Southampton History Question

[Mark]

... the Punk shop on the other.

 

The punk shop was called Bondage and General. I used to buy tonic trousers from there.

[Dr Who?]

Underground Records in St Mary's street used to be a regular visit for me to get my bootleg albums, and it got closed down due to drugs..... this does not supprise me as I new the owner of the shop!

[Toomer]

Do you know I think you're right Deano, you're going back now!!! Do you remember the old Waitrose store that used to be downstairs in West quay?

 

And Woolworths;)

[Saint-scooby]

Jennings toy shop was the best, below bar.

[um pahars]

The punk shop was called Bondage and General. I used to buy tonic trousers from there.

 

And then went on to be called Revolution!!!

[lil 1]

[bridge too far]

 

 

I really enjoyed watching that - thanks for posting it. I spent much of my early teenage years in Bitterne (I was a Sholing girl). I had my first alcoholic drink in the Angel when I was about 14 and I can remember playing Bar Billiards a lot there. I also used to frequent a coffee bar in West End Road at the old junction with Lances Hill - can't remember the name.

 

But I'm puzzled by the picture of Lancaster & Crooke. My grandfather used to work for that firm, but in Obelisk Road in Woolston. I don't remember there being a branch in Bitterne but that could be my memory playing tricks.

[Wurzel]

I really enjoyed watching that - thanks for posting it. I spent much of my early teenage years in Bitterne (I was a Sholing girl). I had my first alcoholic drink in the Angel when I was about 14 and I can remember playing Bar Billiards a lot there. I also used to frequent a coffee bar in West End Road at the old junction with Lances Hill - can't remember the name.

 

But I'm puzzled by the picture of Lancaster & Crooke. My grandfather used to work for that firm, but in Obelisk Road in Woolston. I don't remember there being a branch in Bitterne but that could be my memory playing tricks.

 

Not 100% but pretty sure this was demolished for the new road layout. A row of shops behind the Red Lion pub across the road from the new church and library, what would now be the tile shop(?) and point where Bitterne Rd East & Bursledon Rd split. I think the stone lion that now lies on a plinth in front of the pub was rescued from above a shop doorway along the same row of buildings.

[Toadhall Saint]

Jennings toy shop was the best, below bar.

 

Absolutley - I think I used to go in there virtually every Saturaday as a kid.

[Saint-scooby]

Absolutley - I think I used to go in there virtually every Saturaday as a kid.

 

Think it closed down when Toys R us opened ?

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I've got to say, for a *younger* (1984) Southampton lad, this is one of the most interesting threads I've read. Love seeing all this old stuff about the city I love. Spot on guys.

[NorthamSteve]

This must go into 'Golden Posts'.

 

It cannot be lost.

[Toomer]

Us of a certain age will remember the four telephones on the corner of New Road and Above Bar where we used to meet the girls on a Saturday night for a couple of drinks in town before going up the Rank.

Mens Cloths shops of that time, Squires (if my memory is right T.Tim worked there) Garrison, Gill Brothers, Shirt King, shoe shops Ravel & Stead & Simpson.

[Toadhall Saint]

Us of a certain age will remember the four telephones on the corner of New Road and Above Bar where we used to meet the girls on a Saturday night for a couple of drinks in town before going up the Rank.

Mens Cloths shops of that time, Squires (if my memory is right T.Tim worked there) Garrison, Gill Brothers, Shirt King, shoe shops Ravel & Stead & Simpson.

 

Ah Shirt King - Brutus button downs! And of course Philips in East St for your proper Ben Shermans.

[Saint137]

Its strange. Have lived in Sholing all my life so regularly went up to Bitterne shopping with my Mum, but I can't remember when it was pedestrianised and also when the bypass was put through. I can remember it being different but don't remember it changing. Mid 80s I think?

 

On a related note, would be interested in seeing anything about the construction of the M27. I'm pretty sure I can remember Dad being able to drive to Hedge End from Sholing/Thornhill by a different route. When was it built? Early 70s?

[Toadhall Saint]

Its strange. Have lived in Sholing all my life so regularly went up to Bitterne shopping with my Mum, but I can't remember when it was pedestrianised and also when the bypass was put through. I can remember it being different but don't remember it changing. Mid 80s I think?

 

On a related note, would be interested in seeing anything about the construction of the M27. I'm pretty sure I can remember Dad being able to drive to Hedge End from Sholing/Thornhill by a different route. When was it built? Early 70s?

