Jump to content

Southampton Nostalgia...


SW11_Saint

Recommended Posts

Oh you were of St George's!!!!

 

Mike's Burgers used to set up shop in the lay-by outside the Air Cadet hall opposite the fountain near the Civic. There you go, the Air Cadet hut and the old fountain.

 

I used to go to Percy Horn's barber shop all the time, it was always chock full of punks (like me....), rude boys, skins....had to get there early to avoid a long wait.

 

And Subway Records. You could get any record you could think of in there. And there was one of the first Space Invaders games in there that only had a high score of 9999 and then went back to 0. Henry's ran Subway a close second; they used to do a sealed bag of 10 singles for a quid, I got some right gems.

 

Toomers sports shop was fab as well, I remember being gutted when that shop shut.

 

TDD has mentioned the bird aviary, but there was a coffee shop just down the road, probably where Beatnik Emporium is now. It used to smell brilliant!!!!

 

And there was a tobacconist in London Road that used to sell all sorts of weird tailor mades and rolling baccy.

 

I could be thinking of things all night at this rate....

I went to Percy's as a little boy (used to use that special seat that went across the adult one) and went back again when I was older for the old 'flat-top' - he became a legend with the younger crowd.

 

Going in Subway was always an experience - the more rude the staff were to you the better your experience!

 

Was the coffeeshop Greensleeves? (or something) next to Toomers? The tobacconist rings a bell too. There were lots of odd little shops around Bedford Place - remember Delbridges, the bird /pet shop?

 

I got given our school tadpoles to 'look after' over the holidays... next thing my mum marched me up to the Birds Aviary to dump them in the pond there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to Percy's as a little boy (used to use that special seat that went across the adult one) and went back again when I was older for the old 'flat-top' - he became a legend with the younger crowd.

 

Going in Subway was always an experience - the more rude the staff were to you the better your experience!

 

Was the coffeeshop Greensleeves? (or something) next to Toomers? The tobacconist rings a bell too. There were lots of odd little shops around Bedford Place - remember Delbridges, the bird /pet shop?

 

I got given our school tadpoles to 'look after' over the holidays... next thing my mum marched me up to the Birds Aviary to dump them in the pond there!

 

Dolly Dinner used to be opposite Toomers

Spent many an evening in there

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great thread!

 

My dear old dad used to run off a list of cinemas the city used to have. I can remember the Odeon, ABC, Classic, Gaumont, Plaza (on Northam Bridge). There used to be two in Woolston too I think and one in Bitterne although I can't remember the names.

 

I can remember the great coffee shop near Plummers and the Tudor Coffee Bar. Also the Checkpoint at the Bargate and the Lonesome Pine in Woolston! See how old I am :D

 

I also remember Edwin Jones and Mays (near the Bargate). I can remember eyeing up the King Edward's boys on the bus (I was at the Girls' Grammar School).

 

Oh happy days

 

The one in Bitterne, which was replaced by Bitterne Bowling was I think, The Ritz. There were two in Portswood - The Broadway (now the Bingo hall ) and one just past Boots called (again, I think) The Palladium. Shirley had two - The Atherley and The Rialto and there was The Savoy in Swaythling. I believe that there also was The Gaiety in Below Bar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder if any of you originate in Sholing. There used to be a little general store on the corner of South East Road and Kathleen Road, opposite Spikes Corner. The lady who owned it had a glass eye.

 

I can remember as kids we used to crack up, deciding who she was actually looking at. Kids are so cruel!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh you were of St George's!!!!

 

Mike's Burgers used to set up shop in the lay-by outside the Air Cadet hall opposite the fountain near the Civic. There you go, the Air Cadet hut and the old fountain.

 

I used to go to Percy Horn's barber shop all the time, it was always chock full of punks (like me....), rude boys, skins....had to get there early to avoid a long wait.

 

And Subway Records. You could get any record you could think of in there. And there was one of the first Space Invaders games in there that only had a high score of 9999 and then went back to 0. Henry's ran Subway a close second; they used to do a sealed bag of 10 singles for a quid, I got some right gems.

 

Toomers sports shop was fab as well, I remember being gutted when that shop shut.

 

TDD has mentioned the bird aviary, but there was a coffee shop just down the road, probably where Beatnik Emporium is now. It used to smell brilliant!!!!

 

And there was a tobacconist in London Road that used to sell all sorts of weird tailor mades and rolling baccy.

 

I could be thinking of things all night at this rate....

 

That was there until fairly recently (ie last 10 years or so) wasn't it? I'm sure we nipped in there to pick up a couple of slim pannatellas after school once ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to Percy's as a little boy (used to use that special seat that went across the adult one) and went back again when I was older for the old 'flat-top' - he became a legend with the younger crowd.

 

Going in Subway was always an experience - the more rude the staff were to you the better your experience!

 

Was the coffeeshop Greensleeves? (or something) next to Toomers? The tobacconist rings a bell too. There were lots of odd little shops around Bedford Place - remember Delbridges, the bird /pet shop?

