High Street c1960, Lewisham
High Street c1960, Lewisham Ref: L373015
Memories of High Street c1960, Lewisham
Shop
The white building on the right used to be called Chiesmans. Trams used to run along the street. In the 1950s in thick smog I had to wait for hours for a bus to eventually arrive to take me as far as Well Hall, where I had to walk from there to home. I was in a train travelling from Cannon Street down to Falconwood on one line when everything stopped because a train from Holborn became derailed on the Lewisham viaduct. Never forget that night. Screams from people injured and some dead from the train crashing into a stationary one on the other line. We alighted from our train to walk along the track led by railway porters with lanterns. Shaken up I and other passengers found a milk bar around the corner from Chiesmans which was still open. Then the long wait for a bus. The walk from Well Hall took an hour to get home.
A Day at The Flicks
I did my cinema management training at the Gaumont, Lewisham under Keith Hann and assistant Brian Richardson, then moved on as assistant at Deptford Odeon, New Cross Gaumont, Bromley Odeon and eventually my first management was The Walpole (300+ seats) at Ealing and then on to The Astoria (3027 seats) in the Old Kent Road, I finally left in 1962.
Do you remember the catastrophic fire that destroyed the Lewisham Gaumont?
And the riots (whipped up by the press) after 'Blackboard Jungle', and the pub (?) across from the theatre?
Teenage Years
Hot dog stall, Lewisham, Wooly's Saturday afternoon, Saturday morning pictures, Cheismans, Elvis, rock and roll, Chislehurst caves, jazz Saturday nights, chasing girls to get candle back, being chased by Deptford boys in Bedford van, clambering through the river tunnel under Cheismans, courting in Ladywellwreck, youth club in Davenport Road, Catford, watching the show on the bandstand in Mountfield Park, playing hide and seek in the bushes in Mountfield Park - the memories are coming back maybe to haunt all of us from these lovely years. I remember my mother playing the piano and singing in the local pubs, the Black Bull where I met my first wife, the Spotted Cow - what a pub, the Queen's Arms, Courthill Road (we called this pub the Breakers Arms), never ever a dull moment but never any trouble, just comedy, Coronation Day party in the playground of Ennersdale School, walking my girl home to Lee Green (I lived in Hither Green), first kiss long, whistling walk home, I was 9, running errands to... Read more
Childhood Memories
The smell of chestnuts in December on cold nights in Lewisham High Street. The seafood stall, eating cockles and whelks. Going to Chiesmans to see Father Christmas. Hearing the calling of the market traders. Going to Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon. Going to St Mary's C of E School and harvest festival at St Mary's Church. Getting free buns from the bakers where I lived at Engate Street. Feeling really posh when my nan took me to Lyons tea rooms. I could go on and on with the great memories at Lewishem in the 1960s. And I always remember the little old lady with her sweet stall on a Sunday morning. I remember the police box near Ladywell baths, I used to think it was a Tardis. Good days.
Lewisham & local memories
Read and share memories of Lewisham and Greater London inspired by Frith photos.
Gaumont, Rex & Prince of Wales Cinemas
My strongest memories of Lewisham is there being three cinemas there. The Gaumont (where I saw the Beatles live in the 1960s) - I went to Saturday morning pictures there. The Rex cinema, just by the bridge opposite The Duke of Clarence pub, also opposite the best restaraunt in Lewisham, 'The Saville'. And the Prince of Wales which was further up Lewisham High Street almost opposite the Catholic church near to C & A's. Lewisham has changed a great deal since I lived there in the 1940s-50s. I lived in Oakcroft Road off Granville Park and to walk down to Lewisham with my late Mum was a treat for me. Chiesmans was on the left with the Quaggy running along side, and next door was the CWS Co-op store. My school uniform was bought there and when we went in and Mum had to pay for it the money would be whizzed across the store in a little pot on a wire and we would have to wait for the change.... Read more
Sunday Football
Although l tended to spend most of my free days playing at near by Hilly Fields, it being nearer to my home, l do have a few memories of playing at the Wreak, that's the name, we as kids knew it by. As a pupil at Lewisham Bridge Primary School, we used it for sports. After leaving school, mostly during the mid 1960s, a number of us, including 2 of my brothers, friends and mates, from my street mostly, after Sunday lunch would walk along Algernon Road to the Wreak for a game of football. There could be a many as a dozen or more, depending on who was available, and the weather. Despite the changing rooms not being open, we still got ready, used bags for goal posts, picked 2 teams, and enjoyed ourselves for a couple of hours. We used nearly all of the area just inside the park. Rules, not many used, but who cared, it was just a friendly kick about. Sometimes... Read more
CORSET SHOP
Has anyone memories of the Corset Shop or did you work in Cheesmans Corsetry Department between 1948 - 1988 - I need your memories or they will be lost forever no matter how wacky or off the wall. Shop Assistants - were your relationship with your customers or the relationship with your Foundation Wear. During the 1950's / 60's we had a lot of single sex schools - did a mum ever bring or buy foundation wear for her son who was playing a girls part in a play etc - we also had shows in the west end such a Forces in Petticoats - did you ever serve them or simlar? Please reply to me at corsetiere@corset.ndo.co.uk yours Geoffrey
Marsala Road, Ladywell - The Prefabs
I was only a few months old when our family moved to 122 Marsala Road, Ladywell in 1949. I was ten years of age when we moved from Ladywell to Dartford in August 1959 but there are many different and varied things that I can remember. Money was then very tight and Dad was working in London and Mum also worked full-time. Mum's Aunt Mabel (Massingham) came over most days to look after Ian and me until mum got home at the end of the day. The milkman used to leave the milk in the fridge each day, and even if Auntie Mabel wasn't there the prefab doors would be left unlocked, such was the spirit of the day. Regularly the milkman would leave a bar of chocolate in the fridge for Ian and me and that was a real treat. He had a horse that pulled the milk cart and I would love going out to stroke him. At night I would always hear the clunking and banging of the trains... Read more
Memories of SE13
Born in Hither Green 1n 1966. Grew up and have fond memories of home. Started Beacon Road school from 1970 to 77. Catford Boys 77 to 82. Edie May's sweet shop Ardmere Road with that distinct smell. Barretts Off Licence etc. Loved going swimming at Ladywell Baths. Does anyone remember Torbay chippy in Staplehurst Road? Them chips were the best. Showing my age, I can remember the Springbank Road Station entrance. Was a member of the Boys Brigade in Ennersdale School, later moving to Campshill Road I think. It's a pity that Lewisham and Hither Green were only made famous by two horrific railway accidents in the 1950s and 60s and the NF Riots in the 1970s.
Kent Butchers
Year: 1930s Kent Butchers
Does anyone have memories of the Kent Butchers during the 1930s in Lewisham Market? I have a photo taken about Christmas time 1936 of their shop. It is decorated with rows of turkeys and other meats, with the shop workers standing at the back of the shop. The prices of the produce made me smile! Did anyone's relatives work here?
