Dhl Barber

A Memory of Waterlooville.

My Father and Grandfather both had shops in London Road, Waterlooville. My Grandfather had an ironmongers in the late 30s early 40s (unfortunately I don't know the dates) but it was located near Pinks. From the early 50s to the late 70s my Father had a tobacconist shop, known as DHL Barber. This was also situated in London Road next to the Co-op Butchers. His shop not only sold tobacco and snuff but toys and other bits and bobs. He ran a lending library. To the rear of the shop was an old fashioned barbers and above the shop in later years was The Black Cat Cafe. I used to help in the shop at the weekends. My father eventually sold the shop to the Abbey National Building Society.

We lived in Stakes Hill Road opposite the primary school which I attended from the age of 5 to 11. The school also used the "Tin Hut" in London Road. The "Tin Hut" had two class rooms which were heated in the winter by coal burners.

I attended Brownies in the old Pendeen School.