Childhood Memories Of Camberwell, and Peckham Rye.

I enjoyed Garth Cartwright’s recent story/article here about the Peckham Cypriot Greek barber. see lionk down below.

I was brought up in Camberwell in my early childhood, shopping in Peckham Rye with our mum. Today would have been our mum Shirley’s birthday.

Reminded me of drinks of Sarsparilla from a Caribbean grocery early health food shop that sold ginger too. I can’t recall the name Webbs? Or?

(Garth gas reminded me it was called Baldwins on the Walworth Road - its still trading, over 150 years in business!)

I remember the public baths.

I Recall my mum bathing/washing in a blow-up paddling pool in the kitchen pouring water on herself from a jug....on days when she didn't go to the public baths down the road.

The public baths are today now a boxing gym.

I was aged between 5 and 6 years Living in Camberwell, 100 Wells Way, next door to a pub, Climbing over a wall to the dump next door. And Catching wasps in empty milk bottles by putting the mouths of the bottles on top of the wasp and flower, then picking the flowers they landed in, turning the bottles the right way up and putting them in a row on top of the wall, and using the flower as a bottle top-lid trapping the wasp buzzing helplessly and confused inside the bottle.

Why?

" As flies to wanton boys...etc!"

We lived at 100 Wells Way.

I recall our mum

Washed bathing tiny me and brother in the big kitchen sink. She'd sing "I'm gonna wash that man out of my hair" While washing our hair and using vinegar to rinse out the soap, I visualised that I had tiny men in my hair.

I was a young boy holding hands with the ladies in the playground... we walked around the playground together a string of kids holding hands with the playground assistants…playing football, and flicking cards against the wall, it was called Gloucester Grove School.

There were tall earthenware/Urinals, tall for a young 5/6-year-old boy... all the young boys would challenge each other to see whose wet mark was highest!

My schoolmates were black and white and Asian in Camberwell where we lived.

I mention my first ‘memorable’ kiss in my song London Kisses was in a Camberwell school playground.

In part of that song I’m on a London bus journey

a particular bus, the Number 36

which goes from West Kilburn where I lived in the 1980’s in the tower block…and goes all the way down to The Elephant and Castle, Camberwell in South London. Where I was brought up as a very young boy. Perhaps I’m joining North London to South London in My song.

Garth’s article also reminded me of an African play I saw that was broadcasted live during lockdown, ‘The Barbershop Chronicles’ The dialogue was rhythmic, lively and insightful…

There's Garth’s Link: https://garthcartwright.substack.com/p/the-peckham-barber

Top photo Rory on a trike in the backyard.

bottom Photo Rory and his brother Iain boxing in 100 Wells Way backyard.