c1955, Burnt Oak
c1955, Burnt Oak Ref: B706010
Memories of c1955, Burnt Oak
1948
Edgware Middlesex, the cradle of my childhood,and Burnt Oak is where I went with Mummy as a special treat , we used to go into Lyons corner house for a nice cup of tea and a small treat, and it seems like only yesterday the whole family went into the coop shop to purchase an ironing board, I recall how we all stood around it in admiration.Wasn't much money about in those days , but all the love we had in our home made up for the lack of funds. That ironing board came home with us and oh how we all wanted to do the ironing just to try it out, and no more ironing on the dining room table, with the old towels underneath the hot iron.
Also clearly recall a year or two earlier going to see Santa Claus, he was also at the Coop store, how badly I wanted a dolly,Big sister Sheila told me to put my arm... Read more
Growing up British
Since my birth coincided exactly with the outbreak of World War II in the September of 1939, my mum must have felt that childbirth was synonymous with calamity; I was Mum's 'war effort'.
Home was a semi-detached two-storey house in Melrose Gardens, a cul-de-sac of thirty-two identical semis in Edgware, Middlesex. Dad was a printer by trade, and during the war years Mum worked at de Havilland's aircraft factory. My earliest recollections of those years was alternately being hoisted on Dad's shoulders to "watch the fireworks" (bombing) over London from our front door, or being hurriedly shoved into the pillow-lined steel cage Dad had rigged under the living-room table. Sometimes we joined the other families in the street-shelter 'til the 'all clear' sounded.
Every child received a bottle of cod liver oil and another of orange juice (the former definitely to be taken before the latter). Powdered milk and eggs were the only kind we knew and I thought delicious. Dad managed to get me an apple on... Read more
Burnt Oak & local memories
Read and share memories of Burnt Oak and Middlesex inspired by Frith photos.
Burnt Oak in The Second World War And After
I moved to Burnt Oak in May 1940, to 84 Fortescue Road. I was 4. My memories are like a batch of video clips, as follows:
Moving in. Removal men trying to get a wardrobe into the front bedroom by hauling it up from the outside.
Workmen deposited a load of bricks and planks on the green outside our house, to build a blast shelter. We kids built a den out of these materials, with loose brick walls and planks for a roof.
Sleeping for a short while on Hampstead tube station platform.
Lying in bed after the sirens went off. First the thud of anti-aircraft guns, then the crump of bombs and the pulsating drone of enemy aircraft.
The German bomber on the patch of waste ground where the library now stands. A notice said "See the Heinkel, 6d". I wanted to see it but Mum said "I'm not paying a tanner for that!".
Coming out of the Savoy cinema one evening during an air raid (we didn't... Read more
Burnt Oak ( A Lasting Memory )
The late 40's through the mid 50's.
Some 50 plus years have now passed, since I was a " kid " on the streets of Burnt Oak. How life has changed.
I now sit at my computer ( here in Tennessee, USA ), and have instant access to Burnt Oak and Edgware online, a place where I spent my younger years.
Having read the first three accounts of life in Burnt Oak in the 40's and 50's, many memories came to my mind, of the place I grew up in. Some bad, but mostly good memories.
The bad memories include having to sleep in a steel shelter in our back bedroom on Vancouver Road during the war. Sweet rationing. Other than that, life was great for a kid.
Some of the things that come to mind, but not in order:
My Saturday morning bread round with the old geezer from Avery's Bread.
Delivering newspapers around the Deansbrook Rd area.
