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Wembley Park
Wembley Park photos
Displaying the first of 5 old photos of Wembley Park. View all Wembley Park photos
Wembley Park maps
Historic maps of Wembley Park and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Wembley Park maps
Wembley Park area books
Displaying 1 of 13 books about Wembley Park and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Wembley Park
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Wembley Park.
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or of a photo of Wembley Park.
Barn Hill Pond
I used to ride my bike round this pond: there was a steep 45 degree drop path in the SW corner of the "bowl" which was the highlight of the fun as a kid. Very evocative photo.
The Dew Pond
I used to play around this pond, ride my bike through the edges, and later on caught fish here. Many of those were aquarium species that had been released into the pond. We used to catch goldfish often, and I once placed a crayfish into this pond that I'd brought home from a fishing trip.
Our bikes were far from mountain bikes but we hurtled down the other side of this hill on various tracks through the tussocky grass. On another occasion, at the request of the owner, we chased an out of control model airplane for miles down the hill and across a main road into some farm fields before it crashed to earth.
Greater London memories
The Leeds And Sunderland Cup Final
I watched so many cup finals on black and white television when I was a boy never dreaming of the day that I might actually be there. But it happened in 1973! Would you believe my neighbour was a long retired football referee and received two tickets for every cup final! I don't think he had refereed since the 1940's and yet he continued to get his tickets - small wonder that real football fans struggled to be there on the big day. Anyway he made my dream come true and sold me his tickets for an unbelievable face value price of just four pounds each so my wife Elizabeth and I were able to see the Cup Final. The touts were out in Olympic Way offering big money to buy tickets and Elizabeth thought this would be a good idea to finance a shopping expedition in the West End. No way! I told her that the Cup Final was a magic occasion, part of her education and an event... Read more
1948 Olympic Games
My father represented Great Britain in the 1948 Olympic Games. He (Thomas Patrick Holt) and his brother John and two sisters were on the swimming team. Unfortunately, Thomas came fourth in his event, as he was struck down with a tummy bug, prior to his swim, as he had over-indulged in the lavish food supplied for the competitors, and as it was just after the war, dear old Dad could not resist the temptation of food he had not eaten for the duration of the war (WW11).
None the less, I am very proud of his achievements as he trained without the assistance of a coach, dietician or any financial backing. Today's Olympians have every facility available to them to achieve success. My Dad inspired myself and all of my siblings to swim, and to try your best at everything we attempt. I live in Australia and plan to visit the site of the Empire Pool in August 2008.
Olympic Games & After
My father, who worked for Philips Electrical (Mullard Amplifier Division) was the Sound Engineer at both the Wembley Stadium and Pool during the entire Olympic Games of 1948. He had to work very long hours not only during the events but also during the daily rehearsals of ceremonies. I went to one of the last events, with my grandparents, which was equestrian. After the Games finished, my father continued as the Sound Engineer and my Sister, (and sometimes my cousin) and I went to all the ice shows at the pool. We also went to see the Harlem Globetrotters every year when they came to the UK. They were good times. I went to watch Speedway at the Stadium but my view of this event involved climbing a very high ladder to one of the spotlight cabins, way above the stands. Quite a frightening experience for a small boy! I have very many happy memories of those times, I still have programmes from the 'Games' and some Rugby matches and... Read more
Ice Hockey And Olympic Swimming
During WW2 I went to this venue to watch ice hockey. The teams playing were mainly, if not entirely, teams of Canadian servicemen from various UK stations. The team whose name I remember the best was from Down Ampney, an airfield a few miles north of Cricklade. I suppose it was the unusual name that has stuck in my mind all these years.
Later, in 1948, the Olympic Games was held in the UK. I managed to get tickets for two events, one of which was for swimming in the Empire Pool. It is so long ago that I cannot remember the event.
Saturday Lunch
I was born in 1962 in Greenford, Middlesex and I remember walking down Wembley High Road every Saturday and having lunch in a cafe at the triangle. I remember it being owned by an Italian family. We always used to have pink ice cream for pudding.
