Many Happy Times

A Memory of Hornsey.

I came into this world in 1952 at the Alexandra Nursing Home in Muswell Hill. I lived in St Mary's Road off the High Street until 1960 when we moved to Hawthorn Road where I lived until 1974. My dad (Pete McCafferty) used to drink in The Hornsey Tavern. Mum (Vi) worked at The Hornsey Journal until I was born. I went to Rokesly Infants and Junior Schools and then to Clemence Cave. I remember playing in the street, on bomb sites and in Priory Park. I spent a lot of time at the open air swimming pool in Park Road during the summer holidays. I remember the 217 buses the smell of David Griegs in the High Street- all ham and cheese! And Jones the fish shop, Comans the sweet shop by the bus stop, Caldows the hardware shop, Ellis's who sold furniture and cars.......I could go on!!! Does anyone remember a large house in Tottenham Lane next to the Salvation Army building? I seem to remember it was white and had large clam shells on either side of its front door that had plants in them. We had relatives living in Northview Road, Campsbourne Road and The Grove in Crouch End so were able to walk to see them. No car in those days. I have lots of happy memories of my childhood in Hornsey. It was a lovely place.