Southall Town 50's 60's 70's 80's

worked in market on Saturdays from 1957 until 1963 on Montys fruit stall next to seafood stall always knocked on back door of bakers just after 6am to get 3or4 fresh baked loaves think other stall holders also customers shop did roaring trade even before it opened

How pleasant to see a familiar name from the past. I lived in Knowsley Avenue and was in the same class as you at Dormers Wells and if memory serves me correctly we were both friends with Roger Batley, who also lived in Park Avenue.I remember most of the things you mention. I was a Wolf Cub in the Villiers pack but never went any further as I won a county scholarship to a school in Hammersmith, which meant I had to commute to school by trolley bus to Ealing Common and then Underground. We moved to Norwood Green in about 1959 and then to Hillingdon in 1967. I was heavily involved at Kings Hall Methodist Church, which I believe may now have closed, and it was through the church youth club I met my ex. She was from Lancashire. We married in 1973 and moved to Leighton Buzzard where I still live. I always worked in London and retired 5 years ago. Look forward to hearing from you and anyone else who remembers those good years.
Stuart French .

My name is Rita O'Sullivan (Booker) and I have very happy memories of growing up in Dorothy Villas in School Passage just by North Road School. I lived with my parents John and Florrie and my three brothers and three sisters: Michael, Pat, Val, Sandra, Diane and Colin. I remember Mrs Woodford from the bakers very fondly - she always had a lovely smile for you and was very kind to a little girl (me) who was sent out to get the bread. North Road (1958- 1965) gave all my siblings a good education as we all went on to have successful careers. I remember Mrs Hanvey- very strict but a wonderful teacher who taught me to read, Mrs Crossman - very kind and lovely Ann Hughes whose husband taught at Dormers Wells. Mrs Shaw was the headmistress who I think was a Methodist and I remember lots of singing hymns and prayers. We performed a Christmas Carol one year in the King's Hall in South Road. Sports Day was at Spikes Bridge and all the Mums came to cheer us on. I only remember sunny sports days and lots of cheering- the competitive spirit was very much encouraged! We had an afternoon off for, I think it was,commonwealth day and there were country dancing festivals which were amazing with such a wonderful atmosphere. My mum knew so many people in Southall and later became a dinner lady and then welfare assistant at North. I could go on and on........

I used to go in the Wimpy Bar near the Playhouse Cinema around 1965 for lunch , I used to work in Woolworths down the Uxbridge Road on the fruit & veg counter on Saturdays..

Southall High St Memories. Have just read your stories of Woodford Bakers. I knew it really well. I lived in the flat above the old Southall Police Station from 1954 to1964. My father and Mr Woodford knew each other well. Our family name was Harry.I have great memories of going into the bakers shop with just enough pennies to buy one sticky bun.

Hello Brian. Do you remember me Katrina Kirkbride? We both used to live in Park Avenue and my mother worked for a few years at the Bakery. We both went to school at dormers wells.

Hi Monica. Sorry I'm late replying but the email address listed with Francis Frith is an old one and not monitored on a regular basis. That said - I was so glad to hear from you, I certainly remember your dads surname, was he the dog handler at the station? I may well of got it wrong but my memories of Southall past are fading. We sold the business in the early eighties and moved out to Hillingdon. I had a complete change of work and qualified as a photography teacher in the local senior schools. Retired, finally in 2012, and move down to the Worthing/Brighton area where my wife was born and her family lived. I now spend most of my time researching family history. Hope this message gets through, look forward to catching up on more ''Old Southall'' news. Cheers for now. Brian

Hi Katrina. What a pleasant surprise hearing from you. If my memory serves me correctly ! I believe you lived at the junction of Park Avenue and Uxbridge Road. Again if I remember correctly you had a friend living just past our house in Park Avenue, I seem to remember that you were always to be seen together walking to each others houses (past mine).We sold the business in the early eighties and moved out to Hillingdon. I retired finally in 2012, and move down to the Worthing/Brighton area where my wife was born and her family lived. I now spend most of my time researching our families history . Hope this message gets through, look forward to catching up on more ''Old Southall'' news. Cheers for now. Brian

