Childhood Dreams
I came across this website by accident, what a treat. I was raised in Croydon, actually Addington. My nana and granddad lived at 195 Purley Way in Wadden. I spent many happy hours there as a child. I would spend several weeks with my grandparents just before Christmas every year while my mom worked at the post office in Croydon for extra Christmas money, my dad was a postman there for many years. One thing in particular that stands out is lying in my nana's bed and listening to motor cars and bikes on wet pavement going over the bridge in front of the house. When we visited them, every Sunday for dinner we used to walk up Purley Way past the gasworks where my grandad Stagg used to work. My mom would toss small stones up at the windows and my grandad would look out. Anyone remember Walls Ice Cream in the machine? We would always stop for a sixpenny chock ice on the way to catch the bus back to Addington.
I also remember Surrey's Ice Cream, the rag and bone man (I always got a goldfish), the greengrocer's bus, the coalman, going to Broomfield's for bread and like many others I too remember Kennard's, especially the pony rides both the roundabout and outside, does anyone else remember the horsey smell and the tinkling of the reins? As I got older I would go to town with my friend Susan and buy those little Hovis loaves. I also vividly remember Surrey Street and the barrow boys, my big thrill was a little pet shop where we would go to see puppies, I also seem to recall chickens. I got my first ring from a jewelers on Surrey Street.
We moved to Canada in 1956 but returned to Croydon in 1960 at which time I went to Lanfranc School for Girls for a year, I am sure many of you remember the horrific plane crash with the kids from Lanfranc Boys School, I believe that was in 1961? Anyway we came back to Canada at the end of 1961 when I was thirteen. I still get homesick to this day, 46 years later, and this website has brought back a lot. Like the old song says "Thanks for The Memories"
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RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
I took at lot of ribbing about the accent. A common response after I said something was, "Oh that sounds cute, say it again." I was able to mimic the Californian accent within 6 months. I remember taking a friend home to meet my family after being in the states for one year. As soon as I started to make introductions (with my natural ENGLISH accent) my friend looked at me like I had grown an extra head. And he asked what I was doing (by speaking England, English)?
I have two girls, Brittany and Ashley . Britt is 27 and Ash is 25. And I would love them to see Croydon, the flats, Lanfranc, Elmwood, the Market, and all the places from my youth. I would appreciate them seeing it but I'm sure that the experience would mean more to me than them.
Whats your son's name? Is it an English name or more Canadian?
I do remember getting the booster shot (that's what my dad called it), and the accompanying hole in the arm, that went with it.
It's funny about the accent, but not as different as the slang expressions. In 1962 (when we left) if you wanted someone to quit bothering you, you told them to "Shut Up". I still remember American kids bugging me, where I told then to Shut up (just to realized they had not said a word! Or the day in class, when I raised my hand and asked my teacher if I could use her "Rubber"?
Only to learn from all the wild laughter that in America, what is an English Rubber is an American Condom, a rubber in the states is called an errasor.
Write soon, I hope. Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Wednesday, 19th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina
I make my own Shephers pie and I must say it is pretty good. My loves were in this order #1 Adam Faith #2 the guy from south Africa and he had an over bite, I think he got knighted, can't think of his name ( old age, I had it yesterday) anyway..#3 Elvis. I have been to the house that Elvis lived in, yuck!! he had no taste and it is small, if you think of all the money he had. CLIFF RICHARDS I got it. that was number 2. If you go to England let us know. You never know if we will meet you there. Yes I feel like a tourist. To my English family I sound very American. While here people still say, are you from England?? Guess my accent doesn't fit in any where. I too would never want to live there, well, maybe one year, that would be all. Steve moved on Friday to Arizona and I am not sure his email is on yet. Nice hearing from you, keep writing and bringing up the memories, Best Marg
Comment from Margaret Matheson on Tuesday, 11th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina & Marg,
I just got my email up & running untill I have to find a new carrier. Marg, I thought Cliff Richards was from India, or was part Indian? But didn't think it was South Africa. Christina, any ideas?
