Palmers Green High Street Circa 1955 1960

A Memory of Palmers Green.

Special treat of afternoon tea at Pritchards, next door to Evans and Davies. Served by waitresses in smart black dresses with white aprons and little frilly hats. Lovely tiered plates of sandwiches and cakes. Palm Court Restaurant, upstairs on the opposite side of the road near Cinema. The smell of freshly ground coffee from the Home and Colonial grocers at top of the High Street. The large, electric coffee grinding machine visible in the shop window. Butter being knocked into shape, with wooden paddles, by ladies behind the counter at the original Sainsbury's, left side of High Street, midway towards General Post Office. No self-service yet. Long, snaking queues, which criss-crossed one another, as our parents stood in line for individually weighed out and wrapped packs of sliced bacon, cheese, tea, eggs etc. Boots the Chemist had a small book lending library upstairs and usually had a good selection of Enid Blyton Mysteries.

Remembering the first Wimpy Bar which opened just near Woolworth's and of course, the wonderful Broomfield Park which offered space, beauty, fun, and sport. Played my first games of tennis there and before that many happy times using swings, slide and roundabouts in the play area.

I was born in Oakthorpe Road during the War (February 1944) and attended the Convent in Oakthorpe Road. Now living in East Anglia.

Anne Poole (nee Searson)