SW11_Saint

Huckleberrys!!! Totally forgotten about that - was that the first (post-Wimpey) "fast food" burger bar in So'ton? I was thinking it was Burger King or McDonalds - remind me again, where was it? Didn't the old Wimpey by Bargate become a McDonalds, or was that Huckleberry's first?

It's amazing the education this thread is giving me! - really fascinating. I know Hinkler Road well as I have relatives who live in Thornhill, but was totally unaware of the history behind the name. Cheers.

There was always a tradition on the 'Monster Coach' of letting him get towards the doors, then driving off for a bit... believe it may have come from when he was being chased by opposing fans and the bus went off as he ran towards it (Chelsea? - could explain the end of that song about him - "he only runs when the Chelsea come"). Someone on here must know the full story.

"'Humps' for 1/2 Mile" - you couldn't make it up!

Those Haircut 100 days!!!

Another, sadly deceased, So'ton legend not mentioned yet - Jim Redpath ("Southamptons biggest psychopath" as the song went). (or was it Ripath? was never sure).

What a shame, he was a lovely bloke. RIP.

Good things come to those who wait... ... and even to those who get jittery and start asking when we should sack AP!

Get in!!!!

Is it Roy Phillips? He used to sing lead in a band that used to busk in front of Top Shop in the 80's (they used to wear fez's if memory serves). Not sure if this is the same lot, but he looks like him (looked a bit like Roland Gift from FYC in his younger days). Used to go to my school, as did his brother Lee who died young I believe. Think Roy also played for the Southampton Seahawks American Football team. Couple of other memories while I'm at it... Godwin's fish & chips - behind Edwin Jones, back of Queensway. Happy memories there. Also, McQueen - up near Tyrrell & Green near that Coffee Shop. THE place to buy your denim in the 80's (from 'Gay Robin' the manager).

Lordy... I remember him!

Yes, I think you, rather she, is right!

Some great old pictures of the fantastic art deco Ocean Terminal. What a sin to have demolished it... Remember some great nights in the early hours watching the QE2 dock - especially exciting when back from a world cruise (if nothing else to see what my Dad had brought back!).

I remember going to a "Skinhead moonstomp" (I wasn't one, but did know a couple of skins) in the 80's in the big church opposite the Gaumont/Mayflower. A big fat blonde woman with an alsation on the door, along with a couple of skinhead bouncers - it was pretty terrifying inside, packed to the rafters with skinheads wearing Fred Perry polo or gingham shirts, braces and crombies. Some decent ska music though. Think that church actually did become a bar (Cloisters or something equally naff?).

I know exactly where you mean now - towards the end of the row of shops that Tyrrell & Green was in. Think there was a florist there too. Funny how other people's memories can spark your own - I remember the coffee shop vividly now, believe there was an old fashioned coffee grinder in the window? I used to change buses there back from school (15 from Swaything to town, 2/2a back out to Lordswood). Subway was on the parade of shops on the road that led down towards the Lido / Pirrelli's. It was the first one on left once you got through the cutway (where Thorntons chocolate shop was) from Above Bar. From memory I think it was downstairs - think all the shops on that little parade were. I have a feeling there may have been another record shop where you describe - in fact I'm certain there was - was that pre-Bargate Centre (white elephant!) days?

Amazingly we did catch one once - but only once - with one of those old fishing lines (wooden frame with orange cord wrapped around it). Didn't know how to kill it so stuck it in a tupperware box and wrapped a towel around it, which comically went hopping off down the pier... an angler took pity and killed the poor thing for us. Very nice it was too!

I remember that too. The commissionaire guy used to come around the corner at really popular films and shout "You've got no chance, don't wait!". We always hung on grimly, in the hope that you'd get in, even if you couldn't sit with your mates. Otherwise you ended up watching something you had no interest in! I'm sure I remember this ritual for Star Wars, Life of Brian, Airplane! etc. Of course you couldn't pre-book in those days, so you had to just queue up and take your chances...

Some things never change!

Not sure, before my time if there was. There was of course the ponies you could sit on and go up and down the common at the Southampton Show. Sea the Stars they were not!

I'm still trying to work out how we got from Pards on 'Goals on Sunday', to a theological debate?! PS I won't enter it, but I will say Richard Dawkins "The God Delusion" is a very thought provoking read if anyone is interested...

Didn't think about the cruelty then, just amazing to see Lions/Tigers (one of each?) in Southampton albeit in tiny little cages. Believe Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers got it closed down (post "Born Free"), which was undoubtedly the right decision. Used to get the circus regularly in the park next to Edwin Jones (the 'cricket park') too.

What a list - virtually every one gave a little twinge to my heart-strings! The witches hat roundabout - classic. I also always loved the concrete boats in Mayflower Park, what imaginary adventures you could have in them as a toddler. I took my wife down there recently, only for my heart to sink as they've been demolished (a new kid-friendly adventure park thing in it's place a bit further up - much safer I am sure, but it was so sad to see that little bit of history gone).

I went to Percy's as a little boy (used to use that special seat that went across the adult one) and went back again when I was older for the old 'flat-top' - he became a legend with the younger crowd. Going in Subway was always an experience - the more rude the staff were to you the better your experience! Was the coffeeshop Greensleeves? (or something) next to Toomers? The tobacconist rings a bell too. There were lots of odd little shops around Bedford Place - remember Delbridges, the bird /pet shop? I got given our school tadpoles to 'look after' over the holidays... next thing my mum marched me up to the Birds Aviary to dump them in the pond there!

Interesting few photo's here.

Great pic - brings a few memories back. The redbrick place next door was some sort of church wasn't it? (may have been a "proper" old church before I think). There was a taxi rank on that corner too. Was squinting to see what was on - Three Men and a Baby I think, along with something else. That would make it about 87 or 88.