Streatham memories
Here are memories of Streatham and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Streatham or a Streatham photo.
Streatham - Growing up in The 50's And 60's
Born in 1947, I grew up on Babington Road, Streatham. I remember the Home Guard a few houses up and Robin Hanson and I would play on the search lights left over from the war when we were four or five. There were three bombed houses on our road all at the top near Ambleside Ave where we would play. I went to St Leonard’s primary school. Mr. Sopper was the Headmaster and then Charles Stewart took over. There was one teacher, Mr. Keeling who had a missing thumb and a slipper called “Charlie” that you would get on your backside for doing something really bad. On Ambleside Ave in the 1950’s there were three shops, Mrs. Cornish the greengrocer, Mr. Whittles the grocer and down the dip was the sweet shop with the butchers, iron monger’s and bakers just round the corner. Waitrose came in on Streatham High Road about 1957, the first of the supermarkets and that began the killing-off of all the small family owned shops. There... Read more
Bali-Hi
I remember going drinking at the Bali-Hi night club, made many good friends. Can anyone please tell me if the club was above a dance hall, and is it now an Ice rink. I moved away from Stockwell in 1969 and now live in East Sussex...I do miss the old days, we had such good fun. Cheers Tony Smith
Bali-Hi
Can anyone tell me where the Bali-Hi night club was, I thought it was above a dance hall which is now a Ice Rink in Streatham High Road, I use to enjoy going there in the 1960s, great fun.
Streatham Ice Rink
With my future wife and two friends we often went skating at Streatham. We weren't very good skaters and had no skates of our own. In those days the skating boots that you hired at the Rink were not always in good condition and were "baggy" around the ankles, so that no matter how tightly you tied the laces, your ankles were not well supported. By 9 pm there would be plenty of puddles in the corners of the rink, so much so that if you slipped over (which I often did) you ended up sitting in a puddle! Good days, nonetheless. Ken Cook
Dancing, Ice Skating, Having Fun!!!
Streatham was THE place to be. I lived at Crown Point for many years in my teens, and went ice skating three times a week, I remember the hourly speed sessions there, I got very good and fast. I used to go there with my regular girlfriend Sheila Barnett, Pat Waldock and my pals Dougie Hayes and Steve Snell. Where are they now? The Locarno had all the top groups too. Went twice a week there, many live bands. Saw P J Proby, The Byrds, Dave Dee and the Bostons, Applejacks, Honeycombs, Migil 5, The Yardbirds, The Shadows. It had a revolving stage, I remember. I was drinking in a pub on Streatham High Road when news of President Kennedy's assassination came through. I remember being terrified of an imminent nuclear attack so we all got very drunk! The Rumbling Tum coffee bar near the station was the 'in place' to be seen in our Beatle jackets. Girlfriends then included Penny Kearney, Leslie van Doorne,Paula Sharpe, all distant but fond memories... Read more
St Helen's School, Streatham Common
My sister, Adele, and I went to St Helen's School on the corner of Valley Road opposite Streatham Common. I remember Sheila Tittenshaw and another girl called Eleanor amongst others. I learnt to read there. The headmistress was Miss Tarry. We then went on to Fidelis Convent in Upper Norwood. Marianne nee Pentony
Childhood Memories
I have fond memories of growing up in Leverson St, not far from Mitcham Lane where our local shops were. I went to Eardley Rd School & then on to Dunraven Secondary School. Spent a lot of my teenage yrs at the Locarno, Bowling Alley & Streatham Ice Rink.
One of my favourite places has always been The Rookery on Streatham Common, I spent a lot of time there as a child. Another favourite place was Tooting Bec Common, where myself & my two sisters used to go to the outdoor Swimming Pool.
At the top of Leverson St was a sweet shop called Pitts, everyone growing up there would remember that! There was also a "bomb site" us kids would play on. Of course it has now been built on. It hasn't changed that much, all the old houses are still there, although I haven't visited for about three yrs!