 

Got to be mid 70's - I recall walking along the M271 before it was actually tarmaced etc.

[buctootim]

Not Southampton related specifically, but this Kinks 'Come Dancing' conjures up all kinds of nostaligia. Love this song.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs2kFrGluKs&feature=fvsr

[bridge too far]

Its strange. Have lived in Sholing all my life so regularly went up to Bitterne shopping with my Mum, but I can't remember when it was pedestrianised and also when the bypass was put through. I can remember it being different but don't remember it changing. Mid 80s I think?

 

On a related note, would be interested in seeing anything about the construction of the M27. I'm pretty sure I can remember Dad being able to drive to Hedge End from Sholing/Thornhill by a different route. When was it built? Early 70s?

 

I'm struggling to remember what Bitterne used to be like too. I can remember going to ballet classes in a hall near Dean Road and the coffee bar I referred to earlier but I reckon the pedestrianisation took place after I'd left Southampton. I remember the Ritz and the Bowling Alley there. Didn't it become Sainsburys?

 

I lived in Sholing too and my dad built a lot of houses in Hedge End so we were often doing that journey. I'm sure we went along Bursledon Road and then turned left onto St John's Road. But that's a dead-end now, I think.

[Lets B Avenue]

Its strange. Have lived in Sholing all my life so regularly went up to Bitterne shopping with my Mum, but I can't remember when it was pedestrianised and also when the bypass was put through. I can remember it being different but don't remember it changing. Mid 80s I think?

 

On a related note, would be interested in seeing anything about the construction of the M27. I'm pretty sure I can remember Dad being able to drive to Hedge End from Sholing/Thornhill by a different route. When was it built? Early 70s?

 

It opened in the mid-seventies, but at first there was a large gap between Ower and Hamble (Junc eight). They added the bit to Junc 7 a couple of years later, but the final piece wasnt done till 84.

 

There isnt a Junc 6 which was supposed to go to Townhill park.

 

Stoneham Way which runs from Swaythling to Junc 5, was opened in 86, but was originally proposed in the late sixties as "The Swaythling Link" and would have run right through to the Western Docks. This involved demolishing about a 1000 homes (inc. mine) and The Dell!!

 

Luckily Southampton Council's usual inertia meant it never happened.

[Dr Who?]

I remember the Stoneham Way part being built as me and my friends used to walk across it before it was opened. There were tunnels that went underneath the motorway and they used to have glow worms in them!! Mad to think back to then, I was 12!

[Pedro]

More mens shops, Paul Temple (I think) and Shirt king

[View From The Top]

 

As an ex-Bitterne Boy (Wavell Rd & Rowborough Rd) I really appreciate you posting that.

[Toomer]

More mens shops, Paul Temple (I think) and Shirt king

 

It was John Temple taylors in East Street, I had a Saturday job in Hepworths corner of Hanover Buildings near the Bargate got a rather nice sheepskin whilst working there if you know what I mean.

[bridge too far]

I used to go out with a boy who worked in Hepworths

[Saint-scooby]

It opened in the mid-seventies, but at first there was a large gap between Ower and Hamble (Junc eight). They added the bit to Junc 7 a couple of years later, but the final piece wasnt done till 84.

 

There isnt a Junc 6 which was supposed to go to Townhill park.

 

Stoneham Way which runs from Swaythling to Junc 5, was opened in 86, but was originally proposed in the late sixties as "The Swaythling Link" and would have run right through to the Western Docks. This involved demolishing about a 1000 homes (inc. mine) and The Dell!!

 

Luckily Southampton Council's usual inertia meant it never happened.

 

As a kid I grew up in Bassett, when the M27 was being built we used to play on it, either on our bikes or skateboards, at the Roman road tunnel there were some really long storm tunnel sections, too small for bikes but just the right height for laying down on your skateboard,

One day we nicked a very large polystrene round block from the motorway, it took us about 4 hours to roll this thing from the top part of the golf course, over the practice pitch and up golf course road, nobody stopped us and the only bit of grief we got was some golfers shouting 4 !!!

Happy days

[Jeff Le Taxi]

The punk shop was called Bondage and General. I used to buy tonic trousers from there.

 

Bondage IN General actually not and!

[Dr Who?]

