Did you live on Avondale Road or surrounding roads between 1967 and 1985?

Hi all,

I grew up locally, living on Avondale Road until 1985. I went to West Green School and then onto Stationers' Company School in Hornsey.   I had an older brother and Sister,  Chris and Sheela and a younger brother, Roy.

I remember the area so well and was always fascinated by the "Shop / Post office" at the junction of Conway Road. at one stage, I recall the watermelon shopkeeper owned the property and the HGV lorries from overseas full of Watermelons parking up overnight in Conway Road.

The Italian shop on Woodlands Park Road, where we used to have to queue up with a handful of coins for the phone box outside the shop. Just around the corner was Pats? Off Licence. 

George's Chip shop always had long queues on a Friday. One of the best times for me to set up my Penny for the Guy outside the Confectioners' two doors down. An Irish man with jars upon jars of sweets on display and a place to buy my weekly copy of the Beano and Looking Magazine.

Used to love watching the Black Taxis going in and out of the garage opposite the chip shop in St. Ann's Road and beside The Salisbury Pub. That's where I met Bob Hoskins, when filming "The Long Good Friday".

I remember the Colosseum, and walking along Grand Parade to a toy shop near the bridge, where I was able to purchase a .177 Air Pistol.  

There were so many cake shops in Green Lanes, one of which became The Old Suffolk Punch. Used to drink in there with my dad.

I witnessed Alexandra Palace burning down on the way home from school; the smell of smoke was everywhere. Alley Pally was the place to go in the day for me.

Chestnuts park had a dentist in that big house. Scary!   Used to sneak into the hospital grounds and along the railway lines, and just kept coming across Victorian rubbish. 

Hearing the Stock cars racing from my house and seeing the lights shining bright from a crane as the BBC? used to broadcast World of Sport with Dickie Davis, I think.

So many fond memories of the "Lordship Rec bike park". I had my favourite bike. Then, as I turned 16, I bought myself a motorbike from Coburn and Hughes in Green Lanes.

I used to help out the old Unigate Milkman, Sid, with his deliveries and wondered why he made up waiting for ages in the Milk Float when he was "Visiting" Some dolly bird. He said he was having a cup of tea.  Innocently, I asked the dolly bird if I could have some tea next time.....

I still have visions of my younger mum sitting underneath those huge hair dryers in the Hair Salon at the End of Avondale Road.  There was an old, burnt out Cadillac near the corner and outside the hair salon.  My best friend at the time was Michael Aldridge. They lived opposite the hair salon. His mum was in there all the time. She had the biggest beehive ever. 

Still remember my old phone number - Stamford Hill 2860 becoming 802-2860.  My dad's car was a Consul. I even remember the reg  SLT 726F, which had bench seats in the front and a column gear shift.

I am approaching 60 this year, so it would be nice to hear from you if you were around then to give me a shout. I live in Hertfordshire now.

Mickey