the Pei Hwa Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded on the principles of contribution to the community for the betterment of those living there. Today the school is located at 21 Fernvale Link, a 15 minute drive from the original site of the Pei Hwa Public School. A young historian's inference of the life of an RAF servicemen in the 1960s Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3The average RAF airman at Seletar had a simple but satisfying lifestyle in Singapore. In the 2nd picture, we see RAF airmen enjoying some refreshments and smoking while sitting on the floor probably after a hard day of guard duty in camp or at the end of a military exercise. This shows that these RAF airmen were not experiencing an extravagant lifestyle when they were in Singapore and that they were still essentially soldiers serving in a military force. RAF airmen were mainly bachelors and they appear to be very contented with life's simple pleasures. Although the ground-crew of the RAF at Seletar may not have been the best paid air force personnel nor were they high ranking officers, from the picture of them inspecting an aircraft, I can infer that these airmen had a high level of camaraderie, were very co-operative and enjoyed their work. From the 3rd picture, we can see that RAF airmen clearly did take time out after a long day at work to enjoy a drink on their evenings out at Jalan Kayu or elsewhere in Singapore. Given the dark background of the photo, it indicates that their time-offs were mainly in the evenings.Written by young Pei Hwa Historian Toh Ghee Wei of 2E5.Pictures are from Pete Rushen who served at Seletar from 1962 to 1964. ==============================================================Dear Jalan Kayu Trail Team members,I spent a very happy and memorable time at Seletar from 1962 to 1964. Your blog brought back many memories of Jalan Kayu, night markets, watches for S$10 (equivalent now S$3.20), K Wah the tailor where I bought the best pair of trousers I have ever owned. Seletar Bar and the best Nasi Goreng on the Island at the time. Taxi back from the City for S$2.50, our exchange rate was then S$8.40 to £1 sterling!I also remember shopping in the Pagoda House at the far end of the village, is it still there?"Daz" an Indian who worked on West Camp and made our beds and polished our shoes and in hard times lent us money. Above all the great local food in the village. I still come back to Singapore on a regular basis, how it has changed!Thank you for a great blog.Peter RushenEngland Old Jalan Kayu Shop These were some of the shops situated just outside Seletar Camp and near where the current Jalan Kayu shop row is.Photos from Ted Wilkins' personal collection Pay Days and the Village Story Tellers of Jalan Kayu- By Al Taylor Al Taylor who now resides in Australia, served at RAF Seletar from 1955 to 1958. He recounts about Pay Day & the story tellers who once weaved their tales in Jalan Kayu about all things weird and fantastic.Some nights we would leave 'H' block West Camp RAF Seletar and we might walk down to Jalan Kayu or take a Camp Taxi, the Camp Taxi's were approved to operate inside the camp and also to go in and out, however normal Taxi's were not allowed in to the camp and had to discharge their passengers at the Main gate.Serviceman's Pay DayDepending on what part of the Pay Fortnight it was would determine if we only had a meal and then window shopped and bantered with the shop keepers.One night my friends and I were at the wrong end of the pay fortnight and had only had a meal and a Tiger beer, then it was time to wander round and browse whilst the traders tried hard to get us to buy something despite repeatedly being told we were broke, this was good fun for us also as we enjoyed the interaction and this wonderful Eastern culture.The traders always believed we were rolling in money, and in fact it was surprising just how much they knew about our income which was brought home to me one night when a shop trader kept telling me that as I had just been paid I could afford to buy this Camera. I tried to tell him I could not afford it and he then proceeded to ask me what Rank was I and a few more questions, then he told me what my pay should be without deductions, he wouldn't tell me how he was so accurate but I found out the next day that many civilians worked in the Pay Section!The Village Story TellerWe were walking round and chatting with many of the shop traders, then I came to a gap between two shops on Western side of the road, there were a few electric light bulbs hanging around on trees and I noticed a crowd of people sat on the ground on little Bamboo mats in a semi circle around a man. I first noticed the crowd, who were all wide eyed and paying close attention to the man. I walked a little closer and although not understanding what he was saying, he made it pretty clear that he was relating a story that must have been very exciting according to his gesticulations and facial expressions, one minute his voice would raise and the crowd would respond with much feeling. At one stage some of the crowd were evidently quite concerned as they huddled together and seemed to search for comfort.I was totally engrossed with the whole affair and could not believe how much control the storyteller had over the audience, they were really mesmerised by his narration. Then he stopped and uncrossed his legs while the audience got restless and started to talk to him in a frantic way, this appeared to be his way of building up the excitement.. probably on the basis that when they are excited you stop and that gets them wanting more.. this happened a few times until finally he must have come to the climax of the story and for a short while everything was quiet then the chatter started. At this stage a bowl was passed around and donations were dropped into the bowl. Gradually the crowd moved away with everyone chatting away in an excited way.As I walked back to the road one of the Shop keepers that I knew asked me if I had understood what was going on, I said I thought he was a story teller although I did not understand what he was saying I appreciated his skill at entertaining the audience. The shop keeper explained that the man was an intellectual in so much that he could read and write, and many could not read or write, so he came round every so often and read any mail people got and also replied for them for which he made a charge. During the evenings or quiet times he would tell stories and the more horrific and outrageous he made the stories the more he would earn... Evidently tonight's story was about