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Southampton Nostalgia...


SW11_Saint

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Just chatting to my mum. She clarified/confirmed a few things...

 

Sainsburys and McFisheries were both on the site that was later occupied by Marks & Spencer. Not sure what is there now, but most of you will know the 'old' M&S (on same side as WH Smith, Woollies etc.).

 

Lyons Teashop was where Boots is now in the precinct.

 

Cadena was on the corner of the high street by the Bargate (on the 'old' M&S side of the High Street) - think it is a shoe shop now.

 

Mays did indeed go bankrupt and was taken over by Owen & Owen (now Argos?).

 

Also, apparently Tyrrell & Green was originally where the Bargate Centre now is, but moved after the war (due to bombing I think) to where we all remember it being.

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We used to decide what time number 14 to catch and then from Megason Ave to Mousehole Lane we'd pile on.

 

Everyone would do 1st - 3rd board but only the brave would do 4th and 5th!

 

I only ever had the bottle to jump off top, never dived. By god, did it look a long way down when you were up there.

 

The real bonus was the girls in bikinis!

 

i used to get on the 14 by the Ark from 1965 to 1976

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Oh MOG I have to tell you this :D

 

When my friend and I were in the 6th form we had Saturday jobs at Debenhams and then Owen Owen. We also used to work during the school holidays and one year we had to be Santa's little helpers at Owen Owen. We had to dress up as pixies and hand the correct present to Santa to give to the child.

 

Nasty kids that we were, we used to give him a 'boy's' present for a little girl and vice versa.

 

We got the sack :(

 

something else we have in common BTF!!! :)

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The chip machine, 20p if I remember

Getting pushed of 5th "because I was thinking about it for too long"

Fat Andy C the 'lifeguard', bully but like most soon got caught out

Splashing the cold water over you that was in the tiled walkways so when you jumped in 'the big pool' it was warmer and you didn't scream like a girl, the heat of the 'little pool'

 

was he the really hairy one???

i remember going swimming with my mates in the late 80's when i was about 13, and (for some inexplicable reason!!) fancying this guy called Andy (who was a full grown man FFS!) .well, he (ahem) "escorted" me back to the bus stop behind Woolies and tried getting off with me!!!! OMG, i had completely forgotten about that until i read your post......jeez, what a perv!!!!!!! :smt075

(not saying that it IS this 'fat andy' that you referred to, bit just thought i'd share this story with you all. ) :D

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Someone earlier mentioned the bouncers at the Rank. Does anyone remeber the McCarthy brothers, I think there were about 5 or 6 of them working on various doors around the city in the late 80s/early 90s. A couple of them were boxers, one even fought for the British (I think) title at the guildhall. The bout was abandoned when his opponents mum climbed into the ring and Mc refused to fight on.

 

His fight with Tony Wilson 1989 atSouthampton Guildhall where Wilson's Mum attacked Steve with her stilleto was quite a nasty affair out of the ring too.

 

The Wilson supporters and family were subjected to relentless racist chanting and having things thrown at them. When the fight was awardedd to Wilson, he was lucky to get back to the dressing room alive according to some accounts. Riot ploice were called to restore order and ensure the Wilson family had safe exit.

 

Mrs Wilson said that she had lost it after the abuse had gotten too much for her to bear apparently.

 

Quite hard to find the videobut it is out there if you search for 'steve mccarthy guildhall 1979'.

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I was at the Tubes - did the lead singer bring a tv on stage at one point, as it was the night Forest were beating (Hamburg I think) to win the the Europen cup ?

 

Didn't he also get on stage with a motorbike ?? Or was that one too many....

 

 

I remember the motorbike, not the telly, and I think his leg was in plaster but the girls didn't take any kit off. I would remember this vividly as I was 'that age'....

 

White Punks on Dope (thanks RonM) and Prime Time were the hits of the time I seem to remember.

 

I think he was supported by Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band who were pretty good....or did they support Ian Dury?? It's all a blur now....

 

Yep, SLF, that was the Inflammable Material tour I think?