Christina, do you still have the accent? When I arrived in the states in 1962 it was a year before the Beatles made it big...Because I wanted to fit in, I lost it except when I talk with family or people from the old country. Too Bad though... Because I would had been a smash with the girls if I had kept it. Silly me!!! Story of my life, a penny short, and _hit for brains.
England is a great place to be from, but I couldn't see living there again. America is home now. I'm still in the middle of setting up house, talk again soon. Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Thursday, 13th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina & Marg,
I just got my email up & running untill I have to find a new carrier. Marg, I thought Cliff Richards was from India, or was part Indian? But didn't think it was South Africa. Christina, any ideas?
Christina, do you still have the accent? When I arrived in the states in 1962 it was a year before the Beatles made it big...Because I wanted to fit in, I lost it except when I talk with family or people from the old country. Too Bad though... Because I would had been a smash with the girls if I had kept it. Silly me!!! Story of my life, a penny short, and _hit for brains.
England is a great place to be from, but I couldn't see living there again. America is home now. I'm still in the middle of setting up house, talk again soon. Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Thursday, 13th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Marg:
You peaked my interest and I had to look up about Cliff Richards, according to the website he was born in Lucknow, India, "thank heavens for the internet." You are right though, he was something else, did you see the movie Summer Holiday? I think that's what it was called, the one with the song by the same title.
I would love to know your recipe for Shepherd's Pie.
I get the same question here, "where are you from?" I guess you never truly lose the accent entirely but when it's mixed up with Canadian, well you know what I mean. It's funny though I really thought I had lost it. So Steve moved to Arizona eh? Too hot for me, although it is nice and dry.
Have you ever been back to see Lanfranc? I had heard that it is now a religious school (Muslim I believe) not sure. I haven't been able to find any photographs of the school from the sixties. Do you remember having to go outside to go to the toilets on the playground? wonder if they ever brought them inside? Mind you at least they were flush toilets. Do you remember playing netball in your knickers? Some girls had those little cover-ups the rest of us had to wear our drawers. Good thing it was an all girls school eh?
Anyway it's getting late and I have to be up at 5:30 am for work. So talk to you real soon.
Chris
Comment from Christina Jackson on Thursday, 13th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Steve:
Did you take a ribbing in school when you first arrived in the States because of your accent? I sure did and I tried really hard to speak Canadian. Needless to say I succeeded. Obviously I still retained some of my accent because people comment on it, I don't hear it though. It's funny how it comes back so naturally when you get around English speaking people.
What made you decide to move to Arizona? too many movie types in California? Are you retired or still part of the working world?
My son and I have been talking quite a lot about a holiday next year, I really would love him to see where I grew up and to see if my Nana's house still stands. For the most part they don't tear down buildings in England as much as they do here.
Do you have kids? and if so have they seen England?
Do you remember getting vaccinated before you emigrated? I don't know if that is still done, I got terribly sick and for weeks I had this huge hole in my arm. Lovely eh?
Anyway do write soon.
Chris
Comment from Christina Jackson on Friday, 14th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Steve:
I think a lot of kids that emigrated felt they had to change their accents to fit in. I got a similar reaction with regards to the "rubber" thing that you did. I always had trouble with words like water or butter, I kept trying to say wadrr or budrr, I finally got it though.
My son's name is Kyle (Scottish) and he is thirty-four. You are probably right about the experience of showing our kids our old haunts, they would probably be more interested in the new England.
Have you ever been in Canada? More so, have you ever been to Victoria, British Columbia? Quite similar in weather and atmosphere to England, this is why we try to go there for a holiday every summer. I really hope to go back to England next year though.
Is there any place where you live, that you can buy English food, especially candy? We actually have three or four English shops here in Calgary and needless to say I spend a lot of money there. I was telling Margaret that I buy Coleman's shepherd's pie mix. I also buy Fry's Cream bars, Penguins, Branston Pickle, Pickled Onions, Sherbet Fountains, Chocolate Buttons, Spotted Dick and Golden Puddings and of course Bird's Custard and Blanc Mange. Did I mention I have a sweet tooth?
