Memories of Growing up

East Street c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

My first real memory of the town was Mum taking me to Blakes corner which has been bombed and me peering through the wooden safety wall, to look at the hole down below. I think it became Timothy Whites & Taylor after that. I was born in 1946 and lived in George Street, off Linton Road, and went to Northbury infants school, the headmistress being Mrs. Biddis, her hubby was a local vet. The Capitol was in the town, next to where the old mortuary was, my grandad painted that cinema when times were tough. Of course Jimmy's the chemist was there; I happened to be that way some years ago and his son was there and it was thrilling that he remembered me and my family from so long ago. Sainsburys was a treat, they were in East Street next to Home & Colonial, but Sainsbury always won. The smell of the shop was amazing, hams, bacon, spam and cheeses and butter. I watched in awe and amazement as the lady used her butter paddles so accurately.  he walls were all tiled white and it was so clean. All staff had uniforms and boater hats. Sainsburys doesn't smell like that any more. Worrickers toy shop was heaven on earth, I still have treasured toys from there. Barking Park was beautiful with a lovely paddle boat on the lake. The carnivals were wonderful, I remember Stewart Granger the movie star crowning the carnival queen and one year Diana Dors was the guest of honour. I remember Willets shop, Killwicks, the beautiful ladies' dress shops and the market opposite the Abbey where the eels were chopped up and kept wiggling. But next to that was the record shop where I went on a Saturday afternoon. All gone now, just a memory, it was good then.
Victoria