Eastleigh, Hampshire

Eastleigh

My name is Malcolm Snow, I was born in 1939. I grew up in 7, Bleinheim Rd. My Dad was Les Snow from Fair Oak, and Flo Jennings from Eastleigh, Grandparents where Frank and Annie Snow, and Louisa Jennings later to be Mellish. Grandad Jennings was killed in WW1. Our house was demolished to make way for the Salvation Army building in Bleinheim Rd, and my Grandma Mellish's house made way for the swan shopping centre. My parents later moved to 6, Doncaster Rd.

I went to school in Chamberlayne Rd, Headmaster was Alan Shotter?. My first job was with James Hand and Son Milk Deliveries, and then a Meat man next to Lord Ranks estate at Sutton Scotney. I then worked in Prices bakery, Leigh Rd working with the Parnell family, I then went to work in Ford, and later in Pirelli's.

I remember my friends were Michael Street, Malcolm Winter, Jimmy Alderslade and Michael Stracey.

Does anyone remember Barney Barnes the pie man next door to Sheppards the Butcher, and Bendons the furniture shop. The Bakers near the bus station was Jarvis. Also Symonds the Bakers. Next to my Nan's house @ 6, Bleinheim Rd was a lady who sold flowers. Mr Bristow was the manager at the Co Op Bakery.

HILLIKERS FAGGOTS

My Nan and Grandad lived on the corner of Factory Road, and Cranbury Road, opposite Stan Brehaut the photographer, who went on to work with Jack Hargreaves in his programme 'Out of Town'. The Centre of Eastleigh holds such fond memories for me, but especially the faggots and savoury duck shop, with Mrs Hilliker (I think) behind the counter. There used to be a cat sat on the counter when you went in, no health and safety in those days!! The smell was amazing, but in the week, it also smelt of the railway men that used to call in for their lunch, as she had a dining room at the back of the shop. Clemoes shops in Eastleigh, I actually went to school with John Clemoes, Pinks the Butchers next to Woolworths, and a stationery shop just along the road from Woolies, and a milliners.Opposite were the public loos, where the lady sat and smiled as you went in. There was a 'boot/leather' man in Market street, and the smell from there as you walked past was lovely. Cyril Ayley, the bike man in the top end of market street, my dad actually made fishing rods which Cyril sold in his shop. Next to him was Shepherds the butcher, and these shops were near Radio Rentals, which in turn was opposite the bus station, where my mum worked as a clippie. The two cinemas, The Picture House and the Regal, were opposite each other, and next to the Picture House was the fish shop where my aunt worked, and as a teenager the only place to be seen was the Imperial, above Burtons (now). I grew up in Nightingale Avenue, when the houses were new, we had been moved from the nissen huts in Chestnut Avenue, and the Polish refugees then moved into the huts. I went to school in Cranbury Road, and as a teenager went to the youth club at St Fancis of Assisi, with the Rev Julian Eagle. We had such good times there, and he also told us that if we came to church on Sunday evening, he would let us have an extra club night after church, so we all went. The green hut in Stoneham Lane, where I went tap dancing and did acrobats, and then we would put a show on in the Town Hall. I know I'm jumping from one year/decade to another, but there is so much to say!!

Redbridge near Eastleigh

I am just hoping that somebody has got some memories of Redbridge, near Eastleigh? I am hoping that somebody might remember if there were any children's homes or foster homes in this area in the 1930s. Also I have been given the name F Pearce of a man who was a market gardener in the Redbridge/Millbrook area. Does anybody remember him? I would appreciate any help in this matter.
Many thanks.
Diana White, Somerset

Swimming Pool Drinks

Wow! I had almost forgotten about this pool. I have already recorded memories of swimming in the rivers at Bishopstoke, but when there was an epidemic of Polio we were all stopped from going into the river and went to the swimming pool instead. My favourite memory was having a cup of hot Bovril after an afternoon in the pool. It did become very crowded as it served Eastleigh as well as Bishopstoke and Fairoak. The girls changing booths were one side and the boys the other, although I think it was cheaper if you used the open hut at the far end.

The name A Webb on photographs rings bells, as my mother had one and I believe she went to school with him. His name was Arthur if that helps at all. Sorry cannot provide any further details as Mum passed two years ago.

Hampshire Photographic Memories

Originally a village, Eastleigh expanded rapidly around Bishopstoke Junction after the London and South Western Railway Company’s carriage works moved here in 1889-90, followed by the locomotive workshops in 1909. Much of the town dates from between 1890 and 1939, and many of its residents were employed by the railway.

Around Eastleigh including Chandler's Ford, Bishopstoke and Botley Living Memories

This view is from the footway outside Lloyds Bank. On the right is what was once the most important building in the town: the Railway Institute, built by the directors of the railway. It provided a clubroom, a dance hall, a stage, a library and training facilities for young people. It was demolished some years ago and replaced by a Safeways store. On the other side of the road is a men’s clothing store, Baker’s, and the Eagle Building accommodating Woolworths.

Around Eastleigh including Chandler's Ford, Bishopstoke and Botley Living Memories

Not far from the airport is North Stoneham Church, which has undergone many alterations since it was first built in the 10th century. There are many monuments in the church and in the graveyard to famous people, including Sir Thomas Fleming, who was the Lord Chief Justice who authorised the execution of Guy Fawkes, and Admiral Lord Hawke, victorious in the Battle of Quiberon Bay. In the graveyard are stones bearing indications of the profession of the person buried beneath, such as a violin or books. The ten bells in the tower are often tolled.