Growing Up In Belvedere

A Memory of Belvedere.

I spent most of my younger years up to about 5 years old living in Nuxley Road with my grandparents and my aunts. The house was next to Hammonds the Bakers at the bottom end near to Stream Way. I am not sure what the shop is now as it seems to change every few years.
I also remember the Grubs the nursery/plants family further up towards the village center, Co-Op and the sweet shop on the corner of Nulxey Road and Albert Road.
We moved to Northumberland Heath to Elizabeth Court flats and I went to Normandy County Primary School. Later we moved to Lower Belvedere and used the bus or train to go to Erith and then walk up the Avenue to school, later we caught the 491 Greenline. Why have they changed Northumberland Heath to North Heath?
On Sunday’s we would walk from Lower Belvedere to my Grand Father’s house in Rydal Drive. If I went to see him on Monday then it would be a cup and a beef dripping slice of bread with just a touch of salt.
To me it will always be “The Village” I got married in the parish Church - All Saints and so did my two sisters.
There was a fish and chip shop just down for the Police Station run by Dolly – I think that was her name – great chips.
I went to Picardy which I think has changed its name a few times my intake was in 1959 and I remember the September was very hot and sunny and the class masters made us line up in the playground.
The Village has not changed apart from the new Police Station opposite the Church and the one way system with a 20 mph speed limit a few new shop names but it still has that Village feel after 60 odd years.
My wedding reception was in the Hall over the Co-Op.
Lower Belvedere had the Belvedere Football Club/ground next to the station and is now a B&Q and ASDS.

Can any body help with the numbers of the Green Line Buses that started from Belvedere Railway Station I believe there was 401 - went out into the country, 491 and the 486 - went to Crayford

Thanks JT