Southampton History Question

[Saint-scooby]

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.

 

Its where Burger king is now, think it was called the Ritz, I saw "one of our dinosaurs is missing" there, was a flea pit. The others ABC and the Odeon and some films were also shown at the now Mayflower but it was then called the Gaumont "smoking was on the right no smoking on the left"

 

 

 

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

I had a walk around the old Zoo site a few years ago, its so so small amazed how they got all those animals in there

[Toomer]

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

 

Its where Burger king is now, think it was called the Ritz, I saw "one of our dinosaurs is missing" there, was a flea pit. The others ABC and the Odeon and some films were also shown at the now Mayflower but it was then called the Gaumont "smoking was on the right no smoking on the left"

 

 

 

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

I had a walk around the old Zoo site a few years ago, its so so small amazed how they got all those animals in there

 

The Cinema up by Parkhouse & Wyatt was called the Classic and on the other side you had the Odean near Portland Street, the ABC where the Square Balloon is.

[NorthamSaint]

 

The Cinema up by Parkhouse & Wyatt was called the Classic and on the other side you had the Odean near Portland Street, the ABC where the Square Balloon is.

 

I remember the Odeon, my parents used to dump me and my brother in there on a Saturday morning while they went shopping.

 

The Gaumont used to be good for concerts but wasn't it The Pogues who stopped all that. The were about the first band to visit after it was refitted and renamed the Mayflower, and a lot of damage was done to the place ? That reminds me of the Tom Tackle Pub !

[Saint-scooby]

The classic that's it, Saturday morning films and all the kids smoked ..

[Toomer]

I think Mitch still has a shop on the R/H/S going down from the Bargate in Hanover Buildings there franchised shops in Bedford Place, North Baddesley, East Street, Romsey and West End there are two shops run by ex Mitchells lads Headmasters Portswood and Simom Upson Carlton Place.

[NorthamSaint]

The classic that's it, Saturday morning films and all the kids smoked ..

 

Where Virgin Megastore used to be ?

[Saint-scooby]

Where Virgin Megastore used to be ?

 

 

That was the odeon, the classic was a very small long cinema where Burger King is now, stunk of **** and smoke and the seats were not nice.

[NorthamSaint]

That was the odeon, the classic was a very small long cinema where Burger King is now, stunk of **** and smoke and the seats were not nice.

 

Was the Odeon I use to go to. Think I only ever went to the Classic once, seem to recall some of the films were of an adult content and was only around nine or ten at the time.

[Saint-scooby]

Sometimes they used to show late night films double or triple bill at the ABC either horror or X rated as they were then, we had more fun watching the drunks having fights than watching the films, think we even got kicked out once

[Pedro]

My memory not too good, wasn't the ABC called the Forum, booked to see PJ Proby there but he split his trousers and was replaced on the tour by Tom Jones. Also saw Cilla Black in concert there. My old uncle was one of the dirty mac brigade who used to watch the late night movies at the Classic.

[hamster]

Originally Posted by NorthamSaint

I had a walk around the old Zoo site a few years ago, its so so small amazed how they got all those animals in there

 

One escaped once i believe. A bear who was evebtuallly shot dead and stod prously (stuffed) in the Bassett pub which is now The Sunshine Nursing Home, lovely building. It was at The Bassett that the Concorde Club was born, the Concorde Club that moved to that building in Stoneham Lane.

 

As I said earlier Stoneham Lane is a lovely little drive. Even better when driving to The Concorde Club, Southampton's best kept secret best night out in the whole area.

 

Lord Chief Justice Fleming is buried in a grave at St Nich's, he's the chap who presided over Guy Fawkes trial. Very famous family the Fleming's but that's another story.

[tony13579]

I remember trampling on the Rose gardens in the centre of the road out side the Civic Centre when Saints won the cup in '76 was also a fountain. Also the lido. My favourite shop was Subway Records near the bus station. Cheap second grade Lp 's with a pencil hole punched in one corner. I remember the M27 being built and we rode a bantam up and down it before it was opened. I remember trudging up and down the high street at Christmas in the rain looking Christmas presents in the rain. No pedestrian precinct or covered shopping centres. I did driving lessons on the old heliport on west quay road (where staples is).