 

I got given our school tadpoles to 'look after' over the holidays... next thing my mum marched me up to the Birds Aviary to dump them in the pond there!

 

PMSL!! :lol:

 

I remember spending ages sculpting my flat top!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lots of great memories

what was the name of the mens clothes shop in StMarys Street, just down from Shirt KING but on opposite side of road.

 

 

 

LOL...... Just thinking of the name made me smile.

 

If it is the one you are talking about "Gill Brothers"

 

Get your stay press, Farah's, Grandad shirts, Y Cardigans and puffa coats

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder if any of you originate in Sholing. There used to be a little general store on the corner of South East Road and Kathleen Road, opposite Spikes Corner. The lady who owned it had a glass eye.

 

I can remember as kids we used to crack up, deciding who she was actually looking at. Kids are so cruel!

 

Remember that opposite barbers Gustav Glace(spelling) where i used to get my ears lowered.

 

Good memories of also watching Sholing Sports in the 70's when a top team in Hants. Sad that the area where the ground was is now houses.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seeing the original Queen Elizabeth & the Queen Mary, the United States, the Canberra and Oriana, the Geest banana boats, the Union Castle ships; all whilst fishing on the docks.

 

Obviously loved the floating bridge, also the old Guy Arab buses, ( hated the Leyland ones they put on the #14 route ).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Remember that opposite barbers Gustav Glace(spelling) where i used to get my ears lowered.

 

Good memories of also watching Sholing Sports in the 70's when a top team in Hants. Sad that the area where the ground was is now houses.

 

That's the one. Gustav's used to be a butcher's shop beforehand because the barber's was originally at the bottom of St Monica's Road near the Brickyard.

 

I didn't know Sholing Sports Ground was houses! Shows you how long since I've been up that road. Blimey!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Left over 20 years ago... Memories?

 

Was a Merry Oak boy myself (long gone, I think?)...

 

Thornhill Towers, where my nan lived - have they been pulled down yet?

Replays - best record shop!

Southampton Zoo - with the chimp who used to smoke the lit cigarettes thrown at him...

Cowherds where you could get a pint at 15 years old!

Prinny's in Bevois Valley

Prince Regent in Swaythling

Martines (in Eastleigh?)

My uncle owned the "Admiral Cunningham" pub in Fareham - rough as ****

The Physik girls...

The Buchanan girls...

(sigh)

Happy days!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lots of great memories

what was the name of the mens clothes shop in StMarys Street, just down from Shirt KING but on opposite side of road.

 

It was called Sydneys...I remember buying a pair of high waisters with 36 inch flares. They did some great Budgie jackets.

Gill Brothers was the place to but Trevira patch pockets.

Edited by Give it to Ron
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone remember a little club around the back of Canal walk? I think it was called Eruption or something similar. Had some right old nights in there. The toilets were like the ones in Trainspotting!!!

 

LOL! I remember this place! It was called Eruptions. Friday and Saturday nights were rather lively and a fair few illegal substances were consumed on it's premises! The head bouncer was this huge, big eared bloke called Dave. He was as thick as they come but ok if you kept on the right side of him. I remember seeing some awful things there. There was one time on a Saturday night that Saints had lost 4-3, cannot remember who against, but it all kicked off when some of the away fans turned up. There is one member of this forum who was there that night that did some very bad things to one travelling fan who was caught chatting to some local girls!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LOL! I remember this place! It was called Eruptions. Friday and Saturday nights were rather lively and a fair few illegal substances were consumed on it's premises! The head bouncer was this huge, big eared bloke called Dave. He was as thick as they come but ok if you kept on the right side of him. I remember seeing some awful things there. There was one time on a Saturday night that Saints had lost 4-3, cannot remember who against, but it all kicked off when some of the away fans turned up. There is one member of this forum who was there that night that did some very bad things to one travelling fan who was caught chatting to some local girls!

 

I think that Dave was an ex Top Rank doorman? In recent years he had the Riverside Club in St. Denys but suffered ill health and I am told he has passed away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oof, that's a bit close to home, are you current or ex OS?

 

Of course, there was the old Civil Service Club in Malmesbury Road. RIP.

 

ex- 1973-76. I wanted to be a surveyor but the waiting list was too long so I went in as a draughtsman. I left after digitisation made it boring, but the 6 months in Antiquities set me off on a career in Archaeology where I got to be a surveyor by another route (plus other stuff).

 

Used to play football and snooker at the CS club.

 

What about you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Fighting Co cks! Lovely pub

 

Ah, the Old Grappling Genitals as it was, er, affectionately known. There was another equally squalid pub over the road where Tesco Express is now....Rose and Crown?

 

And of course, if you're talking infamous Millbrook pubs, don't forget the Saints.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a sprout I lived in Bitterne, my Granny & Grandad lived in Shirley, on the odd exciting occasion we would "sail across the Ocean" on the Floating Bridge. being first on scared me as I feared we might not stop, watching the black ball go down the pole at the stern and going up at the bow meant we were off: quite the adventure when I was 4.

