Abc Minors

A Memory of Ealing.

On the right of this photo, opposite the Town Hall is the ABC Forum cinema, where I and my brother and sister along with lots of young children used to go on Saturday mornings to see a cartoon, a western, a Superman or Flash Gordon serial or a comedy. For the grand sum of 6d (2.5p in today's money) we were entertained on a Saturday morning, to get us out of our parents' way for an hour or two. We would sing the ABC minors theme song
(listen here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEvgLH6Ug9Y ).
Do you remember this in the late forties/early fifties?
I didn't appreciate it at the time but the building was a fine example of art deco style. Is it still there I wonder. I hope so.
Also (when I was somewhat older!) I used to drink in the Haven Arms, in Haven Lane, off Haven Green, a Watneys pub that Bill Hartnell used to frequent (the first Doctor Who among many other roles).

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Added 20 November 2014

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Do you recall Squires Record Shop opp ABC- booths in which to listen to the latest hit 45s (surely intended for choosing your favoured classical interpretation boxed set!); or the Walpole Cinema around the corner (by Lamertons and the YMCA?). Was Laura the macaw in Walpole Park?

By Brian Wood on Mon Nov 24th 2014, at 12:35 am

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Yes I do remember Squires, from where we bought a baby grand piano (I still play classical and jazz), although it was 78's originally then 33 1/3 LPs. Also remember the Walpole cinema in Bond Sreet, and the Lido in West Ealing (known as the flea pit). Around the corner from the Town Hall were the swimming baths. Didn't know the macaw in the park was called Laura thoiugh. Along from there were Ealing Studios, where I had a part as an extra in a crowd of kids, in a film called 'The Cage of Gold'. My older brother had a small speaking part in the classic 1950 film 'The Blue Lamp', also made there. I went to the Grange school in South Ealing where I and a friend called Bruce ruled the roost as the champion cigarette card game aces.

By akgcomail on Mon Nov 24th 2014, at 5:10 am

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Evenin ' all ... knees bend- my nan loved Jack Warner (Dixon of Dock Green)!
Laura the macaw got stolen at some stage- don't recall when- I was a kid! I hated the swimming baths (Longfield Road?)- horrid woman ladelled water over our heads if we didn't get our hair wet- I never did learn to swim! We had a dusty old coach would transport us from school; in Northolt- Arundel Primary.
My nan used to live in Clovelly Road (along from where the Kinnocks moved in years later) before moving to Cedar Grove. My aunt still lives in Bramley Road (twixt South Ealing and Northfield Stns) (and Odeon at Northfields?). Lovely parks thereabouts- Ealing: the 'Queen of the suburbs'. Bet you wish you had those cigarette cards now

By Brian Wood on Tue Nov 25th 2014, at 10:58 pm

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I was an ABC minor.
If it was your birthday then you would be invited up on the stage to receive a small present and free entry to next weeks Saturday morning pictures.
It will come as no surprise that quite a few had more birthdays than the Queen or invented twin siblings.
I was born in Perivale Hospital and lived in Broomfield Rd in the heart of West Ealing.
A great place to grow up so many Parks so much to do, I can never remember being bored.
Later I was a regular at the Ealing Jazz Club some of the best music acts anywhere.

By k761rose on Sun Feb 1st 2015, at 8:13 am

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I grew up there too in the late 40's - 50's, Barbara Evans (brother John). Wonderful carefree days. Summer holidays seem to go on forever. (Grange School next to St. Mary's church).

By Barbara Crawford on Thu Aug 20th 2015, at 4:31 pm

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