New England Street

Fyffes bananas were on New England St. My grandparents lived opposite with my two uncles, one of which worked there as a driver.

I grew up at York Hill ( the last house on top at no. 15) and lived on the corner of New York Street and junction of New England Street from 1950-1966. So we were opposite Fyffes the banana factory. Sometimes workers would offer me a free banana through the open grills. There were no closed windows- ventilation, I suppose. I could see the bananas being moved around hanging up on conveyor lines. Earlier in my childhood, I remember hoardes of railway workers coming out and passing by my front door. Some would give me sweets. If it was raining, the sweets would be put through the door! Anyone still around who lived in New York Street by the name of Warrington or Townsend? 

My dad worked at Elders & Fyffes. The bananas were brought to the site from Southampton by train. The wooden crates were loaded on to the lorries to be delivered to greengrocers all over the district. Dad worked the country runs such as Worthing or Haywards Heath. As well as delivering, he collected the money. His days could be 7.00 to 7.00 with half day Saturday. A few crates must have disappeared as two became my dolls house, two a garage for my brother & others made good solid rabbit hutches.