IT was the year the first human travelled into outer space, the Berlin Wall was built and West Side Story was released to hit reviews. And in a small street on the new Blackbird Leys estate, eight people celebrated moving into their new homes.

More than 50 years later, Nunnery Close has seen its share of births, deaths and people moving in and moving out – but these eight have remained steadfast friends ever since.

Bill and Liz Brandon, Brenda and Keith Beasley, Pamela Dawson, Bernie Tucker, John Kingston and Jacky Perks all moved into the street in 1961. Heather Tucker, pictured above, moved in in 1975 when she married Bernie.

Mrs Brandon, 71, from number 6, said: “We all walked straight into a brand new house, can you imagine how lovely that was? There wasn’t any paving yet, no shops, no church. There was a little church hut where all our children were baptised and it was lovely, because we all felt we were here together.”

The grandmother-of-four said: “We used to sit on the wall outside our houses each day and the children would all play together. There were no worries about cars, we only had one on the street.

“Now we’ve all got grandchildren and great grandchildren, but they all still come every week. And we’ve got two new babies on the street now.

“Even if I won the lottery, I honestly wouldn’t move away.”

There are 22 homes on the street, made up of terraced and semi-detached houses. Each started out as a council property but many residents have now bought their homes, including the Brandons.

Ms Dawson, 79, from number 15, worked as a lunchtime helper at Orchard Meadow School for 37 years.

She said: “When I moved in, I had twins who were five-and-a-half months old, Madeleine and Nicholas, so it was quite a busy time. I used to love sitting on the wall with the other neighbours, having a chat. They’re brilliant neighbours.”

Ranging in age from 86 to 71, the friends need no excuse for a party – coming together for big occasions such as birthdays and bank holidays. They are planning a street party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June.

Mr Tucker, 82, who lives at number 13, said: “When we moved here, the houses were still being built, it was like a builders yard with muck and dirt everywhere.

“But it was great. We’d get together and have parties together all night long.”

The grandfather-of-23, who married wife Heather 37 years ago, said: “People often say things about Blackbird Leys, but I’ve never seen anything bad happen.”

* The Oxford Mail is putting together its annual Heritage magazine and we’d love to find old pictures and memories of the Blackbird Leys community. Call Rhianne Pope on 01865 425411.