Dear LPG,

I wrote recently having discovered a few memoires of a relative of mine which were intended for LPG long before it went on-line but, as far as I know, the letter was never sent before this. I was doing a little tidying up and found myself smiling as I read what he had to say.  It brought back memories of him.  He had the good sense to date his work which is why I can tell you that what he has to say was written fourteen years ago and so is likely to reflect a childhood that was well before my time, but I feel the need to share his thoughts with the readers for whom they were intended, some of those who can identify with them.  He just writes about being a young boy… 

The memories come flooding back in as I look back on my ‘Fairy’ cycling days from Downham to the Chiltonian Biscuit factory, in Manor Lane, to buy a four-pound bag of broken biscuits for a shilling; to the local chip shop for a ‘tuppenny and a pennorth’ of cod and chips; to the bakers for a bag of stale cakes which cost sixpence and the green grocers for seven pounds of King Edwards and a bag of speckled apples. 

Of course, there were the good old public toilets in Rushey Green, Lewisham  High Street and Lee Green. There must have been others also.  Can you name them?

I have fond memories of ‘Peter Pans Pool’ opposite the now defunct ‘Green Man Pub’ and way before there was a Sainsbury’s Homebase.  On bank holidays I used to spend my pocket money on the fun fair and the boating pond… Oh happy days! 

What about the pubs?  Having mentioned the Green Man, there was of course the Northover Public House (now a petrol station), the Downham Tavern which was once famous for having the longest bar in Europe, which still exists but has been downsized.

In my memories I recall our door key which was on a piece of string attached to the inside of the door so that members of the family or friends could let themselves in.  could you think of doing that today?  I think not!

I could go on reminiscing like this but then, I have no doubt, so could many of my fellow octogenarians.

I love to hear such memories and want to leave them behind me for others to enjoy but I also like to read what others have to say. 

Not all history is about the big significant events that happen in this world of ours and I hope that the little ones have their place too. 

DC, Bromley.

LPG found a few related memories… 

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