Year 1941 1965. In Battersea

A Memory of Battersea.

I was born in HARLETON STREET off Battersea Bridge Road around the corner to Battersea Police Station. My grandparents llived there as young newly weds and grandma gave birth to 11 children in the same house. My father took. Over the house when grandma died. So the memories go way back. The time after the end of the war was hard for most family's at a very young age we were let loose in the street while parents worked. To.me and my two sisters and all the kids in the close surrounded streets around Harleton were magical times. We played endless games ( hopscotch, knock down ginger, cannon, five stones, skipping, hide and seek in and out of neighbours front gardens, penny for the guy, ) they went on for ever, and never wanted to go home only when we were hungry. We walk to Battersea Park most days this was our play ground, it take about 10 minutes, always a crowd of us. There was a side gate to the park in the middle of Albert Bridge Road, ( Think it still there ) We might go straight to the swings and spend a few hours there, then go to the cafe ( Never ever had much money only pennies if we were lucky ) It was by the boating lake and the Deer pen. Does anyone remember the DEERS And the cafe.? I have very found memories going to the paddling pool with my mum when I was very small, we would all ways have jam sandwiches and she would sit on the STONE seating wall which went around the paddling pool and talk to her friend, while my mate PAT BARKSHIRE and I SYLVIA WHITTINGTON ( Does anyone remember us from BATTERSEA ) played In the pool. What fun time we spent there and many hours. (Memories of The Festival of Briton is another story ) I Went to Bolingbrook School 1945 - 1952 then Honeywell Sec School of Northcote Road. Then Honeywell moved over to Trinty road. Near Wandsworth Prison. What a great school it was like a castle to me so large, we had so much grounds to play. The upper part of the school was out of bounds but every lunch time we would sneak up there and explore, such great times and laughs. I can go on all day about my memories of BATTERSEA. These names are just some off the people I knew if you recognise or know them would love to hear from you. Stella Gould, Pauline Notts, Delia Prior, David Potter, The Fry Boys from Harleton Str. Any Honeywell friends.


Added 13 February 2015

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Comments & Feedback

Hi.
Very interested to read your memories. While I don't know any of the names you mentioned I can relate to everything you say.
I was born in Henley Street (off Battersea Park Road) in 1936. All the places you mention bring back memories. My brother and I spent much time in Battersea Park. I remember the Festival Gardens and Fun Fare being built. I met my future wife on the water chute in 1956, sadly she died in 2012 after 53 years of married bliss.
I went to Surrey Lane School (It became William Blake) for two years before a lovely teacher named Miss Oliver saw something in me and recommended me for a place at Wandsworth Technical School where I spent three years.
Do you remember the Battersea General Hospital on Albert Bridge Road known locally as the Anti Vive,? or the Granada at Clapham Junction? 2/3d in the back row!!.
I could go on for ever about Battersea.
Do you still live in the area? I have lived in Bracknell Berkshire since 1961.
I went back two years ago and was surprised how many buildings are still there, The Latchmere, The Clock House (now renamed) Even the paper shop where I earned 4/- a week as a paper boy (now a internet café) Clapham Junction has hardly changed, very surprised the Grand theatre is still going strong.
It would be great to continue this conversation. If you prefer I can be contacted at - large_r@sky.com.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Ron Large.
I lived in Hyde Lane from when I was born in 1954 to 1965 when the houses were pulled down and we moved to Sommerset Estate in Bolingbroke Walk. My mum Doris Sears (nee Penny) grew up in Randall Street and lived next door to Delia Prior, her cousin. Delia now lives in Hurst Park, Surrey. You may also know another of Delia's cousins Sheila Nicholson who also lived in Randall Street

I do not know Slvia Whittington but one of the children I used to play with was Lynda Whittington who lived in Randall Street. I cannot remember her parents names but her father was a postman and I presume may have been Sylvia's brother.

I remember playing all the games you mentioned with my friends who lived in Randall Street - Lynda and Terry Whittington, Beverley Leg and Jane Glover. We all went to Bolingbroke School but on reaching the age of 11 we all went our separate ways as the houses we grew up in were pulled down to make way for the new estates. After Bolingbroke I went to Sir Walter St John's and continued living on Somerset Estate until 1978.

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