a Dragon coming out of the sky to take the spirit out of the Village and a Lion defending the Village.. of course the Lion won.A Tiger for a tale....On my unit, 81 Sqdn we had a man who also was a very vivid story teller and his charge was a pint of Tiger, so he would pick an exciting part of a story and stop at a climax... we knew it was time to get a Tiger for him... One night he related a story that had been passed down many times about a Japanese General during occupation riding his white horse, most accounts were round 9X site ( on the Eastern Perimeter of Seletar, 9X site was the Far East Air Force (F.E.A.F). Bomb and Ammunition storage site and tightly guarded.. except for one night when some C.T.'s( Communist Terrorist's) broke in but got nothing) and swinging his sword whilst charging at you. The story made out some people had actually seen the General and were thereafter mentally affected and sent back to the UK, and an RAF Police dog had to be put down as it became uncontrollable.I went back down to Jalan Kayu the next night to watch the story teller again but he had moved on... but I had enough money to have a dollar Curry and a Tiger.. afterall tomorrow was pay day. The community water pump in old Jalan Kayu - text by Shantini J As with many kampongs in early Singapore, water was drawn from a community pump in Jalan Kayu. Here are some rare photos of this iconic item taken in Jalan Kayu in the 1950s.From the pictures above, we can infer that in the past, the people of jalan kayu who lived in kampongs did not have a ready supply of clean water available in their households as we so enjoy today. They needed to walk to the kampong pump to get their share of water for the day for drinking , cookig and washing. In today's modern Singapore, with advanced technology and with practically every household having drinkable water pumped right in our homes, this task of collecting water from a common pump is unthinkable. However, despite the fact that this chore may have been quite troublesome to many depending on how far your home was from the pump, the common pump was not just a place for the collection of the day's water supply. In fact, it was probably a place where the villagers could socialize with each other while waiting for their turn to use the pump or while doing their washing. The pump was thus a communal place where many could share their views and latest gossip. Photos from the personal collection of Mr Ted Wilkins - RAF Seletar Tranquil nature of Seletar Camp to be retained for aerospace hub From The Strait Times by Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent 27th June 07Seletar gets ready for makeover as aerospace hub. 204 black and whites will be saved. THE blueprint for the multi-million dollar makeover of the sleepy surroundings of Seletar Airport into a major aerospace hub was unveiled yesterday. The new Seletar Aerospace Park will have a bigger airport and a longer runway, to handle larger aircraft. New roads, better infrastructure and more than 100 football fields of space will also be available to the cluster of companies that design and manufacture aircraft components and small jets, as well as run training schools.The park will be developed at a cost of more than $60 million. When completed by 2018, it will create 10,000 jobs and help double the output of Singapore's fast-growing aerospace sector, from last year's record $6.3 billion. The need for the park was clear, said Mr Leong Hong Yew, JTC Corporation's deputy director for industrial development (East). Aerospace activities are now carried out in Loyang and Changi North, but space is fast running out there, he explained.In finalising the masterplan for Seletar, however, his team retained, as much as possible, the idyllic, tranquil nature of the area with its more than 300 black-and-white colonial bungalows, old trees and open fields. He said: 'This is not going to be another run-of-the-mill industrial park.' Of the 378 black-and-white bungalows in the area, 204 will be retained. Some will be converted into aerospace training schools and food and beverage outlets, while 131 units will be set aside for residential use.He said: 'The houses will be retained and conserved so the ambience of the environment is maintained.' For the same reason, more than 30 distinctive trees will not be cut down, he said.The plans have been received well by industry, with one-fifth of the 120ha set aside for commercial use already booked.The first few tenants are expected to move in to their new premises in October, said Mr Leong.Among the front runners are Singapore Technologies Aerospace and Jet Aviation, both with plans to expand their current facilities at Seletar. For Jet Aviation, the location and timing made sense. Vice-president and general manager for Asia, Mr Michael Sattler, said: 'Singapore is a very good location and offers many advantages. The upcoming integrated resorts are also expected to attract more corporate and business jets here.'Residents in the area were also briefed on the plans last night. For some families there was good news, as they were told their homes were not affected and they will have the option to extend their current leases which expire at the end of next year, for a further two years.After that, it will be up to the Singapore Land Authority which owns the land, to decide on future plans for the area.The rest will have to move out when their leases expire next year. There was some excitement at Seletar Base Golf Course where the briefing was held, when a few residents including children, turned up with signs protesting against the plans. But it ended without incident. Sales manager Jacqueline Tan, 38, who will have to move out of Seletar after living there for three years, will miss the greenery and close neighbours. She said: 'This place is unique... You can't find a place like this in Singapore. It's also a very close-knit community here. Everyone knows everyone.'It was a reponse Mr Leong had anticipated. 'We tried our best to balance the needs of industry and community, and at the same time attempted to integrate the surroundings of the area into the plan... But there will be some who will not be happy,' he said. The Rubber Plantations of Jalan Kayu - Photos by Ted Wilkins Photos are from Ted Wilkin's personal collection.