 

I'm embarrassed to say I saw Toyah. She had white knickers on; we were at the front looking up....;)

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I remember the motorbike, not the telly, and I think his leg was in plaster but the girls didn't take any kit off. I would remember this vividly as I was 'that age'....

 

White Punks on Dope (thanks RonM) and Prime Time were the hits of the time I seem to remember.

 

I think he was supported by Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band who were pretty good....or did they support Ian Dury?? It's all a blur now....

 

Yep, SLF, that was the Inflammable Material tour I think?

 

I'm embarrassed to say I saw Toyah. She had white knickers on; we were at the front looking up....;)

 

You have just given me an erection.

 

I do not need to tell you that it was the bit about Toyah that got me tbh.

 

Who didn't fancy Toyah?

 

Not S13 obviously. But phwoarrr

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[

Remember doing my "braids" there vividly.

 

Yellow=1 width

Green=2 widths

Red=1 length

Blue=18 lengths?

 

If you got your red you thought you'd cracked it and then came the chance of a blue! I seem to remember a life guard walking along side you with a long pole with an S shaped hook on the end, terrifying!

 

The smell of the baths remain with me to this day and whenever mates and I go to the toilet in certain pubs or clubs when we return someone always remarks that they just jumped off the 4th board (gone for a leak).

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[

Remember doing my "braids" there vividly.

 

Yellow=1 width

Green=2 widths

Red=1 length

Blue=18 lengths?

 

If you got your red you thought you'd cracked it and then came the chance of a blue! I seem to remember a life guard walking along side you with a long pole with an S shaped hook on the end, terrifying!

 

The smell of the baths remain with me to this day and whenever mates and I go to the toilet in certain pubs or clubs when we return someone always remarks that they just jumped off the 4th board (gone for a leak).

 

Wasn't there a white as well for 24 lengths, also remember diving down the deep end to bare your ass againts the large windows :D

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You have just given me an erection.

 

I do not need to tell you that it was the bit about Toyah that got me tbh.

 

Who didn't fancy Toyah?

 

Not S13 obviously. But phwoarrr

 

You're not alone on here with that confession. :-\"

 

I'm fessing up too. I also admit to lusting about Kim Wilde, and or course (once) stunning Debbie Harry :smt054

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Yellow=1 width

Green=2 widths

Red=1 length

Blue=18 lengths?

 

If you got your red you thought you'd cracked it and then came the chance of a blue! I seem to remember a life guard walking along side you with a long pole with an S shaped hook on the end, terrifying!

 

The smell of the baths remain with me to this day and whenever mates and I go to the toilet in certain pubs or clubs when we return someone always remarks that they just jumped off the 4th board (gone for a leak).

 

Wasn't there a white as well for 24 lengths, also remember diving down the deep end to bare your ass againts the large windows :D

 

 

Don't know which era you are from, but in the late sixties the Green was 1 length, Red 2 lengths , Blue 16 and White 48.

 

Mind you, we were hard. :) Also remember the bronze, silver and gold life saving awards. Jumping in the 6ft in your pyjamas to save a plastic brick and treading water for 5 minutes.

 

Only place at the time, to sell Tomato sauce flavoured crisps. We went from Mansbridge on a double decker bus. Unless the driver tried to get under the Swaythling Arch. In which case we went to South Hants to have glass removed!! :mad:

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I suspect braids were "school bespoke." Ours were something like:

 

width = yellow, length = green, 2 lengths = red, 12 lengths = blue.

 

They were manufactured out of the cotton bands our school used to use in lieu of bibs (being a cheap school) !

 

I do remember the guy "walking" you up the pool with a hoop on a stick...

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Steve and Paul were the boxers and bouncers at the Pier and Raffles(ffs), it was Steve who got the stilletto in the head and is replayed on most sporting bloopers shows, unfortunately time has taken its toll and now only do security at Bar mitzvahs and childrens parties !!
i know Jason, he plays cricket for us sometimes. His knuckles are pretty mashed up.
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Yellow=1 width

Green=2 widths

Red=1 length

Blue=18 lengths?

 

If you got your red you thought you'd cracked it and then came the chance of a blue! I seem to remember a life guard walking along side you with a long pole with an S shaped hook on the end, terrifying!

