When I Was A Boy.

A Memory of Portsmouth.

This area was quit well known to me as I lived in Portsmouth until just after leaving St Lukes school,about half a mile away,although I returned around 1968 .The black square on left of photo was a pub ,and outside most days stood Mrs Harding, she was a nice lady , she stood there selling newspapers, they may have had a shop also,to my right not in the photo(4 o clock) position was the coffee shop,called Verechias you could also have Knickerbocker glory (ice cream type of milkshake) there were wooden cubicles along one side with a table and a bench type of seat and an oval windo in the centre of the back rest,and you could peer along and see other people further along ! also there was a brass bell button on the wall to summon a waiter.
behind further was and is the park where there is a small fountain with fish, also there are large bird cages with various birds and rabbits ,and peacocks. The Guildhall has had the top dome changed twice ,and there are various venues music bands arts etc (I actually had a chat with Bob Geldof around the rear after the Boomtown Rats played there about 1976. Oh just behind (6 oclock )position is the rail station ,the train goes overhead and the road dips slightly,leading to the town centre.