 

I remember crossing the Woolston Ferry in dads mk1 cortina and the bridge being built. I saw Tom Robinson in the old floating bridge renamed "floaters"(night club) it got burned out soon after. And there were hovercrafts to the Isle of Wight. .

[Dimond Geezer]

 

The Cinema up by Parkhouse & Wyatt was called the Classic and on the other side you had the Odean near Portland Street, the ABC where the Square Balloon is.

 

IIRC the only evidence of the Classic Cinema was a doorway, you could just walk past it without knowing. The door lead into a long, narrow corridor, which would lead you to the cinema around the back of the shops (probably Burger King now). I only went there once (can't remember what I saw), but the cinema was such a pit, it's made a lasting impression on me .

 

There was also a small cinema in Eastliegh, I saw Star Wars there in '77, does anyone know what it was called & where it was?

[Dimond Geezer]

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.

 

Did that pill box smell of P1ss too?

 

I left Bitterne Park School in '84, & lived in Dimond Rd, does that ring a bell?

[ericofarabia]

 

IIRC the only evidence of the Classic Cinema was a doorway, you could just walk past it without knowing. The door lead into a long, narrow corridor, which would lead you to the cinema around the back of the shops (probably Burger King now). I only went there once (can't remember what I saw), but the cinema was such a pit, it's made a lasting impression on me .

 

There was also a small cinema in Eastliegh, I saw Star Wars there in '77, does anyone know what it was called & where it was?

 

The Regal in Market Street - opposite where Burtons is now.

 

Not sure what the old pic house is used for now, but it did become a Night Club at one stage - Martines I think it was called.

 

Used to go to the Sat morning flicks. The 1st billing I saw was Batman & Robin v The Penguin Man, Also on was Woody Woodpecker. Got chucked out once for throwing an empty Kia Orange Cartoon over the balcony by a torch bearing nazi like woman. Scared me to death she did!!

[100%Red&White]

 

IIRC the only evidence of the Classic Cinema was a doorway, you could just walk past it without knowing. The door lead into a long, narrow corridor, which would lead you to the cinema around the back of the shops (probably Burger King now). I only went there once (can't remember what I saw), but the cinema was such a pit, it's made a lasting impression on me .

 

There was also a small cinema in Eastliegh, I saw Star Wars there in '77, does anyone know what it was called & where it was?

 

Remember going in the Classic once or twice - must have been the once who in their right mind would go back a second time?!

 

The Atherley in Shirley was a regular destination Saturday mornings, Battle of Britain was amazing back then!

 

Not that I know of it but I believe there used to be a cinema somewhere near where Southern/Meridian TV Studios stood.

[buctootim]

 

Remember going in the Classic once or twice - must have been the once who in their right mind would go back a second time?!

 

The Atherley in Shirley was a regular destination Saturday mornings, Battle of Britain was amazing back then!

 

Not that I know of it but I believe there used to be a cinema somewhere near where Southern/Meridian TV Studios stood.

 

I went to an all night show of Friday 13th parts 1 to 5 at the Classic. Don't remember it being a flea pit, not compared to the one in Woolston anyway where you were lucky to find four unbroken seats next to each other.

[Saint-scooby]

http://www.localhistories.org/southampton.html

 

Nice link

[littleoldladysaint]

 

Remember going in the Classic once or twice - must have been the once who in their right mind would go back a second time?!

 

The Atherley in Shirley was a regular destination Saturday mornings, Battle of Britain was amazing back then!

 

Not that I know of it but I believe there used to be a cinema somewhere near where Southern/Meridian TV Studios stood.

 

Showing my age here but I remember that cinema. Called the Ritz I think but I'm not actually sure. There was a little cafe opposite with the same name. I spent a fortune on their jukebox!

[miserableoldgit]

 

Remember going in the Classic once or twice - must have been the once who in their right mind would go back a second time?!

 

The Atherley in Shirley was a regular destination Saturday mornings, Battle of Britain was amazing back then!

 

Not that I know of it but I believe there used to be a cinema somewhere near where Southern/Meridian TV Studios stood.

The Plaza I think. Also remember the Broadway and the Palladium (?) in Portswood and the Savoy(?) in Swaythling

[Saint-scooby]

Did any get to be on Runaround with Mike Reid at the Southern TV studios, I was in the audience once !

