Manor House Tube Station, North eastern Entrance 1953

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on February 27, 2021 at 17:58

A perfect view that brings back so many childhood memories. In the picture I can just make out the fascinating and complicated Trolleybus overhead conductor wires.

Those shiny handrails and our very modern tube station - thank you Charles Holden.

The shops across the road where in the bakers shop my mum worked. Lovely fresh bread and the damaged cakes were a joy!

On the left the pub - the morning pavement on Saturday or Sunday where I often saw broken glass and spots of blood. Evidence of last night’s revelry and disagreement.

We had no telephone at home, so down at the tube station was the nearest phone that we had access to in an emergency. Down the stair-case was a row of GPO phone booths with heavy wooden folding doors. The procedure was - always have your two old ‘coppers’ pennies ready. Put the pennies in the top of the sturdy black box. Dial the number, wait, if you get an answer, push button ‘A’ and (get through) and talk to your favourite auntie. If she’s not answering then press button ‘B’ and get your money back!

Later the cost of a call went up to fourpence, outrageous!

Thanks for the memory.

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