Golden age of the High Street

4:35pm Friday 15th February 2008

STRUTTS of Markhouse Roadhad a stall in Waltahmstow High Street, writes Myra Barlem. During sweet rationing, you could take sugar there instead of sweet ration points to purchase coconut ice and the like, which they made themselves.

Then we had Bellchambers in Palmerston Road, which sold bicycles and toys.

Walking past one day with my mother, I saw a dear little doll in a box in the window. It was priced at one shilling, 11 pence and three farthings (10p nowadays).

Oh, how I wanted that doll, and asked if I might have it. My mother replied that she would have to see if there was any money left after buying her shopping.

It turned into an agonising trip for me. But as we made our way home, in true mum' style I got my lovely little boxed doll.

Further along Palmerston Road, just before the High Street, were a few shops including a butchers - the sort of shops which ooze history. Alas, they were pulled down.

Our grocery rations were bought at Perks in the High Street. They also had a shop in Hoe Street, near the Bell Corner.

There was Lidstones, at the bottom of the High Street near St James's Street, selling linen.

It was there that my parents took me to buy an eiderdown. I must have had very definite ideas, as I wasn't at all happy with what was bought - a pink crepe one. I had wanted a shiny satin one.

Lidstones also had a shoe department where, during the war, when only black and brown shoes seemed to be available, I was bought a pair of red shoes. These had to be put away until I grew into them. I kept them in their box under my bed and would get them out from time to time and gaze at them.

As the time grew near for them to fit me, my mother knitted a flared skirt and jumper to go with them. Dorothy and the yellow brick road' had nothing on me, the first day I wore them!

Then we had Rossi's very near to where BHS was, almost opposite Buxton Road. Here one could buy drinks, including cream soda, and ice cream of course.

Samuels the material shop was a wonderland of colours to me, but a very important shop to us girls was the Dolls' Hospital. Here they would mend any breakages our dolls suffered, whether it be at our hands or through bomb damage.

The High Street was a hub of activity. This was especially so on market days, but also in the evenings with cinemas close by - the Granada in Hoe Street, the Carlton in High Street and the Dominion in Buxton Road.

Then, of course, there was the Palace Theatre with various shows and pantomimes, where some of the famous artists performed.

Walking away from the Palace towards Palmerston Road, in the evening a man would stand with a glowing fire selling hot jacket potatoes - such a luxury, even the smell.

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