The School Years 1959 To 1971

A Memory of Hockley.

It's great to see this picture. This parade was on the walking route to and from school, from where we lived on the new estate at Southbourne Grove to the Evangelical church hall (pre school), Hockley Primary School, then the new Plumberow primary school, then finally onto Greensward Secondary. I recall Sutherlands as being an Aladdins cave of sweets, magazines, toys, and a very special lucky dip bran tub... it might have been 3 pence (the old type of course) for a go, and always seemed good value "prizes".
Either side of Sutherlands was the Evelyns hairdressers (with the perpetual smell of ammonia based perming solutions eminating from it), and Broughtons, which I think was the chemist. I also seem to recall an off license near to the end of the row (Victoria wine?).
Dave Washfords garage was just up on the other side of the main road, with another row of shops including a small sweet shop and grocers opposite that.
It was quite convenient to get to these shops from home, and certainly much better than making the longer walk up toward the main Hockley spa shops.