Coney Hall 1950/60s
This picture brings back many memories. I was born in 1953 and lived in Coney Hall until 1972, attending school at Wickham Common and then Hawes Down Secondary.
The view from where this picture was taken is not dramatically different today. The parade of shops that can be seen on the right included the newsagent and confectioners, Butts ( for whom I did a paper round for 2 years) and a pet supply store (Pearson's??). The Coney public house ( a place of exotic mystery when I was growing up) is just out of view. On the far left can be seen the rather stylish garage and petrol station. I remember using this facility to put a pounds worth of petrol into my first car, a Hillman Imp. The last time I was in Coney Hall this was a DIY store.
Out of view on the left is another parade of shops, one of which was the Harry Minting music store from which I bought my first ever record, and , my first guitar.I also attended guitar lessons conducted by Harry (ably supplemented by Bert Weedon's Play-in-a Day instruction book). This would have been around 1964 when nearly every kid wanted a guitar in a quest to emulate the beat-boom stars of the day.
To the left of the garage from this view was another parade of shops. Amongst these was Maison Frederick, the local barber and ladies salon, where I was subjected to some hideous examples of the craft of hair-dressing ( I still have the photos to prove it). However, the indignity of being given a hair style that made me look like a convict ( or lunatic) could always be made up for by being treated to a new Dinky Toy from the Wool Shop alongside!
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RE: RE: Coney Hall 1950/60s
I also went to Wickham Common Primary School, the one in Coney Hall and then the one in Gates Green Road. I bought my first record in the same record shop, it was by Vince Hill but I cannot remember what it was called!! I remember all the places you have mentioned. I remember Glebe Way before it was made up!!
Comment from Denise Hyde on Wednesday, 22nd February 2012.
RE: RE: Coney Hall 1950/60s
I went to the annex on Croydon Rd then Wickham Common Primary School and from there went to Hayes School. My parents owned a greengrocers right next to the garage in this photo. At the time this was taken it may have been called HL McDowells, but it changed to F Power fruiterer and florist when my parents took over from my godfather. The garage was sold to Marley Home Care I think, in the 70's. Maison Frederick was on the other side of us. I have been told that above the garage was a dancehall at some point. The shop and above where I was raised was at one point a salvation army building.
Comment from Lyn Gottstein on Friday, 25th May 2012.