 

The smell of the baths remain with me to this day and whenever mates and I go to the toilet in certain pubs or clubs when we return someone always remarks that they just jumped off the 4th board (gone for a leak).

Yeah, that sounds right. Never got to the blue braid, not sure why as I was a pretty decent swimmer - did sound a bit exhausting to be honest! After that you could do all that silly stuff like jumping in with your pyjamas on and taking them off etc.

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His fight with Tony Wilson 1989 atSouthampton Guildhall where Wilson's Mum attacked Steve with her stilleto was quite a nasty affair out of the ring too.

 

The Wilson supporters and family were subjected to relentless racist chanting and having things thrown at them. When the fight was awardedd to Wilson, he was lucky to get back to the dressing room alive according to some accounts. Riot ploice were called to restore order and ensure the Wilson family had safe exit.

 

Mrs Wilson said that she had lost it after the abuse had gotten too much for her to bear apparently.

 

Quite hard to find the videobut it is out there if you search for 'steve mccarthy guildhall 1979'.

 

i was sat in the same row as her and her family.i didnt here one bit of racist abuse just crying coming from the women in their camp as wilson was getting batterd.Fair play to mrs wilson for turning a near certain defeat into a victory for her son.Was pretty nasty straight after the fight though.

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For anyone interested in indulging themselves in a bit of nostalgia (perhaps) the Soul Cellar (the Painted Wagon, as was - in West Marlands Road) is starting to open match day lunchtimes from about 11:30 til 3. They're doing good food and drinks deals so should be a pretty decent place for a pre-match beer, and a handy location too.

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For anyone interested in indulging themselves in a bit of nostalgia (perhaps) the Soul Cellar (the Painted Wagon, as was - in West Marlands Road) is starting to open match day lunchtimes from about 11:30 til 3. They're doing good food and drinks deals so should be a pretty decent place for a pre-match beer, and a handy location too.

 

the PC boys will be after you

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Yeah, that sounds right. Never got to the blue braid, not sure why as I was a pretty decent swimmer - did sound a bit exhausting to be honest! After that you could do all that silly stuff like jumping in with your pyjamas on and taking them off etc.

 

The life saving one was called Honours. I'll have to dig the badges out.

 

Christ it seems a long time ago now, must have been 79/80. Used to go to St Johns junior school (the one on the junction just past where Habitat was) so we used to go to central bats every week.

 

There you go the old brain cells are starting to work now. Does anyone elsr remember the plastic drawstring bags you used to get from school? had a blue one with a footballer on it.

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The life saving one was called Honours. I'll have to dig the badges out.

 

Christ it seems a long time ago now, must have been 79/80. Used to go to St Johns junior school (the one on the junction just past where Habitat was) so we used to go to central bats every week.

 

There you go the old brain cells are starting to work now. Does anyone elsr remember the plastic drawstring bags you used to get from school? had a blue one with a footballer on it.

Or the rash of "Shaw Saville Line" bags that flooded the school market - must have been a company that went t*ts up. Also remember lots of blue BOAC ones. Thinking about it, I also had a "Crimson Travel" one - presumably another bankruptcy?! My favourite ever school bag was my old light blue Adidas holdall - got it stuck in the doors of the school bus (in the "bundle" to get on) and a prefect ripped it out - the handles came off in his hands, the bag stayed where it was!

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Steve and Paul were the boxers and bouncers at the Pier and Raffles(ffs), it was Steve who got the stilletto in the head and is replayed on most sporting bloopers shows, unfortunately time has taken its toll and now only do security at Bar mitzvahs and childrens parties !!

 

Paul McCarthey now owns Winchester City FC.

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Admittedly outside the confines of Southampton, but seeing as The Lido had plenty of name checks ... how about the old outside pool in Bishopstoke :D

 

The long walk from Eastleigh, queuing up to get in, antiquated changing rooms, fat bloke wtih glasses telling you off for depth charging or flicking each other with wet towels, (many suggestions as to whwere he could stick his whistle :p) freezing water even in the middle of summer, going round the back of the changing rooms afterwards to see if you could find any peep holes into the girls changing rooms ;), buying a Jubbly in the newsagents across the road for the hike home .... great times...... life was so simple back then.

