Warm Childhood And Teenage Years
My mum visited Southend-on-Sea during her childhood years. She was born in 1917. Her family made a day trip there once per year, on public transport. They could only afford one visit per year because they were poor. I was more fortunate and visited there regularly with my parents throughout my childhood, sometimes with other relatives in tow, my aunts and uncles and young cousins. I was born in 1948. My parents were fortunate enough to own their own motor vehicle, a black Ford Prefect, so they would motor there every Sunday. We would eat a plate of cockles, a huge chunk of white bread and drink tea from mugs before returning home to East Ham. The tide was always out, the sand like squishy mud between my toes and crabs were plentiful. Always we walked the length of the pier, it was one of my favourite things to do. Later on, as a teenager, I motored there with friends to take part in ten pin bowling on the pier, until I left England in 1969. During one of my husband's visits to England from Canada, approximately 30 years ago, and during a day trip to Southend-on-Sea, my father-in-law purchased some 'olden day' pier prints for my husband. Upon his return to Canada we had those prints framed. The prints were on show in the framing store until we collected them and many people asked if they could purchase them. Never would we sell them because they bring back fond memories of our childhood and teenage years. Next year I hope to travel with my granddaughter to England and yes, Southend-on-Sea will definitely be on our itinerary. I'll introduce her to cockles, sprinkled with vinegar and pepper, and we'll walk forever on the sand trying to reach the ocean, watching the tide in the process. I live nowhere near the ocean in Canada, so I cannot wait to experience the smell of Southend-on-Sea. I don't think I'll ever forget that salt breeze smell. Even now my mouth waters at the thought of cockles, drenched in vinegar, with a slight sprinkling of pepper.
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RE: RE: Warm Childhood And Teenage Years
I remember going to Southend with my mum on the green Eastern National buses from Thundersley. We got off at the bus station and crossed the road to go to the shops down the high street. The first shop was the big department store called Dixons, not the Dixons electric shop. We also went to the other department store Keddies, Woolworhs, British Home Stores, David Greigs.
Comment from Carol Powley on Friday, 5th August 2011.
RE: RE: Warm Childhood And Teenage Years
I remember going to Southend with my mum on the green Eastern National buses from Thundersley. We got off at the bus station and crossed the road to go to the shops down the high street. The first shop was the big department store called Dixons, not the Dixons electric shop. We also went to the other department store, Keddies, Woolworhs, British Home Stores, David Greigs and also to have a drink and piece of gateau in the Lyons tearoom. Sometimes we had fish and chips in one of the cafes or a Rossi ice cream. I also remember going to the Garons cinema with Mum and Dad. As a teenager I went to a clothes shop called Plummers and Etam and some others to buy tops and mini skirts and in one a lovely brown suede three quarter length jacket. I went to the ABC, the Odeon and Ritz cinemas to see Elvis and other films. I also saw a concert with the Walker Brothers and the Troggs at the Odeon. I remember going to see the lights along the seafront and going to the Peter Pan funground. The Kursaal, the Golden Hind, and going on the train to the end of the pier and the bowling alley and fruit machines and the gift/souvenir shops where I would spend the half a crown my Uncle Bob gave to me when he visited. I also worked down there as a fifteen/sixteen year old at Surridge Dawsons and Dennis brothers in 1965/1966. They were both wholesale stationers. I was born in 1949 at Rochford hospital, lived in Thundersley and later Rayleigh. I used to go to work from Rayleigh by bus or train, getting off at the Victoria Station. I also remember going to a dance with a couple of lads from Sutton Road way, I think they worked on the buses.
Comment from Carol Powley on Friday, 5th August 2011.
RE: RE: Warm Childhood And Teenage Years
I too remember going to the Odeon to see the Walker Brothers and the Troggs, I also saw Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Rolling Stones and Billy J Kramer there too. The weird thing is, I am listening to the Walker Brothers at the moment and was telling my husband about seeing them and really wanted to find out the year but nothing was coming up. All I can really remember about seeing them is that my friend and I ran down to the front and spent nearly the whole time screaming Scott's name and granted he did look down at us and smile but I was only about 15 at the time and to him obviously a kid. I had dreams of marrying Scott as a teenager (as did millions of us). I was born in Southend and only moved away for 6 months a few years ago. It is so different now to what it used to look like. You mention clothes shops, do you remember Martin Fords in the High Street, that's where we all shopped, at one stage, we all bought a grey skirt and cardigan and a blue denim shirt, which is rather funny as we all complained about wearing a school uniform then out of school all dressed the same!!! I used to go to Eastwood High School for Girls. I was born in 1952 so am not that much younger than yourself. It has been great reading about some of the places that slip your mind over the years.
Comment from Carole Bailey on Saturday, 22nd October 2011.