Do you remember eating dripping on bread? All that brown jelly and grease? Imagine all the diet conscious folks turning pale over this one? Oh well their loss eh?
Did you ever go for walks in Shirley Hills? I spent many hours walking with my dad there. We would bus it or bike there, me on his handlebars of course. Great fun!!
Anyway Steve write real soon.
Chris
Comment from Christina Jackson on Thursday, 20th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
I always had trouble with the name 'Hawthorn", in America is is pronounced like Haathern.
And yes I've been to Canada about (or should I say abowwt) a dozen times. Many times to Victoria (love it) and surrounding area, but only once to Calgary. I also remember doing an assignment in Medicine Hat. And once in the middle of your oil fields close to Medicine hat.
No there is not an English candy (sweets) shop close to here. I do remember Chocolate Buttons (Yum), I remember saying Spotted Dick but we used the expression as in an unfortunate medical condition (what is Spotted Dick?).
Golden Pudding (yum) and Bird's custard (yum yum). I don't think I've eatten dripping on bread, but I was always after the liver and bacon or the lamb hearts. What is the English dessert that calls for Custard on a bed off Jello, that is on another bed of (stale) pound cake? It's late and I've got to sleep. Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Thursday, 20th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina, my poor brother...he is thinking of trifle. I remember all the candy you have mentioned. Yes I have been to Lanfranc and it was not a school, I don't remember what it was. Yes I remember the bathrooms. Do you remember the small gardens in front of the school? We were given the gardens to plant and weed (what fun, I had one, of the small patches) I remember playing rounders, and netball. I hated bringing attention to myself and I too tried to lose my accent (it didn't work) if my brother said he tried to lose it, wrong!!! He loved the attention from the girls AND he still sounds different from me. I am much more American then he is. Let us know when you go to England, we maybe able to meet you. The prices are terrible right now and hope things change otherwise they (English) will all be coming here for a vacation. I have been to Canada many times and love it because it reminds me of England. Who knows, maybe that would be a fun trip to do. Till later, Marg
Comment from Margaret Matheson on Tuesday, 25th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Marg and Steve:
You are right Marg it is trifle,"Silly Steve".
Steve you asked about spotted dick? It's a steamed pudding with raisins, also good with Birds Custard.
Have either of you ever been to Sir Walter Raleighs house in Devon? for some reason this stands out the most about our holiday in Devon, also the red earth and cliffs. I remember my mom being chased by a huge sheep just up the way from a place called Cliff Cafe, to this day she is still afraid of sheep, "go figure."
I think it would be great to meet both of you, especially in England but I think they have rules about giving out personal information such as e-mail addresses on this site????
Hey Steve what is it about liver and bacon or liver and onions? Most of us hated this as kids but learned to love it as adults, right, or did you always enjoy it?
Margaret, I never had a garden patch at Lanfranc but I did win an honourable mention in a flower show at the school fete. I do enjoy gardening, thanks to my Dad and I have a pretty large back garden, which will need a good weeding and clean-up pretty soon, once the snow and cold disappear.
Steve you mentioned visiting Victoria, the only problem I found was there are no good beaches, not enough sand, not that I sun bathe any more, I am probably better equipped to play with a bucket and spade, 2nd childhood perhaps?
Anyway must go, 5:30 am comes early. Talk to you both soon.
Chris
Comment from Christina Jackson on Thursday, 27th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina it's been a while. I got a phone call from the wife of the boy who used to live under us in our flats in Croydon. Wow, I haven't spoken with her yet because of the time change, but I will call her tomorrow morning. Her husband was best friends with my youngest brother, Ken. Guess I need to call him. So how have you been??? Croydon seems so far away, but I would love to go to the Surrey Market again. Also go to an English fair. Oh, the old days, oh well, hoping you are fine, Margaret.
