Born In Wimbledon Ann Lawrence
A Memory of Wimbledon.
I was also born in Wimbledon and have such fond memories. I was born at 33 Compton Road in 1947. I had five brothers and sisters, I was the second to last child. We all attended Old Central School, Camp Road on the common, the Headmaster at the was Mr Henning. My older brothers and sisters all went on to attend Queens Road girls and boys school. I attended Pelham Girls school, Rutlish Road. It was the old Rutlish boys school, the Headmistress was Miss Drake. My family name was Lawrence. Lots of the memories of Wimbledon I have read on here are so familiar, especially the dentist in Alexandra Road. The Odeon in Worple Road, where I went to Saturday morning pictures. The Kings cinema in the high street that was turned in to a roller skating rink. The Gaumont, opposite the Elite at the other end of the Broadway. The swimming baths in Latimer Road. Since leaving Wimbledon at 15 I have moved a lot but I have never forgotten my way around a lot of the streets of Wimbledon.
Leaving Wimbledon at 15, I did not know or realise how important it was to maintain contact with my schoolmates and over the years have wondered where they are now. I particularly remember Maureen Ross whose parents ran the Russel Cafe opposite the theatre to name but one. My best friend was Susan Walker who lived in Alwyn Road.
I used to spend a lot of my time when I was small watching all the students on their way to Pittman’s College at the end of my road. My friends Mum Ella Skilton used to teach there at some point in time.
Don’t know if anybody will remember me or my family.
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Comments & Feedback
It was lovely reading your bio, as it brought back a lot of memories of Wimbledon. May l take this opportunity in wishing you a very happy, safe New Year, from Aotearoa ( Maori for " Land of the long white cloud) New Zealand
Thank you for your reply. Yes it does to reminisce as you get older. My daughter also emigrated to Tasmania some years ago with my three grandsons. I have been a few times but it is a long and expensive journey. You must have been at Queens Road with one of my brothers, Richard Lawrence, don’t know if you remember him. I do remember a Peter Joyce, I think he lived around the Pelham Road area.
I also wish you and your family a Happy New Year
As you may have read in my earlier bio, one of the jobs l had in Wimbledon was as a postman. One of the two "walks" l shared with a colleague, meant that l delivered mail to the Windmill, on the common, plus along Camp Rd., Westside etc, etc. It was indeed a lovely part of Wimbledon. Fond memories!!
Best wishes, and regards Ann.
Chas
It was an absolute delight and pleasure to read your post, so many memories of living in Wimbledon and of Queens Road School. - I share many of your memories and thoughts. I too was born in 1947. Do you remember Saturday morning pictures at the Elite Cinema, I think; sixpence to get in and 3 pence for an ice cream. Roy Rogers and Lassie. Then swimming in Latimer Road, where one could also have a free hot bath, crisp white towels and soap all for a song. Afternoons, ballroom dancing,'picking a chicken for two with someone you love' cha, cha cha?
Firstly I lived in Leopold Road, then across the common in a large white house next to Kanazaro Park., and then Trinity Road. My mother was a housekeeper, firstly for a German Jew who had fled the Nazis during the second world war and then for a magistrate, whose mother needed care. I recall the fair that arrived on the common every Easter where I won a tea set on the bingo! Efra Road, just off Trinity Road, where a friend had Grandparents and an uncle.
So much more to say but a big thank you for all your wonderful memories.
Kindest regards
Sue Simmonds (nee Tills) -South Norfolk
We must have passed each other over those years, I remember Latimer Road swimming pool very well, spent a lot of time there.
I used to go to the Odeon in Worple Road for Saturday morning pictures as It was was almost opposite the end of Compton Road. I loved all those all the old films.
There are Facebook pages, Wimbledon Group Reborn and Wimbledon School Friends if you are interested.
After moving a lot I have now returned to a different part of Surrey.
It was lovely to hear from you.
Kind regards
Ann
I remember Maureen’s best friend was a Janet Parsons. How is Maureen, does she still live in Wimbledon.