Nostalgic memories of Forest Hill's local history
Share your own memories of Forest Hill 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 13 in total
Hello’
I lived in Houston Road 50s 60s 70s there’s a little lane at the rear of Houston Road called Carter’s Ali two old tramps as we used to call them in them days used to walk up this little Ali one was called Jack Rags the other was called soppy Sissel I know where they used to live but does anyone know who they were and their history.
They were there in the 50s and 60s.
Thanks Malcolm.
I lived in Perysteeete, Perry Vale from 1950 until I was 20 years old. Our Primary school(, Christ Church . C of E) was opposite our flats, and it only took seconds to get into school...just before the whistle went!
Memories of the celebrations of the Coronation includes a party held in the Foresters Arms,where our dad sometimes played the piano, and all the residents paraded around the block...,including a father, ...see more
I remember living on Perry Vale above the old bus garage, and my brother and I would go to Horniman Museum, then go about 400 yards behind and there was a castlelated building consisting of a basement first and second floor then you could go to the roof and there was a parapet around and you could see for miles, as kids we were told that one of the fires was lit there regarding Spanish Armada ...see more
The number 12 bus went past it and it cost me 2 pence each way from Crystal Palace. The bus stoped by the Libary and we ran down to the Baths entrance. It seemed masive that vitorian fronted building. Up the steps to the ticket office.
I can'nt remember how much it cost but I remember that ticket machine spitting out those rough paper tickets, either green or blue or pinky red.
Then there was that over powering ...see more
I remember going to Saturday morning cinema at the Capital. I thought it was such a grand theatre with all the huge pictures going up to the circle, there was one of Charlie Chaplin. I'm sorry to say I also remember bunking in on a few occasions - it's a pub now, what a waste! Across the road was an old fashion Sainsbury's grocer and next door was another Sainsburys - a wet fish shop.
I grew up in Drakes Court Devonshire Road from 1962 until I got married in 1981 and I remember this view well. I can remember being about 7 or 8 and sent down to Chalk & Cocks just before Christmas by my mother. All I was told to say was, "mum said, can you put by a piece of gammon for her".... oh, happy memories.
I remember with great affection Horniman Park, adjacent to the museum. I was born in 1945 & used to travel on the 185 bus from Stanstead Rd to Hornimans when I was young. My favourite part of the park was the little garden with a stream running thru' it with waterfalls. It was lovely for small children to run along the paths across the little bridges over the stream & waterfalls. I've loved waterfalls ever ...see more
Does anyone remember or know about a florist's shop called 'Jedith' which was situated in the parade of shops at the front of the cinema in London Road, on the South Circular opposite Forest Hill Railway Station? It was run by Jane Knight and Edith Grellier (hence the name 'Jedith') until 1959, when they bought the Hallsands Hotel in South Devon (the subject of a book I am currently researching and ...see more
I too, remember the Horniman Walrus. I heard somewhere that it was "overstuffed" and that Walruses' skin is supposed to be all wrinkly. The taxidermist probably didn't know this and filled up the skin to maximum capacity. It was still on display in about 2000, when I last was there. What about the interminable and dreary exhibition of Romanian folk art they seemed to have on display for years in the 1950's?
I ...see more
Hello from Canada, I remember the old Capital, it was an ABC theatre. I remember the old 68 and 72 trams going up the hill. I used to go to Saturday morning pictures in this theatre, oh happy days! Sainsbury's butcher shop, was just across the road. During the war, my mother used to send me to line up for 'off the ration' sausages. The subway under the railroad, used to lead to the 194 bus stop ...see more