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Steve and Paul were the boxers and bouncers at the Pier and Raffles(ffs), it was Steve who got the stilletto in the head and is replayed on most sporting bloopers shows, unfortunately time has taken its toll and now only do security at Bar mitzvahs and childrens parties !!

 

:D

 

that was said as a joke i take it:confused:

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Yes good call. The Itchen College 2nd XI played in this league. Opponents included the Police force. cant quite remember other opponents. Post Office maybe, the OS? Help...?

 

Played for Taunton's 2ndXI 74-76. It was Hampshire Police @ Bishops Waltham. The ground now has housing on it.

 

Also Post Office, HM Customs @ Civil Service Ground. 17 Port Reg (Who did a march through the City last week in honour of serving in Afghanistan) Woolston Wednesday, La Sainte Union, RAPC Worthy Down.

 

There were at least another 4 which I can't recall, but the Cup comp was the Travers Cup. It was a very good standard with lots of Hampshire League ( equivilant now of Southern League) players.

 

Saints used to put a "B" team out in the sixties who played at the BTC like the "A" team did on Saturdays.

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Admittedly outside the confines of Southampton, but seeing as The Lido had plenty of name checks ... how about the old outside pool in Bishopstoke :D

 

The long walk from Eastleigh, queuing up to get in, antiquated changing rooms, fat bloke wtih glasses telling you off for depth charging or flicking each other with wet towels, (many suggestions as to whwere he could stick his whistle :p) freezing water even in the middle of summer, going round the back of the changing rooms afterwards to see if you could find any peep holes into the girls changing rooms ;), buying a Jubbly in the newsagents across the road for the hike home .... great times...... life was so simple back then.

 

Arnold was the guys name. Hot Bovril drink from that little kiosk they had.

 

The water was so cold that the brass monkeys needed brazers before getting dressed!

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Anyone remember the flower seller woman down Queensway (opp Debenhams)? She had that pitch for donkey's ears ad I seem to recall that when she passed away it turned out that she was absolutely loaded.

She used to get down the flower market really early to get the best blooms and I guess her overheads were zilch.

 

We've always had good flower sellers in town for some reason, I always buy some of the chap in Above Bar for mrs h.

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Anyone remember the flower seller woman down Queensway (opp Debenhams)? She had that pitch for donkey's ears ad I seem to recall that when she passed away it turned out that she was absolutely loaded.

She used to get down the flower market really early to get the best blooms and I guess her overheads were zilch.

 

We've always had good flower sellers in town for some reason, I always buy some of the chap in Above Bar for mrs h.

 

Must have been a very exclusive and profitable market for her, not much competition I guess :p

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Anyone remember the flower seller woman down Queensway (opp Debenhams)? She had that pitch for donkey's ears ad I seem to recall that when she passed away it turned out that she was absolutely loaded.

She used to get down the flower market really early to get the best blooms and I guess her overheads were zilch.

 

We've always had good flower sellers in town for some reason, I always buy some of the chap in Above Bar for mrs h.

Also remember the woman on Kingsland market who sold fruit & veg - she used to yell "Olly olly olly - we got the colly if you got the lolly!" (colly = cauliflower) . One of my earliest memories - it was full of characters in 'them days'...

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Admittedly outside the confines of Southampton, but seeing as The Lido had plenty of name checks ... how about the old outside pool in Bishopstoke :D

 

The long walk from Eastleigh, queuing up to get in, antiquated changing rooms, fat bloke wtih glasses telling you off for depth charging or flicking each other with wet towels, (many suggestions as to whwere he could stick his whistle :p) freezing water even in the middle of summer, going round the back of the changing rooms afterwards to see if you could find any peep holes into the girls changing rooms ;), buying a Jubbly in the newsagents across the road for the hike home .... great times...... life was so simple back then.

 

My mum used to tell me that at one time the water in Bishopstoke Baths was taken directly from the Itchen.

 

I don't remember that but do seem to remember that the water in the outside Southampton Lido tasted salty. Straight from the sea? or :smt087

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