(Text is written by Shantini J of 1E1 )From the photos above, we can infer that there were rubber plantations in Jalan Kayu and that the rubber industry flourished. Furthermore, "the prosperity of Singapore at that time depended upon its use as a commercial emporium" (1) and rubber was one of the main exported items. Indeed, the export of rubber from Singapore had contributed to a large extent to the British government's economy and thus the colonial government must have encouraged the rubber industry. This point can be supported by the fact that ''the demand for land rose sharply when companies formed in Britain began to seek land for rubber plantations. Except in times of trade recession, demand continued until 1940, when rubber plantations in Malaya(and Singapore) spread over 2.1 million acres"(2). In addition , I can also infer that the rubber industry was technologically advanced and there was a mixture of manual work and the use of machines.I also infer that the rubber plantation business was one which was allowed both genders to worked in on what appears to be similair capacities. The photos show a young girl ,an older lady and a man are working together . In the past it was very unlikely that women and children worked unless it was one which was in most cases , involved helping out in a family business. Hence , a number of the rubber plantations could have been family owned or at least the land-owners employed entire families to work in the industry.References (1) & (2) Sources: Adapted from 'Administrative Reports of the Singapore Municipality' quoted in Contesting Space: Power Relations and the Urban Built Environment inColonial Singapore by Brenda S. A Yeoh. www.historycooperativeorg/proceedings/asslh/hagan.html Some interesting newspaper reports about Jalan Kayu/Yio Chu Kang from the 1950s Report 1Report 2The first newspaper report is about hailstones in Jalan Kayu/Yo Chu Kang! The second newspaper report is about the theft of bombs at the RAF Seletar base in 1954! ( Click on the pictures of the reports to get read the details) The JK Team wishes to thank Mr Ted Wilkins for sending us these wonderful reports about the JK area from years gone by. Seletar & Singapore - Airman Gerry Brown shares some nuggets of information Gerry Brown who served at Seletar Camp from 1966 to 1969 shares some memories and photos. Dear JK Team, Here are a few scanned in photos. As you can see, reading from the top left, NAAFI in Serangoon Gardens/road down to Serangoon/Paya Lebar Airport/A view down Porchester avenue Serangoon/ a shot from my garden.I was stationed in Singapore from 1966 to 1969 and worked at Paya Lebar Airport in JATCC. I was a young Senior Aircraftsman, Wireless Operator and my main job was operating the H/F radio link at JATCC providing communications for the Military aircraft that were in the area. I had a wonderful time as it was nice working at the International airport. I flew to Singapore in a British Eagle Brittania, stopping at Abadan and Colombo (now Sri Lanka). Arrived in the early hours of the morning and can only remember being driven to Seletar RAF Camp and being given a room in a very large block. My family had to wait 8 weeks to join me because our Son was too young to fly.I lived with my wife and 2 children in Serangoon gardens in Porchester avenue and we had a lovely Amah called Gee who more or less stayed with us for the duration of our time in Singapore. Often we would drive across the causeway to Malaysia, and I have wonderful memories of pineapples piled by the side of the road. Cheekily we would sometimes stop and take one ( I hope it wasnt missed!)My main headquarters was at RAF Seletar, which we only visited when there were medical/dental or administrative things to do. Oh yes we also made use of the swimming pool.Both my Wife and I had a fantastic time in Singapore, although in those days it was a lot less modern than it is now, we will never forget the place and in fact my Daughter Sarah was born in Singapore in RAF Changi Hospital. Great memories of the Amahs market with the 'haggling' you could do, and also the amazing smells of cooking food wherever you went.I will never forget the experience of getting my old blue vauxhall fixed. It needed a new floor and the Chinese mechanic fixed a new one in for me .....made out of biscuit tins!! It lasted fine for the time I had the car. You can see it in one of the photos. The guys coming round with their stall on wheels selling all sorts of fruit which we had never heard of before including rambatans and durians (phew what a smell they were!) but the guy could peel and chop us a fresh pineapple in less than 30 seconds...wow!Wonderful memories also of the Brittania Club and of wandering through such places as Bugis Street and the huge store with all the clocks showing different times around the world - think it was called CK Tang.Both my Wife and I still have fond memories of Singapore and would love to visit again one day. I still have, as a souvenir, my Singapore Post Office savings book which has 3 dollars in it!!Keep up the good work with the website, I am enjoying reading it. RegardsGerry Brown A Jalan Kayu Malay Wedding and Family 1950s - photos by Ted Wilkins Ted Wilkins served at the Seletar base during the post-war heydays of the camp. As someone who mixed well with the local people, he attended a Malay wedding in the Kampung and took these photos which he has always cherished. We would like to thank Mr Wilkins for sending us these and many other photos from his personal collection. Mr Wilkins writes:"Hello Jalan Kayu Team,I`m so glad the photos were of some use. They have been hanging around in my albums for ages , only my friends and relatives have seen them. I was beginning to wonder if after all this time they would be of any good to anyone,so I am so glad to be able to help in getting together your history. Whilst living in the village we were lucky enough to have a lovely friendly person as our `amah` One day she invited us to her friend`s daughter`s wedding in the kampong behind our bungalow.You'll see photos of amah's daughter ,grand daughters , sister, .husband and children in their house malay wedding in photos 1 & 2Photo 3 --- the groom arrives in all his finery serenaded by a small musical band.Photo 4 --- the groom Photo 5 -- the band plays whilst the groom has to pay a small `fee` to enter into the house to be with his bride.Photo 6 --- outside the `amah` and her husband pose with their daughter and some village childrenPhoto 7--- the bride and groom pose for photos with the bride`s mother. Apparently `bad luck` befalls them if they smile. We laid our small gift at their feet and were given a small coloured egg to take away as a good luck gift. Memories of Serangoon Gardens - Mum's photos Shantini J shares with us her mum's photos when she was a young girl living in the Serangoon Gardens area. Jalan Kayu