Nostalgic memories of Oakwood's local history

Share your own memories of Oakwood and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying all 7 Memories

Just before our wedding at St Thomas's in April 1967, Ching my wife to be and I, were called to see the vicar. We sat in his lounge and he gave the essential instructions for making love (for making babies). He spoke very slowly and each word was drawn out. An extract follows......... He said to me 'firstly you stroaoaoaoak (stroke) the ear lobe, repeated - stroaoaoaoak the ear lobe then yooooou mooooooooove your hand ...see more
Peter Ward & Brian Moore lived close by - we were in Kings Own a teenage group run by the curate at the church. All genteel stuff no wicked behaviour. For me, a cycle ride from Winchmore Hill.
Although I was working in Wales at this time, my parents still lived in Oakwood, and I was married at St. Thomas' in December 1969. I had previously gone to church and Sunday School here when I was still at home.
I was brought up near Boxer's Lake in the 1940s and 50s in Silverdale, one of the culdesacs off the southern arm of Lonsdale Drive. My first "job" was as a paper boy for Murrays the Newsagents on Bramley Parade, the nearest shop in this photo. I used to cycle up Merryhills Drive and along Bramley Road to work. Later, in my school holidays, they took me on as a junior assistant in the shop itself. At this time ...see more
I lived in Oakwood, then Enfield West, from 1937 till 1946. My father had the Chemists Shop in the Parade, his name was George Reid, and we lived above the shop. Opposite was Victor Sasoon’s Estate, where I think Prisoner of War Officers were imprisoned, during the War. Also in the Parade was a greengrocer, with a Mrs. Crick who had a dog called Sadie.There was also a fish shop, grocers shop and a dairy, ...see more
Among the lovely pictures of 1950s Oakwood is a picture of a lake in Oakwood Park for model boats which I used in the late forties and early 50s. Sailing boats there was a favourite pastime of my friend and neighbour (at the time) Alan Stewart whom is in the foreground of picture O105012. It must have had an effect on him as he joined the merchant navy when he was older. I wasn't so keen as I managed to break the mast of ...see more
Anyone remember the Amelia coffee bar in Oakwood at the end of Station Parade shops, where the beat set would frequent in the early 60's, then the Mods as the juke box was popular and coffee with froth in glass cups? I lived at Hadley Wood and Oakwood was a stopping and popular rendezvous point, liked by all. I also brought the latest striped Mekay and Rael Brook striped shirts in a mans shop near the Amelia ...see more