Saturday morning... Read more
Goldbeaters School
I am 86 years old, I remember my first day at Goldbeaters school, I was 4 years old! I walked to school every day from Littlefield Road until we moved to Gervase Road. Many times it was so foggy you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. I loved school and enjoyed making many friends there, some of those friendships last over 70 years but now many have passed away. I often wonder if there could be anyone still around at my age? I recall having a crush on a boy named Keneth Haggerston, and a girl in my class who died before her 12th birthday, her name was Pat Law. At my age I was devastated. I eventually won the scholarship which entitled me to go to Copthall County School. Unfortunately my memory is slowly fading. I would love to see a picure of the school ! Sincerely, Dorothy Youst, nee Pulham
Burnt Oak 1930/1940
I can recall belonging to the Colchester Road Gang, we consisted of boys and girls keen on adventures. We used to travel miles with a bicycle wheel rim and a stick and roamed miles around the area, we also had adventures in Moat Mount and Scratch Woods. We camped and tracked each other. We also had Willow Wars with the Fortisque Road gang with willow sticks and mud balls, very enjoyable but a bit messy. I can recall the concerts held in Watling Park with song and dancing and comic performances. I also recall the marches from Goldbeaters School to Watling Park Shelters Air Raid Practice. I can recall the long walk to Rex Judd's to get accumulators charged up for wireless use. I also remember my family knitting Balaclavas and socks for the troops, I must admit my socks were not very comfortable. My sisters were keen on buying music sheets and dance set feet from Woolworths on the way home from work and we would practice the... Read more
Watling Avenue Market
I was born in 1938 in London. My parents moved to Burnt Oak when I was 3. The Second World War made a big impression on me. I remember having to sleep in an indoor steel cage. Other times we had to dash over to the air raid shelters in Watling Park, carrying our bedding with us. The shelters were long, like submarines, half in the ground and half out. There seemed to be a lot of people in one shelter, which was always damp and humid. We did eventually get an air raid shelter put in the garden but I don't think we ever used it as it always had water in it. After a night of bombing my brother and I found a piece of shrapnel in the front door. Later my brother and I were sent off to Cardiff to get away from the heavy bombing in London. VE day was a big celebration with a bonfire on the lawn in front of our house. I remember... Read more
The Busses
The busses we used to go anywhere we couldn't walk. This part of the broadway looks like where the barbers was and cheap jacks where we all bought hoola hoops in the craze.
Watling Avenue WW11
I remember Tonis Ice Cream, Rosins the Baker, Genners toy shop, Pegglies Bike and Sports shop, Endines for Leather, Wilsons the Green Grocer and the long line ups for those ever so rare oranges, Watlings the tool shop and of course the Co-Op.
I remember the shot down Messerschmitt displayed at the corner of Watling Avenue and Orange Hill Rd opposite Watling Park. I was able to sit in it because my mother bought a savings coupon.
One of the Market Stalls on Watling Avenue belonged to the Dunbrant's they sold material.
Sitting in Ottawa Canada 60+ years later these are fond memories.
Burnt Oak in The 1960s
My family has lived in Burnt Oak for years. My mom's Kit Mizon who passed away last year - we are a big family of 9 kids . If anyone that remembers is - I have a site on facebook "your edgware and burnt oak photos", you will find lots of old school friends and great photos Check us out.
The Day I Was Born
I was born on 22nd June 1948 at 95 Dryfield Road in the front main bedroom of my nans's house. We lived there until I was 8 when we left my nan's and moved to St. Johns Wood in London. My nan lived there until I was in my teens when she was asked to down-size and moved to Kilburn. The railway from Mill Hill to Edgware ran at the bottom of our garden with three trains a day (it may have been two, I can't really remember). I can remember playing in the street until it got dark. We used to walk in the summer to Mill Hill open air baths for the day and if mum could afford the bus fare we would get on the number 52 at the top of the road to Kingsbury lido. Another highlight was a walk through Watling Park on a Saturday with my nan to Watling where we would go to Sainsbury in the Edgware... Read more
Ted N Kays School of Dancing
I also remember Ted n Kays school of dancing, I started there after returning from a holiday in clacton with my parents where as a small child my parents were approached to ask if I could dance with 'Ricky Dee', brother of Simon Dee (a DJ as I recall). He had seen me dancing all the old dances waltz, quick step etc etc with my mum Hilda Turbutt. He informed my parents that I should take up ballroom dancing and that I could probably earn them (yes them ha ha) a lot of money. I was immediately taken to Ted n Kays which I must say I did enjoy very much though I went alone without friends as nobody else was interested. I remember clearly how when you danced with Ted he used to glide you around the floor like a cloud. So light on his feet, as I expect like Fred Astair was. I have never spoken about this place since. I think I was only about 10 years... Read more
Ted & Kay Williams School of Dancing
Does anyone remember this dancing school? It was sandwiched between two pubs on Burnt Oak broadway opposite Woolworths. The school building was demolished in the 70s but I believe the pubs still stand.
I have many fond memories of learning to dance there during the early 70s. After the school was demolished Ted & Kay relocated to two premises in Edgware but it was never quite the same.