Memories 1955 to 1958 - Al Taylor Al Taylor who now resides in Australia writes fondly about his times in Singapore while serving as a young man in the Royal Air Force Far East.Dear Jalan Kayu History Team,What a wonderful idea to compile the History of Jalan Kayu somewhere I remember with very great affection. I don't appear to have any pictures of Jalan Kayu but wonderful memories I have aplenty, I served from April 55 to April 58 in the RAF on 81 Sqdn, West Camp, RAF Seletar.TV today, apart from projecting the local smells, can take you anywhere in the world without leaving your lounge chair. However in 1955 I, like most service people at that time, hardly knew where Singapore was but what a pearl Singapore turned out to be.Coming from central England country side where I had never seen an Asian person, the four and a half day flight out to Singapore served as an introduction to Indian people, then when I landed in Singapore I was transformed into this multicultural experience that was to have such an endearing effect on my life.Amazing Jalan KayuFrom the very moment I landed on Singapore soil I was at home, the Gharri trip to RAF Seletar amazed me with sights, sounds and aromas that excited me. When I left England Meat, Food, Clothing was still on the ration (a War time Measure), most other produce was scarce… On my first visit to Jalan Kayu I was astounded at the selection of fruit etc that was just accepted locally, and only some ten years before this wonderful island had been under Japanese occupation. Bananas, Coconuts, Pineapples were all new to me so when I was introduced to a freshly made drink of crushed Pineapple and Ice as you waited just astounded me. The only time I had eaten Rice was made with milk as Rice Pudding so to find that Rice was the Staple diet and not Potatoes was another cultural experience.Shopping in Jalan Kayu circa 1955The shopkeepers were all so pleasant and both B.O.R.’s (British Other Ranks) and Locals referred to one another as ‘John’ or the Locals sometimes called us ‘Tuan”. Haggling over price was another new experience and certainly became part of life with the price of an item always inflated, the rule of thumb was for the purchaser to head towards about half the initial request, whilst the vendor was happy to get a sale the idea was to keep the price as close to the starting price as possible.It is unbelievable just how much I learnt from these local traders that served me so well in later life such as;a. My first lesson in supply and demand marketing was in Jalan Kayu with the Oil Cloth and Bamboo Parasol type Umbrellas that every one sold, when the Sun was shining they were 50cents and when it was raining they were $1!b. How to Anesthetise customers with diversion and breaking the resistiveness of a wary buyer by saying “ John would you like a Coke or Tea while you sit down and relax".c. The wonderful wisdom of K.Wah ‘My Tailor’ who puzzled me the first time I had a shirt(Shark Skin) made to measure because he measured me three times to ensure my shirt as later my suits etc fitted perfectly. The first time he measured me and followed by showing me different materials, the second time he measured was followed by talking about what style and how many buttons on the cuff or did I want a breast pocket etc…. Then just before taking the measurements for the third time he called in from behind a curtain one of his Tailors who sat cross legged and wrote down my measurements…. I questioned why he measured me three times and he replied” First time you very stiff and upright….. Second time you relax bit!….. Third time you relaxed!....Ploblem is make suit to first or second measure it no fit when you relaxed!”. I learnt from K.Wah to measure three times and Cut Once!d. There used to be a Restaurant about four shops up entering Jalan Kayu from Seletar. One morning after a heavy night out starting in the West Camp N.A.A.F.I.( Navy, Army, Air Force, Institute) then on to Jalan Kayu and ending up in Singapore… I was chatting with the lad I had been out with and we both tried to remember what we had had to eat and how good it was…we could not remember anything else about much of the evening but having gone to the N.A.A.F.I and then out to Jalan Kayu so we decided to retrace our steps starting with the N.A.A.F.I. and then on to Jalan Kayu where we entered the first Restaurant and spoke to the Waiter “ Hi John do you remember us?”…. “Yes John you both in here last night”…. “Can you remember what we had”…. “Yes John you both have three Tigers then eat”…. “OK lets do it again John”… So the waiter plied us with three Tigers (which of course we had to force down) …. Eventually he brought two steaming plates and I took one look at this beautifully shaped rice meal and said “John no way I could eat that” looking at the tentacles embedded in the rice… “Why not John” … I just pointed at the tentacles and shook my head… “But you eat last night John… No eat with eyes…Maybe another Tiger”… I nodded and by this time my Mate was tucking into his meal and commenting that “Gee this is great…this is what we had!”… I took another swig of Tiger and swallowed my resistance and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. I learnt from then on to eat with my taste and stomach and not with my eyes, also that Tiger was a wonderful aperitif.e. At the end of pay fortnight when funds were very low and your desire for a genuine Curry was high it was normal that the further away from the main gate you walked in Jalan Jayu the cheaper the food and Tiger got, there was a little eatery at the far end on the left where the labourers and grass cutters used to collect, their bikes were lined up outside which was a good indication of the quality of the eatery. A really good Curry wrapped in a Banana leaf was a dollar, there were no tables or chairs so overheads were low hence the dollar Curry. We used to join the locals on their haunches and thoroughly enjoy this really tasty Curry eaten with your fingers. From this I learnt that good food does not have to be expensive if your ego and pride are under control.Dhoby days and great serviceI had been elected to serve on the P.S.I. committee which was responsible for overseeing the running of the N.A.A.F.I. and the civilian Dhobi contractor who was engaged by the Air Force to wash and iron our Air Force issue clothing and Towels etc, civilian clothing we had to pay for. The quality of the Dhobi service had dropped and in response to many complaints made to me I raised the matter on the P.S.I. committee, this resulted in the contractor being called to attend a meeting where