[NorthamSaint]

Did any get to be on Runaround with Mike Reid at the Southern TV studios, I was in the audience once !

 

I was in the audience once for Saturday Bannana, Bill Oddie was on it and a right a grumpy old git. They had Shawaddywaddy on that week.

[NorthamSaint]

 

Saturday Bannana, gets scary at 2.24

[View From The Top]

Did that pill box smell of P1ss too?

 

I left Bitterne Park School in '84, & lived in Dimond Rd, does that ring a bell?

 

I left BP in '83. No doubt we know each other.

[Saint-scooby]

 

Saturday Bannana, gets scary at 2.24

 

That and Grand prix on tizwas how did we all survive

[Dimond Geezer]

I left BP in '83. No doubt we know each other.

 

As I can't pm you, it's time for a guessing game:

I seem to remember that you're a teacher.

Did you live in Beechwood Gardens?

[derry]

Did that pill box smell of P1ss too?

 

I left Bitterne Park School in '84, & lived in Dimond Rd, does that ring a bell?

 

I was a young quantity surveyor on the building of Dimond road school in 1963 at the same time the concrete runway was built at the airport. Not long after that I became a pilot and flew Heralds and Fokker F27s out of the airport.

 

More than likely flew over you.

 

Used to use the Tudor Cafe at the junction in the fifties, most of the Saints players hung out there after training at the dell.

[Toadhall Saint]

Did any get to be on Runaround with Mike Reid at the Southern TV studios, I was in the audience once !

 

Used to sneak in to saturday Banana quite regulary.

[Eastcowzer]

Surprised to notice, (perhaps I've missed it), but nobopdy seems to have mentioned that most salubrious of pubs The 'Horse and Groom' at the bottom of East Street, Right where the doors of the East Street Centre are now. Every night, a fight night, no gender barriers there, either. What happened to the 'naked' grizzly bear. It was well plucked and I do mean 'plucked'. Not a hair on it's body.

Just up the street was the 'Angel', (still there, actually) but before the E.St Centre opened, it allegedly catered for 'lets be friends'.

'Juniper Berry', an establishment of somewhat dubious character. now smartened up and called the 'Bo'sun's Locker'.

pub on the corner up from Owen Owen's, was 'Gattis', part of the Town walls.

Not im my time , but remember my old Dad telling me of a pub, roughly where the Bargate Centre is now. called 'Kim's Kozy Korner', apparently demolished when the east side of the Bargate was opened up for traffic, and part of the Town wall was removed. Anybody have any info' on this.?

[mickn]

My memory not too good, wasn't the ABC called the Forum, booked to see PJ Proby there but he split his trousers and was replaced on the tour by Tom Jones. Also saw Cilla Black in concert there. My old uncle was one of the dirty mac brigade who used to watch the late night movies at the Classic.

 

Weren't they shown at the Tatler, part of the Classic?

[View From The Top]

As I can't pm you, it's time for a guessing game:

I seem to remember that you're a teacher.

Did you live in Beechwood Gardens?

 

IIRC that would be Hugh Stanley who last I heard was teaching at Beechwood Middle School.

 

Drop me a line on terraceclassics@gmail.com

[FloridaMarlin]

Trevor Mitchell's original shop was in Marsh Lane, not far from the bottom of East Street.

I was taken in there for haircuts when I was a wee lad. He would place a piece of wood across the arms of his barber's chair for small lads to sit on to bring them up to his level.

One day I was having a haircut when there was a car crash on the old Marsh Lane roundabout. I jumped, he jumped and the result was he cut my ear with his very sharp barber's scissors. I bled like a stuck pig. My mum would never take me there again.

I think the next time I met Trevor Mitchell was playing in the old Wednesday League - you could start a whole thread on that - playing for Woolston Wednesday.

The bottom end of East Street before the East stree centre was built was interesting.

They were the Anchor & Hope pub (last time I looked, it was still there, the last survivor of the old East Street) and down from there, you had Isaac's newsagents and the Marsh Hotel, and on the other side Northover's butchers, Jones fishmongers and Bates chemists, who made their own cough mixture, the best you could get.

Alongside Northover's butcher was 'Piggy Cut', an alleyway which took you on to Houndwell Place. Northover's did some of their own slaugthering and if you timed your excursion down Piggy Cut wrongly, you would hear the pigs squeal, and then see the gutters run red.

