Cranford memories
Here are memories of Cranford and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Cranford or a Cranford photo.
Sunday Gardener
In 1961 I got my first job after leaving school at S & R Smiths Garage on the Great South West Road. The owners were brothers Sydney and Raymond Smith. We called them Mr Ray and Mr Sid. I started in the stores department. It was a Ford dealers and sometimes I would be sent out on my bicycle to fetch parts from main Ford dealers. This could mean going as far as Staines or Twickenham. The stores manager was Pat, an Irishman with seven children. He would always insist on having St Patrick's Day off. There was also a nice old chap that worked in the stores part time, I only knew him as Pop, he was about eighty, had white hair and would shuffle along.
A panal beater started at the garage who was Asian, but came from Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the first coloured man I had met. The lads in the workshop wouldn't help him if he needed a hand to do something, so... Read more
My Move to Cranford From Croydon 1948
My father was a Aircraft Engineer for K.L.M. He started as an apprentice at Croydon Airport in 1934. After the second world war, Croydon was getting too small for the larger aircraft coming along, so K.L.M. moved to the then new London Airport and we moved with them. In 1948 we moved into 31 Byron Avenue, my step mother and my half sister, my half brother Neil was born there in 1950. I went to Cranford Scool at the end of Barkley Avenue, I was 9 years of age. I have fond memories of that house and Cranford, I was a member of the Scouts and our scout hut was just off the Bath Road next to the British Leagion. I use to go to work with my father, that was when Heathrow was open to all, you could walk around the aircraft on the North Apron. At the age of 11 I had to go to a higher school and attended Heston Secondry Moden, I would cycle to... Read more
Cranford Shops
There was Hawkins grocers shop next to Cliffords and a newsagent next to the library. Think the greengrocer (opp. Victoria Wine) was called Lawrence's. Hardware shop was Parsons. Electric shop (next to the cafe) was Richards Radio. Was the butchers Deane's? Opposite side of the road was the post office/Leakes the baker and butcher. Few cottages, the Stagg & Hounds - pub - not licensed for spirits.
CRANFORD 1938- 1946
My parents moved to Cranford in 1938, I was 3 years old. My dad was a pastrycook / baker and had got a job with a local firm in Cranford across from ‘The Berkeley Arms Hotel’ To the left of the hotel was a cherry orchard. A bakers shop and a hairdressing salon with a two bedroom flat had been built opposite, this was where we lived. The garden was huge, and had 26 fruit trees in the bottom half. My dad was to work in the bakehouse of the firm’s second shop. This was on the Bath Road as well. on the corner of Wellington Road near Hounslow opposite a pub called ‘The Windsor Castle’ which I think is still there. Next door to the shop in Cranford, was a detached house which was also a bank. Then came several more shops, a grocers, a greengrocers, a newsagents, a wool shop and a butchers. This was on the corner of Waye Avenue where several of my friends’ lived.... Read more
Cranford Shops 1980s-2010
Starting from Tesco Express: This used to be a block of about 2 or 3 shops which included a building society and a travel agent. Next to this was Barclays Bank which closed down in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It remained derelict for many years with a firework shop and a clothes shop briefly opening before Tesco took over the whole plot around 2006-07. Around the corner was Gees dry cleaners/Amazon laundrette (in the days when people couldn't afford washing machines). This was replaced by Mleczo- Polish delicatessen. Opposite this was a butchers, then a grocery and bakery (Mr T's) which became Kashmir's Indian restaurant. It has been various failed restaurants such as Jaipur's and then was taken over by the Portuguese to form Moniz - a successful Mediterranean cafe. Next to this used to be a florist which closed down and became Aladdin's Mongolian take-away. After this it is now Zafars, a halal kebab house. Next door to this was NSS newsagents - they used to sell slush puppies, then Shayona news and... Read more
Berkeley Avenue
Hallo My husband Ken lived in Berkeley Avenue from about 1936 to 1960, with a couple of years off doing National Service. He tells me he cannot remember there being anything but a petrol station at the end of the road, but with the old type pumps, and a thatched roof! Can you imagine that nowadays, with health and safety! He lived at 68, and his aunt lived at 134. At the back of her house were fields stretching down to the river, and the children spent a lot of time playing there. It was like the countryside. His worst memory is of a bomb that fell on Chaucer Avenue - a direct hit on the house where he used to go for breakfast every morning before school. That morning his mum had overslept and they were late getting up. His two friends had been killed outright, and their parents. Can you imagine the shock for a 7 year old? Perhaps others can remember this dreadful and tragic event? A better memory is... Read more
Mrs Morgan Piano Teacher Extraordinaire
My sister, Elizabeth, and I used to be sent to Mrs Morgan (I think her first name was Muriel). a very eccentric piano teacher, for lessons once a week. I think she had a son called Rodney but I never saw or knew if there was a Mr Morgan. She lived in Firs Drive and had long frizzy grey hair which was always loose, giving her a bit of a wild look. She used to wear long floaty dresses with a long chiffon scarf tied around her neck, and had an old poodle called Quaver that she loved and used to kiss a lot. Every time we did well in our piano lessons, she would squeeze us with a huge cuddle and sometimes even kiss us as well as the poodle! I remember that she also had a moped, the kind that you had to peddle to start the engine - we used to see her flying around Cranford on her moped with her dress, scarf and hair flowing behind... Read more
Childhood Memories of Cranford
I used to live in Cranford from birth (1953) to 1968. We lived at 703 Bath Road and my dad, Peter Wilson, owned the local butchers over the other side of the road, Wilson & Sons. He used to make his own sausages, rissoles & dripping. At Christmas time, he used to try and get me and my sister, Elizabeth, to help pluck the turkeys but it used to make my fingers too sore! His favourite trick was to ask me to get something for him in the walk-in cold store & then shut the door behind me! The light would go off & I would be walking around bumping into carcasses of beef, lambs & pigs! I'm surprised I didn't end up in therapy!