Comment from Margaret Matheson on Tuesday, 17th June 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Margaret and Steve, hope you didn't mind us phoning, it was great to know we had the right number for margaret it took a lot of searching, tried to get yours steve but could not. Surrey Street Market is still going strong, we went back to the flats a couple of years ago and toook some pictures would like to send them. Will call and give you our email address so that we can talk not on the open site.hope everyone is well Keith and Sonia
Comment from Keith on Friday, 27th June 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
So nice to read all the "memory lane" postings. I used to work in Surrey Street Market during the school hols and on Saturdays. Mr. Toohig was one of the stall-holders I used to work for; also Mr. Hart and sometimes a couple of others ... whoever I could find who wanted a lad to do a lot of the "shed" work. This involved sorting out the rotten tomatoes from the good, or the plums, or whatever was being sold on the stall. I used to have to load up one of those large barrows and push it up the steepish slope from the "shed" into the Market and take the fruit, in boxes, to the stall. "Mind yer backs purleeaaase" I used to call out as I struggled to get this barrow to the stall.
On average I used to earn a couple of half-crowns for a long days work, but that was a good deal of dough for a 12 yr old lad in those days. I would usually spend a 1/- or 1/6d on a lunch in the café near the steps leading up from Surrey Street to the High Street. Loved it all.
All the stall-holders that I knew were rough diamonds but I thought they were all great. Some were really tough guys. Mark Hart was a very good boxer, as were one or two others from Surrey Street. I also began to learn to box and trained in the gym behind "The Gun" pub in Church Street, very close to Surrey Street. I could go on for yonks talking about Croydon in "the good old days" but will call it a day now.
Regards, Phil Harfleet (ex 18 Hathaway Road - near the Savoy Cinema)
Comment from Philip Harfleet on Sunday, 29th June 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
So nice to read all the "memory lane" postings. I used to work in Surrey Street Market during the school hols and on Saturdays. Mr. Toohig was one of the stall-holders I used to work for; also Mr. Hart and sometimes a couple of others ... whoever I could find who wanted a lad to do a lot of the "shed" work. This involved sorting out the rotten tomatoes from the good, or the plums, or whatever was being sold on the stall. I used to have to load up one of those large barrows and push it up the steepish slope from the "shed" into the Market and take the fruit, in boxes, to the stall. "Mind yer backs purleeaaase" I used to call out as I struggled to get this barrow to the stall.
On average I used to earn a couple of half-crowns for a long days work, but that was a good deal of dough for a 12 yr old lad in those days. I would usually spend a 1/- or 1/6d on a lunch in the café near the steps leading up from Surrey Street to the High Street. Loved it all.
All the stall-holders that I knew were rough diamonds but I thought they were all great. Some were really tough guys. Mark Hart was a very good boxer, as were one or two others from Surrey Street. I also began to learn to box and trained in the gym behind "The Gun" pub in Church Street, very close to Surrey Street. I could go on for yonks talking about Croydon in "the good old days" but will call it a day now.
Regards, Phil Harfleet (ex 18 Hathaway Road - near the Savoy Cinema)
Comment from Philip Harfleet on Sunday, 29th June 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Margaret:
Did you also see the website with Bill and Ben? I had forgotten about their dance until I saw it again, what a laugh eh? Once in a while we get As Time Goes By, also once a week we get old episodes of Keeping Up Appearances with Hyacynth, Daisy, Rose and of course Onslow and the Vicar. We also get Are You Being Served and East Enders.
You liked Adam Faith, for me it was always American pop stars like Elvis. Do you remember Helen Shapiro? After we left England I never heard of her again. Of course as I got a bit older my all time favorite and the "love of my life" was Paul McCartney, he sure didn't age well though, then again I suppose not too many of us did.
I went to the British Shop today and picked up Fry's Cream bars and Penguins, also Coleman's Shepherd's Pie mix, no matter what I do, I can't get it to taste the same when I make it myself.
I envy you going back for a holiday and from the sounds of it, Steve would enjoy it too. We may try to get a couple of weeks in next year.
Do you find that when you go back now you feel like you're a tourist? It is so difficult to recapture the old feelings, I really don't think I could adapt to living there again, everything seems so small compared to here especially the houses and I guess it has really changed a lot since we were kids.