he was informed of these many complaints, he said he would attend to the points raised, but by the next meeting it was obvious he had not improved his service quality. The rest of the committee wanted his contract terminated but I insisted he be given one more chance and sat down with him and suggested if he wanted to retain his contract he had to perform. I visited his business in Jalan Kayu and discussed his need to improve or lose the contract and that his problems were his problems and not our. Within a week the quality was back to normal and I was able to tell him that is contract now was on a monthly basis to ensure his standard did not drop.He explained that he had sat down and taken the decisions he should have taken months ago and thanked me for helping him. A few days later he came to see me and again thanked me and gave me a little gift wrapped parcel as a thank you. I said I could not accept it as it might be considered a bribe but he was insistent that it was not a bribe so I suggested I would discuss the matter with one of our Officers, the Officer suggested that it was not a bribe but a sign of gratitude which I could accept and he would vouch for, the present was a Gold plated Parker Pen and Pencil set which I used for many years until old age took its toll. That man need not have bothered, but he did, and I learnt respect and compassion and the art of saying a simple thank you!Thanks for the memories SingaporeI loved the culture of Singapore , the weather, the food, the competitiveness, the aromas, the Choong Sam etc. All of this I missed terribly when I was returned to the UK after three very happy years, In 1982 my family and I migrated to Australia which in many respects has a similar climate to Singapore. Many have asked me why I have never returned to Singapore ,it is quite simple - I prefer to remember Singapore , Jalan Kayu and RAF Seletar as it was as all of that only now exists in my memories.Terima Kasay Jalan Kayu. Terima Kasay.Al Taylor The Mystery Disappearence of Boh Sua Tian Road ( Mystery Solved ) Boh Sua Tian Road didn't "disappear " as what most people will say. It merely closed downed because of one reason.The reason is because:The residents were simply forced to move away because Singapore was moving towards urbanising then. Hence, Boh Sua Tian Road "disappeared" Jalan Kayu and Seletar Camp are set to change.... The Seletar camp's black and white bungalows will be making way for the new aerospace hub as reported by Straits Times reporter Karamjit Kaur. The makeover to turn the sleepy surroundings of Seletar Airport into an aerospace hub has begun. Though the final blueprint for the area will not be finalised for several weeks, this green haven of quiet streets, clubs and black-and-white bungalows is already in the process of changing forever. Seletar Camp is home to more than 30 aerospace companies, several hundred residents and a handful of clubs. Tenants affected by the first phase of the development are preparing to relocate. Fifteen companies occupying a single-storey building near the airport - operating aircraft maintenance and repair services, charter flight operations and other aerospace activities - will be moved soon so that work can start on building a new facility there. The tenants will be temporarily housed in two abandoned buildings at Old Birdcage Walk, also within the former military air base. When The Straits Times visited the site recently, renovation works were in full swing and a contractor said the companies are scheduled to move into the abandoned buildings by July, at the latest. Mr Robert Tan, general manager of Seletar Country Club, which operates a nine-hole public course and a members-only facility there, confirmed that the club will stay but the public Seletar Base Golf Course will close down. He said: 'The lease expires at the end of June and we have been told it will not be renewed, so we will have to go.' He said it would be a pity if the land is taken away only to remain abandoned for months, or even years. 'We have appealed to the authorities to allow us to use the place until the very last day,' he said. Across the road, Kingfisher Club, a popular restaurant and bar, shut down last month. As for the mainly expatriate residents who live in the colonial black-and-white bungalows and semi-detached houses, many have started searching for somewhere else to live. Their leases expire at the end of next year, though there has been talk that they may now be extended to 2010. Mr Logan Ravishankar, chief executive officer of MyJet Asia, which operates mainly chartered flights, works and lives in Seletar. He said: 'There is so much uncertainty over the fate of this place and we do not want to wait to be booted out. Like many of my neighbours, I have started looking for a new home.' The Seletar Aerospace Park will open in several phases and when completed in eight years, it will cover 140ha, or the size of more than 100 football fields. It will be an important centre for aerospace activities like the maintenance, repair and overhaul of engines and other aircraft parts. The Government also hopes to see companies set up aviation training institutes there. By 2018, the park, a joint project by JTC and the Economic Development Board, is expected to create 10,000 jobs and contribute $3.3 billion a year to the economy. The $60 million expansion project is necessary because space is running out at the Loyang and Changi North aerospace centres. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), meanwhile, will be spending more money to develop Seletar Airport. The CAAS has called for consultants to advise on upgrading and improvement works for the runway, taxiways and aircraft parking bays. There are also plans to extend the length of the runway at the airport, which is used mainly by private and business jets, and small charter airlines. Life in Jalan Kayu - Snippets from Servicemen Interview April 2007 Shantini J , our young Pei Hwa historian , met some of the British servicemen who served here after the second world war during their visit to Singapore in April 2007 and here are some interesting snippets from her interview with several of them.1) Where were the bachelor soldiers in Seletar Camp housed?They mostly lived in the barracks at Seletar camp which had alphabets assigned to them. 2) What was one of the favourite sports that the RAF men and their families took part in?Rowing was one of our favourite sports. On Saturdays we had family rowing races while on Sundays we would row to Cornie island where we would have a picnic . After which, we would dive down