Silver Lounge

A Memory of Bexleyheath.

The Silver Lounge makes me remember summer holidays when my mum was working in Collins Cleaners near the traffic lights at Gravel Hill, and I was looked after by my elder brothers and sister. My sister and I would meet Mum outside the Silver Lounge in her lunch break and then we would be treated to spaghetti on toast and an ice-cream. The diner was all chrome and an American theme with knickerbocker glories. Mum would then go back to work and we would then go to the playground over the road before going home to Cuxton Close. I can remember shopping in the Co-op with my mum doing the weekly shop, there was eight of us at home, and walking all the way home. Does anyone remember the Candy Box sweet shop further down the High Street near the library and the Salvation Army hall? I went to Guides there and had a wonderful time. Further along the road where the Sally Army hall was there was a grocers shop that we used to call Dirty Dick's for obvious reasons. Danson Park was another favourite place, and the open air swimming pool that was always packed in the summer. Also I remember getting rowing boats out on the lake. Bexleyheath was a super place to grow up in as there was always loads to do in the summer. Does anyone remember Woodside near the Rochester Way? And the Royal Oak pub? Though we used to call it the 'Polly clean stairs'. I had my wedding reception there. Bexleyheath Secondary Modern School for Girls was where I went and Miss Briddon was headmistress. I have lived in the West Midlands for over 30 years now and on the few occasions I have returned to Kent I have only been to Bexleyheath about twice, and I got lost, the Broadway was not like I remembered and I felt sad. Christ Church was the same but nothing else.