As a kid I grew up in Bassett, when the M27 was being built we used to play on it, either on our bikes or skateboards, at the Roman road tunnel there were some really long storm tunnel sections, too small for bikes but just the right height for laying down on your skateboard,

One day we nicked a very large polystrene round block from the motorway, it took us about 4 hours to roll this thing from the top part of the golf course, over the practice pitch and up golf course road, nobody stopped us and the only bit of grief we got was some golfers shouting 4 !!!

Happy days

 

The tunnels you are talking about were the ones under the motorway just big enough to crouch or crawl through. Some of them had glow worms!

[hamster]

This is a great read.

 

Regarding our Motorways, some on here wpn't remember not having them I guess. All the trasffic from and to London would drive on the A33, that old single carriageeway that you would know as 'the pretty route' I move driving on the old A33.

 

The Main road into Southampton from Eastleigh was either down the Avenue (The best road into any city anywhere in the World or down Stoneham Lane, now that IS a lovely little drive, especially enjoyable on my old RD80LC.

 

The A27 was the only road by which one could drive past Southampton, it linked Salisbury, Southampton, Portsmouth all on one single ancient road. Another great drive if you msaty off of the M27, slow but so full of interesting historical anecdotes and historical fact.

 

The road in which me and mrs hamster hope to be moving to in Deal is olong the old Roman Road from Sandwich from way back when Sandwich was the busient port in all of England. I love the thought of living somewhere where real history actually took place. I currently live on the old A27, gonna miss it tbh.

[hamster]

Got to be mid 70's - I recall walking along the M271 before it was actually tarmaced etc.

 

My dear old Mum made the contractor's their breakfasts, blimey, I think I've got a bit of dust in my eye.....

[Lets B Avenue]

When are you moving, Rodent? We haven't had that drink yet. Also, was that you and Mrs H. staggering past the Stoneham Lane traffic lights at about 11.15 last night (Monday)?

[hamster]

When are you moving, Rodent? We haven't had that drink yet. Also, was that you and Mrs H. staggering past the Stoneham Lane traffic lights at about 11.15 last night (Monday)?

 

Ot was, it was. We'd been on a celebratory pub crawl. Started in that godawful Trago Lounge, full of students, we were temptpted to stay and wipe the floor with them as they had a quiz on and were as thick as ****. Then onto The Wagonners, onlt my second ever visit to that particular hostellry, and my last I should add.

 

Ended up at Talking Heads, brilliant acts last night.

 

Then the long cold walk home, waiting for some kind-hearted passer by might offfer us a lift...

 

You're on for that beer, next Tuesday evening game?

 

mrs h and \i may be on the brink of realising a dream soon. Back home to Deal, lovely little cottage we have found.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

This is a great read.

 

Regarding our Motorways, some on here wpn't remember not having them I guess. All the trasffic from and to London would drive on the A33, that old single carriageeway that you would know as 'the pretty route' I move driving on the old A33.

 

The Main road into Southampton from Eastleigh was either down the Avenue (The best road into any city anywhere in the World or down Stoneham Lane, now that IS a lovely little drive, especially enjoyable on my old RD80LC.

 

The A27 was the only road by which one could drive past Southampton, it linked Salisbury, Southampton, Portsmouth all on one single ancient road. Another great drive if you msaty off of the M27, slow but so full of interesting historical anecdotes and historical fact.

 

The road in which me and mrs hamster hope to be moving to in Deal is olong the old Roman Road from Sandwich from way back when Sandwich was the busient port in all of England. I love the thought of living somewhere where real history actually took place. I currently live on the old A27, gonna miss it tbh.

 

As a teenager I went to school in Swaythling, St. George, which for an Eastleigh boy meant a bike ride along Stoneham Lane with all it's twists, turns, deep puddles, ruts and Hants & Dorset buses almost colliding as they passed each other. It was only in the latter years, about 1970?, that the road between the Concorde Club (then Prices Social Club) and the junction with Chestnut Avenue was 'straightened'. Most winter mornings we would arrive at school, drenched.

[NorthamSaint]

 

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59322050@N04/5430543388/in/photostream/

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59322050@N04/5429936463/in/photostream/

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59322050@N04/5430542240/in/photostream/

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59322050@N04/5429935473/in/photostream/

 

Some 70's Pictures M271 and Itchen Bridge under construction.

 

These are poor quality as they were old slides which have been scanned into the PC.

 

There is a nice one of the Itchen Bridge halr built and the Floating Bridge in the foreground.

