13 Nov 2015 - Personal Memories

Dear Daniel,
My name is Maureen Shanks and I have just had my first book published, which is essentially an auto-biography about my childhood years growing up in Walthamstow during and after WWII. The book is entitled 'To Dear Daniel with love..' and I was inspired to record my memoirs by my grandson Daniel (hence the title), who would love nothing better than to snuggle up to me on the settee and listen to stories of my childhood. I then decided to record these stories little realising how big a project it would become. There was so much that has gone into my 74 years of life that instead of one book it has spread over 3 books, the first of which I have had published and very much hope to have the other two published next year.

I obviously would wish to promote my book and was hoping that you would be kind enough to do this on your page. I will be appearing at the Christmas Launch at The Mall Walthamstow on the 28 November, where I will be carrying out a booking signing and also at the Highams Park Christmas Fayre in Tesco's Foyer on the 20 December. Any publicity you could offer would be greatly appreciated. I have printed off some flyers and if you would like me to send one of these to you it goes give a short synopsis of what the book is about.

I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Maureen SHANKS Private Reply Public Reply

1 Nov 2015 - Personal Memories: Jon LEE

Daniel,

I served with Jon LEE of Walthamstow in RAF in Germany 1958. Are you interested in more info on Jon?

Brian STANLEY Private Reply Public Reply

28 Oct 2015 - Public Reply to Lynda Crosby (28 Jun 2015 - Personal Memories)

Hi Lynda,

You are right: we were the first to transfer from McGuffie to Morris as I was in the same year as you. We used to hang about together for a while. Did you not go into 'hair treatments' or am I confused? My name was Lesley Holt and Mr Norton at McGuffie was married to my cousin. I had a good friend at McGuffie called Susan Cohenbut she didn't transfer with us for the final years. Also good friends with Susan Westcott and Susan Barr, who sadly died a few years back.

I always felt that Morris didn't really welcome us with open arms but perhaps that was just my perception. I didn't particularly enjoy my time there and had a nasty piece of work in the second year for a teacher by the name of 'Stockdale'. Boys certainly got their own back on him, the number of accidents that happened to his car...

Lesley BRANCH Private Reply Public Reply

10 Oct 2015 - Personal Memories

My grandma lived in Billet road, near the Crooked Billet. Ellen Prior with soldier husband George, daughter Doris and Betty. Later Doris and Gran moved to flat near market.

They lived upstairs in the house, two spinsters Ethel and Lilie lived downstairs. Ethel was amazing on piano.
Mum Betty n Dad lived here for a while later and Dad worked at Wrightons, dad name Harry Darrell.

To the back of them were allotments which during WW2 accommodated anti-aircraft battery so loud they named guns cracker-jack, parts of aircraft and other were regularly found.

I spent many many great times their during school holidays and some weekends.

If any one remembers anything at all about the above I would love to hear about this.
Many thanks

Paul DARRELL Private Reply Public Reply

12 Sep 2015 - Personal Memories

Hi I lived in 68 Brook Dale road, with my mum dad Stanley and Edith Brooks. I have a brother Stanley and a sister Yvonne, I know that the house belonged to my dads family before them so would have still been Brooks. I was born in 1944 and also got married at St Luke's church, the people that lived at 66 that I remember were Mrs Elle's or Heels, they had a son called Ron and a daughter.

The other side was Ivy and Len Evans with a son called Peter. Not sure if we crossed paths in any way but as you was in the house next door, my name is Della Brooks and I went to William Mc Guffie school and remember Mr. Tomlinson, Mr Smith and a few others great times to remember!

Regards

Della WINGROVE Private Reply Public Reply

7 Sep 2015 - Public Reply to Gilda Mann

Hi Gilda, the last email I sent you for some reason got blocked why I do not know. If you still want to get in touch email me

David GARDINER Private Reply Public Reply

5 Sep 2015 - Public Reply to Gilda Mann (30 Aug 2013 - Personal Stories)

Hi Gilda,

My aunt Miss Beatrice POPE was a teacher at Mission Grove Infants school in the late forties and early 'fifties. You might just remember her. Sadly she died at the age of 61 in 1979, having just retired to Dunoon in Scotland.

All good wishes,

Val GIBBS Private Reply Public Reply

16 Aug 2015 - Public Reply to Debra Clark (14 Aug 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools )

There was a dance studio in East Avenue which is just off of Orford Road, run by a Mr Smith and his son and daughter in law, any connection?

Alan TUCKWELL Private Reply Public Reply

14 Aug 2015 - Public Reply to Pat Lynn (4 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools )

Hi Pat,
My Great Aunt was a dance champion, she also ran a dance studio with her husband in the Orford Rd area. Their names were Ann (Amy) and Jack Huddle. Only have vague memories. But they lived in North Countess Road.

Debra CLARK Private Reply Public Reply

14 Jul 2015 - CELTIC RANGERS BOYS FOOTBALL CLUB

Hi,
I was the founder member of a boys football club in the late sixties and early seventies.
I would love to here from anybody that played for CELTIC RANGERS BOYS FOOTBALL CLUB.
We played in the Walthamstow Sunday League.
Thanks,

Gary ROBINSON Private Reply Public Reply

28 Jun 2015 - Personal Memories

My Mum and her 4 sisters were born in 56 Badlis Road to William John Price and Mabel Price (formally Dainty) and my Mum Millicent (who married George Crosby) ran the wallpaper shop opposite Bonners fruit and veg stall in Walthamstow market. I lived at 17 Colebrook Road with my parents and went to William McGuffie and I think might have been one of the first to go over to William Morris.

Enjoy your break on the coast, if you wish send over your address as I have copies on the Coronation programme.

Regards

Lynda CROSBY Private Reply Public Reply

19 Jun 2015 - Personal Memories

Hi Daniel,

this picture is of my Mum who was born in Badlis Road on the 15th Jan 1920 to William and Mabel Price. She was one of 13 and they moved to 151 Whipps Cross Road and when my Grandmother died he married his house keeper and ran a boarding house.

... and this is a copy of the programme for the Coronation. My Mum would have been expecting me at the time, I would have loved to have been there she must have had an amazing time!

Lynda PRICE Private Reply Public Reply

17 Jun 2015 - Personal Memories: Name the Beano Boys

Daniel,

This snap (below) dates from the mid/late 1960's, I think.
The gentlemen are obviously out on a 'beano'. By the looks of their collective conditions, the serious drinking hadn't yet begun. I've identified lads 1, 3 and 4 but I'm not certain about number two.
If any of our many WM friends can put names to the rest of these faces, I'd love to read 'em.

Number 1 is my dad - Frank Ryder.
Number 2 is named Riches, I think. I don't know his first name. If he's the fellow that I'm thinking of, he lived in Woodville Road (off of Buxton). He had a son named Terry.
Number 3 is my uncle Percy from Carr Road.
Number 4 is Jackie Hall. He was a family friend who lived in Gosport Road and later, Hale End Road./p>

Any positive ID's will be greatly received; and not made known to the local constabulary!!
Cin, cin!

Barry RYDER Private Reply Public Reply

16 Jun 2015 - General: Tottenham

Hello Daniel

I have two interest in Tottenham.

The first being that my Great grandparents and their respective children lived in Tottenham from 1883 to around 1930 hence I am interested in finding out more about this area during that period. Secondly I would like to find photographs of Tenterden Road before it was redeveloped, secondly I wish to trace Churches in Tottenham in which my ancestors were married.

Secondly, from 1967 to 1980 I worked for Lorrileux & Bolton a large Printing Ink Manufacturing company based in Ashley Road Tottenham. Whilst I know they moved from Tottenham to Harlow some years later I would love to get in touch with any person who also worked for this company.

Alan HARPER Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Although this email concerns Tottenham and not Walthamstow, I thought that perhaps some of our visitors might be able to give some feedback to Alan.

11 Jun 2015 - Personal Memories

Hi Daniel

my Mum was born in Badlis Road and I have her birth certificate, picture of Low Hall Farm Nursery, picture of school photo at William McGuffie (slightly weird looking) and pictures of St Edmunds Church in Leytonstone will try and get them scanned. I used to have pictures of Colebrook Road where we lived and also William Morris School so will try and dig them out.

Lynda CROSBY Private Reply Public Reply

10 Jun 2015 - Personal Memories

Someone sent me a link to your website and I remember both of the Swimming pools, I think that the Walthamstow one did smell a bit and this is where my Dad taught me to swim I might still have my silver life saving badge and brooch !! I lived with my parents in Colebrook Road, which had a cinema at the end of the Road which I think is a bus station now. I drove up about 8 years ago and walked the High Street seem to remember Bonners fruit and veg stall. I have pictures some where of Lloyds Park where my Mum took me as a toddler I will try and find them. Needless to say that is many years ago !!

Lynda CROSBY Private Reply Public Reply

7 Jun 2015 - Public Reply to Barry Ryder (24 Dec 2014 - Walthamstow Rangers )

Hello Barry,

I've just read your item dated 24th December last (following a tip-off from Dave Hammond). It would be great to catch-up and share some wonderful memories of those Walthamstow Rangers FC days and our personal friendship. I've just sent a note to Dick Raymond on his new WRFC website.

Please send me a personal note with your contact details.

And to Daniel - my sincere thanks to you for this fantastic website. You picked-up on a brief note I placed some years back on my Walthamstow 'prefab. boy' (Cornwallis Road) backround and asked me to share some memories - Partial retirement should allow me some time to do just that!

Kind regards to you both,

Eric ALLINSON Private Reply Public Reply

26 May 2015 - Coach Trips

When me and my wife met in 1971 . I wasn't able to drive (albeit did drive a lorry at times at Chingford Plains Fair), so to get about we would book coach trips with Grey Green Coaches. We would pick the coach up outside the electricity place, we would sit on the low wall to wait. This was of course at the bottom end of Church Hill.

We would book the coach at the travel agents in Hoe Street and Grey Green would supply you with a very descriptive catalogues of their numerous destinations, and we still go to those lovely places today, mostly now by car, but still use coaches. It was a shame when Grey Green folded for whatever reason.

Some places we did more than once because of their beauty, like the atmospheric Sissinghurst Castle. Other places were: Penhurst Place, Hever Castle, etc...
And we will never forget that arduous journey as a Day Trip to Symonds Yat!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

15 May 2015 - Public Reply to Roy Canham (14 May 2015 - Personal Memories: Last stall holders)

Hi Roy,

I was a member from around 1963/64 til about 1970. The only name you mention that rings a bell is East but I swam with a Ray East probably a younger brother of John. The coaches I remember from then are Sid Payne, Robin Gibson and Fred Sapsford. One recollection I have of Ernie was when we had done particularly well at a Gala and he produced a bottle of 'Champagne' for us kids to celebrate with! Whether it was or wasn't the real thing, how posh and grown up I remember feeling!

Steve JOHNSON
  Private Reply Public Reply

14 May 2015 - Public Reply to Steve Johnson (7 May 2015 - Personal Memories: Last stall holders)

Hi Steve,

What years did you swim at WSCI? I was there at the same time as Terry and John. Their dad was a mate of my dads - went to gala's in Ernie's Bedford van.
Lovely people! Last time I saw John he was in the police force must be over 25 years ago. If you have any pics from the time I would love to see them.

A couple of other guys at the club at that time were Kenny Wright John Trimmer and John East must have been the early sixties.

Regards

Roy CANHAM Private Reply Public Reply

12 May 2015 - Public Reply to Steve Johnson (7 May 2015 - Personal Memories: Last stall holders)

Hi Steve!

Thanks for the info,you're spot on! Well done! Ernie Smith. It all came back to me, and remember Terry's brother helping out at times. Ernie was a warm friendly man, I used to talk to him for ages over many cuppas! And Terry was a lovely chap too. You are also right about Arthur's stall i.e. the positioning of it, so we do have the right person, he too was a nice chap, we chatted mainly at the different venues when seeing different bands in the borough and beyond!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

7 May 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (29 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: Last stall holders)

Hi Keith,

loving all your recollections of Walthamstow and its characters. In your latest post you ask about 2 stalls in the High St. being passed on to others of a different generation.

I may be wrong (I often am!), but the first one you mention I believe was Ernie Smith, whose son Terry took over the veg stall, there was also a younger brother, John, and a sister.

The other one you mention, Arthur, I remember too, but not his surname, if the stall you're talking about was also a fruit 'n' veg stall just below the 'old' Monoux school (Council Offices in the 60's) on the opposite side of the road.

The common link between both of these?

Terry & John Smith, Arthur and myself were all members of Walthamstow Swimming Club during the mid 60's.

Steve JOHNSON
  Private Reply Public Reply

30 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: Stevens Florist

Hi, my mother and father both spent their early years, before the war and after, living and working in the High St, Walthamstow. They are both in their mid eighties now. The family business was Stevens florist, Norman Stevens or possibly his father opened it and was my fathers uncle. My father has a great memory and can recall lots of people and most of the shops in the High Street. He would love to help anybody researching the period and has lots of anecdotal memories of the people of the street. My dads name is Ernest Stevens and mother is Elizabeth née Stallabrass.

Ernest STEVENS Private Reply Public Reply

28 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: More stall holders

Here's a few more stall holders that once traded in HIGH ST EI7. I knew ALF HEDGES and his daughter to say hello to, for their veg stall stood next to my aunt and uncles Hot Dog stall on the corner of ERSKINE ROAD, the other Hot Dog stall belonged to a chap I only knew as Rick, I never knew if he was a fairground showman like my aunt and uncle, but when the fair came to LEA BRIDGE, Rick always had his hot dog stall right on the frontage of that fair, the majority of manor fairs are in the hands of THE SHOWMANS GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN, hence was open to GUILD members only. But there used to be a rule I THINK set by the local councils? That if you were a local showman, but not a member of the guild, you could apply for ground.

I know this, for I was a non-GUILD showman, and attended all 3 fairs on CHINGFORD PLAINS, albeit this was run by THE CONSERVATORS OF EPPING FOREST (I rented ground from them for several years at HIGH BEACH adjacent to the conservation centre - formerly a speedway track).

One set of my relatives when open at CHINGFORD were guild members the other not, so when the non-guild ones had a mechanical breakdown the Guild ones were not allowed to help. I recall that very clearly indeed, so not wanting to see a relative lose his living, we all sneaked out in the cover of darkness to loan them a cable, there were so many cables on the ground back then, that nobody knew what belonged to who!

I last opened on the Plains in 1986,the rules were still the same, for I was a local showman still, the rules have changed now I'm certain?

