Wars Years And Afterwards

A Memory of Walthamstow.

I was born in Thorpe Coombe Hospital in 1941 and grew up in Erskine Road Walthamstow which led on to Walthamstow Market. My brother Barry and I would be given a threepenny bit piece by our granddad who lived with our nan five doors away. We would spend it in 'Tony's' Ice-cream Parlour which was near the Chequers Pub. There was a lot of bomb-damaged buildings, and I can remember a building on the left hand side, not far from where Fish Bros Jewellers is now, which I think was Marsh Street Youth Centre. Going up the market towards Hoe Street, I remember the Palace Theatre where for 6d (six old pennies) we could watch Pantomimes sitting in the Gods. There was also the Carlton Cinema on the right hand side where the Mall is now and of course in Hoe Street itself, the old Granada and eagle eyed Ernie (also known as Mr Granada because he had been there so long), woebetide any kids who tried to bunk in - they were swifly ejected. I also recall that there was a Church at the top of the High street but I cannot remember its name. I am at present writing my childhood memories down mainly for my grandson, and if anyone knows the name of the Church I would be obliged if they could let me know. There was the old Swimming baths on the corner, where we used to go with the school. I never did learn to swim properly as my first experience of that pool was when some silly idiot larking about, pulled me under and that was it for me. I was terrified of the water for evermore and although I did learn to swim a little when I was older, I never really took to it. I also remember the 'Rec' at the top of the high street which was reached by going down the road by the side of the swimming pool. On the right hand side was all the swings and on the other was a lovely park full of flowers. My friends and I used to sit and watch the people play a kind of draughts game on the ground moving the pieces with a large hook on the end of a pole. I am writing all these down in my book but if anyone has any other memories of that time from about 1941 to 1949 then I would be happy to hear about them.