Growing Up In Mitcham In The 1970's

A Memory of Mitcham.

Lovely to read some of the reminiscences of old Mitcham, it was such a lovely place to grow up in during the late sixties and early seventies, before changes started happening. I left in 1990, aged 25, before the most drastic changes occurred, all of which sadly have ripped the life and sole out of the place.

My favourite memories are the walk home from St Marks School, via Baker Lane and the alleyway by St Thomas of Canterbury playground, Beehive Bridge and Commonside East.

Sweets from the kiosk in the foyer of the Majestic Cinema after school, catching the 118 bus from outside Thorpes Record shop at Fair Green.

Swimming in the summer at Mitcham Baths, school swimming gala's and concerts were also held there and the Rag Tag and Bobtail Pet Shop and the sweets in Woolworths.

Summer days at Ravensbury Park, bike rides and den building on the Seven Islands, Mitcham Common.

Trings where I used to collect my Subbuteo teams, and opposite the Library where my Dad would sometimes take me of an evening.

The Canons, Cricket Green, Three Kings Piece.

The Circus and The Fair on Mitcham Common.

Cranmer Middle School and Football and Cricket with my friends on Cranmer Green.

Working at J Sainsbury's (on the former site of the Majestic Cinema) as a student

Cricket on the Cricket Green, drinking at the Burn Bullock and The Ravensbury Arms.

Although Mitcham was a town, it had a village atmosphere to it and although it was within a London Borough, you never felt that you were in South London. Unfortunately this has all changed since I left, there have ben some ill conceived building and road projects and the demographics of the town has changed completely, so sad, but at least we still have all of those fond memories.