Most of my family lived nearby then. My sister & I would go to visit our Nan &... Read more
School
I went to school at St. Helen's School which was situated on the corner of North Side and Valley Road between 1955 - 1961. I actually lived in NORBURY and have some memories of Norbury when you open up a site for it. I hope you do.
Garage Run by Claude Edwards?
Does anyone recall an automotive garage run by Claude Edwards or possibly just a mechanic by that name circa 1935 - 1965?
Bali Hai Streatham
I used to go to the Bali Hai in the early 1970s. A great club next to the now closed Streatham Ice Rink. You could look down on the skaters from inside the club. Great music played, soul, Motown etc. Looking back, the '70s was a good era for the disco.
Growing up it Streatham
I moved to Streatham from Clapham in 1956. I have an early memory of sitting in a taxi with Mum and my Nan while Dad went into the Estate Agents for the keys! I lived there from the age of 22, when we moved to Northamptonshire, but Mum & Dad were still there until they died in 2006, so I was often back there. I too remember St Helens School at the corner of Valley Road. I lived on the other side of the Common, and remember always wanting to go there, and standing outside with my Mum looking at the Girls coming out in their uniforms! The school was later demolished and was replaced by a block of flats which I think are still there. I went to Emanuel Church Primary School, the old building, which now houses Sainsbury's. I can still remember my first day there, walking past South London Motors, Streatham Modern School, and the Pied Bull (where my Nan was the Cook). There was also the... Read more
1960s Streatham
I lived in Norbury but went to Guides in St Andrew's Primary School in Streatham on Monday evenings. When I was younger we were taken to the pond to paddle on sunny Sunday afternoons. We went to see 'The Teahouse of the August Moon' performed in the open air in The Rookery. A department store in Streatham was where I was taken to be measured for my first bra as the lingerie dept had curtained fitting rooms. Dancing at the Locarno was great fun.
Growing up in Streatham
I grew up in Streatham and lived in Blegborough Road off of Mitcham Lane. I attended Granton Road Primary School in Streatham Vale and later Ensham County Secondary School for Girls in Tooting. I met my late husband when I was 15 and he was 19 and he worked in the garage at the end of Blegborough Road, Smith and Maslin. I remember Sainsburys in Mitcham Lane with the old marble topped counters where they used to pat out the butter and The Thrale public house frequented when I was old enough. I attended ballet lessons and tap dancing lessons at a local dancing school run by Mrs Zipeure whose husband was Canadian. I moved to Sutton when I got married and later to Old Coulsdon, where we lived for over 29 years until my husband retired when we moved to Worthing.
I have fond memories of Streatham Ice Rink, my second home! The Rumbling Tum cafe, the Rookery - Happy Days.
Streatham Astoria Cinema on Sunday Afternoon
I remember going to the Astoria cinema in Streatham High Road mainly to flirt with the boys in the back row upstairs. One such lad was someone called Wizz. He lived near Eardley Road at Streatham Vale. He was gorgeous, a Tyrone Power look alike. Anyone know what happened to him? We used to go for walks at Tooting Bec, near the athletic sports ground, I carved his name on my machine at work at Kempats, in Western Road Mitcham. He wore a long white scarf which sounds a bit naff now but it gave him a gypsyish kind of look. He was so romantic. I loved to swim at Streatham baths, but it had a very slippery floor! Also a place to go was Abercairne rec, and my friend Joy and I used to sing our hearts out and I used to harmonise, we always landed up in hysterics. I always loved jazz even at 14 and I went to a party near there one night, and someone played... Read more
'The Hobo Manifesto'
You can take the boy out of south London, but you can't take south London out of the boy. The songs on this album, 'The Hobo Manifesto', were inspired by growing up in London and the music that influenced me as a singer/songwriter. The opening line to the opening track, 'Graduation Day', on 'The Hobo Manifesto' refers to 1984, the year of the Miners' Strike and the pits closing down. It was the birth of a new generation having to make new career choices. As a musician, 1984 was the best year of my musical career. I was the bass player in 'The Balham Alligators', a band that played a mix of Cajun, Rock and Country music with a punk rock attitude. The gigs never ended. That year we playd the Tondor Folk and Blues Festival in Denmark and were the backing group for folk legend Odetta and many other top folk performers in a tribute concert to the music of Woody Guthrie. For me, as a bass player, it felt like... Read more
Streatham Hill Theatre
In 1973 I became the general manager of Streatham Hill Theatre, managing the Mecca Social/Bingo club. It was the flagship club of the company and was every manager's dream to run it. Previous managers were Robin Pritchard, Harvey Pritchard and Pat Button but the most popular was Don Fox. He would always sing to the customers and they loved him! The theatre had been thoroughly "Meccanised" for bingo but it could still be adapted back to a 2,000-seater for a theatre production if need be as all the backstage equipment was retained and in working order. I put that to use on many occasion when we staged mini-shows between sessions for the delight (I think) of our patrons. We would have special promotion days and themes and the staff would dress up and entertain everyone. The most popular caller, without doubt, was Dallas Cavell, who also appeared in daytime soap operas on television. He had this wonderful deep baritone voice which was perfect for a bingo caller. I still have photographs of... Read more
Dunraven School
I am looking for memories of Dunraven School over the years both as a school and training college. Please let me know if you have any you wish to share.