St James School, Burnt Oak
I was interested in reading the comments that people have written about St James. I attended there from 1962 to 1967 and yes, I can confirm that everything that has been said is quite definitely true. Unlike many others it did not affect my life, I am still a practicing Catholic and although I don't feel it added much to my education I have got through life quite successfully. I have often told my children stories of my time at school and I can see from their faces they think I exaggerate, so at least I can now show them the old man isn't completely off his head. I also attended St Thomas at Stanmore and was taught by Mr Vaulkenberg, his love of poetry and the works of John Buchan are a good memory of those times. I made some good friends at school, who I have lost touch with and although many of the teachers were a little on the sadistic side, I also know that I was no saint.... Read more
333 Deansbrook Road
I went to Woodcroft Primary School in 1966. I was born in Borehamwood, moved to Burnt Oak in 1962. It was a great place to live. Watling park, Blundell park, great times xx. I remember Debbie Davies, Lizzie True, Cheryl Hiller, Jenny Cole, she was my next door neighbour. Michelle West lived in Oldberry Road. I loved the Saturday market, and the library on Saturday. I was there yesterday, 11 Jan 2011, it has changed so much. The old Woolworths, John Fords, my sister Deb worked in there on a Saturday. Worked in Tescos, the big old Co-op. Loved jingled on a Friday night with Karen McClean, she still lives in Oldberry Road/worked in Dixons office block. My brother is John Shipman, sisters Deb, Julie and Nancy. Loved reading the memories xxxx.
It Looked Brand New..
I remember moving to Burnt Oak in April 1974, I was born in Lambeth, South London, then my parents moved back to St Lucia when I was about three years old. hen we returned to England my parents had already found a home in Littlefield Road. I remember the journey into Burnt Oak in the Black Taxi. Burnt Oak was so clean and quiet. We grew up in 15 Littlefield Road, and my sister and I went to Goldbeaters School. We had such wounderful neighbours and Watling, Silkstream and Montrose were our place of fun and adventure. I remember spending many happy hours in Burnt Oak Libary and on Sundays we would go to the Annuciation church with my mum Alice Tobie, but my father never went. When I was growing up there was no place better than Burnt Oak, everyone played together even though back in those days you had to fight off athe racism, we all somehow got along with each other. I rememeber John Fords, the best... Read more
Orange Hill Girls Grammar School
After passing the 11+ at St Johns School, Milton Road, West Hendon, I attended Orange Hill from 1947. I had quite a journey, having to take the trolleybus along the Edgware Road then a walk down the Watling Avenue which was always bustling with all the barrows lining each side of the road, and through the park. We had no playing fields so had a short walk down to the local park for our sports - this was quite embarrassing for girls of our age as we only wore a blouse and navy blue knickers (with a pocket for a hankie !!). Our swimming lessons took place at Mill Hill (now the garden centre) - I hated going as the water was always so freezing - no luxury of an indoor heated pool then - I managed to escape as many lessons as possible by writing an excuse note and never did learn to swim. We went by coach (but I can't remember where we played) for hockey. I... Read more
Memories of A Young Lad of Fifteen Visiting Burnt Oak 1941.
I am now 83 living in South Wales, and have very pleasant memories of Burnt Oak. My two aunties lived at 54 Fortescue Road, Rose Mills was married to Percy and her sister was Alice Mundey. Rose was a piano teacher, her husband Percy worked, I think, in a aircraft establishment in Collindale. The two aunties were sisters of my mother Catherine. Each year I was able to visit London because I had a free travel pass from the Great Western Railway where I worked as a office junior. In earlier years Rose was a silver service waitress to Lloyd George and was a member of the staff to go to Versailles when he signed The Peace Agreement after the First World War. Alice was the head waitress at Marshall and Snelgroves in Oxford Street. Well, one of my many errands as a young lad of 15 was to travel on the underground into the city to buy pet food for their spaniel dog, and then to meet... Read more
Arthur The Milkman
I lived in Mostyn Road from 1954 to 1968. I remember Arthur and his horse-drawn milk cart, my dad used to go and collect the horse manure for his roses.
Born in Burnt Oak
I was born in Burnt Oak in July 1956 in North Road - the same house that my mother was born in. My grandparents lived in North Road for many years until North Road, South Road and East Road were compulsory purchased by Barnet Council to build a new estate.
I spent many great hours playing around the block, I remember the little factory at the end of North Road which used to produce metal piping. My sister, brother and I would pester the workers by throwing back into the factory the off-cuts - which looked like wedding rings to us!
My grandparents' house was directly opposite the side entrance to Edgware General Hospital, there was also a little school - where my mother and her four brothers went to school.
My grandfather used to give us some pocket money and we would promptly go over to the little sweet shop in Columbia Avenue to buy sherbet dips, pineapple chunks and those little milk bottles along... Read more
After The War in Burnt Oak
Being conceived at the end of the war I don't have memories of it of course, but my late brother, my mum and sister had lots. The only street party I remember was the Queen's one in Mostyn Road where we all got a cup with the Queen's head on it. I regret losing that. But I still have the little ed book with all the pageantry in it.