to locate the coral reefs.3)What were some of the privileges that British civil servants had?Well, we were allowed to buy cars from England and bring them to Singapore without paying taxes. We remember when we used to take trips to Penang and we took two days to drive there because the road surface was poor. Meanwhile, we spent the nights at the rest houses which were located on the way to Penang . These rest houses were very clean and served simple yet good food.4) Can you name an item which you brought back from Singapore that reminds you of your stay here?That would be carved camphor chests. We still use it now to store the bed linens at home. Some of the chests actually has a Kampong Village motif carved on them.5) Where would British families live when you first arrived at Singapore ?For ourselves , we first stayed at a flat in Jalan Kayu . Later, we moved into the married quarters in Seletar Camp . There was actually a kampong behind the flat we lived in. There were beautiful palm and papaya trees in the kampong’s premises .6) What do you remember best about Jalan Kayu?We remember there were many rubber plantations and fish ponds in the area. On Friday nights there would be a night market and the streets would be lit by lamps.7) Were ay of your children born in Singapore?My son and daughter were born in Singapore at Changi hospital because we did not have a hospital at Seletar. In fact, I was married in Seletar. 8)Can you tell me a little about the taxi transport system back then in Singapore?There were two types of taxi systems. One is known as the ‘pirate’ taxis which operated all over Singapore except in the city area. ‘Pirate’ taxis are taxis without authorized permit to carry passengers. There are two types of authorized taxis . One is just like today which runs on a meter fare and operates within the city limits. The other type of taxi is the ‘pick-up’ type which means that it is not run on a meter fare . The passenger has to negotiate the fare with the taxi driver. This type of taxi operates outside the city limits.9) Could you describe the surrounding areas of Seletar airbase?The airbase was surrounded by forest and jungle . There were many snakes in the forested areas and sometimes these snakes made their way into our homes and the cats, we kept as pets, used to catch the snakes .10) Could you describe the shops in Jalan Kayu and the services they provided?I remember that there was a tailor and my mother used to buy her dress material and got them tailored there because they were done at a low cost and at short notice. We also bought our school shoes at the shops in Jalan Kayu.11) Did you have any other British friends beside those in Seletar?Yes, we had friends who lived at Paya Lebar and Serangoon Gardens .12) What was the exchange rate to a pound in Singapore in the 1960s ?The currency exchange SGD$8 to one British pound.13) Did you have any local friends?Yes , many of them lived in the near by kampongs . We used to interact often with them and sometimes I was even invited to join them for a meal. Business cards from old Jalan Kayu Have you ever wondered how old business cards looked like back then in Jalan Kayu? Ray Dadswell whose tour of duty in the Far East saw serve at R.A.F.Seletar on 81 Squadron from March 1957 until April 1958 before his Squadron moved to R.A.F.Tengah, shares some business cards from his collection. These business cards bring back "many fond memories" of his time in Singapore. There's also a well-preserved ticket stub from the Seletar Theatre Club. Notice the second card on the right? Looks like there was a Fairprice store even before NTUC Fair Price came into existence! Being different and yet the same - Paul Warner shares his memories of being a "foreigner" in the Singapore heartlands Paul Warner lived in his early years around the Jalan Kayu/Yio Chu Kang area and attended a Singapore government school - Parry Primary. His shares his experience of being the only Caucasian "Ang Mo" amongst his Singaporean classmates in school. If I was a conspiracy theorist I would be under the impression that sinister forces are at work removing all traces of my childhood!In the excellent Jalan Kayu trail blog, you mention that Boh Sua Tian Road no longer exists. I remember it well, a long twisting narrow road tunelling its way through a canopy of trees and jungle. Take the road from Jalan Kayu and you could, if you didn’t get lost, exit it at the other end of Yio Chu Kang towards the old Nee Soon.However, returning to disappearing land marks you can add to the list Jalan Hwi Yoh, located opposite Parry Avenue, across the junction from Yio Chu Kang Road, and Jalan Kayu School which has now been submersed beneath the TPE.But not everything has gone and my primary school is still in one piece, although the name has changed which is a small price to pay considering what the onslaught of change and development nromally results in.Parry Primary DaysI remember Parry School before its name-change from Parry Avenue Boys’ School. PABS, Perseverance Always Brings Success, was the school motto. The school song even began with the lines: ‘We students of PABS, shall persevere and do our best ...”What strikes me most on the few occasions I’ve driven past the school is how the skyline has completely changed. Gone are the jungle, coconut trees and dusty paths leading to isolated kampongs to be replaced by tower block after tower block of HDB apartments. That’s best illustrated in the photograph taken of myself and five of my classmates. They are (from left to right) Isnin, Vela, Khamis, myself, Thalib and Mohan.Behind the school was Parry Girls which has amalgamated with the boys’ school to become Parry School and beyond that lay woodland and thick scrub, dotted with atap houses and abandoned buildings. I recall on one of our science club expeditions we visited a tow gay (bean sprout) farm where big Chinese jars were used to grow the shoots. All have now disappeared into the mists of time.Being different and yet the sameSo what was it like being a ‘foreigner’ in a local school? Well, as a young child I didn’t know any different and I just saw myself as one in the same as all my classmates. I learnt Malay as my second language, so I did gravitate towards the Malay and Indian pupils. Some of them lived in Jalan Kayu and the school bus would pick them up each morning or afternoon on our way to Parry.I must have sub-consciously known I looked very different and came from a Western culture by my nick names like ‘Mat Salleh’ and ‘Ang Mo’ which I took in good spirit and never felt offended by. In fact, I am