Streatham Common The Grove Area
I used to be taken by my mother to the White House for a picnic tea with my sister. Although we had a huge garden ourselves, we loved going there. Sadly a young woman was murdered there in the 1950s ( I think) by her boyfriend. However, the girl's mother forgave the young man as she felt her daughter had behaved badly. There were always lovely walks around here.
Growing up in Streatham
I was born in April 1938 at l Eardley Road off Mitcham Lane with the London to Brighton Railway running along the far end of our garden. Opposite was Aldrington Road which then housed St Albans Church which I attended every Sunday. I loved Streatham and every day I walked along Aldrington Road to catch the 49 bus to my primary school, St Anselm's, at Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, and then later we walked every day there and back across Tooting Bec Common to my secondary school, La Retraite in Atkins Road, Clapham Park. I remember the Athletics Track on the Common and the large houses in Aldrington Road. As I grew older and was allowed out alone and with friends the 95 and 57 buses became very familiar and we would either take one of those up to Streatham High Road and thence the 159 to London or we would go the other way and get off at Tooting Broadway to catch the underground. Our garden had a slope... Read more
Bingo
I grew up on Fern Lodge estate in Streathams Leigham Court Road. Every Thursday my mum and a few of her mates from the estate, Auntie Josie and Auntie Ivy, would put on thir lipstick and put a scarf on their heads and go and get the 137 bus to Streatham Hill and go to Bingo. My mum did this for about 27 years and only ever won twice. My mum and Auntie Josie used to work in the fish and chip shop down by the side of Streatham Hill railway station and I used to go to work with her sometimes. I used to help old Bill cut the chips through an old machine and watch them fall into an old bath tub. J Sainsbury's was on the corner and sometimes we would get the shopping on our way home. It had marble counters and you stood in line to be served.
If my mum had the money we would go to Saturday morning pictures, it was always so... Read more
The End of The Second World War
Newly born in October 1939, and with the Second World War just starting, I was quickly evacuated to a village called Harpley in Norfolk. My dad, who was in a reserved occupation, remained in London, but for whatever reasons, wanted us home towards the end of the war, during the Doodlebug campaign. My first memories of Streatham are from about four years old towards the end of 1944. Our house was in Baldry Gardens near the high road end. I remember that it was covered in scaffolding, and I had to sleep down in the coal cellar on a deck chair for safety. There were not many bombing raids at this time, as Germany was too busy defending its home territory, but there were quite a few false alarms when sirens sounded but nothing happened. Most of the V1s were landing short of London, some of which landed in Streatham. One landed on Streatham Common, which was only a few hundred yards away from us. The whole house shook, and... Read more
Streatham1953
I lived on Wellfield Road until I emigrated to Canada in May of 1953. After looking at this site it brings back a lot of memories. I attended Sunnyhill Road School then Dunraven High. I was only back for a visit once in 1984. Walking down Wellfield Road the same pot holes and broken side walks were there. I would love to make a trip back but who can afford the cost of visiting England now.