...Sorry, just noticed that the above name has come out as RICK it should read DICK...

Another stall holder who shall remain nameless albeit should be named for what he did to me years ago,l was just walking and talking with 2 pals,and funnily on my way to see my uncle on his stall ,when suddenly this stall holder yelled out, he was looking at me and shouted out. "Here comes Jesus Christ " l was taken aback but we'll used to people with there prejudices against guys with long hair,of course l stood up for myself and asked who he thought he was talking to? "Come on then" he said "do you want to make something of it ?"... I said you are a p...s taking b.....d,

With that, be had the front to go round the back of the pub for a fight! I couldn't believe what was going on, all for a normal walk down HIGH STREET.

What I couldn't understand, was that he had a long queue of customers, but of course they were from an older generation, who took me as a yob, yet all saw his totally unprovoked verbal attack towards me, yet not one of those customers spoke up in my defence against this very cowardly man.

Perhaps if a fight had ensued, he would have had the back up of every stall holder around him, they too then not knowing what had gone on, and thinking I was the bad guy in all this? I was young and looked perhaps like a yob in most folks eyes?

Supposing then that I did agree to fight him and beaten the bell out of him, what the outcome have been if he didn't make it back to his stall?

All I did say however was "You'll keep" he was still beckoning me on as me and my pals walked away, I assume because he picked on me he hadn't come up against that other notorious character whom I knew by the name of Eric Horst? And know him I did!!!

The total coward had his stall next to friends of mine, namely the Vaggs family, MRS Vagg and her 2 daughters CHRISTINE and JACKIE. They got to hear what went on, so I had a good chance to tell them what happened, they were shocked, for they knew that I wasn't a troublemaker, so knew I was telling the truth.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

26 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (10 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories)

Hi, Keith

You concluded your posting with a couple of questions about the current state of 99a, High Street. I was down there earlier today (26/4/15) "with my box brownie and tripod" Laughing out loud and here's what I got:

The shop is, as you can see, a Nail Salon. Wouldn't those Sally Annie folks be horrified at such sinful decadence, eh?

The word "Salvation" is still visible but the "Army" seems to have gone. Perhaps it's beneath the hoarding under the windows.

Barry RYDER Private Reply Public Reply

26 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Carol Ann Barber (19 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories)

Hi, Carol

I was in the High Street earlier today (26/4/15) and I snapped this picture of the stone that your grandfather laid.

No doubt you've seen it many times. I have passed it (many) hundreds of times over the years. Now knowing of your real-life connection to it, it will never seem so "distant" again.

It's bearing-up remarkably well considering the years that it's been up against the elements.

Barry RYDER Private Reply Public Reply

24 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: Prize Chrysanths!

Many years ago now, back in the 70s and when I was Head Groundsman for the Wadham lodge sports ground in Brookscroft Road E17. Every morning, during the whole of my stay at Wadham, an elderly chap used to give me and my assistant a shrill whistle to call us to give us a cup of tea!

We'd make our way to the bottom right hand side of the field, and Alf Andrews would hand us our cuppa over the top of a 6ft chain link fence: that took some doing! Alf lived with his wife and very elderly mother in Garner Road E17 and Alf was the Secretary of Leyton (or was it Leytonstone?) Football Club.

One day I'd gone along to see Alf for my usual elevenses, and I noticed the most beautiful blooms on his Chyrsanthemum plants. I told him that they looked like Prize blooms! He was chuffed at my remarks and said: "Do you think so ?". "I really do!", I replied.

I asked him what treatment he'd given them, he said he'd done nothing, no real feeding to speak of, nor paper or polythene bags put over the blooms, no curling of all the petals, etc... He said he just planted them, staked them with a cane and tied in, and kept watered. I said that he should enter them for a show, I told him that I knew nothing of prize blooms, for I've always believed that a plant will only grow how it wants to grow! Anyhow, after a couple or so weeks, Alf found a show and said he was going to enter, after that weekend, on the Monday morning, Alf gave his usual whistle for tea, he had a broad grin across his face and said: "I won!"

In fact Alf had won 3 firsts, 2 seconds and a 3rd prize! We just couldn't believe it, he thanked me for encouraging him on his blooms, and pushing him to go to a show. Perhaps I did unwittingly have an eye for prize blooms, but I doubt it.

I then gave some thought as to the judges, what was so different with Alf's blooms that they thought them worthy winners? Something that I've longed to see, and that is for judges to enter various shows with their own blooms, unbeknown to the new judges as to who they were, for then them getting no 1sts no 2nds or 3rds how would they handle the humiliation? For surely if they are judges they Must win?

A couple of days later, I took some nice photos of Alf posing with his winning cups, I still have these photos, that show the close up shots of his other Chyrsanths actually growing in the garden. The only thing that Alf did do, and that was dis budding to get large blooms on only some of his plants, for as he was a first time grower, he'd seen other growers do this. All the others he left as sprays.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

16 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Maureen Shanks (07 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools)

I am delighted to say that I spent a wonderful day with Brenda yesterday.

My thanks to all of you and chalk up another success for WM!

Pat LYNN Private Reply Public Reply

14 Apr 2015 - General: Keith Nichols

Hello,
I have noticed a gentleman posting in your 'memories' section by the name of Keith Nichols.
I would very much like to ask him if he wrote a booklet called 'My Earliest Memories of Harold Hill, Romford, Essex', as I am trying to track a copy for a friend of mine and it went out of print in 1997.

Not sure how to post a reply on your site (public or private) as I get a request to install Microsoft Outlook to send an email. (Obviously I am NOT a techie!)

Would you be so kind as to contact him for me to ask? Please feel free to give him my email address if he should want to contact me. It would be very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Julianne COLBRAN Private Reply Public Reply

13 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Bill Bayliss (07 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories)

I do not know a lot about my great grand parents. I know they owned at least one off license in Leytonstone. Their son Albert ran it (my grandad) They lived above it and I have photos of my nan and grandad behind the counter that had pumps on like a pub bar. Customers used to take in jugs to be filled with beer. I also remember my nan telling me about burglaries that had accrued locally and how their dog had been poisoned in an attempt to break into their place. My great grand parents also owned some houses but I do not know any more about those. Harry Brown died in the flue epidemic in 1918 at the age of 54.

Sarah remarried. His surname was also Brown. I have been told that he lost her all her money. I do not know if that was true. I have found a grave in Queens RD cemetery with the names Harry Brown, Charlie Brown (second husband) and Sarah Brown. I presume there was a lack of money on her death other wise surely they would not have all been buried together in a family grave. The Rising Sun pub they owned was transferred to Sarah after the death of her husband Harry, but I do not know what happened to it then or when she left.

Carol Ann BARBER Private Reply Public Reply

9 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Carol Ann Barber (07 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories)

The Rising Sun... what memories I have of spending so much time as a boy fishing! I used to get the train at Hoe Street to Wood Street and remember the walk up the hill of Upper Walthamstow Road.
I would always visit the tea stall for one of the lovely meat pie's... great times!

David FITZGIBBON Private Reply Public Reply

9 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Carol Ann Barber (07 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories)

This is absolutely fascinating and confirmation of the pub information can be found at:
http://pubshistory.com/EssexPubs/Walthamstow/risinsun.shtml that tells us that the publicans for the pub in the relevant period were:

In earlier years, in 1891, the journey from 'The Rising Sun' to the end of Lea Bridge Road cost 3d. and took 35 minutes, and at Clapton the passenger could board another tram which would take him to Bloomsbury

Between 1916-25 when the Brown's were the landlords, the pub would have been at the height of its popularity as the trams, which now interfaced with the Leyton tramway system, terminated outside and disgorged vast numbers of East Londoners who were out on the razzle for the day. There would have also been charabancs full of people on works or family outings. Beside the pub was the Bullrush pond where you could hire rowing boats. Over the road was a small fair and refreshment hut. A little way along was the Cardo Memorial Hut where a St John Ambulance Brigade member would attend to the various injuries sustained by the day trippers.

In my house we still have mugs of tea and well spiced home-made bread pudding and when the children were younger they would compete for the crusty corner pieces.

The Walthamstow library was opened in 1894 and that presumably was the date that your grand-father laid the stone. I would very much like to know more about your grand-parents and I would be grateful for any memories that you can share about them.

Best wishes

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

07 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories

Post Bag brings back many memories. My great grandparents owned The Rising Sun in the early 1900's. Their names were Sarah and Harry Brown. He was also a Councillor and JP and laid the stone outside the old Walthamstow Library. I was born in 1951 at home in Edingburgh Road. It was nice to read about the tea stall opposite the pub. When I was young my father used to take me on walks to the forest and we always had a slice of bread pudding and a mug of tea at that stall.

Carol Ann BARBER Private Reply Public Reply

7 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Paul Taylor (05 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: St. John's Ambulance Hut)

Thank you very much for confirming the information about the Cardo Memorial Hut that was by the Rising Sun pond. (My post: 4th April 2015 - Public Reply to Mary Radford - Family Search Cardo).

You can see some evocative pictures of the pond in my article "Walthamstow's Playground" about the Whipps Cross ponds in the "History Articles" section: Walthamstow's Playground.0

In my post, I included snips from the Walthamstow Medical Officer of Health for 1933 & 1934 relating to the incredible range of voluntary work in the area carried out by the St John's Ambulance Brigade. This included: staffing the Willow Walk station, the sub station at the Buxton Club, the Duncan Memorial at Highams Park and in the summer the Epping Forest and Marsh tents and the Cardo Memorial Hut. Duty at Clapton Stadium every Saturday and at special meetings and at Lea Bridge Speedway with six men at every event. Cover every night to the Dominion, Carlton and Bell cinemas, Old Folks functions and football and sports duties.

In addition, Brigade members attended a course of lectures on gas attacks, first aid and nursing, "worms" and blood transfusions.

Although only 80 years ago, its like talk about a vanished land. Although the land remains, none of the places mentioned are still there and we can only but marvel and the dedication to their fellow humans shown by St John's Ambulance Brigade Members.

The St John's Ambulance Brigade is a world wide movement and is still very much alive and well and you can contact them at: http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/default.aspx?gclid=CKPh05qN5MQCFcHKtAod7SQANg

Respects,

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

07 Apr 2015 - Public Reply to Ruth Clarke (31 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories)

Hello Ruth, yes I moved to the prefab when I was 6 I believe...and then to Millfield Ave when I was 12.

Regards

Helen WILSON Private Reply Public Reply

05 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: St. John's Ambulance Hut

Further to the recent articles relating to the above matter, I would state that I remember the hut. It stood on open forest land, adjacent to the Rising Sun pond, close to the main Woodford New Road. Its main purpose was to serve the many families that used the location for recreational purposes, bearing in mind that the majority of people did not have access cars like we have today and could not travel far or afford much.

The main attractions were the pond that had childrens boats for hire, which comprised of canoes, paddle boats and rowing boats. Over the main road there was a family run tea bar which sold all manner of snacks including home made ice cream with slivers of ice in. In addition there was also The Rising Sun public house which was e welcome oasis for many a rambler. Sadly no longer a pub, but some form of night club.

Over the years the popularity of the site waned and the hut was allowed to deteriorate, helped by the occasional bout of vandalism.

I think that the increase in the amount and speed of the traffic along the road and the application of the yellow parking lines firstly made it dangerous to cross the road and the fact people could not park their newly acquired cars hastened the final end of the site. Finally the pond was allowed to dry up through improvements to the old water works reservoir and the building of a new reservoir on the other side of forest road. In that excess water was no longer allowed to flow through the forest into the pond.. the final demise of the hut must have been in the late seventies if my memory is correct. I hope this piece of information is of assistance.

Regards

Paul TAYLOR Private Reply Public Reply

4 Apr 2015 - Personal Memories: More Prize Bingo

A few more Walthamstow memories of mine and on the subject of prize bingo.

On one of my postings, I mentioned that I was the main bingo caller. When working at 124 High Street E17 for Eileen and Jack Cohen, I remember during the 70s during the power cuts, how silent it all was when I was doing the calling, for of course the bingo machine was run by electric, and to break up the violence I had to do even more banter with the customers. All year though Ronnie Schwartz (the Manager, now a personal friend) would give me a short break from doing the calling and asked me to go to Rossi's which was opposite us, to buy teas and coffees, etc... for each and every customer. All done to keep the customers playing, for although the outlay for tea cakes etc... was a big outlay, it was nothing compared to the amount of games that I could get in by the time they'd finished.

High summer was the same, but this time I had to get trays of not only teas and coffees, but also cold drinks, and very many ice creams and lollies!

We used to open the doors at 10 in the morning, and Ronnie would straight away send out for teas etc to hold the first customers of the day. It was the very same ladies who turned up on the dot each day, they'd bring there lunches and flasks, and stop all day until we closed at 6.

On a couple of occasions irate husbands would come in looking for their wives. One incident was pretty nasty to see, when one bloke came in, grabbed his wife's hair and dragged her by it out into the very busy Saturday afternoon crowds to the shock of everyone!

When all the crowds had gone home, Ronnie used to count up the days takings, other staff washing up our tea things and putting the stools on the counter, and I had the awful job of sweeping up: it was mainly cigarette ash, and was so amazed how much of it that was in the dustpan when I'd finished!

Winter was the worse for me, being a strict non smoker, for the shop door was kept closed. One winter I remember I came out in huge boils, I'd never had this happen before, but it was so hot in there, and the air always blue with smoke it was horrendous, and, as I've said before, sore throats were a regular thing for me as I was the one doing all the talking!

The Cohen's had only 2 sons to my knowledge: Ian and Derek, each having their own bingo shops elsewhere, they being at Cleethorpes, Brixton, etc... Ian or Derek would take over managing "kid's shop", if Ronnie was ever ill or on holiday. Derek bought his own prize bingo at the Bell Corner. The shop was a long narrow one, right on the corner of Chingford Road and Forest Road, facing "The Bell" pub, and the main bus stop, the bingo shop joined the chemist shop that was (still is?) on the corner.

The bus stop side opposite the shop was the busier side of the street, and Derek was keen to get this new venture started, but clients were thin on the ground, so I said: "Could you get a really long lead for the microphone?" - which he did. I then asked him to put up a speaker outside. He wondered what I was up to, so I showed him: I walked out into the street to do my speiling to draw the crowds in, walking right up to the chemist door, and of course a bigger audience when the buses stopped over the road. People's faces on the buses was a picture!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

4 Apr 2015 - Public reply to Gilda MANN (30 Aug 2013 - Personal Stories)

Hi Gilda,
I am new to this site I noticed your name if your maiden name was Silver I was in your class at Mission Grove School. I remember your mum's stall in the High Street I only have one photo of our class, I think you were in the front row sitting on the right. I am second row back on the extreme left the boy with fair hair. Hope you are well - be nice to hear from you!