Anyway I hope to hear from you and Steve soon. Take care.
Chris
Comment from Christina Jackson on Sunday, 9th March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina, this is Marg, I loved reading your email with my brother, and yes he is and was the cutest of us four!! I showed my kids what we did with conkers...there was a look of " why". I love collecting "fag cards" and playing marbles, and trading beads. My big crush was Adam Faith, I though he was the cutes thing on this earth, after my brother of course.!! I remember doing the " winkles thing" for my dad who also loved the. Waiting for the water to squirt out of the sand and dig as fast as you can. ha,ha, I never tried one. Coranation does play once a week on BBC. Maybe Steve doesn't get BBC. I LOVED WEED!!!!!. I also liked to watch "as time goes by" and the other one, I can't think of the name, with "Mrs Bucket" and her two sisters.?? Anyway for me when I go to England it is the "penny" candy. What I still look for here and have never found it is Cadbury Tray. Each square was a different flavor or filling. What about Christmas cake and pudding with "birds " custard mmmmm love it all. I hope I can talk Steve into going maybe next year to England and Holland to visit family. As we get older ( 1947) family means more. Hope this email finds you in good health and a happy memory. Marg
Comment from Margaret Matheson on Monday, 3rd March 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina,
My name is Steve Redpath, my older sister Margaret went to Lanfranc's girl school and my older brother (Ralph) and I went to the boys school. My one and only year at Lanfranc was August 1961 till July 1962. The crash happened the summer before I got there making it 1961, as you thought. I liked reading your memories. Margaret and Ralph were both born while in Addington, as per the custom Marg (first born) was born at Mayday hospital and Ralph and I, and younger brother Kenneth were all born at home. Marg went to Lanfranc for about 3 to 4 years starting around 1959. I remember the term Rag & Bones man, but I don't remember what they did. Can you enlighten me?
Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Wednesday, 16th January 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Steve:
It was so nice to read your comments and great that someone else shares some of my memories. I wonder if Margaret remembers Miss Williams and her public reprimands, i.e. hand slaps? You asked about the rag and bone men, they would come around the neighborhood with a van full of little toys and trinkets (also live goldfish) which you could basically purchase for old rags, this to me was such a treat, the more rags you gave him the better the toy, needless to say my mom went through a lot of dusters traded for goldfish. I think they may have had other things but all I remember are the toys and goldfish. I have no idea what they did with the rags, probably resold them to be recycled? I shall ask my mom maybe she remembers. When we lived in Addington I went to Fairchilds School and at that time the gypsies camped in the woods behind the school, fantastic coloured caravans, they also used to come around the neighborhood and my mom would give them the clothes that I had outgrown, this was never taken for granted and mom always found a posy of wild flowers on the doorstep a day or two later.
If you think of any other tidbits I might be interested in please let me know. Have you been back over the years? I noted you are in California. I have thought about it many times but never quite made it. I would like my son to see England especially Croydon.
Chris.
Comment from Christina Jackson on Friday, 18th January 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
I see my brother has beaten me to this . I do remember Kennards and Mark and Spencers. I love going to the surry market. We didn't know it at the time, but a Redpath, who was my dad's cousin had a stall there. I have been back to Croydon many times and I love buying penny candy. Stuff I can't get here. I remember Tizzer ( sp) and when a "split" first came out ( here it is a 50/50 bar) Also when the Queen came down our street, Canterbury road. I remember the round-a-bout at the end of our street and I had to turn right to get to Lanfrac shool. There was a fish and chip shop on the other side of the round-a-bout. If you went down that street, you came to an airfield, Croydon Aerodrome. I was told that in the war it was very important. I was just 15 when we came to California, in 1962 and was sooooo impressed with the palm trees as we landed for the first time in Los Angeles. I must thank my dad for taking the risk and coming to this country. If he only knew what he had given us. He died after 8 years. We still have cousins in Croydon, does anyone know Betty Hyland who lives off Purley road.?? Hope to hear from anyone soon, Margaret Redpath-Matheson.
