Beloved Eastleigh 1957 To 1970

A Memory of Salford.

I was Born 1948 in Portsmouth, my Ex Navy dad wanted to go as far from the sea and war as possible. Thus carpenter on remote estates with tied housing at Liphook, Chard, Broughton. Hell for a poor family and 3 / 4 kids.
FINALLY we moved to Wonderful, beautiful Eastleigh in January 1957 to a house attached to The Crescent School. Free coal/coke, exploding gas water geyser, a bath in the kitchen an Outside WC (with candles) AND free BRONCO glazed toilet paper, printed HCC use both sides! Loved Eastleigh as it was (and secretly I still do). The shops in walking distance were good (we had no car) the teachers were dedicated and Toynbee Road Secondary School close. There was life and employment - Carriage and Loco Works, BRS Road & Rail transport depots, Caustons Printers, Prices Bakery, Pirelli Cables and others plus public open spaces and parks. A great annual Eastleigh Carnival and fun fair, Scout & Cubs Bob-a-Job Week.
Many small shops that were BIG to me. Pinks, Torboks, Woolworths, The Regal Cinema, Delbridges, Toy & Model shop, Clemos, Wainwrights Chemist, the “new” Co-Op building, Iron mongers, Hills Fishmongers and butchers. A good bus service to Southampton from the bus station via Stoneham Lane and the fun BUMP by St Nicholas Church. The massive London Express Steam trains – huffing and puffing and spitting power, heat and hot oil and choking smoke and steam and coal grit! The world was wonderful. Now television BBC1 and BBC2 and ITV with adverts and cartoons! Discard the mangle to the last horse drawn Rag n Bone man as a clothes “Rolls” washing machine was here from John Bloom AND a refrigerator!
Without doubt my period at Eastleigh 1957 to 1970 - was the best in my life.
Sadly, looking at my beloved town now – it is all in my fond memories.

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