David GARDINER Private Reply Public Reply

31 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Bill Bayliss

Bill,
We lived in the very small prefab development of Essex Hall on Black horse Rd about 10 units in total. We lived there until I was 9, and enjoyed the shed (old bomb shelter), rain barrel in which we kept fish from the river lea, just across the road, and playing in the garden.

There does not seem to be any record of Essex Hall now, but it did exist!

Thanks so much

Ruth CLARKE Private Reply Public Reply

30 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Paul Taylor (28 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: The Young Braves)

Hello Paul,
I've read your recent account on this site (A Child Of The 50's Growing Up In Walthamstow) with great interest and, because I also lived in one, particularly liked your description of your prefab.

In your story you mention 'The Young Braves'. You may be interested to know that there has been previous mention of them made in the Walthamstow Times Facebook site [here], with mention of Charlie and John Birkin and Christine Keil. There is also a picture that I hope will stir your memories reproduced by courtesy of Walthamstow Times.

Respects,

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

28 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Growing up in Walthamstow

Hi Daniel,
I was born in Walthamstow and lived all my working life there. I have now retired to Suffolk, where I have had the time to compose an account of my memories of growing up in Walthamstow.

This is due to someone from my past recognising me from over 56 years ago, when we were both in a young peoples organisation called The Young Braves association. Last year I was working at my seasonal job at a local car park when Geoff Kempley came up and asked if I came from Walthamstow and did I remember the young Braves? This inspired me to put pen to paper.

If you feel that my account is good enough can you include it into Personal Memories?

Keep the good work up

Stephen Paul TAYLOR
  Private Reply Public Reply

24 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Saints or Freuds?

Like anyone with a disability or terminal illness, we look to help our loved ones, and I did my best for my mum who had MS. I took her to see the well known Harry Edwards, somewhere in London. He had a packed audience, each person there hoping that they would be chosen for a healing, sadly we were the unlucky ones, and came away disappointed, we did however see people supposedly 'cured'. Now whether he was the genuine article I can't say, but he was extremely well known, but don't know what happened to him.

One Walthamstow memory of mine was taking mum along to see Walthamstow's own healer Alf Bolton, who made big headlines locally and beyond, and had a statue of Jesus that cried tears/blood? I can't remember the story now, but the Walthamstow Guardian Newspaper did several articles on him at the time. Then, suddenly faded from the scene, now what became of him l don't know.

I booked up to see him. So wheeled my mum to Beaulah Road E17, where he operated from. He had a lot of the people upstairs at that property, but as mum was in a wheelchair he came downstairs to lay hands on mum, but as expected she wasn't cured. When I said "downstairs", it was actually outside.

One other Walthamstow Memory was when I went to see one of the famous female medium - either Doris Stokes or Doris Collins? - I suspect the latter: readers of this may be able to correct me on which one!

The event took place at Walthamstow Assembly Hall E17. I was 15 rows back, therefore had a reasonable view of her on the stage, so as to what happened next was, to put it mildly, ...staggering!

Doris suddenly looked our way, and she said that she had a message, it was for the person directly in front of me in row 14. She then said: "The message is for you sir, 14 rows back 3rd person along". It goes without saying everybody there gazed at the person, who was visibly embarrassed, for the person wasn't a man but a Lady! (She was with her husband).

Doris of course was getting no reaction from the 'man' and wondered why the 'man' wasn't replying, she kept saying "yes you sir"and once again repeated the seat position. By now all eyes were on this poor unfortunate lady, who wanted the ground to swallow her up. Everybody was now all muttering away saying: "It's a lady "! Doris kept on pressing, and as she got no answer, went to someone else, I think that there wasn't anyone who believed anything she said after that. She did however pick on a lady, whose late husband had died in a fire, he had been a fireman, and apparently he was there with Doris with his Fire engine. The lady cried, so I assume Doris got this one right? Or was there a plant in the audience? For how could you get something so wrong on one thing and 'right ' on something else?

I expect that lady in front of me must have thought that the spirits need glasses! Or had Doris had a spirit in a glass before she came on!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

24 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Lost Gravestone

In one of my very recent postings, I mentioned Kate Ellis who saw the ghost of Dick Turpin, and mentioned that her grandson, Robert Mitchell, and I became great friends, and because we had that connection to the fairground. We did however become sort of related, for he married my mum's cousins niece, but sadly later they parted. I never found out if they got back together? Bob came to see me here, where l now live, and we got on so well, but never saw him again. I wrote a couple of times... no reply, hence no sooner had we met again he disappeared! Sad really, for I found photos of his family, one photo of a chap looked just like Bob! I also knew the whereabouts of his family's Gallopers (carousel), for he had no idea if they still existed, and it was me who supplied all the relevant info to the then new owners, who operated them at one of Norfolk's tourist attractions. They had a special board made up and sign written with all the info that I'd told them.

Bob had relatives in Walthamstow and Chingford and, of course, in the Loughton area, and was sad that most of his relatives had either died, or were suffering from dementia, and they were the ones who could have told him so much. Bob did tell me, on that one and only visit to me, that a relative had told him that one of the ancestors had a gravestone which had a set of Gallopers etched on it. Bob said that he'd searched both Queens Rd and Chingford cemeteries, and in Hackney area where the family had connections, but no luck.

When I last saw Bob, he told me that he wasn't connected to the fairground anymore, but was a plasterer with 16 men working for him, in the Chelmsford area. Bob too probably doesn't know that he still has relatives travelling today, and makers of children's rides., and residing in Witham, not too far from him! It's a great shame that he did not reply to my calls, for as I said, we got on so well, there must be an explanation, or perhaps he just didn't like my tea!

Perhaps Bob's sisters Barbara or Pamela may still reside in Chingford or Walthamstow areas. When I first knew them they lived in Bluehouse Road, Chingford Hatch E4. It's possible too that Bob's mum could still be alive, and still living there? For her mum Kate Ellis lived to a good age, and she may have the same genes!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

22 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: That's the Spirit! (3)

I was restoring the gardens at a Public school and made a good few friends there, one of these was David. He was employed as a garden labourer, and on his own admission told me that he knew nothing about gardening, so asked if I could pop along to give him some advice on his garden, as he'd fallen in love with my garden at Guildford Road E17, hence paid my first visit to his home in nearby Loughton.

The first thing I noticed on my way to his house was that be lived very close to Traps Hill. Now I knew a bit about Traps Hill, and had done as soon as I moved to Chingford Hatch in 1960, and will give full details to you as I go along!

I turned to David, and said that I'd noticed that he lived very near Traps Hill. David wondered why I should mention that road, I was puzzled too for him not to mention why the road is so well known. David was still puzzled, so I said: "Haven't you heard of the well known Highwayman Dick Turpin?". He said that he had, but David still wondered why I should mention The Highwayman, so I said that Traps Hill is possibly the most frequently known place to see the ghost of Dick Turpin. I had hardly got my words out, when David turned a deathly white! I of course asked if he was ok, and when he regained his composure, he said "I've seen him!". He then went on to tell me what he saw. He said that he was on his way home from a mates house one cold misty November night, when a ghostly vision of a man on a horse passed him at a speed , and noticed that the man wore an old fashioned three cornered hat.

David was so shocked to now know that it was Dick Turpin himself who he had seen, and I was surprised too, for he was the 2nd person whom I knew that had seen Turpin. And as I said before, David had not known that Traps Hill was one of Turpin's haunts, .....he does now!

David did inadvertent me that I was the first person who he had told, for he didn't know how to explain on what he'd seen, of course if he had have spoken up, long standing locals would have put him wise. Now my findings, as I said , go back to 1960.

Not long after I moved to Chingford Hatch, another lad of my age (12) started at Heathcote School E4. His name was Robert Mitchell, he'd moved to the Hatch from Debden with his mum, older sister Barbara, and younger sister Pamela. Bob took me to show me where be lived, and we actually visited Debden fair, and there were Twist competitions being held on the Dodgems! I was soon to learn more about the family, and eventually met his lovely Nan, Kate Ellis, who lived not far from Bob and his family, at Otterbourne Road, also at The Hatch. I learnt a lot from her, and a lot of lost history too. She told me that they had a fairground yard in Station Road E4, but was bombed during the war and lost a lot of equipment (the Ellis family operated at one of the Epping Forest Retreats), of which I have written a lot in one of my books. Kate told me that when she was a little girl (she was 87 when I first knew her), she and a friend had been told about Dick Turpin's ghost, so one night she and her pal both sneaked out, and hid in a hedgerow on Traps Hill, in the hopes of seeing the ghost, and they did! She told me that they were terrified, and ran home!

Turpin's Cave at High Beach (Epping Forest)

She also told me about Dick Turpin's Cave at High Beach in Epping Forest, and told me that the cave was far bigger than what you see today, and that when she was a little girl, was told that people were lost in there and never found, and a decision was made to ram in a post at the mouth of the cave, and tie ropes around the waists of folk that wanted to wander into the cave, but could find their way out easily by following the ropes back to the post. Kate also told me that the cave led all over High Beach, under all those humps and bumps that make up The Beach. Kate also said that as a girl she was told that the cave, or one of the tunnels leading from it, led to Friday Hill House at Chingford Hatch, quite a few miles away.

Quite how much of this was true or legend, we'll probably never know.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

22 Mar 2015 - Re: That's the Spirit!

Do I believe in ghosts? I do believe that people can experience "ghosts" that are created inside the person's subconscious mind and affect the conscious mind. How the information about the "ghost" reaches the subconscious mind is open to debate. Inherited memory is one possibility, telepathic transfer is another possibility. There are probably other methods.

I do believe in telepathy. For me the proof was when I felt the need to contact the aunt of girl friend with whom I had had no contact for more than 30 years. What was odd was that I felt the need to drive about 50 miles out of my way when going home from a business meeting to the town where the friend's aunt lived. I did not have the aunt's address and I did not know for certain if she still lived there, It was too illogical to do that so I didn't. Six months later the friend contacted me via Friends Reunited. I knew the exact time the need arose from the sign in at the business meeting. At that same time in Australia my friend was in the depths of despair with a lot of emotional stress, having lost many items in two burglaries and listening to a news item on the TV. There was similar feeling a few weeks earlier, but no way to time stamp the events. Never was there a clear message as to why contact was needed, only a strong feeling to do something illogical.

There have over the years been several similar incidents where without any logical reason I have been driven to contact people who were, unbeknown to me, in need of help or support that I could offer them.

Bernard GREEN Private Reply Public Reply

22 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: That's the Spirit! (2)

When my dear Nan (Rosina Ridley) died back in 1971, none of the family could face going to see her in the mortuary at Whipps Cross Hospital, so I thought I'd go on behalf of all of them, but I never told anyone, for I didn't want them to feel bad perhaps for not going. So I went along to see my dear nan, and glad afterwards that I went.

That evening I saw my girlfriend (now my wife) home, and walked all the way home to Coppermill Lane. I decided to walk down the back of the Hight Street, where all the market stalls were kept. There was no lighting, but usually safer than walking down the High Street, back then.

Anyhow, as I was walking along, I suddenly started to smell this odd smell, and it got stronger, so I stopped and sniffed the air, as perhaps I was imagining it. I walked a little more, and the smell was slightly stronger still, it then dawned on me that the smell was "clinical" to describe it, then I did get frightened, for I realised it was the smell from the mortuary, it was a mix of embalming fluid and incense. I don't know why, but I cast my eyes in the direction where Whipps Cross was, and knew then that this must be my Nan. I remember hurrying along at this point, and glad when l came out at St James' Street, where there was not only lighting, but the hustle and bustle of traffic and crowds, the smell now had gone. But as I started to walk down Coppermill Lane, the smell came back, and again I remember stopping to collect my thoughts and sniff the air again, but the smell remained.

Once indoors, the smell stopped. I made myself a cuppa, then went to bed, and once in bed the smell came again quite strong. I was scared, but thought this must be my Nan, and her way of thanking me for going to see her, and to let me know that she was with me. I remember too going under the covers and peeping out, then going under the covers and falling asleep. I never told my mum or aunts and uncle for a long time, nor my Grandad, but when I did, they all said it was my Nan thanking me.

My Grandad too started to have strange things happen soon after. The bathroom in Leucha Road had one of those pull cord gadgets, where a heater came on with the light: my Grandad would often see this light/fire on, who then pulled the cord?

When my Nan was alive she used to make little dolls clothes for the dolls on her dressing table, Grandad told us that when she died he'd go into their bedroom and see that the dolls had been moved around, this was Nans way of letting Grandad know she was still with him.

I miss my Nan and Grandad so much, I do hope we all meet again some day?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

21 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: That's the Spirit! (1)

Lots of people have seen ghosts, or at least experienced 'something', but not a subject lightly brushed under the carpet, I am one of those folk who have had experiences, and some years back, I did a little booklet on the subject I found that if you didn't ridicule people, they would tell you or their experiences, i'll possibly only just tell you about what happened in WALTHAMSTOW or just outside it.l may have to tell you about them in snippets.

My first 2 experiences were odd to say the least, and couldn't really call them 'ghostly' but really to do with the power of the mind?

When we moved from Harold Hill, Essex, to Chingford Hatch E4 in 1960, I had no friends to start with, so used to go to the Regal Cinema at Higham Park E4 on my own, and did so for 2/3 years. A lovely young girl of my age started work there as an usherette, and had an instant liking for each other, her name was Lesley, I was far too shy to ask her out, so made every excuse to go to the pictures.

Then one day she wasn't there, I thought nothing of it at first, and just thought that she was either ill or having a day off, but after a good while I somehow found the courage to ask the manageress where Lesley was, and she said that she left about 3 weeks ago. Mortified was putting it mildly. I was kicking myself for not asking her out when I had the chance.

This played on my mind, for I had no idea really where she lived, albeit Winchester Rd seems to be at the back of my mind or around that area. It seems likely as this wouldn't have been too bad a walk for her to the cinema. Then one night I had this so very vivid dream, and that she was working in Woolworths at the bottom of Walthamstow High Street, I knew that well as my nan was one time manageress there, but that was all I knew of Walthamstow at that time. I just had to go to Walthamstow, so told my mate Tony Barnard, about my dream, Tony thought I was crackers! Mind you, so did I, but the dream was so real I just had to go and check!