occasionally addressed by those names even today. I remember being starred at a lot more particularly when I ventured on to a HDB estate, but nowadays Westerners are a common sight in these areas with many of them making their homes in government housing.Games from days gone by...Fun and games 30 years ago was low tech in the extreme compared with today. No Nintendo or PS3 to keep us entertained during recess or before school started. It was games like police and thief (catching) and in a not so politically correct manner, it was always Chinese boys versus Malay boys.Other games included kuti kuti (pushing playing cards along the ground and trying to get your card to overlap your opponents) and yeh yeh (a skipping game where the rope was made out of rubber bands).They were also some curious things we had to do then which would appear slightly bizarre today. For example, on Fridays after recess we would all have to squat in front of our school and brush our teeth, while in the mornings, before class, they were some exercise routines which had to be completed, I guess, to get us physically as well as mentally fit for the day ahead.We also had regular deliveries of cartons of milk and it was probably the first time I tasted banana and strawberry flavoured ‘white stuff’. There were no photocopiers, so test and exams papers were produced on a hand-cranked stensil machine.And everyone knows about the national courtesy campaign. Add to that the Use Your Hands Campaign where we all came into school one Saturday and carried out a range of chores like sweeping and pruning hedges.Jalan Kayu...those were the daysWhile school life then was very different to what it is now, Jalan Kayu as I remember it has completely been wiped out.I was in a taxi once and on our way to Jalan Kayu the driver commented it was an area of ‘Indian-control’. And that’s how I remember it. One of the most well-known roads there was Lorong Tanggam where a kampong was located.There were two bicycle shops, a wet market and even a bakery which did lovely fresh bread. CP Lim's in Holland Road used to have a branch in Jalan Kayu for the airbase clientele. There was also a Chartered Bank and several record shops selling rows and rows of pirated casette tapes for $2.50 or $5.There was also the 'First to Bata, then to School' shop and many grocery, clothes and electrical shops. A real hub of business activity, but sadly the only shops that remain are located in the concrete buildings (where Thesavi is trading).Parked up buses and lorries have taken over the empty land where once old wooden shop houses stood.Thesavi was then located nearer to the airbase before it moved to its present location at the other end of Jalan Kayu. There was also a bus terminus outside the air base and some apartments called Pouldon Court on the left hand side just after you came out of the airbase.The airbase itself has changed little although when I first moved there I noticed a lot more trees which have gradually been felled over the years.We used to ride our BMX bikes in a place we called ‘Mud Cave’ just behind Hyde Park Gate . It overlooked the runway and control tower but since 9/11 a fence has been erected and it is no longer possible to venture close to the facility. In fact in those days, you were able to ring a bell to ask for permission to walk, but mainly to cycle, across the runway.The most exciting thing to ever happen there was when a Vietnamese plan was hijacked and it landed at Seletar. That was in 1978 and I remember dozens of 999 vehicles racing to deal with the emergency. Luckily everything ended peacefully.I remember the stench from the pig farms which were located further up Jalan Kayu, in the Farmway area, towards Yio Chu Kang Road. When the wind blew in a particular direction we could smell it from our home in Edgware Road.There were also orchid farms, with a much more tolerable aroma, and even a large pond, opposite the Esso garage.That area, now known as Fernvale and where Pei Hwa School is located, was completely overgrown and I remember there being rows and rows of rubber trees a bit further on. There were a few families who lived up there and our school bus used to drive up these gravel paths to pick the children up.I recall there being a mechanics workshop and scrapyard on the corner of Jalan Kayu and Yio Chu Kang. I remember the Seletar market (now closed down and deserted) being opened in about 1975.Before we moved to Jalan Kayu we lived in Seletar Hills (Jalan Lekub) and I also remember there being a tobacco plantation and I was fascinated by the huge green leaves.It is amazing how in a space of 30 years a sizeable area has been completely transformed from a rural community to a thriving 21st century metropolis. Only in Singapore! Memories of Serangoon Gardens - Of Gardens and Tupperware parties The Serangoon Gardens Estate was one of the few electoral wards at that time. The estate was well-planned with shops , banks , private clinics, tailors , a sports club , a post office , hairdresses , a pharmacy and a cinema.There were also schools in Serangoon Gardens area which included the Serangoon Gradens South School and the Serangoon Gardens North School.My mother who resided at the Serangoon Gardens , completed her primary education at Serangoon Gardens South School.The houses in the estate were Terrace, semi-detached and bungalows. Many of these houses were rented out to the British soldiers and their families who were stationed in Singapore. A wet market was later built in the estate so as to reduce the travelling distance of many residents who originally had to tarvel to Peya Lebar to do their grocery shopping.It was common for one of the British housewives to organise activities such as "Tupperware"" parties for neighbours to attend. She would then invite the other housewives in the neighbourhood. These parties had a vareity of food and drink served. There would also be an agent from Tuppperware who would demonstrate how to use the various types of Tupperware which she was selling. The housewives would then palce their orders for the Tupperware through the agent.Written by Shantini J - 1E1 Pei Hwa Public School Pei Hwa Public School was one of the main icons in the Jalan Kayu / Seletar West area and it was situated opposite Boh Sua Tian Lou ( Wireless Road).History of Pei Hwa- Established 1934 (British Rule)- Wholly financed by early immigrants from China residing in Yio Chu Kang and Jln Kayu- Operation of the school was interrupted during the Jap Occupation & WW2- Restarted after war with renewed vigour with increase in student population- In 1954 , through the generosity of Community leaders , 5 acres of land was purchased and new 2 storey school building erected.