Comment from Margaret Matheson on Tuesday, 29th January 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Margaret:
Sorry, I don't know Betty Hyland. Just an off chance do you or anyone else remember Desiree Ferrier, Rita Pulfer or Penny Pooley from Lanfranc? Does anyone remember going to Wandle Side? We used to go there a lot after school, this is where I lost my fear of frogs, a boy named Brian Brown from Lanfranc Boys school chased me and put a frog down my back, yuk! Needless to say I had a massive crush on him.
Does anyone out there have any photos of Lanfranc Girls School, if so please post on this site.
Here in Canada we can buy Tizer at the British Shop along with a lot of the English candy etc. for some reason, my son, who has never been to England, loves the stuff.
I assume that your family has probably been to Brighton a lot? We used to go quite often, my dad would drive our old Hillman Minx (sp), and later our Vauxall Victor, both gave off dreadful fumes, and they wonder why I always got car sick? Anyway always enjoyed going, playing in the paddling pool, eating Brighton Rock and ice cream, remember the ice cream cones with the chocolate flake? reading dirty postcards, and at the end of the day we always got the usual fish and chips.
Chris Jackson
Comment from Christina Jackson on Thursday, 31st January 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina,
Marg's younger but better looking brother Steve here. You mentioned your Hillman Minx and Brighton, and I had to comment... Our fist car was a black 1930's Standard, which my dad purchased in about 1955 for 10 pounds. It had wire wheels, and a cloth top that would leak every time it rained (mum would always keep chewing gum in the car for just such occasions. When it started raining she gave us kids the gum and after 2 or 3 minutes of chewing we had to take the gum from our mouths and stick in the leaking roof, to stop the leaks). When we followed the OLD CROCKS to Brighton, many of the spectators thought we were part of the race. Alas, we were not, because most of the old crocks were in better shape than our old Standard. We had to be towed home most of the time, until me moved up to a newer Standard, then a Hillman, and then our first new car, a Mini in 1960 or 1961.
We did go to Brighton quite a bit and also Camber Sands (sp?). Marg, Ralph, and I all went to Benson, as our first school (I don't think it was too far from Addington). Your blog makes me happy to read and remember the old times. Do you remember the Queen coming to town in the 1950's? School was given a holiday off. Steve Redpath
Comment from Name withheld on Sunday, 3rd February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hello Steve:
My Dad used to go to Camber Sands when he was younger, I don't think I ever went. We did go to Margate, Bogner Regis and Selsey Bill(sp?) and once to Devon. I think on our drive to Devon I spent more time walking than riding in that old car. I still remember my dad cranking it to get it started, good grief, are we really that old? Actually I think in it's day it was fairly luxurious with it's little tassels for hanging on in the back seat and the great turn signal indicators (little orange arrows that popped out the sides) all very classy eh? I can empathize with you about the gum, must have been funny though. I assume you are close to the coast now, we live in Alberta so the only time we see the sea now is in Vancouver or Victoria, B.C. once a year.
Strange what goes through your mind when you are reminded of those times. By any chance do you or anyone else remember the White Bear Pub in Addington? I remember sitting on the statue of the bear outside drinking lemonade and eating crisps, the ones with the little blue salt pack. Did you ever go to Crystal Palace to watch the races? or Epsom Downs for the horses? While I'm at it, did you ever go to Thornton Heath Swimming Baths? We had to go once a week during my time at Lanfranc, this was always great fun because we got to miss school for a bit, mind you I was rubbish at swimming, still am.
It really is a pleasure reminiscing with both you and Margaret. Keep the thoughts coming.
Christina Jackson
Comment from Christina Jackson on Monday, 4th February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina,
Do you remember JUBLIES (sp?)? And how about the smell of English car leather upholstery and engine grease, or the sounds of Croydon Market? I do remember my dad taking me to the Crystal Palace for a boy scout's jamboree. I remember the car not working and Dad taking me there by riding on his handlebars while he peddled (and today we get a ticket if we don't wear a car seat belt).
