Memories Of The Mayorhold

A Memory of Northampton.

We left England when I was ten years old and migrated to Australia. I have lots of memories of my childhood there. The Mayorhold had a pub on nearly every corner and yet we hardly ever saw any drunks. We were close to The Old Jolly Smokers and I remember the smell of beer on a hot summer's night and the patrons singing around a piano. At least I imagined they would be round a piano as I had never been inside the pub.
I remember going over to the fish and chip shop on the other side of the Mayorhold and there was an American soldier in there. He wanted to buy my fish and chips but I said no thanks and squeezed up close to the counter. He was so tall nearly touched the ceiling in my eyes and I was so small. I think that he genuinely wanted to pay for the meal as he had a kind face. But we never talked to, or took anything from, strangers
I remember going to St. George's school and my sister did a painting of St. George and the dragon and It hung in the assembly hall. I was so proud of her.
Years later when I was about sixteen there was a song called 'Tar and Cement' sung by Verdelle Smith. It made me sad listening to it - the tale of how the world was being covered with tar and cement. Some time later I found that it was true of The Mayorhold in Northampton. The tar and cement has been laid and the area is now a huge car park - another piece of history lost to the Tar and Cement. The Mayorhold is gone although the name still exists. I have tried to find photos of The Mayorhold on line but they are few and far between.

The Mayorhold is now just a dream in a little girl's memory.


Added 14 June 2018

#662387

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