My Memories 1950/60s

A Memory of Wembley.

How I remember Wembley. I went to St Joseph's Catholic Primary which in those days was opposite the Empire Pool. I used to go and pet the horses when the Horse of the Year show was on. I used to walk home to Tokyngton Avenue and I too would look in the Wally Kilminsters stores, I bought my Guide uniform here and later my hockey boots from the sports shop, my parents used to buy us model kits and jigsaws at Christmas. I remember Leslie's Cafe by the triangle and the coming of the first Indian Curry House just down from there. I used to go the Majestic Cinema on a Saturday - they built C & A's there which is now also gone..After the pictures it was into the fish and chip shop to buy chips for lunch. I also remeber DeMarcos in Ealing Road it was lovely ice cream - the van used to call in our streeet every night during the summer and if we were lucky dad would buy us a cone. I also remember the huge NME (New Musical Express) pop concerts and saw loads of acts at the Empire Pool. I remember the ice shows which we always went to in the Christmas hols - never saw a stage panto as a kid!
Wembley is so changed, sadly not for the better, this site is great for reviving memories.

Added 19 August 2010

#229368

Comments & Feedback

I remember C and A as I had a Saturday job there when I was at school.
I used to earn £17.6p which is now the equivalent of 87p.

By valsey49 on Thu Sep 3rd 2015, at 7:42 am

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Oops! that last comment should have read 17s 6d.
How lucky I would have been to get £17. 6d

By valsey49 on Thu Sep 3rd 2015, at 4:18 pm

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God yes I remember DeMarcos - fantastic ice cream always used to stop there on the way to the ABC morning cinema. Also there was a Wimpy bar at the top of the Ealing road and later Henry Cooper's green grocers at the junction with Wembley High road. I also used to by model kits from Wally Kilminster. My first love was Sheila Guildford who lived on Kings Drive by the side of what was Wembley Town Hall and although I never had the courage to speak to her, and just used to send sad little love notes, I still remember her.

By csinspain on Wed Dec 2nd 2015, at 2:35 pm

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I also went to St Joseph's School and waited by DeMarcos cafe for the 83 bus every morning. There was a whole crowd of us kids who lived 'off' the Ealing Road and we never felt quite as cool as those who lived 'off' the Harrow Road.
Our fruit and veg always came from Henry Cooper's greengrocer's and during the school holidays I always hoped he would be there when my mum and I went shopping.

By jacquif29 on Wed May 18th 2016, at 6:58 am

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Hello. I was born in Dagmar Avenue then we moved to Oakington Manor Drive.I was in the back garden when England scored the winning goal in 1966 and remember running into the house because of the huge roar!
I went to St Josephs opposite the empire pool. Mr Harrison was the headmaster.
Mrs McKewan was my first teacher. Lovely lady. There was a top playground and a bottom playground where the monkey bars were. There were outside toilets at the top playground and they stank!
My most disturbing memory was being bullied by Ms. Robinson. A fat,blue serge suited teacher who I had for two years. She had her favourites but hated me. No idea why. I was only about seven! I was numerically challenged and she used to make me go to the front of the class and recite the times tables which I could never do, then yell at me for not knowing it. Never forget her and she impacted on my confidence well into my later years. To this day I hope she died miserable and alone....serious huh?
I was a cub in the 11th Wembley hut behind the school. Thursday nights was Cub night, Mick Hallam was the Akela. I met Catherine Delano there (the Brownies used the school hall) I was 12-13 she was my first girlfriend. We used to meet before church at St Josephs Church at the Triangle! her Dad was always there.
Moved to Southern Ireland when I was 13.
Back in the UK now and ironically I drive limousines occasionally for a carriage master who lives in St Michaels Avenue! I drive up Oakington Manor Drive often! Small world.
Can't work out why they demolished the iconic landmark that was Wembley Stadium. The place hosted the only time we'll ever win the World Cup and they've replaced it with a huge 'thing'.
Would hardly recognise Wembley now.
Happy times there though...Apart from Ms. Robinson!

By ukpa on Sun Apr 15th 2018, at 4:17 pm

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I was a scout in the 11th Wembley troop.
At one point we lost our scout master so being the oldest patrol
leader I appointed myself troop leader and took charge.

Other PLs were Jack Richardson, Liam Daly, Gordon
Porter and Peter Carey (R.I.P.). They all went to
St.Joseph's primary school. Jack, Liam and Gordon
passed the 11+ and went on to Gunnersbury Grammar.
They all lived close to the school but I lived in Bowrons
Avenue off the Ealing Road. How that's changed.
I often say I don't need to go on foreign holidays to see
somewhere exotic. All I need to do is walk down the
Ealing Road. :-)

The three cinemas were the Wembley Hall, the Majestic
and the Regal - all gone long since together with a host
of the big shops such a Woolworth's, etc.

I still live in Wembley, right on the northern boundary.
I was born there (Bowrons Avenue) and being 88 I suppose
I might even be its oldest citizen.

As Wembley Scouts we were allowed to act as ushers for
the football matches at the Stadium and also the 1948
Olympic games. Names I remember are Fanny Blankers
Koen (sp?), and Zatopek.
I also saw the cup final between Blackpool with the famous
Stanley Mathews, and Manchester United. which MU won
5-3.

By 88.frank on Tue Apr 14th 2020, at 10:47 am

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