Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Railway Approach, Harringay, 1957

View Full Size

Comment by David Adrian Grant on February 10, 2023 at 14:31: Anyone remember "Ron" (Ruben) Barford the shoe mender? A Funny old boy, had lots of tales from his time during the First World War.

Comment by Richard Woods on February 10, 2023 at 14:33: I also recall Strand Motorcycles as the place where I bought spares for my BSA C15 and later the AJS 500 between 1960 and 62.

It would be good if we dated our memories of the 'Hog's' Back as who knows - we may have met!

I was using it from 1954 to 1959 from Stationers and then sometimes until 1964 on my way from the Hornsey Journals offices to Harringay - depended when end of 'town' I started my weekly calls and whether walking, riding or motoring.

One tacky story of Harringay West station. As a young hack I was called to a railway track suicide. On arrival I met a police buddy who added a detail I did not include in my report. Apparently anorher officer, first on scene had been severely reprimanded for walking up the platform watched by6 travellers on the other line carrying a significant part of the sad victi8m's body. Apparently the senior officer added to the distress with his sudden and stentorian cry "XXX! For God's sake at least put in in a bag man!"...

Interesting life we hacks had.

Comment by David Adrian Grant on February 10, 2023 at 14:43: Hi, I'm remembering from 1957/8 when I started at North Harringay seniors. Used to walk along Whitman or Green lanes so past the shops twice a day. Brought several of my motorcycles from 'Coughburn & Hughes how took over from Strand. 1964+ Got the first one from "George Clark" Brixton hill! Spent many happy hours at "Curlies Tea stall" at the bottom of Alexandra Palace, of the "Double M"cafe.

Comment by Geraldine on February 10, 2023 at 15:52: You had to be 7 years old before you could join the library and on my 7th birthday I walked across that bridge expecting to be the proud owner of a library card. I left carrying a card but not the one I expected. They told me I needed parent's consent and signature first. Big disappointment. You know when you're a kid and have been looking forward for ages to something and told "you can't have it right now, come back tomorrow". But it only took one more day and I was soon making regular trips across the bridge for books we could never have afforded at home. My time ran from 1948 to around 1963.

Comment by Harry Carson on February 10, 2023 at 18:01: Stroud Green library! Of course. Precursor of Crouch End's modernist marvel. At Stroud Green ( I too recall getting my first card) the desk was occupied by a woman I thought strange... trying to be kind. There were, for many children, strange characters around most corners.... two in particular which I shall dredge up another time.

Comment by John Shulver on February 17, 2023 at 17:49: Alan and Thomas Henry............loving your recollections !

Comment by Alan on February 21, 2023 at 16:47: I got the W5 bus yesterday to corner Quernmore & Stapleton roads, to get a train from Harringay station to Crews Hill.

I took my camera along, as you do, and I snapped away.

I will try and make a 'Then & Now' collage to post here, as and when, if anyone interested. Meantime, any members/locals want to dig out any b&w views from around, in time for me to use ?

Comment by Harry Carson on February 21, 2023 at 17:16: Alan.... you wonderful young man ( I suspect we all remain young on the inside.... it's just the tyres and bodywork betray us). Then and now. If possible.... and then we could introduce Gold Stars. First one to you if you manage it! I'm serious btw.

Comment by Alan on March 10, 2023 at 22:56: For a Then & Now views please click here:

https://harringayonline.com/photo/harringay-west-approacht-n?contex...

Comment by Alan on April 27, 2023 at 22:42: The snag with that idea is, I didn't have a camera in my younger days, so I'd have to aquire 'Then' views to match my now views. But I uploaded todays closed footpath at what I always call Haraingay West station.

Advertising