Oadby, Leicester Road c.1955

Photo ref: O100257A

I was born in the house that was opposite Allens the chemist. I remember going into the butchers to get a bone for my dog every Saturday. Outside the bike shop was some bubble gum machines, which I used a lot along with my 2 brothers. I remember the library that was over the swimming baths as well. I also spent many happy hours on the allotment with my dad, that was down the road next to the chemist.

Grew up in Newmarket Street, Knighton. Like most kids at that time we never had new clothes & had little food. I went to Avenue Road School when I was four years old, this was in 1939 just before the war. Craddock Arms Pub was at the end of the street, trips made regularly by my father. Dad sent me a postcard many years later of Old Knighton Schools nearby. Does a picture of this exist today. We were lucky not to ...see more

Mr Allen (snr) was my grandpa. As a child in the 60s, the shop was a magical place. When this photo was taken, the shop was the second one from the corner of Chapel Street (walking towards the church). There was a antique shop on the corner when I first remember it. Later the chemist shop was extended and took over the corner premises. I too remember learning to swim at Oadby pool. I also remember Ellsons bread : )

This picture brings back happy memories, I was born in Oadby when it was a village like this picture shows, it was a wonderful time. The picture shows the large building on the corner which was "Allens" Chemist, further down the shops was "Rawsons" which sold bicycles, TV`s, radios and electrical goods, it later became "Dexters" where I worked in in my teens as an apprentice electrician. At the end of the small ...see more