All the way there Tony kept laughing at me for wasting our time and money, anyhow, we went into Woolworths, and walked around the store, and to the shock of Tony and me... there was Lesley working on the tea counter! We were both stunned. Lesley spotted me, and we both said hello. I was too shocked to say anymore. Tony and I came away in silence, and I never saw Lesley again. The second bit that happened to me was even stranger. We all used to pop round to see the mother of our two mates, she was a friendly soul, and welcomed us with a cuppa, her name was Beatrice, and husband Ken, he never joined in with all the chat and banter, and stayed in another room when 3 or 4 of us came round, we never stayed long.

A few years down the line when I was working at the Prize Bingo I was to have a huge shock, for one night I had a dream that Ken had died, again it was a vivid one and remember waking up very sad, then one day when I was calling out the numbers Beatrice came into the doorway dressed in black, my heart sank, for I knew what she was going to say... then the words came out... sorry to disturb you Keith, just thought. you might like to know that my Ken died three weeks ago, I thanked her for letting me know, I was longing to tell her that I already knew, but how could l? My dream too was three weeks ago exactly when Beatrice told me that Ken had died.

Thankfully I've never had a premonition like that again, but the puzzling thing is, why did I have that dream about someone I hardly knew ? I have more to tell... keep watching !

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

20 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Frankenstein Monster E17!

Way back in the 60s, when one or other of my relatives was ill and we couldn't open at Chingford Plains fairground, I'd take myself off to Wanstead fair. Like today, I always tried to seek out the unusual, or the old freak and novelty... and parading shows were fading fast from our fairgrounds. It was such a surprise to then spot one such novelty show.

The wording above on the proscenium board read "FRANKENSTEINS MONSTER", then all the usual wording like: "IS IT REAL?" and "IS IT ALIVE?".

I thought I must go in and see this! So I did: a good few people were in there already, and we all stood in awe at the monster. It was sitting in what I would describe as an electric chair in design. The monster had a red light bulb just behind its head, for good effect, and its arms resting on the arms of the wooden chair with the wrists just partially 'clamped'. We all stood there in total silence, albeit there were mutterings from people wondering if it was real or not? For it certainly looked real and as good as anything that we'd all seen in films. It took a couple of brave souls to take a closer look, and as they did the monster would move its fingers slowly, you'd then hear gasps from the public ....."It moved!"....."No, it didn't!", said others. Then the monster would move its foot showing definite movement. Now folk were really intrigued, and coming even closer to look, the monster in the chair was positioned on a 2ft high 'stage' with various wires etc seemingly attached to the monster in some way.

Then all of a sudden the monster stood up!.. roared... and had its arms outstretched in typical Frankenstein pose, as if to grab someone. All the women screamed as the monster made to the edge of the stage as if to give chase! Folk ran out in terror, hence all brilliant 'advertising 'for the next crowds to go in and see what all the fuss was about!

It was the same on Mel Reid's Boxing and Wrestling Show, see have a plant outside, he'd put his hand up for a fight, Mel would at first taunt him by saying "You fight my man? Never!"... "You're too fat" or "You haven't got the guts", etc... This alone would get the crowds going before the guy had got in the ring! Plus, now you'd have a guaranteed crowd to go and see the show to see that ordinary 'JOE 'hopefully win.

He of course didn't win, especially with the wrestling, for he'd have all manner of dirty tricks done to him, the wrestler would get 'entry's, but the crowd really went mad and so furious that their man was being treated so badly, so at the height of the mayhem, Mel would slide open the wooden doors, so that all the outside public could see the near rioting inside the booth. So picture the scene: there's the crowds inside and outside the booth, all good 'advertising' again! It was at this point that Mel would do his speiling to the now very big crowds, he'd ask the wrestler that if he thought the decision was wrong, he'd have to come outside, put his hand up to fight again, so the crowds inside the show were giving him great encouragement to go outside and have another go. It really was mayhem in there, I can tell you!

Anyhow, the wrestler makes his way outside, followed by the crowds inside the booth (thus now emptying the booth), and he would complain about his treatment (usually that he'd been hurt below the belt... if you know what l mean!).

Mel would still be taunting him, but let this ordinary bloke have another go. So now we had double the crowd, those that saw the first fight and the new crowd who have now witnessed the chaos, the booth would be full to capacity. Of course it wasn't just that fight, it was a full show with other boxers and wrestlers who'd put their hands up to fight and were the genuine articles, but showmanship was needed to get the crowds in somehow !

When it was the ordinary Joe's turn to have his second fight, it goes without saying that he won! The crowds were thrilled: 'their man' had won, the wrestler would now come out of the ring, and go round with a hat, and the now very happy crowds would put in coins, pound notes etc to show their appreciation. This money of course was not for him, for this was put into a box, added up at the end of the week and shared out with the permanent boxers and wrestlers who travelled with us. One small thing perhaps worth a mention: Mel insisted that the boxers and wrestlers changed into boxing and wrestling garb. Where Ron Taylor on his booth ,let the guys fight in the clothes that they came in ,the wrestling he did provide wrestling clobber if the wrestlers wanted to as ordinary clothes were far too restrictive. Right, let's get back to the Monster!

On the show, when all the crowds had gone out, I stayed put, for I just simply had to watch the monster and the terrifying looks of fear on the public, this was something quite different. As I stood there alone watching the monster, the monster suddenly said: "Hello Keith!". I nearly jumped out of my skin, I can tell you! We had a very brief chat, for the new crowds were piling in to see the next show. I had no idea who the guy was, I had no time to ask! But so happily watched the show over again.

We used to pull in for the winter now that most fairs had finished, and like all showmen we had to find a job, anyone could more or less be guaranteed a job at the Laburnam Moulding Mills, at Sutherland ROAD E17. They specialised mainly making coffin mouldings. One morning a new chap started, he came straight up to me with a smile, he said: "I haven't seen you since Easter!". I was puzzled, go say the least. He then said that he was the Frankenstein Monster! Now it all made perfect sense: I'd known this chap on the fairgrounds for many years, as you can imagine we had tons to talk about!

The show was owned by the Appleton family of snowmen, who presented mainly freak and novelty shows at nearly all the major fairgrounds. Still today based in Norwich, but travel mainly in Devon, albeit don't travel those novelty shows anymore. Pity really, for the Frankenstein Monster show was a good money taker and crowd puller and could be adopted today?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

18 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Fight to the Finish!

Let me tell you the last bit about The Common Gate, Mel Reid and our time... and last time. A Boxing and Wrestling Booth was at Lea Bridge Fair.

After the hectic Bank Holiday was over, Mel kept the show closed for the rest of the week, for there was not a great influx of people to warrant the show opening. Mel asked me if I could keep an eye on the show for the rest of the week, so I took my flask and sandwiches, and spent my days just sitting on the front of the booth ....or standing!

I'd spend my time chatting to any friends that happened to visit the fair, and of course to the general public, who all took an interest in the show. I would also walk round the show several times a day to make sure their were not any vandals lurking about, for even when we were open, yobs would openly scale the wooden walls to get a free entry. The most surprising bit about this is that some of the public would have a go at us for making the yobs go back out! Any public that had a go at me shouting the odds, I'd say: "How much have you paid to get in?" They'd say: "7/6d", so I'd say: "You've paid all that and you want them to come in free?". This soon shut them up!

Racial tension was high back then, and I was to witness it for the first time. One afternoon, and as I've said, the fair wasn't busy, when suddenly fighting broke out right in front of the booth right where I was sitting! It was quite vicious, a heavy chain was swung, and although not meant for me, the chain hit the front boards of the show making a dent in the wood! On the main bank holiday, Mel's wife Fay (Faye) would be in the pay box, and her dad Sam McEowan, would take over from Mel doing the speiling on the front of the show to entice the crowds. Mel and Fay were good to me, for I was going through a bad time in my life, where very many would've turned to drink, drugs or smoking. I have done none of these. Fay would do me meals in their kitchen at The Common Gate, and Mel gave me some of his shirts and jumpers to keep warm.

I dreaded going home: there was nobody there, for Dad had long left us for love elsewhere, mum was never to leave hospital, little brother Barry had to go and live with Dad, and sister Sandra was always out with her pals. Christmas was the loneliest, all family gone...

Mel and Faye had two children - as I remember? - and believe the boy was called Mel? I can't recall the little girl's name now. I have the World's Fair newspaper each week (I mention this for I have no idea if their son grew up and stayed in the fairground business, for his name never crops up in that paper). Their daughter too could have stayed in the fairground, and perhaps married a showman? And of course wouldn't know her married name. (I have two photo's of Mel and Fay, which I will show here at some point).

Mel and the family moved to the Isle of Wight many years ago now, and may have stayed in the business, perhaps bought an arcade or permanent amusement site? Someone told me that Mel got into buying and selling cars? I dearly hoped they stayed in the amusement industry in one form or other, for Mel was a showman through and through.

One pleasant memory at the pub was when my pal Steven Hollick and me had just covered our leather jackets with glue. Steve had got hold of a bag of mixed coloured feathers from somewhere, and poured the lot on the jackets! We both went along to the Common Gate to show all our mates. Mel and Fay asked where we were off to, it was in fact to the hippy place The Middle Earth Club at Covent Garden.

Our feathers had hardly dried, so these feathers were all over the pub! They came off all down the road on our way to the tube station at Blackhorse Road, and all down the tube when the train came in. There were feathers everywhere! When we got to the club all the other hippys were plucking us! We caused another happening!

There were only two bad incidents for me personally at the pub, as mentioned in one of my earlier postings. I ran Disc City upstairs and a loudmouth yob, with the usual bravado with drink inside him, started to smash the glasses. Our hearts sank, for when we started this venture Mel had already told us that all breakages would have to be paid for, hence was all our hard learnt disappearing in front of our eyes.

The hob carried on looking at us and provoking us. Now the odd thing about this is that my mates didn't mind a fight, but did not want to approach this yob for now. He was menacingly holding out a jagged broken glass, all the lights were switched on, it truly was like something out of a Wild West film... with me in it!

I could see that my mates weren't going to do anything, so it was all down to me, so I asked the hob to put the glass down and leave, and told him that if I was the loser in this, I would hunt him down. We now had a crowd of onlookers, and all watched as the yob put the laws down and left.

The next incident was a strange one. I'd just sat down, when a girl that I hardly knew came over to me and sat on my lap! But in mere minutes I was punched in the face... from a friend of mine! It turned out that they'd had a row, and to make him jealous, she'd decided to put her arms round me and sit on my lap. The girl was full of apologies, I was so angry, my pal had now gone off, and I told everyone that if he didn't come back and apologise, I would find him. And I did, the very next day, in the cinema. He noticed me, but did nothing, so I went over to him, he stood up and I expected a free for all, but he apologised in an instant!

I stopped running Disc City after this, for pubs were alien to me, but totally lived up to the expectations of one, and everything I was warned about, I never went into a pub again until I was 56! I'm proud to say that I have never picked on anyone in my life, none of this..."Who you looking at ?"

Folk then found it strange that I took up wrestling, but that's another story, that I'll tell you about another time - and an interesting one. I took the sport up because of total cowardice, and ended with another very cowardly act.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

16 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (16 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Kingfisher Pool)

My memory of the Kingfisher Pool was a wedding reception in the restaurant or club house (Golf club?) next to the pool.

It was early 1950's and the bride was Valerie Weatherall, whose family owned the carpet shops in Palmerston Road.

I was about 8 years old and went exploring with a young lady (Wedding speeches are so boring). We found a workshop that was unlocked. My memory is using a vice to somehow turn a metal rod into a musical(?) triangle as a memento for the lady. Her name was Diane and I often wonder what happened to her.

I vaguely recall swimming there at some time, did the reception include a swimming party? I don't think so.

Bernard GREEN Private Reply Public Reply

16 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Mel Reid

Reading those letters about Mel Reid & the Common Gate Pub, my brother Ted used to have the Pub down the road The Brewery Tap. Mel & Ted used to play pranks on each other, one Sunday lunch time I popped in the Common Gate & Mel said I haven't wound your brother up lately, so he asked the guys in the pub would anybody like to earn a fiver & do a striptease in the Brewery tap. He found two volunteers, & said to them I will drop you off in the car park & pick you up around the other side in St James street, & said to me make sure Ted is in the bar tonight at 8 o'clock but don't let him know about the strippers. I was in the bar that night having a drink with Ted & about 8 o'clock the two naked blokes ran in & danced around the bar, Ted tried to grab one of them but couldn't, he said I might lose my licence over this, the two guys ran out into St James street but Mel wasn't there, he went back to the common gate with their clothes in car, so the two naked guys had to run all the way down Markhouse Road to Mels pub, half an later Mel walked into the Brewery Tap with a big grin on his face & Ted guessed it was him up to his pranks again, I asked Mel why he didn't wait for the two strippers & he said he wanted them to earn their money.

He was a character wasn't he!

Gus POPE Private Reply Public Reply

16 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Kingfisher Pool

This is a photo of my Dad's grandad, my GREAT Grand father, Walter Herbert Nichols, photo taken on site at the Kingfisher Pool, on the Walthamstow/Woodford boundaries, on the 12th of June 1934. It's always been known in the family that he designed and built the Kingfisher Pool.

Walter Herbert Nichols at Kingfisher Pool - 1934

The photo could be a publicity shot on what looks like the opening day? For there is a lady in the background to the right of the photo, and a chap in the background again to the left of the pic, and one of his tradesmen just behind him.

My great grandfather lived at The Brambles, in Chingford Road E4, and as the property perhaps got too much for them in later life, they moved to 78, Westward Rd in a property simply called The Bungalow. Thankfully, The Brambles still stands (see the posting that Bill Bayliss, a couple of days ago), a grand photo! The early 1900s photos that Bill showed me is really superb... Well done Bill!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

16 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Lyons Corner House

How about this for a great photo! This is my Dad's aunt - my nan's sister. Her name is Sarah Coggin (maiden name), I'm not sure but I think her married name was Paley? She was born in 1895, in Bethnal Green, and lived in Walthamstow. Her main job, we're told, was as a machinist, and in later life worked at Lyons Corner House in Charing Cross Road, where this photo was taken (as written on back of photo), but the mystery is, on looking closer, the lettering on the bag reads... Bournes!