My parents and siblings used to tell of dog fights during the Battle of Britain, over London where we lived, Cavendish Road in Balham I think it was. I was born in Clapham hospital overlooking the common. Mum said it had thick snow that day, December 1946. After that the bombs came and our family home was reduced along with the rest in the street by a stick of fire bombs. My dad was in the ARP at the time, driving ambulances in the blitz. He never said much about it but Mum said he used to come home on leave... Read more
Early Memories
My birth on 30 Nov 1946 at 34 Oldberry Road, Burnt Oak, is where it all started for me, but my mother & her parents moved into the house when it was built for the LCC. She's 89 now, but recalls that she, as a 9-yr-old in 1928, spent the first few days there just running up & down the stairs, as they'd come from rooms in Euston where noise, etc. was forbidden. They also had their own kitchen with cold running water, & a fire-copper in the corner for water heating & washing. Sheer luxury! Oldberry Road, as built, had 49 houses in it, and was a single-track road with a passing-place in the middle known as "The Bend". My old man's family had moved out of the St Pancras area to no 7 Milling Road at the beginning of the 1930s. Our Express Dairies milkman was Bill Curzon, & he had 2 horses, - Ginger & then Donald, before the electric era took over. Other tradesmen who came... Read more
St James School, Orange Hill Rd, Burnt Oak
My memory of the area is based on my secondary school days here at the St James Catholic School, I think it was in Orange Hill Rd? I lived in Wembley during the war years and started school at St Josephs Primary in Wembley Hill. In 1951 at age 11, I started at St James in Burnt Oak.
I remember I had to catch 3 buses, not sure about the first one but I know that the 140 and the 52 busses were involved. I remember the large brick wall at the front of the school and the entrance way. Memories of the shopping area like Toni's ice cream shop and Rosins bakers, also the Gaumont, later to become a bingo hall.
Probably my biggest memory is of Sister Catherine, the head of school, it was a convent school run by Dominican nuns who stood no nonsense at all! Sister Catherine ,or "Kate"as she was known, was a formidable figure feared by everyone!! She was apparently a very clever woman... Read more
Burnt Oak at War
Hello everyone,
Thanks for the memories, I too was a kid during the war, why not order my DVD about Burnt Oak, you will know some of the names, maybe you will see your school, it will bring back lovely memories, just £12 inc p.p, a copy.
Something to show your grandchildren. money back if not satisfied.
Ron Vaughan, formerly of Homefield Rd, Woodcroft, and Goldbeaters School.
My home no, 02082058910, or e-mail me, my e-mail address is gunnervaughan@talktalk.net
Burnt Oak A Way of Life.
What a great place this web site is.
I certainly love the Burnt Oak as I knew it between 1947 and 1969 when I then emigrated to SA (since back in Weston super Mare).
All the memories you folk have mentioned are mine too. I used to go to Mill Hill though and collect old sleeper wood cut down for firewood, using my trolley with old pram wheels on it. The wood was tarry and always set the chimney on fire.
You're right about going anywhere and we used to even walk or bus it to scratch woods and Moat Mount on our own (miles away), with girls too. No funny stuff, just a bit of scrumping when the worms started biting. There was always water in a park somewhere.
Mill Hill swimming pool was a short walk through Blundell park and under the train bridge when the steam engines roared through.
Barnfield secondary modern in the heart of Burnt Oak was my school and my brother's too before... Read more
Milkman
Your memory from Clive. Was that Clive the Co-op milkman? I lived in Fortescue Road during the 50s and 60s and I used to wait on the corner of Fortescue Road and Watling Avenue early in the morning waiting for Clive to come along and, with luck, if he didn't have a milkboy I would get the job and the half a crown that came with it. If Clive had a milkboy for the day I would wait an hour or so for Arthur the Express Dairy milkman to arrive. Clive was the better deal. Being young Clive was like doing the half marathon. He would have you running up the paths with the gold tops and you really worked up a sweet. Arthur was probably the oldest milkman in London. I remember after the milkmen got their electric floats Arthur still had his horses and I believe he was the last to use horses in North London. The round with Arthur went on for ever. He would stop and... Read more
Burntoakboy
As a boy growing up in Burnt Oak I remember the barrow boys in Watling Avenue, the hustle and bussle of everyday trading, the people gathering round the stalls, the banter, the laughter, the friendliness. Like one family everyone pulled together on busy days. The Baldfaced Stag pub was a meeting place at the end of the day's work for fun and some fights. A few years later progress took over and the barrows which had stood at the side of the road for forty years or more, were suddenly in the way and were moved to a site behind the shops. The change was not good. A bit of Burnt Oak passed away because of this. Whenever a stall holder died, the street would completely shut whilst the hearse passed by. Tough hard men crying as one of their own left them. All gone now but never forgotten. I didn't know then but years later I was to become a milkman in Burnt Oak and proud to be one... Read more
