Motspur Park, Greater London

How lucky I am

I moved to Motpur Park when I was 4 years old, living opposite Beverley Brook in West Barnes Lane. This was 1951. I have absolutely great memories: friends calling on your door asking your parents "Can Keith come out to play?". Think about it, a sandpit at Robin Hood Park was all that was on offer for the kids. Yeah... [more]

The Real Winters of the 1940s

I recall, with the occasional shudder, the freezing cold winters of the 1940s. I spent Saturday evenings earning a couple of shillings (that's 10p to you youngsters!!) working from 4.30pm to 6.00pm selling newspapers in the centre part of the crossover bridge at Motspur Park railway station. I worked for Berny Bromhead, who had a newspaper kiosk that was situated in... [more]

Life in Seaforth Avenue

As a youngster I, along with two other brothers, attended the RED school in West Barnes Lane (infants and juniors) and when old enough, I moved over the sports field to the White School (seniors). My brothers moved on to the Beverley School in Blakes Lane, Motspur Park. During the mid 1940s, it was the job of us boys, on a... [more]

Home - always will be

I grew up in Motspur Park, living in Claremont Avenue from 1958 - 1980 where my mother still lives.

The swing gate railway crossing which we used to hang onto while the signal man wound them open and closed (the record for the fastest gate opening was recorded here). Sam, the Caribbean Station master who seemed to be there... [more]

growing up in motspur park

I lived in Motspur Park from 1968 till 1989, everyone I knew friendly place,the local pub was clean and friendly, used to go courting there with my late husband.
Been back a few times and have noticed a dramatic decline - the row of shops down Seaforth Ave have become dirty and an eyesore. The traffic calming measures down West Barnes... [more]

The Beatty and Us.

Like alot of young Kiwis, my wife and I started our OE (Overseas experience) in 1986, and in January 1987 found ourselves in Motspur Park as a result of applying and getting bar jobs at the Earl Beatty pub. Graeme and Marie were the Governers, Jeff and Vicky were another Kiwi couple already working there at the time. It was an... [more]

Around Cheam, including Sutton, Ewell, Banstead and Epsom Photographic Memories

Nestled in the rear slopes of the North Downs, the village derives its ancient name from the Saxon word 'wudmeresthorn', meaning 'thornbush by the boundary of the wood', and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. This 1930s mock-Tudor shopping parade still stands on Rectory Lane as it winds its way south to the junction with the Chipstead Valley Road, where the... [more]

Around Cheam, including Sutton, Ewell, Banstead and Epsom Photographic Memories

Much of Banstead High Street was rebuilt during the 1920s with a series of shopping parades. The leafless lime tree in the middle distance occupies the spot where the village pond once existed, while All Saints' churchyard is concealed behind the trees on the extreme right.

Around Cheam, including Sutton, Ewell, Banstead and Epsom Photographic Memories

The station, on the branch line from Sutton to Epsom Downs, opened in 1865, and the white stuccoed house, now a builder's offices, dates from around the same time. The small confectionery kiosk was one of a trio servicing the requirements of commuters, with other branches at Sutton and Epsom. The roof of the station no longer bears the white lettering,... [more]