I have no idea what year this photo was taken, and never knew this great aunt.

Sarah Coggin at Lyons Corner House (Charing Cross Road?)

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

14 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Pat Lynn (4 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools)

I used to go to Sonny Dearden's dance school, which was just off of Hoe Street next to "The Towers" pub in Selborne Road. Friday night was "jive" night with Mr. Dearden joining in. I often wondered how long that dance school survived - perhaps someone can tell me?

Marilyn STROUD Private Reply Public Reply

15 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: (1 Mar 2015 - Common Gate, again)

I worked as a DJ for a time, albeit not at The Common Gate, and I used the name Hairy Teeth Keith, because I always had a long moustache and beard, hence you could never see my teeth! Once Mel Reid knew that name, he never called me Keith again: it was always Hairy Teeth! This was a bit embarrassing sometimes, especially in front of strangers, 'cos it sounded like 'airy teef! There was always a brawl of some kind on occasions. I once asked Mel if trouble came because of who he was and, like the wild west, every hard case made a bee line for the place, either to impress Mel, other blokes , or girlfriends, etc... Mel said that trouble stayed away BECAUSE of who he was.

We begged to differ.

Mel employed his boxers and wrestlers behind the bar, therefore any trouble was quickly quashed. Now, we all know the thickness of those old pub doors. Well, one night a fight ensued, or an individual out to cause trouble, anyhow. The boxers and wrestlers grabbed this bloke, took arms and legs each and rammed the bloke's head against those big old doors, and the doors actually opened with the force of the guy's head! How he wasn't killed I don't know! The sound of that thud I remember so clearly today.

When we opened the show at Lea Bridge Fair, we had several 'local' boxers putting up their hands to fight. Sadly, I've long forgotten the names of most of them, but all great guys. One boxer was called Dudley, a nice quiet man who hardly ever spoke. When it was Dudley's turns to fight, he always asked for me to tie his gloves before he fought. He was only about 5ft 2, I should think, very agile, and when punched full on the face he hardly flinched, but was more like one of those toy wobbly men, that some of us used to play with, and he'd bounce back with fair ease. I would loved to have kept in touch with him.

Talking of local boxers, Walthamstow's own Charlie Smith (brother: George), fought on Mel's booth at Lea Bridge, during our time there. He must have been good, for if my memory serves me well, I think Mel asked Charlie to travel with us, for all booth owners were always on the look out for good boxers and wrestlers - so that they didn't have to pay out any Prize money! Our men had to beat all opponents no matter what knew both Charlie and George Smith, but only really to acknowledge, or say hello to. My sister used to go out with one of George's pals, and both liked my dear mum.

One day at that same fair, during one of the wrestling bouts, one of the boards sprang up as it gave way and clouted one of the wrestlers in the back of the head and knocked him out, so I rushed to the showman next to us (the very likable Donald Wheatley) for a glass of water to revive the wrestler. A quick repair was done and we all carried on.

Later that afternoon, trouble was to occur, for whilst Mel was doing the speiling, to entice the crowds in, and hopefully get some fighters to come up, a guy suddenly leapt up and punched Mel in the face! Mel got up and every boxer and wrestler gave chase to catch the bloke. It was Mel that caught the bloke,- Mel was in a rage and, apparently, Mel grabbed the bloke by the most sensitive parts of his anatomy, we were told that the bloke went a greeny colour! The chap disappeared into the crowd.

About half an hour passed, and the bloke was seen coming back through the crowds, so we were all on the alert. The chap went straight up to Mel and shook Mel's hand! We were all shocked, the chap just said: "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused", and casually walked away! We never did know what the problem was, least of all Mel himself. I will tell more of this saga shortly.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

14 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: (1 Mar 2015 - Explosive situation!)

See my posting for March 1st. The back of the photo reads "The Crisis / September 1938 / Winns Avenue Junior School" One of the lads in the gas mask is my Uncle John Ridley, Who are the others?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

12 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols ( 10 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Old Booths of long ago)

With reference to your post about Mel Reid's Boxing Booth, I thought that you might want to see a picture of it. Below is a picture of it taken at J Steven's fair in 1960. You may be interested in seeing similar pictures (Including a lot of Ron Taylor's very fine traditional booth) at:

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

10 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Old Booths of long ago

On my 18th February posting you would have read about Mel Reid's Boxing and Wrestling show. What I did not mention was the demise of that particular show, of which full details are in the Walthamstow Guardian archives somewhere.

Sadly I can't remember the year - I was 18 or so I should think - Mel was ready to take the show on the road, for it was now Springtime (n fact, Easter), so we were all keen to travel again, and as usual I'd be helping (Wrestler) Dicky Swales, travel the show as usual, but then disaster struck, for one night the show was set fire to and almost destroyed.

I never found out the full details, I was just told that Mel had an argument in his pub (The Common Gate) that night, and the yob or yobs, knew that Mel had the booth parked up all winter at the Gosport Road E17 car park, so went along and set fire to the booth.

Mel was devastated - we all were - for that was an old fashioned show and welcomed asset at all major fairgrounds.

Mel told the newspapers at the time that he'd lost several thousand pounds in booking receipts, i.e. pre-paid rents for ground position.

Our first fair would have been Acton, then Epsom Derby at some point. I never did know if Mel re-built the booth at some point, but I went travelling with other relatives until I bought my own equipment.

There is only one booth travelling today - I use the word travelling very lightly, for as far as I know the late Ron Taylor's booth only goes out once a year now, to Great Dorset Steam Fair,the booth now owned by Ron's daughter Vicky.

Ron died only a few years back, and in his 90s still driving the lorries and erecting and dismantling the show. I'd known Ron and his wife Lily for a good many years and their referee Mick Griffiths. Several of my wrestler pals have wrestled on that booth.

I'm so glad that the booth didn't land up in a museum somewhere, as we all thought after Ron's death.

From the 1890s onward the booths were on a decline. More so when dole money came on the scene and men fought on the booths to feed a family, a far cry from today's muggers etc with their so cowardly ways... No, these were real men who could hold their heads high.

During both wars fairground showmen would set up on any bit of old waste ground to see if a few pennies could be made. One such piece of waste land was in Walthamstow High Street E17.

Just pause for a second when standing near 99 A High St, for in the late 1800s stood Alf Ball's Boxing and Wrestling Booth, this booth and the crowds flocking in to see a boxing Lion! It had come from a circus, and hardly in active form, it had boxing gloves fitted to its front paws and a boxer would enter its cage and would punch the life out of the poor beast, and this sad animal was so frail that a snort could hardly be heard, let alone a ferocious roar...

Ironically, this site was sold to the Salvation Army, who in 1891 built a Citadel on it. Today, in the Millennium years, the wording Salvation Army can still be read above 99a High Street. It was there a few years back: can anyone enlighten me as to whether it's still legible and what the building is today?

When you're near this spot, pause a moment and think of that poor lion.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

9 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Maureen Shanks (9 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools)

Hello Maureen,
It's nice to hear from you again and even better that that you have the information needed to help another Walthamstow Memories correspondent, You've just neatly demonstrated that people finding isn't an exact science and direct knowledge is better.

When I'm looking for somebody, I start with the information that I have, in this case a name and the information that she married around a few years I then work with a combination of factors and probabilities. Although people are more mobile these days, up until the 1980's, most people (Particularly women) married partners from their own localities. In this case, I looked for marriages of people with the same name within a narrow year band in the Waltham Forest and immediate neighbourhood (Edmonton, West Ham, Epping etc) This search threw up a likely candidate in the right time frame and area and I then tracked them via people finding sites like BT residential and 192.com. I also use social media sites like Facebook, Friends Reunited etc.

It's not an exact science but considering that I am usually looking for people from 50+ years ago, it often produces good results. In this case, although I found somebody who met the criteria, the 'fly in the ointment' was that the woman I was looking for married completely outside outside of the local and immediate area.

My very best wishes,

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

9 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Pat Lynn (4 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools)

Hello Pat,
I saw your request in Postbag on 05 March. I am a very good friend of Brenda as she and I lived opposite one another in Priory Court. Brenda married John Griffiths and they lived in Greville Road. and had two children a son David and a daughter Angela. Unfortunately the split up and divorced and Brenda is now living in Bournemouth. Another friend of ours Jean Hayes nee Winckless also moved to Bournemouth and she and Brenda are best friends. I am in contact with Jean by email and she passes on all the new to Brenda. Occasionally Brenda emails me or phones me. Hope this helps.

Maureen SHANKS Private Reply Public Reply

7 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories

My brother - Mick - was part of the Young Braves Assn, with a man named Stuart. My brother passed away in 2011 and I found some photographs of the children amongst his possessions. If you would like to have them I will send them by surface mail

Jessie SIMMONS Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: We are always pleased to receive stories/pictures from our visitors! Many thanks, Jessie.

7 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (3 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Walthamstow Social Centre)

Hi there - The road was called The Bramblings not Brambles - I used to live there...

Jessie SIMMONS Private Reply Public Reply

7 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (2 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Jack Pallo)

On the 2nd March you posted:

Can anyone remember what year the top wrestler Jackie Pallo played King Rat at the Lloyd Park pavilion? I think it was in the 70s?
Also, can anybody tell me the name of that Pantomime? It may actually been called King Rat?
Keith NICHOLS

The pantomime would have been Dick Whittington, where King Rat is the comic villain who is the head of the bad rats. I took my grandchildren to see a version of this at the Barbican Theatre some years ago. I think that Jackie Pallo would have been King Rat at the Lloyd Park Pavilion in the mid 1980's.

From http://www.minki.net/aybsforum/showthread.php?t=780 we learn:

Jackie Pallo June 12, 1926 - February 11, 2006 Pallo enjoyed national fame for more than a decade, but he had an eye on his future and, while still a wrestling star, played an Ugly Sister in Cinderella and later villains in Goldilocks and Dick Whittington.

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

6 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Mrs Green

This is Mrs Green in her (and Mr Green's) garden at Kenilworth Avenue E17. Looks like the end house near to what was to become John Jackson's sign shop in the 7Os in Chingford Road.

Mrs Green, but I don't think is their garden for it's not cottagy enough! Also the two little lads need ID.
[See my 25 Feb posting]

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

6 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Mabel Coggin

I think this is my Dad's aunt Mabel (also written as Mable) - I call this photo "The Lady with the Film Star Looks... and Pose"!

She was born Mable Lillian Coggin in 1904, in Islington, later living in Walthamstow. She also married in Islington, in 1927, to George Edgar Sutton. Mabel died in Norwich in 1992. This is the so sad part about this, for she would have been no more than an hour possibly from where I live now!

Mabel's parents, were: Elizabeth Merry and Thomas John Coggin. Does anybody remember Mabel?

It is more likely that Mabel could have been my Dad's cousin? It was also rumoured that her husband was called Bert?

The bottom left pic was taken in 1932. The bottom right, taken with her friend or sister, was in 1934 - Mabel is the one seated.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

5 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (28 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Unknown Rooster?)

Hello Keith and Daniel,
Tom T Hall was a country music singer from the USA. I have vague memories that he did tour the UK, but cannot recall when that was.
http://www.tomthall.net/

Best regards

Bernard GREEN Private Reply Public Reply

5 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Pat Lynn (4 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools)

Hello Pat,
In a recent post you wrote:

"A particular lady I met was Brenda Green, who lived in Priory Court at the time and who subsequently married in about 1961/62 and moved to Greville Road E17 with her husband and son. If anyone has knowledge of Brenda's subsequent fortunes I would love to hear from them".
Pat LYNN

She married a man called George Bloor in 1963 and I am fairly sure that I have found them and have their telephone number and address. I will send this information to you on the private email facility.

Would you please advise via the Walthamstow Memories site if you find her. We love a happy ending,

Good luck!

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

4 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (28 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Unknown Rooster?)

Hello Keith,
In your recent post about Winns School, you wrote:

"The back of the photo reads "The Crisis. September 1938. Winns Avenue Junior School". Does anyone recall what the crisis was? Likely of course to be an air-raid"

Well, apart from the fact that I had been born 9 days earlier, which I don't think caused that much of a panic, and the fact that the war for Britain didn't start until a year later; the crisis in September 1938 was British Prime Minister, Nevile Chamberlain's discussion with Adolph Hitler and the signing of the Munich non-aggression pact which delayed the onset of war. Chamberlain arrived back in Britain flourishing the document and proclaiming "Peace in our time"

You may be interested to learn that, in WWII, there was a parents's strike involving Winn's school where the parents withheld their children from school and set up their own school,

Respects

Bill BAYLISS Private Reply Public Reply

4 Mar 2015 - Public Reply to Pat Lynn (4 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools)

I think the dancing school referred to in the Orford Road area was run by Mr. and Mrs. Smith, both ex-champions I believe.

My mates and I used to go there in our teens, every Wednesday and Friday, and repair to a pub just across the road during the interval.

I recall two things in particular. We were all virile young men and easily aroused, and a result were reluctant to hold our partner too closely. However, this did not wash with Mrs. Smith (in her fifties?) and she was frequently heard calling across the dance floor to one young man or another 'Hip contact if you please Mr. So and so..'

The other thing I remember is that there was always a lady's invitation during the evening and for this the lights were dimmed. As soon as it was announced, all the men lost their confidence, tried to make themselves invisible and nervously lit up a cigarette. At these times, the side of the hall where the young men stood could quite easily have been mistaken for the Blackpool illuminations.

The music was always strict tempo Victor Sylvester, placed on an old wind.up gramophone.

Boy, did we know how to live in those days..!

Tony LANCASTER Private Reply Public Reply

4 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Dance Schools

In the late 50s/early 60s there were a number of dancing schools in the Walthamstow area (Sonny Deardens off Forest Road and Bradley's near the Granada in Hoe street are two that I remember), where I met some very nice young ladies. Does anyone else remember these places - there was another one north of Hoe street in the Orford Road area?

A particular lady I met was Brenda Green, who lived in Priory Court at the time and who subsequently married in about 1961/62 and moved to Greville Road E17 with her husband and son. If anyone has knowledge of Brenda's subsequent fortunes I would love to hear from them.

Pat LYNN Private Reply Public Reply

4 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Flowery subject!

Daphnes Florist of Higham Hill Road was always patronised by our family for many years. But it was when I myself got to know them more, when I did a garden restoration for them at their home in Walthamstow. They were both the salt of the earth, and so nice to work for too.