[NorthamSteve]

The bit ealier got me looking through my books again;

 

So, some of the Cinemas in Soton circa 1940 until x

 

Classic - Above Bar

Palladium - Portswood

Plaza - Northam

Regent- Shirley

Rialto - unsure

The Ritz - Bitterne

Savoy - Swaythling

and

'Woolston Picture Theatre'

 

There are some others that I can't read because of the the dodgy pictures in the book I have.

[cleaver]

I was in the audience once, giving it the thumbs up.. It was Leslie Crowther ? Tho, ****ed off I was!! Never saw it on tv , but all my friends and family did. Even more ****ed off I was!!

[derry]

The bit ealier got me looking through my books again;

 

So, some of the Cinemas in Soton circa 1940 until x

 

Classic - Above Bar

Palladium - Portswood

Plaza - Northam

Regent- Shirley

Rialto - unsure

The Ritz - Bitterne

Savoy - Swaythling

and

'Woolston Picture Theatre'

 

There are some others that I can't read because of the the dodgy pictures in the book I have.

 

 

Rialto-Shirley just west of the Atherly.

 

Regal - High St

Forum-Above Bar

Broadway-Portswood

Empire aka Gaumont-Commercial Rd

Odeon-Above Bar

[Toomer]

The bit ealier got me looking through my books again;

 

So, some of the Cinemas in Soton circa 1940 until x

 

Classic - Above Bar

Palladium - Portswood

Plaza - Northam

Regent- Shirley

Rialto - unsure

The Ritz - Bitterne

Savoy - Swaythling

and

'Woolston Picture Theatre'

 

There are some others that I can't read because of the the dodgy pictures in the book I have.

 

I think the Rialto was on the corner of Janson Road Shirley.

[Toadhall Saint]

How about the Lido?

[NorthamSteve]

How about the Lido?

 

http://www.jakesimpkin.org/ArticlesResearch/TheLido/tabid/83/Default.aspx

[Saint-scooby]

Nice link

[derry]

Anyone ride on the trams?

[NorthamSaint]

Anyone ride on the trams?

 

No not old enough. But my dad was a Bus Driver and Conductor, back in the 60's when it was Southampton Corporation Buses (or what ever it was called). This was also when the Conductor went around the bus for fares. I also remember when they had inspectors who would check to make sure you had a ticket and the correct ticket.

[Toadhall Saint]

Anyone ride on the trams?

 

My Mum was a clippy on the Trams in the War.

[Pedro]

My wife rode on the last tram through the Bargate.

[Big John]

time for a bit of this methinks

 

[Jeff Le Taxi]

My Mum was a clippy on the Trams in the War.

 

I think she's been in my taxi, does she live by Woolston School?

[Mattio]

The only thing I'm old enough to remember is Ocean Village, I wish I was old enough to go to way out west, looked like it would have been a right laugh to get ****ed in!

 

Any stories/ pics of Ocean Village?

[Saint-scooby]

time for a bit of this methinks

 

 

The link does not work

[Toadhall Saint]

I think she's been in my taxi, does she live by Woolston School?

 

No mate - she passed away a few years ago now.

[Deppo]

Did any get to be on Runaround with Mike Reid at the Southern TV studios, I was in the audience once !

 

Yes! I was a contestant! Great fun!

 

I also left Bitterne Park in 83!

[NorthamSteve]

An amusing story I found out on Friday night;

 

Some of you might remember a shop on London Road called 'Hamilton Electronics'. A friend of mine's Dad ran this place with Mr Hamilton, at some point in the 70's they'd decided that they needed a cellar.

 

They set about digging down underneath the shop and had reached the street, being youngish and foolish, they thought the could get away with digging under the street by a few square meters to give themselves a bit more space.

 

All was good until, one day, a Post office van visiting the post office next door, parked-up and fell through the street. The council said "sort it out, or pay us to do it." - They chose to 'sort it out'.

 

So, in the cover of darkness they visited the shop and filled the street cavity with any old **** that they didn't want, old TVs, radios and anything else with a bit of mass. They then concreated over it and to this day they are all still there as a part of the structure of the pavement.

Edited 13 February, 2011 by NorthamSteve