Did you ever go to Box Hill, or Biggin Hill (for the RAF show), and both Marg and I remember the Croydon Swimming Pool (wasn't it across the street from Croydon Airadrome (sp?)?
I also remember Dad taking us out for Pease (sp?) Pudding and Faggots, eating liver & onions, lambs hearts, and any other cheaper organ meats. And dad taking us to our allotment out by Mitchum Commons where we grew our own vegetables. We needed an allotment because we lived in a flat.
You mentioned a coalman. I think one of my grandfathers was a coalman, they wore black leather hats with a neckerchief that prevented coal dust from falling down their shirts. In fact didn't Stanely Hollaway play a coalman in My Fair Lady? And their coal sacks were placed on flat bed carts pulled by horses. But I also remember Mum making sure that we didn't speak Cockney, but only the Queens English. Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Tuesday, 5th February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina, Marg again. Steve called me the other night and talked for three hours about Croydon. I don't know why, but I don't remember that much, and I was the oldest! You did mention the swimming lesson with Lanfranc. I DO remember that very well. The smell of chlorine as you went in. To this day, if something is over chloranated it takes me back to the " swimming" lessons. To this day, I still can't swim!!! I hated the ..short hand lessons. yuck!.. Also the races between Oxford and Cambridge and selling ribbons for the two schools. light blue for one and dark blue for the other. Steve is very excited about this sight and you have helped. I do remember twins, one called Christana and the other Carol. Carol was shorter than her sister and I was friends with her. Thanks Margaret
Comment from Margaret Matheson on Wednesday, 6th February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Steve and Margaret:
I too am excited about this site. I guess as you get older you start to think more about the old days. Steve, I do remember Jublies, are you thinking about the orange drink or the ice Jublies? I'm not sure if this was an actual product or if the corner shop I frequented just happened to freeze them. As for the market? Oh yes I remember the loudness of it what with all the vendors yelling about their wares, what an atmosphere eh? and the smells of fish and veg. This is where I used to get my buckets and spades to go to Brighton. You must remember Sainsbury's on Surrey Street? I remember glass tanks with live eels, not sure if this was Sainsbury's or the fish mongers. My grandmother used to make jellied eel Yuk!! Speaking of Brighton, did you go paddling in the kids pool? I remember my dad slipping over fully clothed in this pool, what a laugh that was, I believe we still have a photo of it. I'll bet your mom made you wear a knotted hankie on your head at the seaside to guard against sunstroke, I know mine did. Your mom sounds like mine, no cockney, Queen's English please. Like I listened.
Hear from you soon I hope.
Chris Jackson
Comment from Christina Jackson on Wednesday, 6th February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Christina,
After my last blog I received a note from an old friend that lived below us at the flats (Keith Wright, a nice guy and a loyal mate to my younger brother Ken and the brother of Sue Wright a childhood crush, and Christine White), that thought he recognized the stuff I was talking about and remembering.
I remember Jublies as frozen orange 3-D triangles, that only became drinks when you allowed them to get to room temperature. Tizer meant soda, Vim meant any cleaner, fags meant cigarettes, fag cards were collected, played and traded. By the way, talking about how old we seem to be getting....What year did you get your first refrigerator? When we left in 1962, we still didn't have one, but used a cooler storage cabinet in out kitchen. In "62" we still hadn't heard of the Beatles, but were listening to Keith Richards (no, the other one that didn't look like the sole of a worn out shoe), Adam Faith, Aka Bill, Lonnie Donnigan, and all the yanks. LP's and 45's were the were the way you listened to music (unless you were lucky enough to own a reel to reel). Do you remember the days of "teddy boys, winkle pickers, petty coats, hoola hoops, "Coronation street", Bill & Ben (the flower pot men and ....Weeeed!), and Norman Wisdom? If you do, then you and I are older 50!
I do remember the kids pool at Brighton, but more importantly I remember tip toeing across the pebbled beach to freeze at the seashore. Where was the sand? What else do you remember? Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Sunday, 17th February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Steve:
I got a good laugh out of your last post, when did we get our first refrigerator in deed, actually I believe it would have been around the same time as you, 1962 or so. Yes I am 50+. We also kept our milk etc. in a cupboard, I remember once we had a can of evaporated milk in there and I thought I was being clever and drank it right out of the can, needless to say it had been in there too long, ugh! It was actually green.