The photo ref S220075 was taken outside the police station looking towards the library. The apartments with the rounded rooms in the centre of the picture were occuped by a friend of mine - wish I could think of his name. Spent a lot of time looking out of those windows watching the world go by.
J Edwards, Toronto, Canada.
Cadets ; The Dolphin Club.
I was one of the young fellows in the early 'fifties that used to ruin the peace in and about Streatham as a drummer with the 5th County of London( RA) cadet band. It was a rather splendid band , and we were based up around the top end of Streatham hill, where A Coy was situated. I was with B Coy at Upper Tulse Hill.
The Dolphin Club was on the left of the High Road just before the railway bridge . We had some good times there .The Billy Woods band played there , also Mickey Williams who later joined Jeff Rowena at the Locarno . I recall that one went down to the basement area to get to the cub. It later became the what ever the french for "Mad Owls" is (" Fou......something or other" !). Somewhere I still have a photo of Mick playing on stage there.
Growing up in Streatham.
Spent my childhood in Valleyfield Road. Streatham. attended St. Helen's school for Girls. Streatham Common North side. (mind you there were a few lads there as well!) Spent hours playing on the Common, walking through the Rookery, down to The White House and back through the common, in those days, it was considered SAFE. A group of us would do this, spend hours on the Common. Happy memories of my childhood, then we moved to Belltrees Grove, before the Comprehensive school was built, it was farm land. Can remember Russell Footpath down to the Ice Skating rink, still have my skates. Swimming Pool. Theatre, yes Streatham was a lovely place to spend one's time in.. have been back, even though I am now in NZ. Used to love having morning tea at Pratts, a group of us would go every Saturday morning, and sit and eat tea and cakes. even in Fullers.. Zetas? The library was a magnificent building. behind our land at Belltrees we had St. Michael's Convent, that... Read more
Memories of Greater London
West Norwood
One of my memories was 1966 when we won the World Cup and my dad sent me to the local greengrocer to tell them we'd won. I also remember walking every day to my school, St Luke's, Linton Grove, West Norwood from Dunbar Place and the wonderful war-time play we put on for the school, and going to assemble at St Luke's Church. Wonderful childhood memories.
School Days
I remember my first day at Crown Lane Primary School, Crown Point, West Norwood. My mum walked me to school and we all went in with the other children, most of whom I knew from our estate. My mum gave me threepence for my dinner money and a biscuit in a brown paper bag for our milk break. I remember her telling me to be good and that she would see me later. At about 11 o'clock the milk monitor brought us in little bottles of milk with straws in, it was lukewarm, but I thought it was great. My mum never had to walk me to school again as all the children from my estate (Fernlodge) walked together and it was safe to let your five-year-olds do that then. Our headmaster was Mr Osbourne and we loved him. My favorite teacher was Miss Kerner, I thought she was so pretty. They were happy days for me.
West Norwood
I spent my childhood in West Norwood. We lived next to the Cemetary Wall in Hubbard Road. We often drive there for "a trip down memory lane". It looks like a little toy town now and so built up. Kingswood School was a smashing school in those days. The curriculum was fantastic - so many opportunities and the teachers were brilliant. I had a wonderful school experience there. We even had the "maypole and may queen" festivities. Norwood Park was a fantastic place to go. The outdoor paddling pool and Sunbeam Club held on the makeshift "theatre" in the park where there also used to be magic shows etc in the open air - such fun days.
Norwood Road
I lived above David Greigs on Norwood Road (Later became Abbey National). I went to school at Elmwood Infant and Junior School in Carnac Street. I used to get the bus to school, I think it was a 2b, which went down by the cemetary, we then got off the bus and walked the rest of the way to school. On my return from school I would get off the bus and go to MacFisheries where the staff would cross me over the main road!
The Green Dolphin Cafe
My grandfather bought Smiths Car Showroom after the war when it was the Green Dolphin Cafe. I can remember going to the cafe in the 1950s when I was small. I think it is now a windows showroom.
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