Topham Square

A Memory of Tottenham.

In the 1950's, I forget, but I lived in Risley Avenue. I remember climbing every tree there, and people shouting that the radio license van was coming up the road. Of course everyone pulled their curtains and turned off the radios. Still the same even now with TV licenses. Anyone from Topham Square??? It was just around the corner from our house and all my friends were living in this area. My best friends were Danny Bullen, Peter Jackman, Stanley Spaulding and others. I wonder what happened to them??? Danny Bullen went to catholic school, always in trouble, had asthma, taught me how to bunk into picture houses, one called the Florida, the Rex and a couple of others. Guy Fawks night, we just went on a wood scourge, no fences left in the neighbourhood, ho ho ho. We walked everywhere, to Ally Pally, Turnpike Lane, the second park they had lots of pear and apple trees. We were a great bunch of friends, every day we were up to something, Tottenham Lido?? we knew how to get in free. But walking, oh yes, from the Forest to Edmonton, so how come I now have blocked arteries??? Too much dripping? bacon? fried bread as a kid??? Well does anyone know these friends of mine? Remember the best fish shop ever in Tottenham??? Remember those cobblers with mouthfuls of nails, banging, banging all day long???
Fred Wright.