Barnards Record Shop

A Memory of Uxbridge.

The above memories have brought a lot back to me. I used Barnards for vinyl in the late 50s, my first LP was the Carl Perkins ‘Dance Album’, uninspiring title but a fantastic album of top rockabilly from the king. My second was Elvis’s first vinyl release in 1957, an absolute treasure. I still play them today, never tiring of this music of the period. First 78 was ‘Why Do Fools Fall In Love’ and both versions of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ (Carl’s and Elvis’s) and of course Haley’s ‘Rock Around the Clock’ and ‘Be Bop A Lula’ by Gene Vincent. Great unforgettable times. We saw ‘Blackboard Jungle’ 4 times at the Savoy. Armstrong Grigson’s up by the Regal sold records also. Presley’s EP ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’ was purchased there. I asked the assistant to play a couple of tracks, which he did and the look on some people’s faces as this wild new rockabilly music hit their ears was funny. I loved it, bought it and so glad I did. These records set me up for all that was to come, I’m pleased to say.
I remember a chip shop in Windsor Street we would use on our way back from the pictures to Uxbridge station to get a bus back to Denham.
Dancing to the latest music in the late 50s early 60s for us was at Burtons or more locally The Green Parrot cafe at Denham Station (now called Denham Green).
We went to Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon and also at the Regal. We were ABC minors. Lovely happy memories and friends, some are still around! The Station Cafe, Cafe Bouclaire and The Milk Bar I remember well. When I left school, I worked at King & Hutchings as an apprentice compositor, my future wife Jackie and I first met there, we were engaged for two years and married for 53. Sadly, she passed away in 2014 after a very happy marriage. Memories are good - John Hawkins, Denham, back then (Woburn Sands now)

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