You are right about the beach at Brighton, we used to sit on the beach rocks just behind the sea wall (to keep out of the wind) every single time I came home with tar on my shoes and bathing suit. The sand was right where the waves came in, my dad used to have us stand with our backs to the sea and wait for the waves to wash over us, bloody scary when your just a kid but fun scary.
Did you ever go to Mitchum Common Fair?
I don't know if you have seen the website with Bill and Ben The Flower Pot Men? It is at www.youtube.com. I can't believe I actually loved watching this as a kid, especially the little weed. Yes, we did listen to the same music, do you remember Tommy Steele? (the boy with the candy floss hair) Do you get Coronation Street in the States? We get it here, I watch it every evening, it really hasn't changed much over the years.
You must have enjoyed getting a note from you old friend? Does he still live in England?
Write soon.
Christina
Comment from Christina Jackson on Sunday, 17th February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Do I remember the Mitchum Common Fair? WOW, I haven't thought about it until you mentioned it! You mean the the big top circus coming to town, all the carnies trying to hook you into spending a few bob. I remember dad teaching us kids some of the goings on. We went to the fair two nights in a row, the first night I saw a carny make a big deal out of a spectator who won his silly but impossible "hoop toss" game. On the second night I saw the same spectator from the first night working at the same stall. The loss of innocence! Where the circus went, gypsies followed.
Was your primary school before Lanfranc an all girls school or was it for both boys and girls? Were you born in "48, or 49", and did you have a bomb shelter in your garden as a kid?
Thanks for the heads up on youtube. I saw Bill and Ben, Norman Wisdom, and the Cisco Kid. Great! Tommy Steele was actually in a big feature American movie of the time (came out in the mid 60's, but I can't remember the name of it) remember? We don't get Coronation Street here but I remember it as the first of many other soap opera's.
Recently you wrote about the fish mongers, and it made me remember the days before supermarkets. Do you remember walking to the bakers daily or every other day to buy bread, and getting your milk delivered daily from the milkman, and how we take eating a roasted chicken for granted today, but it was a big (special) day in the 1950's. When it was not that many years since rationing ended.
Steve
Comment from Name withheld on Thursday, 21st February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
Hi Steve:
Actually Mitchum Common fair was much smaller than the circus, although I do remember that, my dad took me. The fair was more a fete than a fair, with a few rides. You asked about my primary school it was mixed. I was born in 1949 (ouch!). We did not have a bomb shelter but my Nana did, I was told not to go down there because of the rats, of course this was just an open invitation for me to do so, to this day I have never told my mom that I went down there. I still actually remember my mom's ration books and you are right, roast chicken was usually for Christmas.
I do believe the American movie with Tommy Steele from the 60's was "Finian's Rainbow". Did you ever see the movie "The Shiralee"? he sang the theme song for this, one of my favorite old time songs from him.
If you ever want a good chuckle, go to the website of a man named Wilf Lunn at www.wilflunn.com/autobiography and go to page 21 entitled School. I came across it while I was trying to find something about Fenning's Fever Cure, incidently, were you ever given this as a child? I have been told it was nitric acid and morphine!!! Oh well I'm still here, couldn't have done too much harm.
Do you remember getting winkles, mussels or welks? Nasty little things but one of my dad's favorites. Speaking of winkles, I do remember "winkle pickers" with their pointy toes and teddy boys or "Spivs" as my dad called them and hula hoops, (I was pretty good with mine). Do you remember everything had a season? marbles, conkers, yoyo's, dabs etc.
Christina
Comment from Christina Jackson on Thursday, 21st February 2008.
RE: RE: Childhood Dreams
In one section Grandad Stagg was mentioned, my mum's nan and grandad were called Stagg, I wonder whether they are related to us?
Comment from Theresa Kelly on Monday, 12th July 2010.