Memories of Addlestone

Jarmans - Station Road

My mum, Irene White, worked in Jarmans on Station Road - just where it joins Crouch Oak Lane. It was probably in the very early 1940s before she joined the WAAFs.

She told the story that her boss said you can eat as many sweets as you like, assuming that most people would get fed up with them pretty quickly - not mum, she kept her sweet tooth all her life.

Station Road

I couldn't believe when I came across this picture. In 1950 I was born just above the shop (the first blind on the left). The shop was Reliant Shoe Repairs owned by my late father Arthur Piggott who was very well known in Addlestone. The single story building next to it was Mrs Martins Cafe, and me and my brother Bernard had many a cup of tea there. We lived in Addlestone until the end of 1965 then moved to Farnborough Hampshire.

The family now live in many parts of the world now. My two sisters (Janet and Barbara) live in Canada, my younger brother Bernard emigrated to New Zealand (but now lives in The Philipines and sadly my parents and youngest brother have past away.

As for me, I live and work in Tbilisi, Georgia and apart from the odd Russian invasion is quite peaceful. Georgia in many ways is like England in the 1950's which I guess is why I like it here.

Dudley Piggott, Tbilisi, Georgia

Martha Ward

Hi Rosemary,
Once again I found you very heplful, you sent me info on Princess Mary Homes. I followed it up and found them very helpful, only trouble is other people on same page (not covered by freedom of information) will have to wait for another couple of years until the next census to find out where she went when leaving the home.
Thanking you once again for taking trouble to answer.
Regards, Shirley (Ken Epps)

Trips to Co-op

The bus ride into Addlestone from New Haw took about 15 minutes. We were taken on a regular basis either to see our Grandparents who lived in Byron Road or shop at the Co-op, which took up a large part of the High Street. In order for us to be kitted out with clothes and shoes mum would have taken out a Provident Loan. Later in the early 60s I purchased a new racing bike I was very excited as it was a hand built Reg Harris racer with alloy wheels, centre pull brakes and a wad of gears. I had only been riding it a couple of days when I hit a drain and the front wheel folded.

Sunday dances at the Co-0p Hall were very popular and featured well known bands such as Dave Berry & The Cruisers, Amen Corner and Desmond Dekker & The Aces.

Addlestone Crossing

After getting off the bus from New Haw we would walk to Nan & Grandad's house. Passing over the crossing there was Wells Boot Stores on the right just before Alexandra Road. Down here, over the river, the Laundry and Taylor & Pentons on the left. I think Taylor & Penton made furniture for John Lewis, I do know my Aunt Elsie and my Grandfather (Walter Godfrey) worked there, Auntie in the office and Grandad as Night Watchman. Now on to 37 Byron Road for tea and pocket money.

White Hart Lock

I believe this to be the White Hart Lock at New Haw situated at the junction of Woodham Lane and the turning off over the White Hart bridge which led to Byfleet station. I do believe also that the cottage featured in a film, which I think was War Of The Worlds. As youngsters we often took a short cut off the Byfleet Road to cut through to what we called the Nine Arches, passing under this structure we would in the summer go swimming and hopefully meet girls. This area was also close to the banked corners of Brooklands Race Track.

Girls Names

I am looking for information on my grandmother who is listed as being at Princess Mary Village in Addlestone in the 1901 census. We have been able to ascertain she left there in March 1908. Does anyone have a list of the names of the girls in this particular image.

Saturday Jobs

My first job as a Saturday girl (1974) was working at a newsagents called Jarman's on the right of this photo on the corner of the road which led to the police station and infants school Darley Dene. I remember having to weigh snuff and having to use an old-fashioned till where you had to add up the items and press down the correct keys to show the total in the top window. I worked for a lady called Molly - she was still there in the 1980's. I think I earned about 60p for a Saturday afternoon.

New gates

We used to love watching the trains come through and were sad when they brought in the barriers. I used to travel from Addlestone Station to Egham to attend Strode's College on the old trains which had corridors and compartments! Sounds ancient but was only 1977-79! From the train we could see the new line being built to accomodate the train once the M25 was completed!

The new lock

This looks like the bridge over the canal at the Addlestone / New Haw border but I can't be sure. If it is I remember my parents taking us there (early 70's) to watch them put in new lock gates. The gates have the year engraved into them. I also believe that the lock keepers cottage, which I think is the house on the left, was used as a location for a film (about time travellers?).