The Fifties

[Julie]

I remember a line in one of David Essex's songs that really annoyed me:
"Can you picture us, on a number 9 bus
To Canning Town we'd go"
The number 9 is a West London bus and doesn't go anywhere near Canning Town, he should be ashamed of himself! 

[Oggy]

Thanks Terry, i pass that on to dad.............he told me on good authority that she did use the bridgehouse , but what years i dont know..........i gather the pub was a popular place probably due to its situation to nearby canning town station too.
 Regards
Oggy 

[Oggy]

Julie i recall that song , cant remember title......but at time i remember my late mum saying "i dont know that route!"...............think song came out around 74/75?
 Oggy 

[TomG]

Oggy

The Bridge was popular because it was a lively pub and because young ladies took their clothes off in front of us.

Regretfully I never knowingly saw Honor Blackman, unless she was one of the "artistes". 

My first post tells about the times, they were great.

Canning Town station was then a real backwater with just a few trains stopping on the North Woolwich to Stratford line plus a lot of goods trains to and from the docks and factories.  On Saturdays there were specialks to Northumberland Park for Spurs' home games.  So I doubt if anyone used the Bridge because of the station.

Of course the station is different now.  I went from West Ham to The O2 Arena recently.  We had to stop for a while at Canning Town and it was like another world.

Julie.

I seem to remember the 9 bus route was extended on a Sunday.  My wife and I, before and after our marriage, used to buy Rover Tickets where you could use the buses all day for five bob and take the 9 to Mortlake for Richmond.

[badge 1]

Julie,   The David Essex lyric you are talking about is from the song ; If I
Could..... It's available on most of his greatest hits albums. 

Also, I remember reading at the time that he wanted the lyric to go "on a 69 bus" but the line number 9 fitted better.
Regards
Jamie

[TerryMurphy]

Well i know i  am later than the last bus home,but Jamie makes sense,I remember the 69 very well I grew up in Canning town,and used the 69 almost every day,coming home from Billingsgate fish market,of the train at Plaistow,69 to  Trinity Church a short walk home,and three times a week from trinity church to Tate and Lyle's in Silver town were i use to train ,with the other Boxer,I also use to work there before becoming a Fish Porter,Ah the fifty aye ,thanks to Tom for starting this Topic T.M

[TomG]

Of course in those days it was a trolleybus 669 from The Ferry to Stratford via Silvertown, Canning Town, Hermit Road, Plaistow Station and West Ham Lane.  It was my bus to and from Saint Margaret's School and work when I worked in the Trustee Savings Bank in Stratford Broadway until we moved from Killip Close to Liddon Road near The Abbey Arms.

Does our Tel remember visiting Saint Margaret's Club in Killip Close with Ron Barton?  I was away defending the Western world from the Red Menace but my Dad got their autographs.  I still have them on a small scrap of paper.

Happy days!!!!

[TerryMurphy]

Yes right again Tom 669.,i did that trip many times,My other regular trip was on the 687 and,697,which ran from Custom house threw freemason new barn st,,were i jump on ,If the poles had not come of the trolly buses,
to St Bons in West ham lane,Killip close were was that Tom.Yes me And Ron Barton did a lot together,
In the early 70s Ron had a bad car crash and had a lot of brain damage,however i understand he made a full recovery,,I am suprise the ink has not eroded from the autographs,there over 50 years old.they must be worth a 100 at least ,pence that is ha ha,regards Tom T.M.did you have the reunion this year

[TerryMurphy]

Hi Tom
hope you are well,I remember you helping me with my family tree,you had a William Murphy in your football team,well it does seem possible that he is my cousin,My Grandfather John had a brother William ,who had a son William,who would  be my fathers first cousin,Another coincidence , to find my parentage in Ire land i have to visit the bishop of County Kerry,and his name is William Murphy.my family came over here from Kerry in 1860,be good if he is a relation,hope to go this year Regards Terry M

[TerryMurphy]

Hi Tom,have you found Billy Murphy yet.I can confirm,we are second cousins,
Would you know if he had any brothers or Sisters Regards Terry M

[TomG]

Terry,

No luck with Billy M yet.  Last sighting was a few years ago when his parents were relocated to a place which also housed Terry Edgely's parents.

Billy was born sometime between September 1935 and August 1936.  He had a sister, Valerie, born 13th August 1939, who attended St Margaret's and St Angela's.

Billy is he only member oif our football team I have been unable to trace, it would be nice to make up the set.  Valerie was a bit of a looker in her day and was admired by Laurie Forino when we knocked about together.  I have been in touch with him a couple of times.

Regards,  TomG

[TomG]

Reading a Barry Cryer book at present.  He mentions Thunderclap Jones, having shared a bill with him.

Anyone else remember him?

[Nels]

With the talk of Trolley buses this might spark some more memories.

http://www.newhamstory.com/node/1001

Also if this link doesn't work , try

Newham Council website
About Newham
Newham History
Videos

It is also good to go on the forum and talk to other older Newham residents and ex residents especially if you are looking for someone.

[Nels]

Sorry that should be

Newham council website
on the left click your community
on the right click find out more about Newham
Newham story

[TERENCE]

GOOD to hear from you again Tom,next Wednesday is Terrys Funeral St Margret's church next to st Helen's the old school 2.30
then East london cemetery  3.30 grange rd plaistow regards Terry M