I Remember Southall

A Memory of Southall.

I moved to Southall when I was 5 with my family, went to live at Cornwall Avenue and then went to Lady Margaret School, left there when I was 11 went to Dormers Wells, at 12 we moved to Trinity Road, I still went to Dormers Wells but my brothers went to Featherstone Road then to Weston Road.
I started dancing at the hall that was over Woolworth's in Southall High Street at 13 till I was 21, I was in pantomimes and other shows. I remember the Bristoll Cafe where all the kids met every Wednesday and Saturday, and the Palace pictures and also I used to take my brothers to Saturday morning pictures when I was 12 and 13 at the Odeon, I also went ballroom dancing at the Derminon.
My first job at 14 was at John Quality grocery stores in the High Street then I went to Tickleys Jam in the office then to Nestle's in Hayes in the office. Married in 1954, had two children and emigrated in 1961, had another daughter out here. I now live in Queensland in Australia, I have only been back to Southall once in 1988 and was upset to see how much it had changed since my day. I am now 78 so do not think I will be going back again.
Josie Cook, nee Reavell