Next door to dad's shop was a barber's shop owned by a Greek man called Sam. Dad used to make us go there for our haircuts and many a time we used to end up looking like little boys because he had cut our... Read more
Cranford 1975-80
Hello. I used to live on Berkeley Ave. I remember the parade of shops. There was a row of Co-op shops, baker, butcher, mini market and I think a green grocer. After the shops was an alley where there was a milk company, I think that was Co-op too. Then there was radio rentals, the TV hire shop. Can't remember after that. Then somewhere in between was an opticians. After the Berkeley Heritage building there was the chemist. On the opposite side there was the subway (not there any more), with a heavenly sweetshop next to it, Gowers. There was Barclays Bank on the far side, Waye Ave, it's now a Tesco Metro. Next to that was a dry cleaners and a launderette. Opposite that there was a butchers. We managed do all our shopping from these shops but now there are big supermarkets around. Oh they were the good old days. Can anyone remember the centre of Berkeley Ave? There is a petrol station there now but before that... Read more
St. Anslems R.C. School
Attended St. Anslems R.C. School, Southall, which is situated next to the Manor House. Always remember the long walk to the school building. The little church attached to the school and having to go to church twice on Thursdays. I made my 1st communion there, my younger brothers were baptised there too.
Berkeley Ave
I lived in Cranford in the late 60's early 70's. It was a great place to live. We moved into our grandparents house. I loved the old village style buildings near the Berkeley Arms and was sad to see a new hotel in its place. There used to be a small farm where my brothers got my cat from. I moved to Australia in 1972 but have returned 3 times only to find it's lost the charm.
Memories of Middlesex
Heathrow, Under Construction, From A Helicopter c1960
I suggest this photo was taken c.1954 as the Control Tower and Main Terminal buildings were complete and opened by the Queen in 1955. My first visit there as a planespotter was in 1961, by that time the airport was in full operation. Happy Days - open roof gardens for viewing, no terrorist threats and life was less stressful.
I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER THE PLACE WHERE I WAS BORN
Parish Church Heston where I was married in 1962. My son David was baptized there. I loved Heston. I remember where they had places to tie your horse and also a horse trough. My dad William Francis Ponsford worked on Heston aerodrome during WWII and yes I remember the bombs and the doodlebugs. Even today I do not like sudden loud noises. Spent a lot of time at Heston Swimming pool and the beautiful park where you could go and watch the bowling and cricket. The bowling took place in front of the beautiful house that was in the middle of the park. We used to go to the fairs there and also once when I was 15 I entered the competition to be Heston Queen or princess (can't remember which). I also remember a dog competition, we entered our beautiful black lab Darkie. I remember walking up Vicarage Farm Road with my dad to go Swimming at Heston Baths... Read more
Heston in my Youth 1954 Onwards...
My parents moved to Heston in 1954, I was one. My uncle owned Heston Garage, his name was Bill Biggs, he lived above the garage for a while before building and living in the Bungalow next door.
My sister and I went to Norwood Green Infants & Junior School. We went swimming at Heston Baths, played in Heston Park on the swings and putting green. I went to Heston Secondary Modern School, my sister went to Spring Grove Grammar. I went to 3rd Heston Cubs & Scouts. I went to Sunday School at Heston Church. We went to the White Fathers Fete, took part in the Heston Carnivals, went to the Fair Ground in New Heston Road opposite the Elm Tree pub.
When I was older I drank in the Rose & Crown, The George, the Hope & Anchor, the Elm Tree & Queens Head, they were great days, shared with great people.
There were all types of shops, Purkiss Ironmongers, Farrants Mens Hairdressers, the Wet Fish... Read more
An American Granddaughter Remembers...
My grandparents, Fred and Rose Organ, lived at 67 West Way. My mother, Betty Eileen, and I came from the United States to visit on holiday in 1955. I was 6 years old at the time. I went to Heston School for a short time. Pop worked for the London Transport as a bus driver. I would ride my bike to Hounslow to meet him at the bus garage. I had a friend across the street whose name was Janet. Her back garden was full of wonderful strawberries which we would eat until our cheeks bulged. My mother was a bus conductor on Pop's bus. Nan would take in foster children and there was a boy named Lawrence who lived with my grandparents while I was there. Pop had a shed, which he built, in the back garden, he called the 'Wendy house'. I would spend many memorable happy hours playing in that shed. Pop was very special to me and he would take me to the garden to water... Read more
My Birth Place
1940-1953 I was born on Great West Road...my first memories are of all the bombs dropping during the war & I can remember most of the shops there & on Vicarage Farm Rd. I went to Springwell School, after coming back from evacuation 1944-1946, I remember Empire Day marching around the playground & saluting the flag! I went on to Heston Junior & Secondary School but left in 1953 to move to North Wales. My Family also belonged to "The Hounslow Welsh Society" which has very happy memories for me...my Father used to produce plays for the society & I used to appear in them. I have not been back to the area for about 35 yrs. no doubt it has all changed a great deal. Can anyone tell me where the 4th photo on the Heston series was taken...I can't visualise it?
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