I Remember it Being Built
The building in your picture was called the 'new shops'. I recall going up there with my dad, Roy Austin, when it was being built. It must have been before 1960 I guess. I was born in 1949. The shops in that block included Boots, Wilkinsons, Forbouys, Greasleys, and the Co-op I believe. Behind the shops was the library, which was the original Co-op where we (John Hogan and his grand-dad 'Tim') used to go in the last days of rationing after the Second World War). Tim fought in the Boer War and me and John used to play with the sword that he brought home with him from the war. Tim wasn't really John's grand-dad. He'd been taken in by the Hogans (John's family). We lived on Glazebrook Road, a hundred yards or so behind the shops in that photo.
We used to buy cheap stale cakes from Greasleys on our way to New Parks Boys School. (Not John - he went to a Catholic school so we got split up). Horrible days at New Park's Boys School. There were some real nasty sadistic teachers there between 1660 and 1966, and queer ones too. The worst culprits taught RE and English. Many of my fellow 'pupils' weren't so good either.
Incidentally, the shops down the road had a Post Office run by a man named Frith. What a coincidence.
Anyway, the picture brings back mainly bad memories. Given the chance, I would gladly demolish the building in that picture.
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RE: RE: I Remember it Being Built
I was born on Hockley Farm Road on the Braunstone Estate in 1953. The family moved to Blissett Road in New Parks in 1960. My memories of my childhood are filled with happiness. I remember going up Western Park with me mates and playing in the 'Gullies'. The swings on the park were some of the biggest I had ever seen. I went to New Parks House Junior School and then on to New Parks Secondary Boys School. The teachers I remember are numerous. Mr Tibbs took us for G.E.D. he was a stern old bugger but had a heart of gold really. Mr Flint took R.E. say no more about old Flinty. Tom Goodluck took Drama, a right old thespian. Mr Allsop was our Science Teacher. Trevor (T.C.) Jones took P.E. and Mr Atkinson was my Form Teacher and Science Teacher. Looking back there were a few rough characters at school but you accepted them for what they were. It's only in hindsight that we remember how good it was to be young then. I remember Aiko Avenue shops and always called into Fourboys Paper Shop for thruppunce worth of 4 for a penny sweets on my way to school. It was nice to see the photographs and memories on here. I hope a few more discover the site and add to it.
Comment from Steve Blower on Sunday, 10th January 2010.