I remember their particular job of work very well, for this was the first time that I'd been asked to dig out a Pampas Grass: it took me just over 4 hours of hard graft to remove it! This was a lesson well learnt, hence knew how to price more correctly when asked to dig out others during my long landscaping career, for they are very hard to remove!

The next florist was near the Bell Corner, in Forest Road, a short walk from Bedford Rd, and was called Peters, and of course more known as Peters Florist. On saying that, it was more affectionately known as Peters & Bettys.

These two nice people became firm friends, sadly Betty died only a few months ago. They both asked me if I could help them out by doing all their deliveries for them, but only at the more busier times like Vaslentine's Day, Mother's Day, etc... Now this job of work always fitted in fine with any other work that I had, The delight on people's faces when receiving bunches of flowers or a bouquet was a picture!

Even when I drove past their shop late at night, you'd see them working away to all hours, especially if they had a funeral or wedding on for the next day - for it had to be completed no matter what!

When they sold their shop, Peter took on the job working at a Garden Centre at Ingatestone, Essex. Peter always rang me to tell me if they had any old stock that was going cheap to clear, he always gave me first option. A little later on he took on the job as a Gardener on a private estate until he retired.

When doing all the deliveries for them all over Waltham Forest, Peter and Betty were good payers, and my fuel costs were always met. You meet some nice people in life, and forever grateful that I knew them, thankfully though Peter is still with us, but I'll never forget Peter and Betty, nor Fred and Daphne.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

3 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Walthamstow Social Centre

On the back of this photo reads "Happy New Year to Mr & Mrs Green - Xmas party 1948. Mrs Nichols".

{1948 is the year I was born}

How formal some people were back in those days!

The first lady in the front row is my Great-grandmother Minnie Nichols. Did she, I wonder, live at one time at 80, Kenilworth Avenue? And then pass the property to my Dad's parents? When they were better off, when moving to The Brambles in Chingford.

It is of course possible that they were already living at The Brambles and simply visiting their son and daughter-in-law, and got to know Mr & Mrs Green through them?

(For Mr & Mrs Green, see my 25th Feb posting)

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

3 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Gilsons Billet Road

These two photos are of my dear late mum aged about 19, I should think? The 2nd pic I'm not sure whether this was at Gilsons? Or possibly in a booth somewhere... bus/train station? It was an unusual booth as you can see, for it tells you your weight as well as taking taking your photo!

(See my posting for February 14th, 2015)

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

2 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Jackie Pallo

Can anyone remember what year the top wrestler Jackie Pallo played King Rat at the Lloyd Park pavilion? I think it was in the 70s?

Also, can anybody tell me the name of that Pantomime? It may actually been called King Rat?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

2 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Kenilworth Avenue, E17

My family had a long association at this address (80, Kenilworth Avenue, E17), as this was the boyhood home of my Dad Walter (Wallie/Wally) and of course his parents were my grandparents.

My granddad I never knew, but was said to be a cruel man, once throwing a dart into Dad's leg! Eric was Dad's younger brother and I have several photos of them all in the garden at that property.

My granddad was in the RAF (I'll submit more on this at a later date). During WW2 he was in the Home Guard in Walthamstow, and once again have some great photos of him with some chaps posing for the camera, one of the men being my step-grandfather (more of him later). My granddad had a good pal Percy Clayson, and told Percy that if anything should happen to him, he'd like him to look after Rosie for him. My granddad did die, and Percy did look after her - we think that they did marry and she became Rose Clayson. Nan's maiden name was Coggin. She had 3 brothers (Arthur, Albert and Alfred), and two sisters (Ethel, known as Ellen, and Sarah). I have a nice photo of her at the Lyons Corner House, where she worked.

Percy too is in the Dad's Army pose and once again I'll submit these soon! Did the Dad's Army have a base where they all met up for instructions? If so... where?

My Nan, like her husband, was a cruel lady. Once when mum had washed all my baby clothes, Nan took them down the garden in all the mud; my mum tried to clean out all the mice dirts from the cupboards, and told mum off for doing so. We're told that Mum had a miserable time there, and it was because of her treatment that mum befriended Mr and Mrs Green, a few doors down, and mum stayed life long friends with them (See my recent posting on Mr & Mrs Green).

My mum though loved Percy, but never saw him again after we moved away to Harold Hill. Dad would take my sister and me to see them both just twice a year. One of those times, just before Christmas, they would buy us the most wonderful presents, but I always had those thoughts of what mum had told us about her, so even as a child felt a bit two faced, for surely this short sweet old lady couldn't have done such things?

Sadly, I have not a single contact with nan's side of the family (name: Coggin). We were told that some of the Coggin family came from the fairground, but one lot were Market Traders at Ridley Rd. Market. I'll tell more on the Coggin family shortly. There must be some that are still alive? We're sure there are family in Hackney?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

2 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Coronation Ward

Would anyone know the whereabouts of Nurse Kelly? She was one of several nurses who helped look after my dearest mum when in Coronation Ward at Whipps Cross Hospital, during the 70s. Mum was in that so depressing Ward for 8 years until she died in 1978.

I used to bring mum home as often as I could and on one of those days, I asked Nurse Kelly if she'd like to come and visit us. And she did! I have just the one photo of her (well me and her) in our front garden at Hancocke House, The Drive, E17.

She was a lovely lady, always smiling, and would love to see her again, she's long retired now, but hope she's still around. I'm not sure but I think that she did live in the Whipps Cross area? My mum was Rene (Irene, or Renie) Nichols.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

1 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Countess Bakery

My mum lived with her two sisters and brother, and of course their parents (my Grandparents) at no.2 North Countess Road E17. I have numerous photos taken in that garden and in the photos you can see some windows, very likely frosted glass for privacy for both parties!

The windows were for the Bakery, when I was a little lad I could hear all the bakers chatting away whilst working, and in summer those windows would be slightly open, to let in some much wanted air!

My nan and grandad used to have a Dorothy Perkins rose affixed to the old bakery wall. Sixty years or so later I'd love to know the name of that bakery: was it just a bakery supplying other bakeries? or were they baking bread for their own shop on the premises? Is the Bakery still there? If not what is it now? Also, when did the Bakery first open? and if it did close... when and why? And are those windows still there too? One of my favourite photos , is one that has the whole family in it, very many of them so sadly not with us any more. The photo is the family gathering for my auntie Rita née Ridley and uncle Jack Fryett, married in 1954. Rita and Jack are now in their early 80s and not in the best of health these days, so would like to tell them or any findings and tell my auntie Iris too, who is the same age and, again, not in good health.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

1 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Walthamstow Characters

Some folk becomes characters without knowing it! You never needed to look no further than the Walthamstow Market! And it wasn't just the market traders, but also the public too!

The first one I remember was a chap who we just knew as Dog End Joe: he used to walk up and down the market looking for dog-ends (i.e.: cigarette stubs)! And he was always seen again at the end of the day picking out the odd bits of discarded fruit and veg.

Then there was a sweet old lady who was known as Nora or "The Sixpence Lady": she always asked folk for sixpence. We were told that she was arrested several times (easy target?) and rumoured that she paid her fines in sixpences! Apparently the coins were kept in lots of jars and under floor boards, etc... I too gave her money on occasions, but just one time she asked if I had sixpence, so I pulled some money out of my pocket, and said to her: "Yes, I have" and... walked on!

Then there was old Sam. I think he used to help some of the stall holders, but he always looked cold, so I gave him my old army great coat. It was lovely and warm, and really needed it myself! He never did wear it and my mates said I was mad to help him out, but I felt so sorry for him. I was told later that he did sell that lovely coat to buy fags and booze.

Now what about old Fred? I think he was sort of freelance to the market traders, pushing this huge old heavy two wheeled cart up and down the High Street, and along St. James's Street, and most definitely along Black Horse Road/Lane. He lived near there, I believe? I was sitting in a cafe one day when I read a news clip from the local paper, and saw that Fred had pushed that heavy barrow all the way to Southend and back with a cart load of logs for charity, so this must be in the archives somewhere?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

1 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Surprise.. at the Prize Bingo

I had a nice surprise at the Prize Bingo where I was a bingo caller at 124 High St. E17, back in the mid to late 60s. Let me back-track a bit...

I was born in Thorpe Coombe Hospital in 1948. The war hadn't been over that long, so mum and dad had heard about new council houses being built at Harold Hill, Essex and moved into 8 Chippenham Walk, around 1950-51. Mum and dad's main pals at no. 13 were Tom and Vi Smith. They had two sons: Keith and Alan. Both Tom and Vi died many years ago and l have tried, with no luck, to find their sons.

At Christmas time in the Walk, some of the neighbours literally left their front doors open, so each of us could pop in and out for eats and drinks, and us kids thought it marvelous! Tom Smith had a brother, George, and always wore a thin striped shirt and braces and to describe him now I would say he was sort of "Romany looking". George had a sister called Sylvie and a grown up daughter Rene, who all came to Vi and Tom's party.

Now to my surprise! For one afternoon at the bingo Rene walked in and she somehow recognised me! I was now in my 20s and last saw her when I was 12 years old! I was in the middle of calling out the numbers, so no time to actually talk, which was so disappointing, for l wanted to tell her where I lived or get her address. She just had time to say that she and her mum and dad (George and Sylvie) had moved to Walthamstow! I was so happy, I always hoped that Rene would go back into the Bingo again... but she never did. Perhaps there is someone out there who might know these names?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

1 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Aunts & Uncles

Does anyone know or remember a couple called Olive and Max? They would have been great friends of my mum and dad. I have no surname for them, but do have a few photos.

Olive, Max and, on far right, my Mum

I'm certain they are Walthamstow people, one photo shows Olive with a lady who is so obviously her sister as they look so alike! They are also in mum and dads wedding photos, so very likely Max was my Dad's best man? They used to visit mum and dad when we lived at 8, Chippenham Walk at Haarold Hill, Romford, during the 5Os (we moved from there 7th March 1960).

My nan's brother was Alf Axford, married to my aunt Flo, née Latchford (her father was killed when working on the railways).

It was my dear auntie Flo who first took me to Kew Gardens when I was 12. A so very memorable day out! She also did our wall papering for us when dad walked out on us all. She was a lovely lady, she even took on part time work when she was much older delivering the Christmas post.

She lived alone when uncle Alf died, and couldn't get out much, so spent much of her time doing puzzles.

I don't know what uncle Alf's main job of work was during his working life, but did take a job as a doorman at Walthamstow Town Hall. They lived at Barclay Road E17, sadly I don't remember the number, and have no idea where these two lovely people are buried, therefore any help in this much appreciated.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

1 Mar 2015 - Personal Memories: Explosive situation!

Way back in the 1980s I landscaped my aunt's garden for her (I say Aunt, but in fact she was an adoptive aunt: we all had them back in the 5Os and 60s i.e. your own parent's friends and neighbours). This 'aunt ' was Auntie Betty, and was my Mum's school friend, Betty Kebbey, and lived at 32 Fleeming Road E17. She had lived there all her life as did her parents. At school, of course, her maiden name was Moore. She lost her husband sadly many years ago, his name was Les. Betty was a superb artist of animals. Betty's garden was totally over grown, mainly with one of our fastest climbers: the Russian Vine, or as it's also known as "the mile a minute vine". Betty said that it was very dense and had been there for donkeys years, and tried to cut it back to spare the last bit of lawn! It was now my job to clear it all!

It made a big bonfire, which took three long days and nights to burn through! When it all finally turned to ash, it was now time to rotorvate the now clear, but so uneven ground. It's then of course time go do the constant raking, rolling, levelling and treading, to then have the ground ready for turfing.

It was during the final levelling with the rake that I 'hit ' something, the soil on it was still wet and muddy, and could see that it was sort of oval in shape, and as it was a very hot day it dried very quickly. I could then see all these squares... oh, heavens! It's a hand grenade! I rushed to tell Auntie Betty: she was taken aback, she had no idea how it got in the garden, but had obviously been there since the war. Betty then said that she thinks that there was an ammunition store over the back to her and soldiers being around that area, but doesn't explain a random hand grenade! For as Betty said, she'd played in that garden as a little girl and been in that house all her life as did her mum and dad, and like her neighbours the gardens had always as far as she knew ....been fenced off.

To think that I'd had a fire on that very spot for 3 days and that's not including all the rotorvating, rolling with a heavy roller and me treading every inch of that ground! We of course called the police, and a single policeman put it in a shoe box to take it away, before he went though ..he looked at the grenade carefully, and said that we had been very lucky for the grenade was live and the pin almost worn away! Betty and I often wondered if there were other undetected grenades in some of the other gardens?

Now I don't know the reason, but Betty took an upstairs flat to number 36, sadly a very wrong move, for poor Betty became somewhat disabled and had to come down the stairs there on her bottom to answer the door. Betty and Les only had one daughter, Pamela. She was very much into gymnastics in a big way, as I remember, her married name was Ackland-Snow. She was a lovely girl, we got on so well, but then a big mystery! For she never told anyone about her mum's passing, we learnt from a neighbour a good while after, so none of us know where & when BETTY was buried or cremated?

I think Betty went to Winns Avenue School - so did my mum and dad, possibly? I have a lovely photo of some lads posing for a photo at Winns Avenue: it shows 8 little lads, two wearing gas masks. My uncle John Ridley is one of the boys in a mask.

The back of the photo reads "The Crisis. September 1938. Winns Avenue Junior School". Does anyone recall what the crisis was? Likely of course to be an air-raid?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

28 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Hippy clothes

Right! Let me tell you about my Hippy clothes in 60s Walthasmtow and how l got them! I suppose I was one of the most flamboyant with my choices, but I loved the whole era and was sad when it all ended. The very first item I bought was an 18th century jacket with all gold braiding to the front edges and gold frilly cuffs. It was sold as an original, but could be an item from a theatre? This of course was bought down Petticoat Lane, on one of my first visits there, it was a time though there when every stall was individual, and a very fascinating place to be.

I wore this jacket mainly in summer as it didn't do up at the front. Like all my clothing, I wore plain and crushed velvet trousers of every colour, but it was always velvet: Velvet trousers, jumpers and T-shirts were all bought from two sources in Walthamstow. I'll tell you about the first one albeit could only go in there if I was a bit flushed... which wasn't often! It became a very popular shop at the Hoe Street end of the High Street and called simply Cyril Conway. He always was a friendly soul and always happy to chat! I went to his home once to give him some gardening advice.

