Pete
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Post by Pete on May 13, 2016 18:40:10 GMT 1
Oldbiker - great name, wish I'd thought of that! I wonder if we ever met? We used to use the cafe on Clock House bridge, run by 'old Morris' (Maurice?). It used to be known as The Fiesta but I think the name had changed by the mid 60s. I had a beat-up old BSA Gold Flash (A10) with a Steib chair - my mates were Charlie, Lenny and a guy known as Lofty (I think his name mat have been Ken). My band The Unattached played at The Mistral in 1966 or '67... I wonder if you remember any of this? Just a thought anyway. Pete Blimey Pete. I remember that cafe on the Clock House bridge! The windows always seemed to be steamed up. Must have been about '67 or '68 I used to go there with Jim on a scooter and Chris who had an Ariel Arrow 250. I used to share an HJH Super Dragon(!) with a 200cc Villiers engine with my mate Mac, then I got an Ariel Arrow and after that a Velocette 500. There were some other lads there too of course but I can't recall any names. Who knows - we might have met up. There was a real bikers caff called the Salt Box next to Biggin Hill but we were too scared to go there! Sorry for the late response OldBiker. Yes, the steamed up windows have come back to me, after all those years! I had to smile at your comment re. the Ariel Arrow and the scooter parked outside the Cafe at the same time, as it would have been rare seeing one within a mile of the other back then, without one having a pop at the other! Daft eh, looking back - not that I ever had a go at anyone, Mod OR Rocker, but there you go... fads and fashions and everything that went along with it, much the same as today I suppose. We actually played in the Cafe a couple of times, or so I have it written in an old diary. I don't remember much about it at all and to be honest, if my memory serves me right I can't imagine how we ever got in there with all the band gear, but there you go, I suppose we did, somehow - can't imagine what it sounded like! No doubt a mug or three of old Maurice's tea will have numbed the pain!!! :-) Good days... I keep saying I'll go back one day for a look. Re The Salt Box at Biggin Hill is long gone, as are The Nightingale and The Squadron. Another place we used to stop off at was an Italian cafe in Lewisham. I've looked for where I thought it was on Google Maps, but it all looks so different now... it was just before the Hospital. We also used to go to the bike shop in Catford... forget the name now (Dunstalls?), which is daft as we were only talking about it a few days ago. The old memory has started to do that now and that somehow sounds wrong, whereas a year ago I could have told you without even thinking about it. Old age setting in methinks! Good memories anyway, I hope you get to see this OldBiker. Pete
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Mar 6, 2016 22:20:57 GMT 1
I went to the Eden Park Hotel, but in the early fifties. Quite different I suppose from the sixties. Then it was ballroom dancing. Was on my train coming back from London Bridge to Anerley (worked at Liverpool St. in London), and my friend Eric and I were approached by a couple of young girls travelling in the same compartment (this was quite normal then for girl/boys to occupy the same compartments and was quite a social exercise) - and anyway they suggested we went there - instead of Royston - so we did. I have forgotten the name of the girl who I primarily danced with - so only remember her as 'the girl at the Eden Park Hotel'. Not much interest for you I suppose oldbker - but thought I would just contribute as your posting struck a chord so to speak. paduard. I remember when The Mistral was Beckenham Ballrooms, but I never went as I was probably too young - imagine that, being 'too young' to do anything, all that seems so long ago!!! I also remember the trains with separate compartments, and your memory of "the girl at the Eden Park Hotel" made me smile as I thought I was the only one with reflections like that! Happy days.
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Mar 6, 2016 22:12:24 GMT 1
Just found this so digging up an old thread. It must have been about 1967/8 that we used to go to the Mistral. No recollection of old Rolls Royces or spiders or even a bar. We could just about afford to get in so no money left for drinks. Who do I recall seeing there? Definitely John Mayall Bluesbreakers. I saw John himself quietly sipping a half lager alone at a bar completely undisturbed by customers. Saw Tyrannosaurex Rex before they were T Rex, the Pretty Things (always a full house when they were on) Incidentally saw them at the 100 Club in about 2011. Coloseum were another band there. Sometimes we stood right next to a tower speaker, but so far no ill effects, pardon? Stopped going to the Mistral when it seemed to get rougher. Saw some ugly fights between guys in smart suits. Eden Park Hotel was a good alternative venue - vaguely remember Mott the Hoople playing there. Happy days. Oldbiker - great name, wish I'd thought of that! I wonder if we ever met? We used to use the cafe on Clock House bridge, run by 'old Morris' (Maurice?). It used to be known as The Fiesta but I think the name had changed by the mid 60s. I had a beat-up old BSA Gold Flash (A10) with a Steib chair - my mates were Charlie, Lenny and a guy known as Lofty (I think his name may have been Ken). My band The Unattached played at The Mistral in 1966 or '67... I wonder if you remember any of this? Just a thought anyway. Pete
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Mar 6, 2016 21:56:08 GMT 1
I'll have to think about photos Historian, I must have something in my collection! I'll get back to you on this. Pete UPDATE (13th May) - I haven't forgotten about the pics, I just haven't had the time of late.
