Hampton Court, Greater London

Hackney in the east end of London

My nana was born in Hackney in 1907. She was born to an unmarried mother in the Salvation maternity hospital for unmarried mothers on Mare Street, Ivy House to be precise. She stayed in Brent House mother and baby home just around the corner.
Does any one out there know of anyone else who was born in this hospital?
I would... [more]

The Hub of My Young Universe

London's main railway stations truly are wonderful and Charing Cross was the one that I frequented the most as I travelled every weekday from Woolwich Arsenal in SE London to Green Park Underground, near the great Victoria Station.

The sounds of the whistles, doors slamming, the hum of the electric trains...the overhead announcements reverberating in the cavernous domed roof... "last... [more]

Prodigal Son Returned

I think it ought to be mandatory, for every person of English heritage, to pass through Westminster Abbey at least once!

Returning from Canada and, later, the USA , for only the second time in 35 years I took my late teenage son and daughter to tour Westminster Abbey. There we joined the throng as it somehow wound its way... [more]

Painful memories of Paulton Square.

As a frightened 7 year old, in 1950,  I was plunged into an unfamiliar London life when my meddling and self righteous aunt unfortunately reminded my stepfather of fulfill his promise to my dying mother to 'take care of Jimmy'. He had since remarried and brought  my sister and I together again after we had spent three years apart,my sister with... [more]

A Spectacular Entrance to Central London.

Before my time, of course, but this is still a very familiar view to me . Not only did I intern (from Westminster Technical College Hotel School) at the Charing Cross Hotel on the right but also passed through the station 5 days a week for two years.

On occasion I'd stay too late at a party on a Friday... [more]

Under the Arches

I remember visiting this spot when I first moved to work in London. It is described in Nairn's London, as follows:-
" A very fine passage called The Arches runs underneath Charing Cross station from Villiers Street to Craven Street. The steps at the western end announce a different world. Hungerford Lane; and this is like meeting a person five... [more]

A day around London

The day rock 'n' roll singer Eddie Cochran was killed, I went around London and had my picture taken on Eros, then in the evening I went with my friend to see Adam Faith on stage.  It was a sad day because of the death of Eddie C. but we did enjoy Adam F.
I also took a picture of a... [more]

London,Piccadilly Circus 1951-1955

I was a young Constable in the year 1951, and fresh from Peel House, Westminster was assigned tio the Savile Row station known as CD. I lived at the Section House on Broadwick Street, Soho named after Lord Trenchard. Many times I was assigned to Piccadilly Circus, on the early turn or at 5pm to 1am for a two week period.... [more]