[Redondo Saint]

Excellent!

[Dimond Geezer]

Before the M27 was built you could get right to the end of the airport runway. There was a decrepit brick/concrete building there, I assume it was either a WW2 gun implacement or (more likely) an air raid shelter, it was always a bit scary going into it.

 

We would often ride from Bitterne Park, through Riverside Park, crossing the river at Mansbridge (over the old bridge & under the new), past the old resevoir, and on to the aforementioned building, standing on top of it to watch the planes take-off/land. I assume this building was demolished to make way for the motorway.

[Dimond Geezer]

As a teenager I went to school in Swaythling, St. George, which for an Eastleigh boy meant a bike ride along Stoneham Lane with all it's twists, turns, deep puddles, ruts and Hants & Dorset buses almost colliding as they passed each other. It was only in the latter years, about 1970?, that the road between the Concorde Club (then Prices Social Club) and the junction with Chestnut Avenue was 'straightened'. Most winter mornings we would arrive at school, drenched.

 

I reckon it was later than '70, probably nearer '75, as I remember going along this road quite clearly, I would have only been 3 years old in 1970. Used to love going over the humped back-bridge & seeing the one handed clock in Stoneham Lane. Dad had a Lambretta & would crank it up just before the bridge, just enough to make your stomach 'jump' as you go over it.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

As a teenager I went to school in Swaythling, St. George, which for an Eastleigh boy meant a bike ride along Stoneham Lane with all it's twists, turns, deep puddles, ruts and Hants & Dorset buses almost colliding as they passed each other. It was only in the latter years, about 1970?, that the road between the Concorde Club (then Prices Social Club) and the junction with Chestnut Avenue was 'straightened'. Most winter mornings we would arrive at school, drenched.

 

I reckon it was later than '70, probably nearer '75, as I remember going along this road quite clearly, I would have only been 3 years old in 1970. Used to love going over the humped back-bridge & seeing the one handed clock in Stoneham Lane. Dad had a Lambretta & would crank it up just before the bridge, just enough to make your stomach 'jump' as you go over it.

 

The initial bit, from Chestnut, was straightened and a Gas pumping station built on the left, near where the religious hall is now. Originally, where you now need to turn right to continue the old Stoneham Lane, there was a caravan site, The new link goes across that site now. thinking back, and I left school in '72, that caravan site was still there and the road to North Stoneham (Chestnut Ave.) was definitely straighter than when I started cycling down there in '66. I'd not bet on it but I'm 99% sure of my memory.

 

Just before the hump by the church there is a 30mph sign. We altered it during an Art 'foray' so that it read 80. It remained like that for many a year!

 

At the back of the Concorde, sandwiched between there and Southampton Rd, Hilliers had a massive orchard. We would scrump apples, pears and cherries from it. That spot is now Lakeside.

 

Why is the area which I grew up in, North Stoneham, The Cricketers, Bird Aviary estate, now referred to as 'Chandler's Ford' in publications like the Echo?

[70's Mike]

Was not Sydneys in St Marys Street the place for trousers just down from Shirt King but on the other side of the road, before Henrys and the bakers.

[Toadhall Saint]

Was not Sydneys in St Marys Street the place for trousers just down from Shirt King but on the other side of the road' date=' before Henrys and the bakers.[/quote']

 

Can't remember but Henry's now thats another thing - fantastic record shop especially, if you liked Reggae or more alternative tunes and listening to the records in the booth's - great.

[Deppo]

Whatever happened to that Trevor Mitchell hairdressers that used to be upstairs in Hanover Buildings? I used to go there all the time, back in the day. Shame they closed down.

[Saint-scooby]

Just before the hump by the church there is a 30mph sign. We altered it during an Art 'foray' so that it read 80. It remained like that for many a year!

 

I can remember that sign, told my dad to try and break the speed limit when going along there, which he did once, he had taken delivery of his new lancia beta HPE in lime green !!!

 

Ok can anyone remember the orange land train at the sports centre used to run from lordswood end to the boating lake ??

[Toadhall Saint]

Whatever happened to that Trevor Mitchell hairdressers that used to be upstairs in Hanover Buildings? I used to go there all the time, back in the day. Shame they closed down.

 

My old man played local football with Trevor Mitchell - he started out in a little shop in East Street before the East st shopping centre was there.