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 8, 2015 12:04:54 GMT 1
My Dad is Raymond Cooter & Mum is Jean Cooter, both now living in West Sussex. Mum also ran the florist shop at 438 Upper Elmers End Road, which is now a vets. I also attended Eden Park Primary School which has sadly been demolished and replaced with a small housing mews. Anyone remember the pre-fabs in Eden Park Avenue? had a few friends that lived in them. Noticed the other day that "The Rising Sun" has been demolished. Another local community pub lost. Hi Caskmaster - great to hear from you - does this mean you are Christopher? If so, I think remember you - am I right in saying you were only just born in 1966? I seem to recall your Mum crossing the forecourt with a baby in her arms - I had forgotten her name, but with you mentioning Jean it rings a bell. It's great to hear they are both well - I doubt they will remember me but I loved working there and always drive by when I visit the area. I liked your Dad, but then I think everyone did. He treated us 'young ones' (as we were then, age 16!) well, unlike most adults at the time. Having said that, he was actually still very young himself!!! We respected our elders in those days, I have no idea where everything went wrong.... Anyway, it's good to see you respond to this, thanks! Pete EDIT: Have you spotted the photo of the garage (posted by Gus) on the Petrol Stations, Now Closed topic on the Questions and Answers page?
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 8, 2015 11:52:29 GMT 1
Hi Chezzie, did you ever manage to mail Linda Tiles for me? I never did find her... I must check on Facebook. Hope you are well. Pete Hi, I remember the prefabs well. Had a few friends who lived in them. There is some photos on this site in the Eden Park album that would interest you also The Rising Sun one. Go to the main site and follow instructions, if you have any photos to share that would be great. I can upload them to the site. www.beckenhamhistory.co.uk[/b] Historian.... was your above (Prefab) response meant to go on the Cooter & Green thread? Just a thought! Pete
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 19:09:46 GMT 1
The two Lesley's were easy to spot, one had very long dark red hair and the other was a little on the late size with short black hair, they were always with Linda, I will mail her for you Pete. Hi Chezzie, did you ever manage to mail Linda Tiles for me? I never did find her... I must check on Facebook. Hope you are well. Pete
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 18:42:23 GMT 1
Hi Harry, I was a fan of your Dads for quiet a few years. I use to see him at Justin Halls when his group was Denny and the Renegrades and then the Soundsations. Loved watching him sing "Mash potatoe yea" when would do a headstand whilst singing!i. I had a framed picture of him on my bedroom wall and still have it ( not on my wall!) I would love to pass it to you as my children one day will think you the hell was that and bin it. So hope you read this and perhaps I can get the picture to you. I am so sorry you lost your Dad at such a young age. My children lost their dad when they were seven and eleven, so I know how you must have suffered. Nice thought Jean, did you ever manage to get the picture to Harry?
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 18:17:09 GMT 1
Hey Gus, what a great photo - of both your older brother AND the garage, that is so good to see! I'm not quite sure when you posted this, so I'm really sorry for taking so long to respond - it looks like as far back as 2014. I've been 'absent' from the forum for a while and seem to have missed out on so much.
It's funny now, but you (or your brother anyway) were obviously Mods, whereas I was a Rocker - I can still see (in my mind) my old BSA parked outside the garage, down by the office! We never did the 'Brighton/Mod vs Rocker' thing, we rode our bikes for the love of riding, but the 'rivalry' was fun at the time, if not a tad daft looking back.
I also had a big old Ford Zephyr I used to park along there too... I had two actually, one was black/red, whereas the other was blue/grey... I doubt if you will remember any of these of course, but thought it worth mentioning.
Thanks so much for posting the photo, it's made my day! Pete
EDIT.. on looking back I'm almost convinced I recognise the faces....
