West Hendon memories
Here are memories of West Hendon and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of West Hendon or a West Hendon photo.
My Old Bike
Hi, just been looking at the photos of West Hendon Broadway. I was amazed, during my last school years I worked for a greengrocer on the Broadway, Tim Smith, his shop is just out of the picture, left hand side where you can see the wing of a car, what caught my eye was the old 'trade bike' which I am sure was the same one that I used to ride. He used to load the bike up so much that I couldn't ride it, I had to push it, going up Park Road was a real feat of strengh. I even had to deliver his own veggie order to Audley Road (at least his wife used to give me a tip, probably felt sorry for me) I used to get ten shillings for after school on Friday and all day Saturday. I started in the winter and the first job that he gave me was to take me to the yard at the back of the shop where... Read more
St John's School
This was the year I took my 11+ exam. There was such deep snow that winter that it was very difficult to walk to school. Luckily I lived in Milton Road where St John's was then situated. On arriving at school we were all so cold that we had to warm ourselves in front of the stove in the corner of the classroom before we felt able to take our exam.
St Johns CofE girls' school was tiny, only 2 classrooms. Father Chester from St John's Church would often visit the school and take morning prayers. Other times we would all walk up Park Road to the church for a service. On the way we had to walk over the railway bridge and I well remember how terrified one of the pupils was when a train passed underneath with all the steam billowing around us.
Another memory is of our teacher Miss Henderson bringing in primroses and violets each spring that she'd been sent by her sister... Read more
Bombing of West Hendon
I remember when three streets were demolished by a huge mysterious bomb just after eight in the evening. At the time my mother was out on fire patrol and I was fast asleep in bed whilst my three brothers and sister were downstairs listening to the wireless. The tremendous blast rocked our house in Milton Road causing severe damage to our ceilings but luckily not much else. I was carried, fireman style, down the stairs by my brother and can still picture all the plaster littering the lino. We all went into our next door neighbour's home as no real damage had occurred there. What a relief for my mother when she came home to find that we were all safe.
Memories of Greater London
Watford Way
That's where we lived - above the shops in Queens Mansions!
I am sitting here bawling my eyes out from nostalgia!! Downstairs there was an optician and just a bit down the hill there was a hairdresser's shop where gorgeous David worked....
On the left side, there was Woolworths and later on one of the first Wimpy Bars...
Jean Philip (Kushner)
Gaumont Cinema
Saturday morning pics - mostly with Suzanne!
Used to walk up and down Watford Way with Helene, our hair in bunches, bright pink lipstick, carrying paraffin cans (have no idea why!!).
Jean Philip (Kushner)
Vivian Avenue...
Suzanne and I used to play truant from Sunday School... This is the exact spot where we got caught by my mother (What are YOU doing here??!)...
There was Goldstein's deli, where we used to buy the most delcious sweet & sour cucumber straight from the barrel, wrap it in paper and eat it in the street.
On Sunday's my dad used to get smoked salmon; went up the street a bit to buy fresh bagels at Ben Jacob's.... mmmmmmm
(nee Kushner)
The Greyhound Pub
this is the Greyhound pub next to st Marys Church. Both my Grandfather's downed many a pint here, my Dad learned how to drink here too. My Mum lived at 53 Sunny Gardens road behind the church and had to go and collect her father on a Sunday for dinner. One of my ancestors "Charles Bocking Rogers" is buried in the church graveyard under the tree. In my family research I've been here twice now and each time had a pint of Bombadier and raised a glass to my ancestors.
all the best
Pete Rogers
Martins Stores, 51 Watford Way
I worked as a delivery boy at Martins stores between 1965 and 1967. I had a large delivery bike with a basket on the front and delivered all around the Hendon area, often getting soaked through in the winter. The store moved to Vivian Ave in the 1970s. I can recall the Watford Way when it was not a dual carriage-way and you risked life and limb trundling the bike across 6 lanes of traffic.
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