Comments on: Elephant And Castle, Teddy Boys and Tommy Steele

By: Alan Fisher

Alan Fisher — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 21:15:56 +0000

Hi,

Fascinating read. I lived at 13 Skipton Street, opposite the Bakerloo Line Underground station. Half the house had been bombed and was missing but had been plastered up. In the space that it left there was a coal delivery place; they used horses and a cart. Moved to Peckham when I was about 11. Went to St Judes school and spent weekends at the War Museum. Worked on the stall down East Lane – East St) owned by Roates selling kids and and woman’s. Eventually joined the Met and ended up at Carter Street of the Wolly Road. Ended up teaching and living in Devon but have those nostalgic twinges. Have a scar on my leg from falling on a bomb site. Constant reminder.

By: gregorys

gregorys — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 02:27:07 +0000

I looking forward to reading both of your books. I am intrigued to read, My Great Grandfather and Uncles were part of the Elephant Gang and owned a bookies in Manor Place. There surname was Gregory, Alfie and Ernie.

By: David Goldswain

David Goldswain — Tue, 05 May 2020 23:08:43 +0000

Sorry, aged 81 and living in Hayling Island nowadays, his recall of the times and events in his life are still a great source for revisiting our family life and times. Please feel free to contact me if you have a relative that may have known him. Thanks very much.
David Goldswain.

By: David Goldswain

David Goldswain — Tue, 05 May 2020 23:04:44 +0000

Hi I was born in Guys Hospital in 1959, we lived in the lower part of Weston Street, sadly demolished in the 1960′s and replaced with the concrete eyesore called Hunter Close, just off The Bricklayers Arms / Great Dover Street. . My Dad Lawrie was a Lighterman and was an acquaintance of Tommy Steele who I believe was an apprentice at the same time. Similarly to the previous comments, he was also a “Modernist” in the late 1950′s, following the Modern Jazz performers in those clubs/coffee bars so iconic as the cradles of live music at the time. He was also a member of the Elephant Mob for a time and mentioned that recently deceased performer Kenny Lynch also had ties to the gang back then. Although we left Bermondsey in 1967 my family still lived in the Lawson Estate so regular visits to see my grandparents and uncles/aunties remain as my favourite memories. I went to Webb Street junior school and recall stuff like queuing up for George’s saveloys and please pudding on a Saturday night, Hot Sarsaparilla down East Lane , The Duchess of Kent and Beehive pubs, Manzes on a Saturday, before going to The Den to watch Millwall . Many of these places are no longer there, but I always feel proud to describe myself as a Bermondsey Boy and occasionally make the trip to see what is still there. I remember when the Troc was pulled down and the Silver building put up on the new roundabout built, I was told it was a Tardis and for some time wondered if the Doctor was going to walk out. Anyway I digress, I wanted to say that my Dad is still alive ged

By: Lesley Richards

Lesley Richards — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:03:54 +0000

Being a Bermondsey girl, I went to Thomas O Becket, enjoyed the films at Elephant & Castle Cinemas, Attended Trinity School, Harpers Road.
I believe my eldest sister went to the same school as Colin Hicks.

My parents ran a Hardware Shop in Bermondsey and were well known by all the locals, situated in Ilderton Road. My eldest sister definitely dressed as a teddy girl.

But if you are 70 ish the Beatles and Stones appeared and most folk were
either mods or rockers. I was a ‘Mod’ and travelled on a scooter and the
boyfriend wore the obligatory Parker. Anyway lovely to read other folks stories.

By: June craig

June craig — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 11:55:07 +0000

I lived on the Rockingham estate in the 1950s got married at Walworth Road Town hall.was tuff in those days had to look after yourself,I had 4 brothers so I was o.k. We used to bunk in the Troc,through the exit doors I did meet Tommy Steeles Sister Susan,we all used to hang around a cafe called the Rodney.oh I love seeing all these comments brings me back to the good old days,keep them coming.

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 18:59:55 +0000

Hi! Slightly off-topic, but I lived in Paddington / Harrow Road in the 1950′s and 1960′s. I can remember “milk bars”, which were were very popular. I also remember my father taking me to the Flora hotel (a pub in the Harrow Road) and I had to sit on the step outside and he brought me a lemonade. He then enjoyed his pints at the bar! The “Teddy Boys” were well known for fighting and there were two factions. We lived north of the Grand Union canal, near St John’s church, Kilburn Lane, (used as a set for a “Please Sir” marriage in the tv series, I believe). Those Teds who lived over the canal on the southern side were known as the “Townies”. I was too young to be part of them (my era was Mods and Rockers), but it was well known for the Townies Teds and our Teds to have good fights with chains and knuckle dusters, etc. I won’t say “happy memories”, but violence was very simplistic in those days! Anyway, it’s good to find a website that, at least, reminds me of my younger years! Best Wishes, Ian

By: Ms Harris

Ms Harris — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:18:46 +0000

Im trying to find out more about my ancestors the ‘Hoolighan’s of Lambeth – late 1880′s – 1940′s – anyone out there know of anything?

By: Mitja

Mitja — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 19:07:53 +0000

Hello! My name is Mitja and I’m from Finland. I visited the Tower pub near Elephant and Castle tube station in the early eighties. I met some local Teddy Boys and enjoyed many bands there including the Dynamite Band and Screamin’ Lord Sutch. I’m going to pay a visit to London this month and tried to find some information about the place from the internet, but no matter how much I google, not a single piece of info found.
Is the place still existing? If so, any teds around? I would like to have a beer there and remember the old times. What is the adress of the joint if still there? I’m afraid I don’t quite recall the walkin’ route there from the E&C tube station.
I would appreciate any kind of info.

Mitja

By: John Bailey

John Bailey — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 16:27:59 +0000

This was when the Elephant had real people and character. Ella Fitzgerald played at the Troc. early one Sunday evening and then starred at Sunday night at the London Palladium Later that evening. The area was called the Piccadilly of the south until the planners got their hands on the place and destroyed it. The terrible shopping centre was built, a street of local shops was forced to close, the Trocadero was demolished, as was the clock tower. All that remains of the historical Elephant is Sputgeons Tabernacle and the Bakerloo line station. With the forthcoming regeneration we MUST have better without driving out the few working class cockneys that remain.