Kicking over the traces (40 years ago - maybe more)

[wilderness]

Hi

I now live in Lincolnshire and have not lived in East Dulwich for around forty years (I stumbled upon this forum). I grew-up in Dulwich (Melbourne Grove).

If anyone was around in the Melbourne Grove, Chesterfield Grove area (and surrounding streets) in say 1950 to 1970 (ish) - especially if a similar age to me (60) I would be interested in making contact. I had a very good boyhood friend called Colin Elmer who lived in Bessano Street (spelling likely a bit wrong) & I'd be interested if anyone knows him at all. He had the (exact) same birthday as me (so he is 60 too). I had in-laws at 26 Chesterfield Grove (the surname Dean originally - they may have gone to Australia) and my grandmother was at 51 Chesterfield Grove (surname Smith). I lived with my mum & dad at 81 Melbourne Grove (surname Smith - unfortunately ...) my surname is a little different these days. I went to school at St. John's & St. Clements in North Cross Road. I remember having school dinners at The Epiphany Hall in a street near Bessano Street (can't recall street name). I remember going to (I think) the first Dulwich supermarket in Lordship LAne called Victor Value by the zebra crossing in Lordship Lane near Nortn Cross Road. My Dad's "locals" were The Palmerston (then The Lord Palmerston), The Cherry Treen, The Magdala, The Clock House (but that was later on as the pub was originally an off licence only I think). His favourite was up the hill (Sydenham Hill way) "The Dulwich Wood House". My Dad went to school at Grove Vale School (so did my uncle an Arthur Miles) - but they would have been there in probably the 1920/30's perhaps. I also attended Kingsdale School for a while (better forgotten ... yuk) I passed my 11+ but as I was "a naughty boy" I couldn't get into either Alleyn's or D.C. - so ended-up going to a host of schools in South London (and even Hertfordshire).

I used to enjoy train-spotting as a boy at ED station and at Sydenham Hill station (old C.P. high level or was it low level line now gone). Also as a boy would visit Horniman's museum a lot - hopefully still there. As a teenager The Upland Tavern was where you hung out (for bands etc.). The police station was almost opposite the pub rather annoyingly so you couldn't get completely plastered in case.

Any 'lead' or interested parties gratefully received!

Thanks!

I very much enjoyed looking around 'the site' - brought back some sometimes lump-in-the-throat memories. I am just about all cleaned out of anyone associated with me these days that has ANY knowledge of South London (all SL rellies now deceased).

wilderness

[PeckhamRose]

Hello wilderness!

Cold enough for you up there is it?

May I suggest you look at this link and try and get some of John Beasley's books on East Dulwich, and Peckham.

Best wishes, the Rose from Peckham Rye!

[computedshorty]

?

[ruffers]

The Horniman's still there and, most importantly, so is the overstuffed walrus.

[bob]

Went to the Uplands 70's and a Susan Dean went to my school Thomas Calton.

Bob S

[val]

I also went to the Uplands in 70's saw the live bands and disco

Val

[EDOldie]

Uplands, Palm '72-'75, remember the disco and heavier stuff in the Palm and occasionally went to the Mag, bit bikery before they went to total disco, anyone remember the sheep pen in the middle of the room?

76 got into punk, and never looked back. Ah, nostalgia.

[intexasatthe moment]

Hi wilderness ,you wouldn't recognise Lordship Lane now .

No job centre ,no Woolies ,hanging flower baskets , delis, coffee and tea shops ,Jo Jo Maman Bebe ( or whatever ,but shops for our many young mums ).

An estate agent taking up 3 or 4 shop fronts.

Chener Books still with us.

[PeckhamRose]

And a palm tree in the middle of the roundabout!

[Sue]

intexasatthe moment Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi wilderness ,you wouldn't recognise Lordship

> Lane now .

> No job centre ,no Woolies ,hanging flower baskets

> , delis, coffee and tea shops ,Jo Jo Maman Bebe (

> or whatever ,but shops for our many young mums ).

> An estate agent taking up 3 or 4 shop fronts.

> Chener Books still with us.

xxxxxxxx

No greengrocer in Lordship Lane, no shop with second-hand prams outside, no jeweller near the DIY shop - and am I imagining it or did there used to be a toyshop somewhere in the region of where SMBS now is?

[intexasatthe moment]

Yes ,there was a toy shop .

Was it Binnesters ?

Think maybe a shade north of SMB ( which has been there a long time ).

[Bubble734]

ruffers Wrote:

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> The Horniman's still there and, most importantly,

> so is the overstuffed walrus.

lol that walrus

[thexwinglessxbird]

It was Binnesters. I remember going there as a kid on the weekends. It was a lovely toyshop.

[Sue]

Toyshop must have been still here in 1991, which was when I moved to ED from Devon, AAARRRGGGHHH :))

I remember SMBS opening, it still seems quite new to me :))

How time flies, eh .......

[SimonM]

SMBS was here in 1975 when I moved to ED - or at least a predecessor on the same premises with as near as dammit the same stock...Pretty's, Farmer's & The Curry Cabin were too! :)

[Sue]

Oh OK, I'm wrong about SMBS then, maybe they just got a new sign :))

[DonGee]

Wilderness - the Epiphany Hall is on Bassano Street, is it possible that your friend Colin lived on Blackwater Street, which was the next road to Bassano. I went to St Johns & St Clements and done that same journey for school dinners in the early 80s. St Johns has now moved to Adys Road, which is by Goose Green park, St johns has now been converted into flats.

[vivienne]

great stories, why not come to Pull The other One Comedy night at the Ivy House on the 30th July and see Arthur Smith (grumpy old man)along with some fab music and variety. [email protected] I', sure you'll meet some old friends there

[*Bob*]

Sounds relevant, vivienne.

And certainly worth the trip from Lincolnshire.

[Goodliz]

Wilderness, you will be pleased to know that the Horniman is still a very popular destination for people of all ages. Kids and adults love it. There is an aquarium there now in the basement too.

East Dulwich is a lovely place to live. I hope you have many happy memories - it sounds like you do. I also hope you find some of your old friends.

[????]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sounds relevant, vivienne.

>

> And certainly worth the trip from Lincolnshire.

Bob, I'm sure they're doing the Lincoln Guildhall as part of their UK Tour. That's what they said on the Footbal Focus thread anyway.

[Loz]

vivienne Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> great stories, why not come to Pull The other One

> Comedy night at the Ivy House on the 30th July and

> see Arthur Smith (grumpy old man)along with some

> fab music and variety. [email protected]

> I', sure you'll meet some old friends there

We really need a 'Worst Attempt at an Outrageous Plug' award every year. There's been some storming attempts of late. Not sure this beats the complete ineptitude of the window cleaning fellow standing in dog poo, but it's a fine attempt nevertheless.

[BARA]

Binnesters Toy Shop was roughly where Le Petit Chou is now