The main attraction at Cyril's shop was his sole employee, Mike 'Tinkerbell' Smith, of that great local band Sam Apple Pie. Now, although it was mainly a man's shop, girls would make their excuses to go into the shop to be near or speak to Mike! They would also be at the shop window making out that they were simply window shopping! I bought several jumpers from Cyril, all in the style of the popular Grandad T-shirts with all 3 buttons at the top. I bought every colour he had over time.

Just one item though stands out above all the other items that I bought from that shop and that is a well made flowery jacket, and were largish roses! I only ever saw one other person wearing the same jacket and that was Sam Sampson, of course from Sam Apple Pie! But there was a big difference, for Sam bought the matching trousers too + wore almost black thigh length boots as well!

Both the jacket and trousers were a good quality material, so I expect the trousers were a bit hot for him to wear on stage? I still have all my jackets!

The next jacket was a real beauty! And bought it from two Irish pals of mine, they were friends of the Irish band The Taste, fronted by Rory Gallagher... the jacket had belonged to the drummer. I actually met and became pals with my two Irish friends when they came into the Prize Bingo, where I worked in High Street. Sadly, they went back to Ireland. We did correspond for a time, but as usual life gets in the way!

One day though, one of the regulars, an old gent, came into the bingo and said: "I've got just the right buttons for that jacket!". Anyhow, the next day he came in and gave me the most unusual buttons: they were like a gold 6 petalled flower with a pearl in the middle. The jacket was a flat velvet of darker reds, yellows etc not at all as bright as the flowery one. Everyone loved this jacket. Sadly, this is the only one that I didn't manage to keep as damp got to it in a loft and the whole jacket went mouldy and totally unsaveable.

By the way, I am still in regular contact with the manager of that Prize Bingo: Ronnie Schwartz (aka Gus, Soho Gus and Bingo Gus!). He is in his 80s now and still looks really well! He and wife Betty are due to visit this summer, very welcomed friends.

The only other place that my wife and I bought hippy clothes and that was from hippies who had a house in Blenheim Road E17. These folk had everything we wanted, many styles of T-Shirts, velvet, satin etc... and so many designs too: suns, stars, moons, etc...

One last thing that I must add, and that was when me and pal Mickey Casey went to see The Pretty Things at a college somewhere in London and for some odd reason Phil May, lead singer, asked if everyone could sit down! Everyone did... except me and Mick! Needless to say we stood out like a sore thumb with everybody looking at us, so Phil asked why we were not sitting down... I said: "We don't want to crush our crush velvets!". Phil just said okay! So we had a great view of the band that night, perhaps Mick and l caused what they call "a happening"?

The real reason we didn't sit down is because we couldn't for the velvets were far too tight!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

28 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Unknown Rooster?

I am so pleased that I'm still holding your interest with my stories about ATOMIC ROOSTER!

Back in the 80s Vincent Crane met and married the lovely Jean, who herself had been involved with the theatre (i.e.The Mouse Trap and tv's Z Cars, etc...). As most of you know, if you're a fan, Vince was a very ill man, and is well documented elsewhere. But I was a witness to that on more than one occasion and a very sad thing to see to such a nice guy. Now not many people know this, but he was getting together an 8 piece band and to call it The Rooster Road Show, and the lead singer was to be Helen Mirren. This - to my knowledge - never got started, for Vince was so ill at this time, and possibly the worry of this project made it worse.

Vincent started to get into getting fit - "a strength thing" as he called it - he and Jean took me out to the back garden, which I'd landscaped some years earlier, only to find that he'd dug this massive hole, supposedly to be some sort of pond! I took photo's of them both sitting on this large mound of earth.

Another time Vince would get on a push bike, put on a top hat and cycle up and down Belgrave Road, Wansted, all in the pouring rain, laughing and singing his head off! Vincent filled the pond to overflowing and flooded out his neighbours gardens too!

One of my most treasured items is 3ft s 2ft colour photo of Vince and another chap whom I believe was going to be in the roadshow: I'd love to know who he is. The photo was taken by the Mcalpines. It was Vince who gave me this fascinating photo + other photos of him sitting at his BabyGrand with just some of the forty odd cats on it! He also gave me some of his demos which of course became album tracks.

One of those demos has always remained a mystery for the name of the band is Tom T Hall and The Tom Cats: any ideas, folks?

Let's now go to other Walthamstow snippets.

Now I have no idea if this next band was a local one or not, but there was always quite a large poster advertising them on the wall or windows of the Brewery Tap pub. They were called Titus Groan.

I also knew Barry Hart or Lee/Lea Hart. He was in a band called Turquoise when I first knew him, and I think he was there the night I put on the Screaming Lord Sutch event?

Barry became more well known in the band Slowbone and were a great Walthamstow band travelling far and wide. My wife remembers him because he was building his own car. We also knew his sister Linda, who we believe became a fashion model. The girls all liked Barry, as we remember, and the lads liked Linda too! We found out later that she married one of my dearest pals Mickey Casey, for it was Mick and I who spent all our hippy years together - and they are further stories to tell! I would love to be in contact with Mick again so if you know him let me know... Sad when you unintentionally lose touch, he was my best man at our wedding.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

27 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Colin Daniel

Brenda has just dug out a newspaper clipping (possibly Walthamstow Guardian?) of one Eton Manor football game, and team names are:

C Daniel (Colin: goalie); K Lowe; A Morrell; G Barnes; K Elgar; D Starkey; F Clark; R Kaley; C Hand; W Hooper; J Bright.

Perhaps some of these are in that photo and may recognise themselves.

Thanks again,

Regards

Colin DOMAN Private Reply Public Reply

27 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories:

Daniel,
An article for Personal Stories: "The Wooden Cooling Towers"

Barry RYDER Private Reply Public Reply

27 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Colin Daniel

Hello again Daniel,
My recent submissions to the WM website prompted further discussion here with my partner, with result below. Our Walthamstow associations go deeper:

I'm attaching 6 photos that may be of interest. These are from my partner Brenda's album of her late husband Colin Daniel (1935-1998), formerly of Forest Drive, Walthamstow, until 1960 when they married. So actually I am the 'second' Colin, and also from Walthamstow - quite a coincidence! He was a much more sporty type though, as these photos will show. His chosen profession was accountancy, and in later years he held financial directorships with, in turn, Ford Motor Co.; British Leyland; Acrow (the crane manfs.); and Grand Metropolitan Hotels.

In 1952 the Trinidad-born British athlete Emmanuel McDonald Bailey (1920-2013) visited the Granada Cinema and was welcomed by the local athletics club, of which Colin Daniel was a member.

Photo 1 - Colin Daniel in middle row, second from right, wearing black shirt

Photo 2 - Colin Daniel is 6th from right
(The poster on the wall behind is for the film Untamed Frontier of 1952)

Photo 3 - Presentation to E McDonald Bailey on the Granada stage

Photo 4 - George Monoux School Athletics Team 1948.
Colin Daniel in bottom row, third from left

Photo 5 - George Monoux School Cricket Team 1949. Colin Daniel seated, second from right

Photo 6 - Leyton: the Eton Manor Junior 'A' Football Team 1949-50
Colin Daniel in goalkeeper strip, front row, second from left

Regards

Colin DOMAN Private Reply Public Reply

26 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Walthamstow Avenue

During the war years, my dear late mum (Irene Nichols née Ridley - Rene to her pals) always told me that she was a regular at the dances held at the WALTHAMSTOW AVENUE, and assume it was the pavilion on the football ground? Unless there was another building in WALTHAMSTOW AVENUE where the dances were held? ADVICE PLEASE!

Sadly mum got MS at the early age of 28, albeit not diagnosed until the mid 60s to what was actually wrong with her LTE does however give me some comfort to know that her teenage years were relatively good for her. Mum died in 1978 aged 54 (I'm now 66), but would love to think that some of mum's mates are still with us now in their 80s+.

I will soon show photos on this site in the hopes that some of you will recognise someone!

Let me tell you some names with these photos: VERA CHENNERY (surname is her married name). She married a nice chap called FRANK in the early 60s. They were still living at a corner house on the BILLET ROAD and had two or three sons.

Another chap in uniform named just as MEREDITH. Then there is a SYLVIA, and a lady with an odd nickname known as FLOSSIE BANG BANG! At WALTHAMSTOW AVENUE there were many American soldiers too, which also included Navy and RAF etc... Mum's sister, my aunt, only very recently told me that Mum won cups for doing the jitter bug, and that she was brilliant at it - must've been to win cups for it! Yet mum told me nothing of this or her younger life. Is there anyone out there today that can recall mum doing the jitter bug at WALTHAMSTOW AVENUE?

Mum had her heart broken by a Navy man, by the name of JOHNNY. Mum met him in WALTHAMSTOW, and went to meet him as he got off his ship ,only to see him kissing his WIFE! Later mum met the real love of her life, a chap called VANN, only to learn that he was killed in the D. DAY LANDINGS. I still have mum's 1942 diary, so I'll look up some more names! Another of mum's pals I met when I was about 16 or so was very good at reading the tea leaves! I went to see her just once! She was known as CONNIE COUGH DROP! She lived in EDWARD ROAD.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

26 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Prize Bingo!

When I'd finished on the fairgrounds late in the year, and to keep fit for the following year, I used to work as a timber porter at the LABURNAM MOULDING MILLS that was/is at SUTHERLAND ROAD E17, and hard graft it was too!

But one winter I decided that I wanted to keep polished up on my spieling, so applied for a job as a professional Bingo Caller, where plenty of patter and showmanship was needed, so an interview was arranged with the owners Jack and Eileen Cohen, and had to go to their home at SHARON GARDENS, HACKNEY. We got on so well that I passed the interview with flying colours! The company was called EILEEN AMUSEMENTS, and faced both THE CHEQUERS PH and ROSSI'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR.

The BINGO was at 124 High Street E17. I stayed with the firm far longer than I intended, and found it so hard in the summer, being indoors. The winter was hellish for me too, with all the heat and dense cigarette smoke - I often suffered with a sore throat though, re the constant patter and spiel that was needed to hold and entertain a crowd. And what with calling BINGO numbers for hours on end it wasn't a wonder! Our hours were from 10 til 6 and very busy on Saturdays, we had Wednesdays off albeit not for me, for on that day I used to be a Coalman, helping my pal Tommy White for whose business it was, his brother George also helped. After my day had ended at the bingo, I had an hour's break before doing even more BINGO calling from 7pm til 10 pm ...very sore throats were a big problem.

It was ALEXANDRA PALACE fairground. Showman who gave me the job after hearing of my success just up the road a little with the COHENS, his name was JOHNNY NORTH and believe his large arcade adjoined the now demolished MISSION GROVE.

My week was still not over, for every Sunday I'd be up early to travel to PETTICOAT LANE, to help the very delightful RONNIE SCHWARTZ. Now RONNIE was the manager of the bingo and worked alongside him each day, but he was a very unique and clever market trader, whom I've done more on in one of my books and far too much to tell here! I'm very proud to say that I've done much in my life, and have had no choice but to be one of life's grafters. A pal of mine years back, who too was a hard worker, his wife was listening to us talking about the many things that we'd done in life, she then said: "You two would have to be 150, if you'd done all these things that you say you do!". I turned to my pal and said: "Well there you are mate, that's the difference!" He looked at me oddly and said: " What do you mean by that, Keith?". So I said: "Well that's the difference to those who want to work and those that don't!".

I mentioned the likeable Tommy White earlier. He also became a long serving market trader in WALTHAMSTOW HIGH STREET with his fruit'n'veg stall, at first on the corner of WILLOW WALK outside the record store that ROCK AND ROLL SINGER DAVE SAMPSON eventually bought - I can't recall what Dave called his shop now?

Anyhow, Tommy later moved further down the HIGH STREET and believe he stayed there until he retired?

On the subject of record shops my own step brother owned one in HOE STREET E17 and called it UGLY CHILD RECORDS: his shop almost adjourned the GRANADA CINEMA.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

25 Feb 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols (17 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories)

Hi Keith,
I was interested in your message about the 'Green Goddess' record, as I remember the "Thames at Six" broadcast very well. As you say, a few bars of the record were played and I still remember the first part of the chorus went something like "I'm just a Fire Fighter - Flame Hater" and the second part included "I'm just a Fire Killer - Flame Gorilla". Andrew Gardner placed his hand on his forehead briefly before saying "It's amazing what these people will cash-in on." To finish, he said that the record was "so good, we're going to file it for future use." He then tossed it into a bin placed in front of him for that purpose.

An amusing thing about this issue was that shortly afterwards I saw a copy of the record on a second-hand record stall in Portobello Road, and decided to buy it to see what the fuss was about! I'm sure I still have this copy somewhere, but I have so many boxes of records dotted around various storage points it would take far too long to find it. However, anyone interested in a copy can find it by following this link:

http://www.discogs.com/sell/release/4488989?ev=rb

Best regards

John PRIDIGE Private Reply Public Reply

25 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Mr & Mrs Green

A bit of a long shot when searching for people, but can anyone remember a Mr and Mrs Green, who lived lived in KENILWORTH AVENUE E17? Sadly I never knew their Christian names, nor do I know their house number, but COULD be the last house nearing CHINGFORD ROAD, adjacent to what was my friend's sign shop. The other corner to KENILWORTH was/is an off licence. But going by a photo that I have of Mrs Green, it does indeed look like an end house.

My Dad's mum and dad lived at number 80 for very many years and definitely in the 50s, when l was a lad. They lived just a few doors from Mr & Mrs Green.

Old Mr Green we never saw move from his armchair, but Mrs Green was an avid gardener, and showed me orange and lemon plants that she'd proudly grown from pips.

They had a lovely cottage style garden. We never saw old Mrs Green when we lived at HAROLD HILL, ROMFORD, ESSEX, But when we moved to CHINGFORD HATCH on the 7th March 1960, she was a regular visitor; she never came empty handed, there was always sweets and comics for me and my sister and baby clothes for my new baby brother, who was born a few days later on the 18th. Dad walked out on us all not long after. Mrs Green always gave mum a bunch of flowers from her garden. The roses, when finished, I would just stick them in the ground just outside the kitchen door, the same spot where we shot the tea leaves several times a day... and all the roses grew too!

Sadly, we lost contact as we moved to COPPERMILL LANE E17 and not long after mum's MS got worse and was admited to WHIPPS CROSS HOSPITAL, where she remained until she died in 1978 aged just 54.

