Raynes Park
Raynes Park maps (2 available)
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Raynes Park books (15 available)
Raynes Park memories
Read and share memories of Raynes Park and London inspired by Frith photos
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London memories
Home - always will be
I grew up in Motspur Park, living in Claremont Avenue from 1958 - 1980 where my mother still lives.
The swing gate railway crossing which we used to hang onto while the signal man wound them open and closed (the record for the fastest gate opening was recorded here). Sam, the Caribbean Station master who seemed to be there forever.
The railway bridge that as a child scared me as the gaps between each step seemed so big. On the south side, the flower seller Mr Mathews (1960s).
On the north side two small kiosks, one a cobblers and the second a travel agent (a new concept for the era). Where the library is now was open ground ...read more here
A memory of Motspur Park contributed by Gary Elmer
growing up in motspur park
I lived in Motspur Park from 1968 till 1989, everyone I knew friendly place,the local pub was clean and friendly, used to go courting there with my late husband.
Been back a few times and have noticed a dramatic decline - the row of shops down Seaforth Ave have become dirty and an eyesore. The traffic calming measures down West Barnes Lane on the whole good measure look out of place. The corner shop on Adela Ave where as a child I use to buy penny sweets with my grandma sadly gone and replaced as a residence. When I was a child growing up Motspur Park was clean, tidy, a generally nice place to live. Don't get me wrong but since ...read more here
A memory of Motspur Park contributed by catherine goldby
The Beatty and Us.
Like alot of young Kiwis, my wife and I started our OE (Overseas experience) in 1986, and in January 1987 found ourselves in Motspur Park as a result of applying and getting bar jobs at the Earl Beatty pub. Graeme and Marie were the Governers, Jeff and Vicky were another Kiwi couple already working there at the time. It was an interesting time for us. At the time, the Duke of Cambridge in nearby New Malden was closed for renovations, with most of their regulars now drinking at the Beatty. They were an interesting bunch to say the least, with some rather dubious backgrounds. However, Freddy the bear, and others were friendly, and protective of us, especially when a number of ...read more here
A memory of Motspur Park contributed by Peter van Vroonhoven
10 Grafton Road
My dad, Cecil Edwards, had a newsagents and tobacconists shop in Grafton Road. We lived behind and over the shop.
One of my abiding memories is going to Woolworths in the High Street to spend my saved pocket money on Christmas presents for the family. At that time Woolworths had gas lamps throughout the shop which had two chains hanging, one to turn up and one to put out. Also Tudor Williams had one of those change machines which whizzed round the shop.
As kids we would play Cops and Robbers and Cowboys and Indians in Grafton Road and in the winter would make an ice slide in the middle of the street! Not much traffic so ...read more here
A memory of New Malden contributed by First name Last name
Extracts From Raynes Park & London books
The architecture of
Raynes Park is in
general suburban and
undistinguished. This
view looks northwest
along Coombe Lane,
with a bus turning left
into West Barnes Lane.
On the right are 1930s
and 1950s shopping
parades. The concrete
plank fence on the left is
still here, and screens a
Thames Water depot.
An extract from from"Sutton Photographic Memories".
There has probably been a
formal market at Kingston
since at least Saxon times;
a series of charters have
been granted by royalty
since the 13th century,
giving it official status. The
charter granted by King
Charles I gave Kingston
the right to ban any other
market within seven
miles; this right has been
used in recent times to
stop markets operating in
Putney, a little over four
miles away. The Market
Hall was opened in 1840.
An extract from from"Kingston upon Thames Photographic Memories".
The town of Kingston
was awarded County
Town status in 1893,
which it retained even
after becoming a London
Borough in 1964. However,
the County Town status
has now gone to Woking,
and any remaining
County Council staff will
be relocated across the
county by 2007. Behind the
Coronation Stone (centre)
are the Municipal Offices,
which were replaced by
the Guildhall in 1935.
As this is a market town,
the town centre has a
remarkable number of
hotels and hostelries; on
the right is the Griffin
Hotel, established in the
16th century, an important
posting house that closed
in 1986 and was converted
into shops. A proud early
motorist stands outside the
Assembly Rooms (right).
An extract from from"Kingston upon Thames Photographic Memories".
The few waterside
industries of Kingston were
based off the High Street
with their wharves backing
onto the Thames. Hide’s
department store has an
advertising hoarding on
the riverfront (left)
proclaiming their fabrics
and furnishings. The large
roof beyond the Hides
hoarding is that of the
Odeon cinema in the
High Street, which was
demolished in 1988.
An extract from from"Kingston upon Thames Photographic Memories".
On the left are the four rollers which allow
smaller craft to negotiate the weir. The
passengers had to disembark and push
and pull the punt or canoe over the rollers
instead of going through the lock - that
was more for larger craft, such as the small
steam pinnace on the right.
An extract from from"Kingston upon Thames Photographic Memories".