Photos from 1963

Here are some more nostalgia pics folks, taken in 1963: Warwick Row - New cathedral - Greyfriars Green - you can just see Warwick Row behind the trees - Don't you love the cars? Now wouldn't like to be driving round in those again? Enjoy!

Some more nostalgic pics for your enjoyment folks, from October or November 1963: Enjoy!

Great pics Keith, thanks Many people still are Keith! I spotted an Austin A35 at the bottom of Nothumberland Road a few days ago. It had been sanded and looked as if it was being prepped for a new paint job. Interestingly, nowhere on the body does it say "A35", just "Austin of England".

Thanks Keith There aren't many pictures of Smithford Way in colour. In my opinion the vista was completely ruined when a tower block was built bang in the middle. It's terribly claustrophobic now.

Mmm! The Market Tavern - again !

Great pictures Keith. Didn't the men and women look smart in their suits.

Nostalgic photos Keith, thanks for sharing them.

I agree Tricia, takes me back to hair backcombed into a beehive, pointed toe high heels, flaired skirts and petticoats, and yes, the boyfriends used to turn up in suits. Lo and behold, there is lovely Broadgate again as it should be. Thanks for reminding us Keith.

Yes, Broadgate. Do you remember Watches of Switzerland over in the far corner, the other side of the walk through by Owen Owen? They always had a fish tank in the window, with a Rolex in it,ticking away merrily. And three watch repairers at little high desks inside, doing their work (probably not too well, under public gaze!! Yes, tricia, people had some pride in their appearance then. I never cease to be amazed at how downmarket the Brits manage to look these days. The last time I was in Denmark, for instance, people there still dressed nicely; casual clothes, yes, but of good quality and style, and they looked so much smarter. But they still have nice clothes shops like we used to have, and don't appear to buy from market stalls....

Well, I had a 1934 Wolseley 14 until last year, when I felt that it was too much of a burden as I retired. (The present owner contacted me, and sent me some photos of severe woodworm in the plywood of one door, letting the window lift drop down...) I restored it myself between Sep 1986 and the end of 87. Never again. I had enough of lying under it, covered in filthy black grease and oil, damaging hands, etc, to last a lifetime! I'd wanted to experience owning and driving a prewar car, because (a) I grew up with them, and (b) I wasn't old enough to drive when my brother sold his last prewar car. How about this from its handbook: In cold weather it is advisable to turn the engine with the starting handle a few turns before attempting to start it, to free the oil and thus reduce the load on the battery. "No great effort need be expended in doing this, as it is not necessary to turn the engine quickly; it is sufficient to engage the starting handle ...and pull up two or three times. Lady drivers will not usually find this is beyond their capacity." Just imagine putting that in a handbook nowadays!!!

Great photos Keith love the one of the girl and men in the precient reminds me of a suit I once had in the later 60s. I agree Keith about the clothing, having a mum that use to be a seemstress for the street years ago it seems over here we get poor quality cloths/materials dumped on us and made to think its quality at quality prices, when I myself know different, especially jumpers made from low grade wool, which I can tell just by looking and touching from when I use to knit, even shoes.

Yes, enjoyed the photos Keith. You mentioned the walk through by Owen Owen, I remember I used to watch the lady sitting in the window (on the Owen Owen side) mending nylon stockings on some sort of darning machine. You could just go in and get your 'ladders' repaired. That was just in the walk way, but I don't think they were there very long.

Glad you enjoyed the photos, both. I think I remember that, Dreamtime, too. We used to really like Owen Owen's. I gather it's long gone now, too. We bought some furniture, clothes, towels, cookware and other things from them, around the late 70s. Hard to believe it's over 30 years ago now. And just saying that reminds me! Before me got married in 1973, we bought a set of copper-bottomed SS saucepans from Timothy Whites ....and they are still in use virtually every day! Not quite as good as new, but you'd never guess they are 38 years old. I think you could safely say they were a good buy!!!

Loved the pictures Keith, especially the one of Broadgate, it brought back memories of my first date with my late husband Gary. The picture seems to be exactly where he picked me up in his mates car. We went off to a country pub called the Fleur-de-Lys where they had lovely crusty cheese batches and crunchy pickled onions. They also served really tasty pies and it soon became a favourite of ours during our courting days.

Shush - I'm on a diet!!! I can tell you of something else that happened there. My boss at GEC wanted a new Mini, and they were in short supply. Nowhere could he get an offer of less than about 3 months delivery...except Sam Robbins Garage. 8 weeks. Well, 8 weeks came and went. Eventually, after 11 weeks, he said "Either it's here next weekend, so I can go home to my folks in Wales, or I cancel the order." He made the mistake of telling a few people... On the Friday he was to get it, about 1030, the phone rang "Mr D.....?" "Yes." "Sam Robbins Garage here. We've had an accident with your Mini. It won't be ready till Monday." I watched the red line go up his face. If he could have jumped down the phone and throttled the guy, he would! Well, he fumed until lunchtime, jumped in his old car, and sped down town. Charged into Sam Robbins' premises, and yelled "What's this about my %#^" Mini?" What do you mean?" "someone rang and told me you'd had an accident with it." "Don't know who could have told you that, Sir, there it is." Then the penny dropped. He paid the money, put his bits and pieces in it, and drove off. Just about where I took the photo he stopped....to put the number plates on it. He was so rattled, he'd forgotten! He never found out who did the practical joke. Nor did the rest of us - but we enjoyed it while it lasted!