On our wedding day (20th May 1972) at ST JOHN'S CHURCH in CHINGFORD ROAD, I had the most wonderful surprise: someone called my name ... and it was Mrs Green! She was all smiles, sadly I couldn't kiss or hug her, for we we're both either side of the fence, and it was time to go into the Church, so had to say a quick goodbye, but not before handing me a wedding present, it still mystifys me on how she knew I was getting married and what day, I'm afraid I'll never know now.

The present turned out to be a beautiful crystal Howell of which I've treasured since the day it was given to us, that is until JANUARY this year, when my son's dog went Barmy, jumping on the window sill, looking at another dog , and smashed that lovely bowl. I was truly devastated. I keep all the broken bits in a box, not having the heart go throw it away . When we came back from honeymoon, I called on Mrs Green, but the door only opened slightly, her lovely smile now gone. I thanked her for her lovely present, the door closed slowly and I never saw her again, was she ill? Was Mr Green ill or had he just died?

It's also sad to think that they were both a lifelong before our wedding for I thought they'd died years before, as mum hadn't spoken their names in a long while, mum though was far too ill anyway.

I don't think they had any family, but my dearest wish today is to know where they are buried: are they in QUEENS ROAD or CHINGFORD MOUNT CEMETERIES? Only I'd like nothing more than to pay my respects to them both.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

25 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: The most famous drum in the world

Like many teenagers in the 60s, I loved THE BEATLES. Pal CHARLIE BRENNAN (of The band COCO) and I were two of the lucky ones who managed to get tickets: we were up in the balcony and never heard a single note! We were also quite scared to the fact that you could feel the balcony moving with up an down motion - it felt like it was near to collapse and it was no great surprise when, two weeks later we went there to see a film, to see lots of scaffolding being put up, so perhaps there was a potential disaster? Mind you, the wild fans downstairs must've seen the chandeliers shaking!

The queue was enormous: from the GRANADA, where the event was held, and right down the HIGH ST E17. I had my ticket for years, right up to my 40s, but then went missing... stolen? I'm sure Charlie still has his today - I'll have to ask him!

When I moved to SUFFOLK in 1987 I was introduced to the most delightful chap that you could ever wish to meet . We became good pals from that first meeting , until his death years later. His name was FREDERICK LLEWELLYN EPHGRAVE, but to me and all that knew him he was JOE.

The nickname came about because of all the splashes of paint on his smock: JOEseph with the amazing Technicolor Coat!

You can imagine my GREAT sadness only in January this year, being new to the internet, putting Joe's name in to read that there never was anyone called JOE EPHGRAVE... and never existed! The strange thing about it is there are true facts as well! So how can that be a fictional character?

What I don't know about JOE isn't worth knowing, JOE'S wife was devastated when I told her of my findings. So... WHO WAS JOE EPHGRAVE? Well, he was one of this country's finest SHOWMANS ARTISTS, very well known on the fairground world, and worked with the best of them like HALL AND FOWLE, whose work has lived on way after their deaths, Joe had many notable works undress his belt. His most famous work was for PETER and LINDA BLAKE , when they asked him to make, design and paint what was to become the most famous drum in the world, namely... SGT PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND! You can see Joe's name credited on the album etc

JOE also painted The Gallopers (carousel) for the film CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, they also asked him if he'd like to be an extra (extra money too !) Joe's wife has spotted him as a young man in it - I haven't as yet.

He also painted the Gallopers for the film OH ! WHAT A LOVELY WAR ! And also lots of scenery for the many CARRY ON films. The CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG GALLOPERS, as they are still known as, still travel Norfolk and Suffolk alongside my ex set of 1899 SWING BOATS Joe made and painted my 60ft top premium board for the BOATS, so today both of of his works stand side by side.

JOE made me a superb fairground organ and signs etched made fairground games and a superb model maker of fairground rides and stalls, etc... of which I was involved in the selling of his own models. I own Joe's last uncompleted model of a CAKEWALK.

I have written so much more about Joe in two published books about my life as a fairground showman, with photos of Joe, thus proving that this lovely man was a real person: he did exist and a very much missed friend.

One last thing that I will tell you and something to tell your friends , and that Joe got paid twice for doing that drum unintentionally of course, for he waited months before he got paid for his work, but two weeks later a cheque arrived for the same amount! JOE of course said nothing, for - as he told me - his first lot of money should have been in his bank... not theirs! And by the way, if you're in GREAT YARMOUTH at some point go and see the GALLOPERS on the PLEASURE BEACH for he painted those too!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

24 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Atomic Rooster

I am so glad that a lot of the readers of this site are finding my bits about ATOMIC ROOSTER so interesting, thus makes it all worth while! But I'll have to put a limit on this, as l can only say so much about the band covering the WALTHAM FOREST area for of course I have very many stories that happened with the band on the road during my time with them from all over the country, so here's some more snippets to hop hold your attention...

VINCENT CRANE had a new agent, during my time with the band, and his name was TERRY KING and was his idea to at last put Vince's name to the fore, hence renaming the band as VINCENT CRANES ATOMIC ROOSTER. It was TERRY who asked me and another roadie to completely cover the organ with a strong silver type material, to cover the dull glitter, where Vince's name had been written in Voodoo wording. The glitter looked great with all the stage lighting wherever we went.

CHRIS FARLOWE joined as lead singer. He once commented on a visit to Vince and Pat's home in WANSTEAD, that on going through the front door he had to pass boxes of cat food! For they had just over forty of them! At feeding time in the conservatory it looked like a moving fur carpet! When the band were rehearsing at LEYTON ARCHES MIDLAND ROAD LEYTON , Pat and I used to go to the BAKERS ARMS, to the WOOLWORTHS that used to be there, solely to buy cat food.

The public would stand and stare in astonishment when I and Pat literally cleared all the shelves, many questioned on why we needed so many! The band were rehearsing for a new album called NICE N GREASY, and JOHN GOODSALL (AKA JOHNNY MANDELA) formerly in BRAND X. We later went to TRIDENT STUDIOS to record TELL YOUR STORY SING YOUR SONG. A new band were in the adjacent room and we noted their unique sound, their drummer came out for a drink , and we all sat and watched SANDS OF THE KALAHARI, an old film with Stewart Grainger... the band was QUEEN!

There was always trouble outside LEYTON BATHS, especially as you came out at the end of the night. It was after one such night that I met Pat CRANES pal Cindy, she had worked at the boutique called BIBA and worked with Pat as cashiers at COVENT GARDENS... MIDDLE EARTH....Cindy had told me about this hippy place several times . Then one night I met her at the top of WALTHAMSTOW HIGH STREET and once again told me of all the bands that I was missing, and that night I decided to go! And went there for several years, and still have some posters.

I last saw Cindy in the GRANADA - she was going out with ROGER CHAPMAN of the band THE FAMILY and last saw Pat at WALTHAMSTOW CENTRAL leaving on a 69 bus with CARL PALMER to the BOTTLENECK BLUES CLUB at STRATFORD, where CARL had a flat.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

24 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: I was near an urban spaceman!

As a landscape Gardener and Plantsman (among MANY other things in life!), I had an estimate accepted in the CHURCH HILL area of WALTHAMSTOW. It was for a very sweet lady by the name of MRS PENNY. She had not long lost her husband and she cried almost all of my stay there, and remained inconsolable - hence why I have never forgotten her. She gave me one of her husband's gardening tools of which I still have after all these years. It's a special tool like a blade on the end of a thin wooden handle, a tool good enough to get between the closest growing plants. She passed my name onto her new neighbour and it turned out that I knew him! He was one of the stall holders from WALTHAMSTOW MARKET. I only knew him as TED, and he only sold toiletries.

After this job was completed, MRS PENNY passed my name to the other neighbours the other side of her, they were two elderly ladies: one a lot older than the other. They had obviously moved from a much larger house and had brought far too much stuff with them, for they'd put lots of old furniture, mirrors etc... In fact it looked like a whole antique shop dumped in a skip!

Boy! If I knew then what I know now... for the stuff must have been worth a small fortune!

Then one of them said that I looked like their nephew VIVIAN, or at least had the long fair hair like him (as I indeed still do to day) and they then went on to say that he was in a very famous pop group, so now I was intrigued and asked who they were. She said they're called THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND, and the madcap singer was their nephew VIV STANSHALL... AH! - I said - now it makes sense for he lived a couple of roads away, in fact he lived at GROVE ROAD, therefore the two ladies were VIV STANSHALLS aunt and grandmother. It was the aunt who employed me her name was MRS YOULDON. This was a memorable hat trick of a job!

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21 Feb 2015 - Public Reply to Clive Bagshaw (31 Jan 2015 - Personal Memories: Cornish Grocery)

I do remember we used to sit on the walls opposite the store, passing the time till we had to go to school at McGuffie. The walls we sat on were those of the William Morris dinner rooms, but as I haven't been back to that part of London for over 20 years I have no knowledge of what may still be there, was the shop painted a reddish colour?

Regards

Vic MORLEY Private Reply Public Reply

18 Feb 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols

I went there many years ago and it was exactly as I remembered it all those years before when we were all immortal those were the days

Happy memories

Vic MORLEY Private Reply Public Reply

19 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories: Strange creature?

I think way back in the 80s someone wrote to the Walthamstow Guardian regarding something that they themselves had read some years earlier about a strange creature that they themselves had seen scuttling in the road at the kerbside. I never knew if that first person ever got any replies? So I assume the second person didn't see any replies either. Sadly I'd moved away from Walthamstow around that time, so I myself never got to see if there was a reply and have remained intrigued ever since! The creature was seen in Fulbourne Rd. E17. What is baffling is why did only one person write in originally, and no other alerts in local newspapers?

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

18 Feb 2015 - Public Reply to Keith Nichols

I went there many years ago and it was exactly as I remembered it all those years before when we were all immortal those were the days

Happy memories

Vic Morley Private Reply Public Reply

17 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories

Vincent Crane of Atomic Rooster asked me if I was able to help him with raising money for charity, and agreed straight away, not knowing what I was getting involved with at that point. Vince said that he'd just cut a record to help raise money for the current firemen's strike (1977) and would I be able to help him distribute hundreds of records! I immediately said that I'd be only too pleased to help out - little did l know that it would be just him and me doing all the distribution of all these records!

Anyhow, Vince had all the many boxes of records to my then home at 162 Chingford Rd. E17, and seeing that lot knew that we had a task on our hands. Vince wrote the words and music, and chose a new record label called Atomic Records (I wrote my then telephone number on each and every record so DJs could contact me for a free copy). Vincent chose the title of the song "Fire Fighter", plus anew made up name of Green Goddess. The lyrics were quite saucy, I know that Vince sang the lead vocals, but forgot to ask him who the musicians were that backed him. I'd still love to know, for I wasn't there this time as I had been on other recordings. Vince and l went by bus, train and a lot of walking too, around pubs, clubs, discos and, of course, all the fire stations in Walthamstow, Chingford, Woodford, etc... We worked tirelessly on this, and all out of our own pockets when it came to the travelling expenses.

My phone bill was huge, for l rang every DJ out of the Walthamstow Guardian, and those days it was a long list too. It was then the case of taking the records to all those that I phoned. Now whilst I was doing this, Vincent was at the TV studios explaining all about this record and that it was a totally charitable one, so it was agreed that it would get a good plug the ever next evening on ITVs "Thames at Six" show, hence Vince rang me to tell me to switch on, he told me that he'd managed to secure a big plug on TV and should rake in thousands of pounds to help all the firemen and their families.

We all watched eagerly for the programme to come on, and when it did... total disaster!! Andrew Gardner had obviously been so totally misinformed about the record, for the next words that came out of his mouth shocked us all, for he played just a few bars of the song and said: "There's only one place for a record like this!"... and promptly threw it in a bin!!! He had been misinformed and thought that Vincent was cashing in on the strike! All our very hard work died that very night. Vincent said that he never did get an apology from the TV company.

I'd like to think that a lot of Walthasmtow Firemen etc still have that record today, but how many of them never learnt of the disaster? For it was impossible for Vince and l to contact everyone and those that saw that programme must have believed every word that Andrew Gardner said that night and truly believed that Vince had been cashing in. I and Vince certainly knew different!

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

17 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories

Does anyone remember my uncle George's family who were market traders at Walthamstow High St.? My uncle is George Mansfield, husband to my aunt Iris née Ridley. Uncle George's parents had a fruit and veg stall outside Toynbees butchers shop. I don't know my uncle's mum's name, but his Dad was Jack Mansfield... Jack's brother though was actually employed by Toynbees, but do not know his name. My wife's aunt and uncle, also called Iris and George (surname of Newman), ran a toy stall for many years in the High St., and Iris used to make all the dolls clothes, they were related to Jimmy Newmann, the well known boxer.

My wife's father and Grandfather, surname Pells, used to sell green grocery, going all around with a horse and cart at Walthamstow and Leyton.

My wifes grandfather was kicked in the stomach by the horse resulting in serious injury. The horse and cart were kept at a stable somewhere in Leyton.

Keith NICHOLS Private Reply Public Reply

17 Feb 2015 - Personal Memories

Before owning my own fairground equipment, I used to help my aunt and uncle at various fairs. We did however open at Chingford plains for all three Bank Holiday fairs. It was either the Easter or Whitsun fair that I recall an incident, and that the Forest Keeper (Mr Riley), or the police, asked all the fairground showmen to turn off their music, for a bomb was going to go off at the edge of the adjacent forest, quite near to the tea hut of Hugh Hall.

The fair fell silent on this bright, sunny spring morning, then... BANG! We all saw a blast of leaves and soil go up in to the air.

As the years went by, I found no showmen that I knew who could recall the incident. It wasn't until the year 2000, that l found someone who did remember! Every year I get the Mayor's invitation to attend the opening of the Kings Lynn Mart fair, held around Valentine's Day, noted as the start of the travelling showmen's year. The prime spot (known as the 'floating position') was given to Bertie Ayers with his Gallopers (Carousel). Bertie was at this time the President of the Showmans Guild of Great Britain. We got talking about Chingford fair and I thought I'd mention the bomb incident. He was so surprised that I remembered it and I was glad that he remembered it too! We both wondered how the bomb got there, and who found it. Did the incident reach the local papers? And why did the music have to be turned off? Had this been a Sunday, it wouldn't have mattered, for back then in the early 6Os, when the incident occurred, we were not allowed music on Sundays on any fairs, as I remember. The atmosphere was odd to say the least. Also to the fact that we lost the morning trade, for we were not allowed to open until after lunch. Boy how times have changed!

I last opened with my Victorian Coconut Shy on the Plains in 1986.

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