Nostalgic memories of Balham's local history
Share your own memories of Balham and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 21 - 30 of 42 in total
Lived in Badminton Road as a child and teenager. There was a garage just out of view on the right. Used to walk up here to the tube and buses at Clapham South, there was a bus down Nightingale Lane, the 189, which was quite infrequent (in London terms). I also went to St. Marys Balham from 1962 to 1968, and remember Mr Scott, also the deputy head Miss Ellis. Also the Wych(spelling?) Elm tree in the ...see more
I lived in Balham from 1947 to 1967, and recall two ballrooms. The first being directly opposite Balham underground station, above the ABC café on the corner of Chestnut Grove. It was owned by a guy called Sydney Francis and titled as such. The other dance hall was located along Balham high road, (opposite Du Cane Court and Balham park road) called the "Arranmore" Frequented by the local Irish community. I hope this helps! Philip Spencer.
I lived in these flats from 1955 until 1967, went to Alderbroook school from 1956 till 1961,Mr fuller was my teacher in my final year,went back to his house once to see the boat he had built, his mum was there looked just like him without the mouse tach or motorbike left Balham in 1967 good memories
I lived in Balham on Carminia Road from 1940 to 1948 and then moved to Slough. I remember the V1 and V2 attacks towards the end of the war and the gas masks us kids carried around with us all the time.
On Bedford Hill I remember the motorcycle shop, the ironmongers and the Covered-in Market which I always thought was the " Cumberdin" Market. I attended Balham Grammer on the High Street.
GDF, Canada
My mother June grew up in Balham & she lived above her parents shop Bedford Hill stores. It was on Bedford Hill and backed onto Hildreth Street market. Her father was David Glicksman. I would love to locate any photos of the store or any memories.
Balham 1947-1964
I was born in Lynn Road 1947, we lived in a maisonette that was what was called derequisioned. I went to Alderbrook school then Garrett Green. Lived there with my mum Gladys dad Norman brother John and sister Jennifer. Our Dad died in 1955 .I used go to Bonniville guides and ballroom dance lessons on Saturday morning in Balham High Road My name was Pat king now Pat Holland.
I lived in Balham during the Blitz and Mum and my brother Ralph lived in Westlands Tce, which was bombed around 1944, maybe earlier. My dad was serving in the Navy.
My brother was in a boarding school in the country as he was asthmatic, but Mum and I were in the home. I was driven to a local Rest Centre and Mum followed. When my mum was recovered from her injuries, we returned to Balham to live in Endlesham Road ...see more
My Mum, Dad and I moved to the new council houses in Boundaries Road (built on a bombsite) in 1957 when I was 1 year old, so obviously my first memories are of Balham. Dad went to work and Mum and I went shopping every day. These are some of the shops I remember; there was Alfie the greengrocer just by the railway bridge at the bottom of Boundaries Road, Queenie who used to run the tobacconists at the bottom of Boundaries ...see more
Hi does anyone remember the Balham Court Ballroom I use to go there a lot with my friends back in the 50s P.s The ballroom was over top of shops
I was born in Louisville Road in 1944 . My father ,Jack, was General Manager of British Films Ltd in Balham High Road. We moved out of London shortly after I was born, but my father continued to run B Films well into the 1950's. Does anyone recall the company which produced mobile Cinema vans mainly? One of the people who worked for my father at B Films was the grandfather of Tamara Mellon (of Jimmy Choo's).