Orpington, The Lych Gate c.1955

Photo ref: O107041

Omg I remember the crescent my uncle Eric had the wet fish shop there and how I remember the Barnes 😀

I was born at 70 Southlands Avenue and lived there with my mum and dad and elder sister and attended Warren Rd and St Olaves schools. My mum worked at the South Suburban Co-op which had a butchers one side and possibly a greengrocers the other before it changed to a laundrette ? Remember the Lipscombes and Barnes families as they were local shopkeepers. Still have many happy childhood memories from those days ...see more

I attended Warren Road Primary School from 1945 to 1948 and was taught by Miss Gunn. We lived in Cloonmore Avenue backing onto the school grounds and "over the back fence" was often a quick way to get to school.

My grandparents ran The Orpington Cafe in the 50's and I have many memories of being there. At the rear and to one side was a sort of wasteland area, great fun to explore. At the time, my parents lived in Derry Downs, St Mary Cray and helped with the family business. My sister and I attended Chislehurst Road primary school and I recall there being some sort of partial eclipse of the sun and we took ...see more