Memories of Epsom

The Nell Gwynne

In our early teens we used to go to the Nell Gwynne, upstairs in the 'coffee bar' where we had what I believe was the worlds first Nickelodeon (manual version). We paid the lady 3d, I think it was, and she put our favourite record on the record player on the counter and we listened while we chatted.
Anybody out there remember the Lecture Hall School in Upper High Street (circa 1943/44)? Headmistress was a Miss Gray. I fell in love with Ann Bridson (I was 7).
Waterloo Rd had a DIY shop in those days, going under the name of 'Useful Bros'.
I went to the Infants School down the bottom end of White Horse Drive, where we filed into the air-raid shelters complete with gas masks when the sirens went!
My mate John Evans and I went to the Methodist Youth Club, to meet the girls I guess. Marilyn ?, Janet Mansbridge, Jeanette Scott, to name the memorable ones! We learnt to square dance.
I lived along Woodcote Side and 'our gang' used to play all the time on the common. We spent some nights in the basement of the Woodcote Side Laundry when the bombing was at its heaviest.

Rosebery Park

I was born in Epsom in 1936. Apparently, when still in my push-chair, I trundled down the bank shown in the picture and ended up in the water!! Later when 10 or 12 we used to sail our model yachts on the pond and in our teens spent a lot of evenings in the park chatting up the girls! Happy, happy days. I must admit there was a tear or two in my eyes when I saw all those lovely trees felled by the great storm.

Lifespan

I was born in a house that is not yet built in this photo, the house would be on the bottom left corner of this print. I still live 200 yards away, level with where the photograph was taken. The area of trees and shrubs on both sides of this view of Dorking Road were developed. However to the rear of the person taking the photograph it is still open common land, as shown in print ref 80804, this view is as was, apart from lamp posts and road signs.

Woodcote Pond

My brother and I used to play in the woods on Woodcote Green and build dens. We also used to paddle in the pond in wellies, or walk on the ice in winter.

Waterloo Road

This photo was taken from immediately in front of my Uncle's/Father's (Antiques) shop in Waterloo Road, looking towards the station. Divers, the shop with all the hardware items immediately in the foreground, was next door and I was always being told off as a child for touching/playing with their goods!

Going to School

The path shown in the picture was my route to the infants school which was then in Church House, down the steps to the right of the tower. Miss Cordell was headmistress, ably supported by Miss Hyde, Mrs Wooding and Mrs Price, whose sons Dominic and Christopher also attended the school.

The Nell Gwenn

The white building in the forground is the Nell Gwenn public house, a well-known hostelry.