Nice memories, a bit early for me, but I lived at Livingstone Road, road above, and I remember using the chemist (have pictures) and the grocer on the corner, now Eddys. Recall the rag and bone man. The vet's shop I remember was on my street and, just next to the Shirley Press, was my nearest chip shop, probably the one you mention. There was another shop in Shirley Street south side just a few doors along from the chemist, although I don't remember it myself, I have pictures of that too. Anyone have memories of that shop would be useful to add to the caption one day?

Next to the chemist was a clock/watch repairers and then a greengrocer. For such a short road it is amazing how many shops there were. I can remember at least two greengrocers, a second hand shop, a used car saleroom where I bought a clapped out Austin A40, a shoe repairers who also charged up accumulators for our steam radio, two chip shops, a butchers, hairdressers, a general store and a dairy. Add to that the British Legion, Welfare building with the NHS dentist, the Shirley press, the old stables with the joinery works and wood turner, and stable for the mobile greengrocer's horse and I'm surprised there was anywhere for residents!

Hi, from a long-time Canadian ex-pat! I was born in Prinsep Road, and went to Ellen Street School, probably around the time you were living on Shirley Street! I remember the chemist shop very well, it was owned by a Mr Foulks, (Foulkes?) and was in the same class as his son Geoff. I recall very well sitting right behind him when we did our 11+. On the other corner, was indeed a grocery store operated by Mrs Sinkfield where my Nan would go to buy warm buns on a Saturday morning, and what I seem to recall was called Breakfast Sausage, pale pink sliced meat with big chunks of fat in it, a big treat. I don't recall the other stores mentioned, except may be the clock repairers. Wasn't the Shirley Press bombed?
I was more familiar with the stores closer to St Barnabas, especially the sweet shop next to the Hall, where a lovely old couple, Mr and Mrs Bullen, used to sell half-penny and penny drinks, and cut up the sweets, then rationed, to make it seem as if there were more! At the end of the same block, on the corner of Ellen Street, was a bakery where we'd buy small Lardy cakes on the way to school. Oh the wonderful smell coming from that basement bakery early in the morning. Next along was Mr Ball, the butcher who managed to offend Nan by offering her pigs ears one day when she had no meat coupons left! He also used to sell the most disgusting stuff, whale meat, ugh! Outside was a horse trough, inscribed "A merciful man is merciful to his beast" - I never forgot that. There was also a lower trough for dogs, but neither contained water unless it rained. We used to have the rag and bone man come round, also a knife grinder, probably the same ones you recall. Every spring it would be the Gypsies selling paper flowers and clothes pegs etc. Do you recall the Breton onion men with their onion braids festooning their bikes? I haven't met anyone else that does.
I guess I'm wandering a little far from your stomping ground, but it would be very interesting to correspond with some-one who was familiar with that old area. Chances of my returning to UK are slim, but it's good to look back and remember the old haunts, and a time when we had so much more liberty to wander safely in the neighbourhood, unlike today.

Hi Patricia, I would love to have a chat about the old days my email address is macthomas@ntlworld.com would love to hear from you Marion. Have a look at the latest photo I have posted about Goldstone Road, you never know you might be on there.

Vic Stevens mentioned the stable for the mobile greengrocer in Shirley Street. Upto 1939, when he was called up for army service, my father was the mobile greengrocer Ed Green whose family lived a 5 Wordsworth Street, and when he married, my parents' first home was in Goldstone Road. During the war a bomb fell on the Goldstone crossroads and I can remember the old council steam engine using chains to pull the buildings down.

The fish and chip shop on the east side of the junction was owned by the Claires. It traded under the name Witherdons, who had a fresh fish shop in George Street. The Claires didn't live at the premises, but further along Shirley Street midway to Sackville Road on the south side. Virginia was their 'lovely' daughter! Another daughter was Lucy.

For Marion Upton, do you recall Ann Steyning who lived on the north side of Shirley Street, any knowledge of her or about her?

My parents eventually moved to 14 Prinsep Road and both remained there throughout their lives.

For John: Sorry, I don't remember the name of your friend, but my memory is not that good. I do remember the Stevens family (I lived opposite them) and I used to play with the girls sometimes in the stables you mentioned. I am in contact with Patricia Overs from Prinsep Road - she is now known as Annie Grant, see above. Sorry can't help anymore.

How old are the houses on Shirley Street? When were they first built?