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 17:57:03 GMT 1
Further to my comments regarding the Co-op in Penge/Anerley, from what my family can remember the main Co-op General Store was situated immediately past the 50Bob Tailors and before the Cinema. That is on the right hand side at the start of the Beckenham Road. As I indicated previously the main Bakery was situated in a building immediately behind the tailor shop. It adjoined the main store but we do not know whether there was any direct access from one part to another. It seems most likely that the actual bakery serviced many of the bread shops etc. in the locality of Penge/Anerley. Regarding the main Co-op store itself, we know for certain that it contained various other functions e.g. my father attended their Dentist (which was on the premises) and had his teeth taken out. They also supplied dentures etc. Whether my friend Eric used the same facility I do not know, but he had a complete set of upper and lower dentures; much to the amusement of my father for that happening to such a young man. The Co-op ordinary bakery was situated in a shop immediately opposite the General Store – i.e. on the opposite side of the road. Walking on the ‘left’ hand side of the road as you looked up towards Beckenham. My sister assures me that it also included a Butchery. All in the one shop – so you could purchase bread and then meat on adjacent counters. That ties up with Eric offering me ham with the buttered rolls – which I clearly remember personally. My comments do not relate or refer to any other bread shops in the vicinity. If anything more comes to mind I will put it on here. paduard Hi Paduard. I'm so sorry for the late response to all your new info, I got a bit waylaid this year and my time just hasn't been my own. Aside from everything else, your comments regarding Eric are especially interesting to me as my father had a friend by the same name.... I think we have a photo somewhere so I'll try and find it... I wonder if it could be the same chap, given they worked in the same vicinity? Leave that with me. Meanwhile, thanks for adding to the thread, all these little bits add to the overall history of Beckenham being kept alive. Pete
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 17:45:04 GMT 1
Sorry cant remember a lot, seeing as I was under age (13) the main buzz was bluffing my way in. Boy did I catch it when I got home !!! Herne, I am looking at the very poster on my wall as we speak, and it has just occurred to me that we are now LESS than a year away from that being 50 years ago! Scary.. where did it go?
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 17:38:36 GMT 1
YES it was ...although we only ever played one gig with him and hundreds as just the Burnettes.......there is a very good book called ROCKIN CROYDON that documents the band scene at the time very well..............cheers brian Hi again Brian (for the attention of Brian Vickers). I have tried to add a link (below) to the Wickham Goes Pop poster I have, posted elsewhere on the site, showing your band's name (The Burnettes) and mine, The Aces. I hope you get to see it, if you haven't already, and that the link works OK. If not, let me know and I will send you a copy of the poster. mcleanmuir.proboards.com/attachment/download/6
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 17:21:35 GMT 1
Since most of the posts are of a musical nature, I remember coming home for lunch while attending Beckenham & Penge Grammar School in Penge, and dropping autograph books off at Bill Wyman's home just over the road from where I still live in Birkbeck Road. Bill would invariably come to the door in cords and bedroom slippers, take the books and I'd collect them a few days later signed by all of the Stones. The whole family watched their first TV appearance on "Ready Steady Go" in 1964 and they regularly all used to turn up in a dirty old Bedford van, jump out and run into Bill's. The story goes that Mick Jagger used to shin up the drainpipe at the front of the house and pull faces at the old lady living in the upstairs flat! Great Rolling Stones story Pete! I can relate to the shinning up the drainpipe bit as my father used to live in a similar house on Blandford Road, they were maisonettes apparently with one family upstairs and one down.
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Oct 4, 2015 16:51:44 GMT 1
Wow! thanks for all the new replies to my Cooter & Green thread! Sorry for not responding sooner but work has kept me away for a while.... I'll try and add a few bits below. Historian:Yes, I have the Eden Dress Agency in place now, thanks. Gus:I remember Frank Dunstall's, but not in Eden Park - I thought his place was in Catford? I could easily be wrong there of course, but I do know he was responsible for the famed Dunstall Dominator, a souped-up Norton Dominator of course. Such a long time ago... good days! Caskmaster:That's interesting, were you related to Ray Cooter then? I remember Ray very well, even though I was very young at the time - 16 I think. He was a nice chap, as was his father. I vaguely remember his wife, but not her name. Franhigg:Thanks for all the additional info, there's a lot in there I didn't know. I seem to recall a lady there, but only vaguely - may I ask your mother's name? I remember Mr Pulley, but not Mrs Izzard. I remember old Sid, who used to clear up I think, and sometimes drive the van. Then there was Big Stan and Little Stan, they were mechanics (father and son of course), and Sheila who used to go out for the spare parts... I think that was the same van (an old green Austin pickup) and I recall it being my sole ambition to drive that! Never mind! I began there working on the pumps, but after a while I did the tyre repairs and de-waxing of the new cars as they came in. I remember quite clearly the delivery of the first new DAFs - you may not remember those but they were automatic (of sorts!) with one forward and one reverse gear, and sounded not unlike a lawnmower with a silencer! For some reason it seemed to be very old ladies who bought them, and I can remember Ray's father (Tom?) taking great delight in showing them how to get to grips with them - sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Good memories, how I would like to be back there now... Gerry:Sadly I don't recall the Fiveash's daughter, although I feel I should.... I used to take my motorbikes there for MOT, as did my Dad, but I just can't remember her. I recall the name Stoneham now, although it had left my memory long ago... I never actually knew him, although I imagine I will have been in the Cafe at some point. I do hope you managed to establish your acquaintance with Franhigg! Thanks again for the posts, it's been great catching up on all this and sorry again for taking so long to reply. I'll keep a close eye on this from now on, like I always used to.
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Apr 29, 2014 17:13:19 GMT 1
Great Rolling Stones story Pete52! :-)
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