Leos Cafe/espresso Bar

The Pond And Three Kings 1959
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

Although I lived in Tooting, all my cousins lived on the Mitcham side! I was a tomboy and used to hang around over Figges Marsh, playing rounders or smoking illicit ciggies in the red shed! The Teddy boys (later the mods) used to congregrate at the childrens playground on the marsh, or Leos Cafe. I remember going there to listen to the juke box and drink foamy espresso, but I can't for the life of me remember where it was! Was this Leos Ice Cream parlour on the cricket green? I seem to remember it being at the Morden end of Mitcham - perhaps all those fags addled my brain! At weekends we'd go the swimming baths or the library in London Road at the fair green end. My father in law, Joe, used to be the bingo caller at the old Majestic. Also, does anyone remember St Olaves youth club? I saw some great groups (bands) there, including The Spectres who later became Status Quo. I'm sure it was somewhere down St Marks Road somewhere.......awful, considering I used to be there most weeks!! The 60's culture must have gotten to me. They do say if you remember it you weren't there!!