 

Going down to Western Shore to see the Queens Lizzie 1 & 2 and Mary departing or arriving.

 

The Red Routemaster buses on the aft deck of the Queen Mary as she left Southampton for the final time.

 

The Hovercraft from Woolston.

 

The Paddling Pools on the Common

 

Boating lake up the Sports Centre with the tin hand paddle boats, and the water fights on hot days mastered by sitting on one side of the boat and paddling the otherside to skim the water at another boat.

 

The 2p Orange train up the Sports Centre

 

The Witches Hat roundabout up the Sports Centre.

 

Weekend nights down the Ice Rink, dodging the plebs with hire skates, saving the girls as they were about to fall. Then at 9 and 10pm the ice was cleared of hire skates so those with their own skates had 15 minutes (71/2 minutes for Girls then the same for the boys) to show off, the DJ always played Blue Monday 12".

 

Shopping in Safeway opposite Edwin Jones on a Friday evening.

 

Getting lost in Edwin Jones and getting Jelly Baby's from the staff while we waited for my Mum to collect me.

 

Father Christmas's Grotto in Edwin Jones

 

The smell of Fawley wafting over the city.

 

Just a few before I get boring.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally Posted by Redondo Saint

"Someone remind me where the helicopter landing pad was...

near the Gaumont"?

 

"I don't think that it was a landing pad as such. More like a small hard standing on which a helicopter was displayed? It was down a slight slope from the road by the Police Station and, as described earlier, outside the ATC hut".

 

 

The Southampton heleport was down at West Quay road, just about opposite TGI's and McDonalds are. Used to be run by Twyford Moors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shirt King

Gran Moda

Adam & Eve (getting the 11.05 bus back to Bursledon when all the lads with cars were turning up)

4 Phone Boxes

Scooter convoys to Bournemouth

CasBah

Spa Tavern

Floating Bridge

Docks Station (nearby Abbatoir)

Townsend Thoresen Ferries

Heli Port

Pirelli Factory

The Royal Pier (Mecca Dances)

The Metro (at Top Rank)

Skyways Hotel

The Shop in St Marys run by an old lady where youngsters could buy prophelatics (not available at Chemists then!!)

Wimpey Bars

Boiler Makers

German Eadies

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LOL! I remember this place! It was called Eruptions. Friday and Saturday nights were rather lively and a fair few illegal substances were consumed on it's premises! The head bouncer was this huge, big eared bloke called Dave. He was as thick as they come but ok if you kept on the right side of him. I remember seeing some awful things there. There was one time on a Saturday night that Saints had lost 4-3, cannot remember who against, but it all kicked off when some of the away fans turned up. There is one member of this forum who was there that night that did some very bad things to one travelling fan who was caught chatting to some local girls!

 

ERUPTIONS! that's right! I'm fairly sure it's not there any more. Can anyone who remembers tell me what's now in its place - I'd love to know.

 

Didn't it get it's name after it was badly damaged in Southampton's Great Fire of 1978? I was actually around that day - the whole area was cordened off but I got some pics of the burning buildings. Some other posters keener than me must have some great snaps of that day!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From my childhood I always remember the 'Strong Country' signs on the road when travelling down to visit relatives.

 

From later years I recall many pubs,especially the Eldridge Pope ones,and of course The Juniper Berry on a trawl through town.

 

And of course ice hockey watching the Vikings.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

And of course ice hockey watching the Vikings.

 

I had a mate who was one of the Canadian imports for the Vikings, silly bugger got done for drink driving within months of arriving here, so as we lived in Silchester north of Basingstoke muggins here became the Taxi driver to Southampton.............. The upside was all the Hockey Hookers: he worked his way through the bulk of them, including the munters.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The one in Bitterne, which was replaced by Bitterne Bowling was I think, The Ritz. There were two in Portswood - The Broadway (now the Bingo hall ) and one just past Boots called (again, I think) The Palladium. Shirley had two - The Atherley and The Rialto and there was The Savoy in Swaythling. I believe that there also was The Gaiety in Below Bar.

 

Shirley had three cinemas - Atherley, Rialto and The Regent (in that block where the Fair Trade shop is now situated).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shirley had three cinemas - Atherley, Rialto and The Regent (in that block where the Fair Trade shop is now situated).

 

There also used to be a cinema in Totton (The Savoy). Near The Ele' on Junction Road. It is now a block of flats.

 

There's a pic of it here:

 

http://www.southernlife.org.uk/eling_images.htm

 

Along with a lot of other Totton pics (including the Travellers Rest pub).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah, the Old Grappling Genitals as it was, er, affectionately known. There was another equally squalid pub over the road where Tesco Express is now....Rose and Crown?

 

Royal Oak

 

Remember that place ! There was one bar, a 'snug' I think,at the front that was smaller than a living room.

 

Both bars in the Bricklayers are a reasonable size tbf.

 

I remember the good old fashioned Off Licence's within the pubs, getting stupid pence for returning bottles then spending it on a quarter of chewy nuts

Edited by INFLUENCED.COM
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...