Regent Road

I grew up just off Regent Road and Oldfield Road in the Langdale House flats.
We lived in D17 and had many memorable neighbours who we shared many happy times with.
I remember the Bergens ice cream cart that was pulled by a white horse, the trains shunting in the coal yard and going shopping on Regent Road with my mum. If I was good we would visit little Smith's toy shop and my mum would buy me plastic cowboys and indians - they were really detailed and for a special treat we would go to big Smith's and I would get a corgi or matchbox car - usually for birthdays or if I'd saved up ! Big Smith's always had great Lego displays in the window. I will always remember the modle of QE2 all lit up - it was fantastic!
My uncle Jim ran the Gloucester Arms pub for a while. We used to go and play all the instuments in the band room and sit on the roof terrace overlooking Regent Road primary school. My dad worked behind the bar to help out but my mum didn't like him doing it as a few of the women were always after him !
I remember them building the Piazza with its water fountain and going to the new dentist there and guy fawking outside the Two Brewers pub - the beer always smelt good ! But the best time was on a Friday dinner when I didn't have to have school dinners, instead my mum picked us up and we would have fish and chips in a little chippy that had a restaurant in the back - I can still smell them now !