Penge A Memory Of Childhood

The tobacconist was my families business from 1750 ish

Remember it well probably in same class as you moved to Beckenham then west Wickham as you do no mention of fredrickson at school did we used to play cricket on Royston and buy rolls from the coop

To Dave(?) Butler

My faded memory recalls Fredrickson as being a bit of a renegade and rather prone to flare up for no apparent reason but I could be doing him an injustice.
I also remember playing cricket at Royston and certainly getting and sharing a freshly baked loaf from the Co-Op as well.
If my recollection is correct you were also a keen footballer as well.

I was born in Clifford Grove 1960, daughter of Ted and June Whennell, no 12. My grandad Ticker lived next door to us on one side and old Daisy the other side.
I remember most of the shops mentioned above. I think my dad had some connection with the Ives family. My Dads mum died when he was very small and believe that a Mrs Ives helped out looking after him.
Karen Sterba nee Whennell

Karen
You may remember my uncle Alf Piper who lived at No8 Clifford Grove which was opposite your house and I remember your granddad and Daisy. Alf Piper had a stall in the market opposite the end of Clifford Grove and had a lad working for him called Tony Mc Fadden.
Chris Males

I lived in Hawthorne grove from 1954 till 1966, my grandfather owned the scrapyard in Hawthorne grove, and my dad( ex REME) owned the garage and car sales opposite the police station in Penge. We were moved out when the area was being redesigned and were some of the first families to move in to Kent towers in Woodbine grove. My uncle and cousin lived in Surrey towers. I went to school at Malcolm primary and then Malcolm junior school, but we moved again to Brockley, where my step father bought a shop in Brockley rise. I transferred to stillness school and then to Dulwich college before once again my stepfather moved us to Ramsgate in Kent. I lost touch with all my family from London, haven’t seen my biological father since 1965 nor any of my cousins etc. I would love to get in touch with anyone from school days and the years I lived in Penge. My name is Laurence willis, my dad was Laurence Edwin willis and my mum was Doreen willis. I remember playing on the bomb sites in our road and collecting empty corona bottles, tizer bottles etc and getting the refunds on them, also going around with my “gang” collecting the copper and metals to take to my grandad to get some extra money. I remember my best friends were an Irish family that lived opposite our house, Bernadette and Danny were my friends. My mum was a dance teacher at Peggy Spencer’s dance school in Penge. I have a few photos of me outside our house in Hawthorne grove around 1959/1964 period, so I would be grateful to anyone who might recognise my name and get in contact. On Saturday morning my friends and I would go to Saturday morning pics at the Odeon, we would take it in turn for one of us to pay and then let the others in by the exit doors as the films were starting! Flash Gordon, ROY Rodgers, cinema full of kids shouting at the projectionist when the film reel broke or stopped. Good memories.

Laurence
I posted the original message and remember Hawthorne Grove before the tower blocks were built. I lived there until 1966 but can't recollect the car sales opposite the police station - was it on the High Street on the same side as the music shop and florist - opposite Olby's?
My father was the caretaker at Malcolm School when you were there with Tom Jenner as headmaster and Joan ivy as secretary I believe.
Sorry have no other names that might be relevant to your days in Penge - hope you get some responses.
Chris Males

Hello. I hope you will see this!
My granny Mrs Ives lived at 10 Clifford Grove and took care of Ted and they were close for the rest of her life. I also lived with her and knew Ted well as part of our family. I moved away but my brother Ray kept in touch with him until he passed away. I think he went to his funeral. My gran was a lovely loving person with a large family but always made room for another. I loved her so much. Its nice to write about her.

Yes I remember her well - my parents knew Ted Wennel (?) better than I did.
I have a memory that one of the family was in the Horse Guards (Blues and Royals) but I cannot be sure if it was Ted.
I am pleased that you found my little bits of personal history of interest.
Chris Males

I remember alf and queenie piper very well on the market. Tony mcfadden was my brothers best friend all of his life until Tony died a couple of years ago. My father was Cyril Ives and he died young in 1950. All Clifford Grove people stood on their steps as the funeral passed. I was only seven and will never forget that day. Mark

Mark
Thank you for you comments - I would have been 5 in 1950 so did not know your father.
It would have been a very difficult time for you. I am sorry to hear that Tony has passed
I always remember the ladies of Clifford cleaning their front steps and sweeping the street outside their houses.,
I used to play in the rec at the end of Clifford. you no doubt remember Frost's the shoe shop on the corner of Maple Rd.
You may also remember Roy Piper my cousin - Alf and Queenie's son Unfortunately he died quite suddenly when I was about 12 and his wife and son lived with Alf at No 8 until she married again and lived on the opposite side of the road next to Alf's lock up / store.
Chris Males

My grandfather Isaac White was born at 6 Clifford Grove in May 1866. His parents moved from Spalding in ca 1865. He was baptised at St. John's church in October 1866.
We don't know why they left Lincolnshire. He eventually went to Sheffield where he married Elizabeth Barnes in St. Peters Attercliffe (now the cathedral) in 1892.
Is there a photo of Clifford Grove before nos. 1-20 were demolished in 1968?
Thank you

Do you have a photo of No. 6 Clifford grove before demolition please.
jstandishbrown@gmail.com

I compliment you on remembering your Gran with such love and affections. It made my heart sing. Jim Hawkins. Oakfield School 1951-6.