Yes you remember correctly. I lived at 271 and Gillian Lodge lived at 294. We are still best friends after all these years. In fact I’ll be seeing her in 2 weeks for a family wedding here in France where I live. I remember Roger Batley who lived next door to you I think. Also Avril and Colin Allaway, Maureen Minchin, Grenville Freeman and others who lived in
Argyle and Knowsley Avenues.
Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon, Southall Park etc all nice memories. Memory lane over 60 years ago. How Southall has changed!
Best wishes Katrina

Hi Katrina. Thank you for your reply, excellent to hear about all those names from the past. Great to hear that you and Gillian have remained good friends. Our address was no.304 by the way. The others I have had no contact with except Avril Allaway, Now there's a story I could write a book about!
Short version - I was working in a school in Uxbridge, one day talking to the teaching staff I mentioned that my early life was spent in Southall, Avril (her married name is Smerdon ) mentioned that she had lived there also. Anyway it soon dawned on us that we were old friends reunited ! Lots of time was spent catching up with past years. After I left the school we kept in touch, emails Christmas Cards etc. Sorry to say that we eventually lost contact , the last message from her mentioned that she was thinking of moving to Cyprus. Shame as our parents and Colin spent many hours in each others company. I no longer have any intentions to return to Southall as we are both very happily settled in 'Sussex by the Sea'. By all accounts Southall no longer resembles the town that we all grew up in...…...shame but life changes and we must move on.
Keep in touch it's been great to hear from you
Cheers for now
Brian

Hi Brian. Through a cousin of mine I was introduced to a site called Are you an old face from Southall.
I have since found a girl I was at school with and some relations (children of 2 of my cousins).
You might be interested. Lots to remember,
even down to Jack the milkman from Job’s Dairy!
Bye for now, Katrina

Hi Rita O Sullivan, I didn’t know you but I knew of your sister Valerie. My name is Lynn White use to be Steptoe. I will be 75 this month November. I went to North Rd Infant and Junior School and then on to Dormers Wells. I lived in Allendale Ave. You might ask your sister if she remembers my name.

I was born in Southall in West End Road in 1952, and attended St Anselms School. Started as a Saturday in F W Woolworth in the Broadway doing 4 hours only on a Saturday in 1967 aged 14 x

Hi, I was born in Hammersmith and lived in Ealing till I was about 1 year old, then we moved to Southall, first to Villers Rd, and later to Sutherland Road. I went to North Road Primary School between 1959 and 1966.

Hi Rita O Sullivan, I also remember Miss Hanvey as my teacher - she was very strict indeed and I was terrified of her. Miss Anthony was the Headmistress, and I also remember Mrs Gregson who was my teacher in my last year at primary school - she was the best.

I remember going to Saturday morning flicks at the Odeon, and then going to the Wimpey Bar, which was almost next door. And the bowling alley, and Southall Park was the best ever - collecting conkers every year and the fantastic bike track. I worked at Dolcis on the Broadway when I was old enough to have a Saturday job.

Long time ago now, I haven't been back in a very long time - I moved to New Zealand in 1987, which is about as far away as you can get.

Thank you all for your replies. My account details have an old email address for myself which is not monitored on any regular times. I will try and update it via my account details. Anyway it seems that we all remember the same people that have added their memories to my post . - Katrina - Lesley - Monica - Rita - Stuart - Robert - Lynn - Barbara - Michael - John, plus many others. Wow! what a surprise that so many remember our early years in Southall, even down to the name of the local milkman. Please keep in touch and mention where you are now living and if you have retired from work and are now supporting the NHS with regular health checkups! Southall has changed over the years, I passed through recently and if you haven't, try Google Earth, you would be surprised. Enough for now, and I hope you will keep adding your updates soon .... Brian