[Fowllyd]

Can't remember but Henry's now thats another thing - fantastic record shop especially, if you liked Reggae or more alternative tunes and listening to the records in the booth's - great.

 

Sure was a fine record shop. Great variety of music, good prices too from what I can recall.

[Deppo]

Talking of classic old record shops, does anyone remember Virgin Megastore? Talk about a blast from the past!

[ericofarabia]

As a teenager I went to school in Swaythling, St. George, which for an Eastleigh boy meant a bike ride along Stoneham Lane with all it's twists, turns, deep puddles, ruts and Hants & Dorset buses almost colliding as they passed each other. It was only in the latter years, about 1970?, that the road between the Concorde Club (then Prices Social Club) and the junction with Chestnut Avenue was 'straightened'. Most winter mornings we would arrive at school, drenched.

 

The cutway between the small bridge just past Concorde and Southampton Road used to be one of my old fav playing / adventure places as a kid. We called it GreenGrove - not sure it that was it's official name or something we made up ala our Secret 7 type adventures!! The Nurseries and the woods either side were great for Bird spotting and we'd risk life and limb climbing trees just to look in the birds nests - didn't collect them like some people did though. The thrill of seeing them was enough for us. And there were a couple of rope swings hanging from the bigger trees - great fun. The stream which ran down to Fleming Park was full of eels, catfish and stickle backs as well as frogs spawn when in season. Don't suppose anything lives in it now.

[bridge too far]

The cutway between the small bridge just past Concorde and Southampton Road used to be one of my old fav playing / adventure places as a kid. We called it GreenGrove - not sure it that was it's official name or something we made up ala our Secret 7 type adventures!! The Nurseries and the woods either side were great for Bird spotting and we'd risk life and limb climbing trees just to look in the birds nests - didn't collect them like some people did though. The thrill of seeing them was enough for us. And there were a couple of rope swings hanging from the bigger trees - great fun. The stream which ran down to Fleming Park was full of eels, catfish and stickle backs as well as frogs spawn when in season. Don't suppose anything lives in it now.

 

Blimey! I can remember doing a 'field trip' that involved walking from my school, (Girls' Grammar in Hill Lane), across the Common and down to Swaythling across the meadows. Bloody miles!

[Dimond Geezer]

Just before the hump by the church there is a 30mph sign. We altered it during an Art 'foray' so that it read 80. It remained like that for many a year!

 

I can remember that sign, told my dad to try and break the speed limit when going along there, which he did once, he had taken delivery of his new lancia beta HPE in lime green !!!

 

Ok can anyone remember the orange land train at the sports centre used to run from lordswood end to the boating lake ??

 

Certainly do.

A couple of summers ago, I took the kids to the 'fun fair' by the (now drained ) boating lake, the old fella who used to run it when I was a kid, was there. I think his family own the lease & he was helping out. Had great times on the trampolines & the helter skelter.

[Saint-scooby]

The boating lake is drained, where have all the paddle boats gone too !!!!

Guess the ski centre is still there, I can remember some kid loosing the tips of his fingers on the button lift, should of let go....!

[View From The Top]

Before the M27 was built you could get right to the end of the airport runway. There was a decrepit brick/concrete building there, I assume it was either a WW2 gun implacement or (more likely) an air raid shelter, it was always a bit scary going into it.

 

We would often ride from Bitterne Park, through Riverside Park, crossing the river at Mansbridge (over the old bridge & under the new), past the old resevoir, and on to the aforementioned building, standing on top of it to watch the planes take-off/land. I assume this building was demolished to make way for the motorway.

 

I remember that well. On old concrete pill box. There was one down as Hum Hole IIRC before they put the bypass in.

 

If you're from that part of the world and reading your other posts, about the same age as me, I'm betting we know each other.

[NorthamSaint]

I can remember when there was a small cinema near Parkhouse & Wyatt, Two WH Smith's, Two Boots the Chemist, the Echo Office, Sainsburys and Mac Fisheries.

 

Woolworths used to be on three levels, the basement had toys and DIY stuff, the first floor had a biscuit counter where they sold biscuits by the lb and they had a wooden floor.

 

Not forgetting the Bird Aviaries in the park and Southampton Zoo.

 

As for Trevor Mitchells aren't they out near Rownhams / Chilworth. I remember the place in Hanover Buildings as there was a rather nice girl there who would "accidentally" rub her breasts on the back of your head, well she did mine !