Growing Up In Tottenham In The 1960's

A Memory of Tottenham.

Although I was born in the Mothers Hospital in Hackney in 1957, we lived in Tottenham at Tenterden Road (N17) until about 1970, then at Ida Road (N15) on the then new Avenue Road estate for a couple of years until moving to Wilmot Road (N17) near Downhills Park. I went to Lancasterian School and then on to Tottenham School. My memories of Tottenham include the fact that despite living about 5 minutes from the Spurs ground I grew up supporting Arsenal as an uncle took me to see them first. Growing up in Tottenham in the 1960's and supporting Arsenal wasn't a great combination and I remember my mum trying to buy me an Arsenal shirt at Elseys in the High Road and more or less being told by the shop assistant to "p*** off up to Highbury to get one". I know it's an old cliche now to say it was a different world then but it was. I remember spending many playing football over Bruce Castle Park with the famous old oak tree and watching cricket matches in the summer with over 20 a side teams of West Indian blokes who would play on until it was too dark to see the ball. We would play runouts and war games in the old empty terrace housing around Whitehall Street and Love Lane in the late 60's and continue when the new maisonettes were being built. I was a member of the 3rd Tottenham Boys Brigade and the Army Cadets (225 Tottenham) in the new huts built behind the old Drill Hall in the High Road. Saturday morning pictures at the Florida (the fleapit), the Palace or at the Regal at Edmonton. I remember being envious of mates who lived in flats in Millicent Fawcett Court or the pre-fabs in Ashford Road because they had bathrooms and an indoor toilet which our little terrace house in Tenterden Road lacked. We looked after cars on a Saturday when Spurs were at home. Sadly ther isn't much of the Tottenham of my childhood left now - the shops at Bruce Grove including the old North London Store and Burgesses the department store and the houses (and streets) where I lived have all dissappeared.


Added 29 December 2015

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Comments & Feedback

I was born in the Mothers home hospital as well, in 1955 I alsolived in Tottenham. Grove road N15 off of st Annes Road, I used to go to the Tottenham Royal. I went to Seven Sisters Junior school and Downhills Sec. Mod. in Phillip Lane. In approx.1967 Which later on unfortunately joined with Belmont School.
I lived in Ida road, in the 70s ,late 70s we moved to vale road, I went to Stamford hill primary school but then transferred to st Mary's convent on hermitage road! My secondary school was holy family convent in Enfield,and then st Angela convent in palmers green
My mum was born in King Street and then moved to Love Lane. She used to work at Lebus Furniture factory which she loved. Due to bomb damage my grandparents moved from Love Lane to Northumberland Park. My great grandparents used to live in Tenterden Road. My grandad worked as a Groundsman at Spurs and used to take my brother to every home game. My mum and I used to meet them at half time in the stands. My grandad also had an allotment in Creighton Road where he used to grow wonderful vegetables and fruit. So many happy memories of visiting my grandparents in the late 60s and 70s.
Lesvial. I remember all what your saying. Was born in 1955 in Prince of Wales hospital. We lived in st loys road n17 . the royal which I use to go to a a teenager at near 17 hrs old. I was a late father lol! Went to Bruce Grove infants juniors what a school. Horrible...the secondary was Risley avenue for girls that horrible to sooo flight , all girls that's why. I was so happy when school went comprehensive ,I then went to Tottenham school in Selby road..N17.. so I know all the roads your saying abt. It was better times then. No doubt about it. No drugs...I left school 1970...my brother's used to go in the British queen pub love lane. Did u go there? I never went thee just one as I'm two years older than my brother s. One of them born in ,57. You mite know them Bev .

I know the allotments. I !ived in oak avenue. My mum still live there . Born in 1955 prince Wales hosp. Went to Bruce Grove school and Tottenham school til 1970.when I got dragged out to work by my mum ! In them days u did what u to!d . Good days realy were.iwish I cud go back to them times..simpler, easier people wasn't greedy like now , they want too much. , no crime like now,or drugs
I know the allotments. I !ived in oak avenue. My mum still live there . Born in 1955 prince Wales hosp. Went to Bruce Grove school and Tottenham school til 1970.when I got dragged out to work by my mum ! In them days u did what u to!d . Good days realy were.iwish I cud go back to them times..simpler, easier people wasn't greedy like now , they want too much. , no crime like now,or drugs

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