- In 1976 , Pei Hwa Public school was one of the biggest & most complete villageSchool in Sinapore- With the resettlement of many villages in mid 1980s and declining popularityof Chinese education , the school's intake dwindled and this caused the Studentpopulation numbers to drop from high of 1300 to 200- School ceased operation in 1990After a break of 15 years , a new school in Sengkang was build with the support from the Pei Hwa Foundation and it was renamed Pei Hwa Secondary School. A new beginning with an illustrious history not found in many other neighbourhood schools. Serangoon Gardens - 1960s Pic 1(above) ; Pic 2 (below)The history of Seletar Base and Jalan Kayu is tied to that of Serangoon gardens as Serangoon Gardens was widely used for housing the RAF servicemen in the 1960s. The servicemen stayed in mostly single or double storey houses, some of which still exist today intact at Serangoon Gardens private housing estate. Pic 1 : Shows a hawker who goes door to door to sell her food. A scene that has disappeared from Singapore completely. Pic 2: Snapped around 1966, this is what Serangoon Gardens looked like. There was a movie theatre there too! Base Life - Airmen Quarters Pic 1( Above); Pic 2 ( below) Pic 1: Seletar Barrack Room, complete with mosquito nets, note the wooden beds taken in late 1940s , post WWII. Pic 2: An airmens bunk circa 1948 with mosquito net , indicative of what was one of the main bugbears of the RAF airmen back then. You can see cupboards for clothes and kit and a small overhanging shelf for personal belongings. Very much a spartan set up for the average airman. Picture credits : Hastingsgan Jalan Kayu night market - 1966 to 1969 Corporal Ty Muir of RAF Seletar 1966 - 1969 shares his memories of the famous Jalan Kayu night market. Pictures courtesy of Corporal Muir himself from his personal collection. Sights and Sounds on a Friday night out at Jalan Kayu Friday evenings were often spent wandering through the Jalan Kayu night market with the Florescent lit stalls attracting clouds of nocturnal insects. The Doris fish and chips stall with its high stools ( with removable tops). The adjacent Makan stalls with its roaring gas that filled the air with delicious fragrant billows of steam and the cluster of pirate cabs with their drivers eager to make a deal; the Indian shops with their exotic sari-clad ladies and the scent of incense and sandal wood. I remember...The tailors ships where you could get a beautiful made to measure shirt made from fine silk for a few dollars. Camphorwood chests of all shape and seize; the pungent smell of dried fish and shrimps drifting from the groceries. St Vincents de Paul church; the incredible aroma of freshly roasted and ground coffee beans ; the second hand book stalks were you could rent a handful of Westerns for a couple of bucks; desert boots to wear with your new “cool” tailor made KD; buying the mandatory Kenwood Chef food mixer to take back to the UK; blue denim shorts and shorts. Down beyond all the lights was the darkness of the rubber plantations. The evening ended with a few Tigers at the Seletar bar. The Singapore Years ( 1966-69) - RAF Seletar Tom Muir at Seletar Base July 1967 Corporal Muir outside his home at Feb 1967The informtion was provided by Tom Muir who is now living in Adelaide , South Australia. He lived at RAF Seletar from 1966 through to 1969."Seletar was so beautiful.....that I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!"Corporal Tom MuirJamaica PostingBcak in 1966, I was a youthful Corporal "Ty" Muir serving on 139(Jamaica) Squadron with Victor B2S at RAF Wittering having been there since its reformation in early 1962.Life was pretty settled witha young wife , 2 little toddlers and another baby on the way, living in a caravan at Market Deeeping.The world stopped....Yes , it did when I received the following: PWR ( Preliminary Warning Roster) up on the Station HQ Notice Board : W4263132 Cpl Muir - One year unaccompanied tour to Kuching in Berneo on Whirlwind helicopters fighting Indonesian communist insurgents. Leaving Nov 1966. Blind panic. Sell the caravan. Ship wife and kids off to my mum's place in Scotland, go on a chopper training course and off to Borneo via Singapore on a Britannia out of RAF Lyneham.Died and gone to heaven - Seletar 1966 I landed in Singapore and was temporarily housed in a transit block in East Camp of a place called RAF Seletar. Arrived in the dark , crashed out after the long flight, and woke up to an unforgettable scene.The morning sun streaming through glassless louvers-shuttered windows , ceiling fans whispering, the hum of insects, warm most air and the wonder cent of frangipani. I though I'd died and done to heaven.After a few loitering by the swimming pool waiting for transport details, I was advised that die to the insurgency in Borneo having settled down, I would be staying in Singapore and my one year unaccompanied tour changed to a two and half year accompanied one. You beauty! Not only had I died and gone to heaven, but I was going to stay there until May 1969.A quick letter home to my wife to pack and get ready to join me, but alas, by the time all the formalities had been arranged she was too close to giving birth to be allowed to fly. His it would be April 1967 before she and the 2 new ones could join me. That was a sad and gloomy time for us. Many thanks, and some updates... Hi all,It warms our hearts to see so many nice comments so far on our little blog. We're glad that we have brought back fond memories to some people, and to bring forward the past of Jalan Kayu.We would like to thank those who have linked and/or commented on our blog. We greatly appreciate the kind encouragement. Especially from many respected bloggers in the Singapore community!However, the exams are looming pretty near for our team. About 2 and a half weeks from now, so we're pretty much into study-mode now and won't be tending to our blog.But rest assure, we'll be back after the exams. We will also have to consolidate all our infomation into our main website which the actual Jalan Kayu Trail will be based on. So its alot of work for us right after the exams.Don't stop visiting us though, if you have any more valuable or timeless information that you would like to share, do drop our group mentor an email at dlimws@yahoo.com.sg.Thanks again and watch this space!Warm Regards,The 3e3 Jalan Kayu Trail Team. We're on yesterday.sg! We're on yesterday.sg!!Thanks to everyone for their support so far!