Lessingham Avenue
I am so please to have found this site. I was brought up in Lessingham Avenue (off Franciscan Road) but moved to Chasefield Road when i was about 11. I remember going to Saturday morning pictures at the Mayfair and singing the Minors ABC song!!! I can even go back so far as buying all the latest clothes in Martin Ford and then Sybil Richards. I remember Pecry's at the bottom of Franciscan Road where Mum used to be able to put bits by and pay off for them. I just cannot remember what used to be where M&S was built. Have wracked my brain (but it's getting a little old now). If anybody remembers please let me know. I can remember going to the Granada as a cinema and the organ coming up out of the pit and then I can remember seeing Paul and Barry Ryan there. Can't remember who else was there but it was supposed to the The Small Faces and they didn't turn up. I went to Franciscan infants and junior schools and then to Ensham. I left Ensham in 1968 and remember Mrs Burchett, Miss Jaimson, Miss Campbell (who got married, but I can't remember her new name). OMG I could go on for hours and hours but will stop now. Love all these memories xx
Memories Links
Other memories of The Broadway 1951
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How has this scene changed?
Do you know who lived or worked here?
Why is this photo significant to you?
Particular points of interest - transport, architecture, fashions etc.
Comments
6 comments have been shared so far in response to the memory "Lessingham Avenue".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: Lessingham Avenue
Hello, I also went to Ensham school, left 1963. Where M&S is there was a lovely building called The Central Hall. Our school used it and I remember Harry Secombe came there on a visit and sang for us there. I remember you looked down to the stage, a memory that stayed with me. Behind it was a bombed site where us kids once played. With my first wages I got a pleated skirt for 19/11 shillings from Martin Fords. I worked at Smith Bro's on the corner of Franciscan Road where I was trained in making soft furnishings by a elderly lady who I think had been there from young and when I look back she was lovely and trained me well. I lived in Letchworth Street till about 1961 or 1962 then moved to a house with " A BATH", it had been a tin bath for us next to a coal fire up till then or down to the Broadway baths with my sister Eileen where you had to shout out "more hot water "and a lady turned a tap from the other side. Lots of memories I only have now of my lovely family from Tooting.
Comment from Sheila Bedford on Wednesday, 5th October 2011.
RE: RE: Lessingham Avenue
I came from Tooting, I was born in the Wier Hospital and lived on Franciscan Road, also Derinton Road, till 1979. I remember Central Hall at Tooting Broadway, I would love to see a pic of the old hall. My brother still lives on Lessingham Avenue.
Comment from Janet Ashford on Tuesday, 13th December 2011.
RE: RE: Lessingham Avenue
I lived in Lessingham Avenue and Derinton Road. I remember seeing Jimmy Hendrix, Cat Stevens and the Walker Brothers at the Granada. I went to Ensham School and left in1968. I remember going to Central Hall for our school concerts. Loved Martin Ford and Sybil Richards. Tooting was a great place to live back then. Great memories.
Comment from Mary Wilson on Tuesday, 17th January 2012.
RE: RE: Lessingham Avenue
I was born and bred in Tooting, Lucien Road, and had a few mates from Lessingham Avenue. I went to Franciscan infants and primary school with my younger brother Paul and on to Ensham, started there 1967. Tooting was a great place back in the day with Chelsea Girl and Martin Fords, Ravel shoe shop and the market was ok then too. I used to bunk in the ABC or the Mayfair cinema as it was sometimes known. There was also a cinema at the bottom of Church Lane called the Astora and the Classic, known as the flea pit. Saturday morning pictures at the Granada or the ABC was a haunt for the Tooting kids and it only cost a shilling (5p) and of course the Lido, I have fond memories of that place in the summer and sneaking through the fencing for a night swim. The old Co-op hall used to do discos and the back of the Castle pub was a good one. Always a punch up in the middle of the road with the old Angel pub regulars on the site where Ravels used to be and now Icelands. Tooting has definately changed!
Comment from Patsy Oldfiled Nee Simmons on Wednesday, 18th January 2012.
RE: RE: Lessingham Avenue
I too was bought up in Derinton Road. I lived there from around 1974 to around 1989/1990.
I went to Hillbrook School and then to Ensham.
I used to help out at the stables that was situated down the alleyway next to Superdrug.
I have a lot of good memories of Tooting however, last time I was there it had changed beyond all recognition.
The Lido I remember as being packed in the summers of the late 70's as well as both the markets in Tooting always being busy and the atmosphere was great, especially around Christmas.
Does anyone remember the lady who everyone called Nutty Jean?
And Michaels, the name of the man and what we called the corner shop on Lessingham Avenue. He used to have an Alsation called Prince and the family were lovely.
He used to sell 5p mix ups!!
Comment from Michaela Kelly on Tuesday, 24th January 2012.
RE: RE: Lessingham Avenue
Hello girls I remember Janet Ashford, Mary Wilson (Mary, I remember when you had your lovely long hair cut off. Can remember your sister Julie and you had a brother too. Think you lived at the end of Lessingham Avenue for a while) .Went to school with you too - I was Linda Strapp then! I remember you being good friends with Isabella Betlejewsky (see I can still spell it). Janet, I remember you for a completely different reason, when we were at school I think it was you who was always in trouble (lol). Bet things have changed now though. Michaela, I don't remember you but we seem to remember the same things. The corner shop on the corner of Lessingham and Franciscan Road used to be called 'Grannies' and was owned by a little grey haired old lady who was absolutely lovely. when she died it must have been the family you were talking about that took over. I remember nutty Jean too-i was terrified of her!! If i remember any more I will post it on here. It's great to talk about the good old days (God, I can remember my mum saying that). xxx
Comment from Linda Silver on Tuesday, 24th January 2012.