Christmas in Lambeth Walk

Somewhere in that place between sleep and wakefulness in the middle of last night, I found myself in Lambeth Walk at Christmastime. It was just wonderful. I remember so well, the light bulbs strung up along the stalls - the tinsel, the reams of cheap Christmas wrapping paper, the smell of satsumas, the plump figs and dates which we only ever had at Christmas and the Cox's apples which we used to rattle to hear the pips inside. Our mum and dad didn't have much money with five of us to feed, but we always had masses to eat and at Christmas we were allowed into our Nan's front room where Dad played the piano. We loved sitting with mum licking the paper chains which we strung up from corner to corner.


We always had an abundance of shellfish from Bob Whites in the Newington Butts. My favourite was the white crabmeat which was so cheap in those days. The shellfish had a rather adverse effect on our dad though - to put it politely, it gave him gas and we all had to cover our noses when we saw him lifting a cheek off the piano stool!! Sorry, I digress!

Another treat was walking across to Waterloo Road to David Griegs, the grocery store. I thought it was heavenly. The huge Christmas tree (well, to me it was huge) was decorated with empty boxes made to look like Christmas presents. Mum always took the pram with her so she didn't have to carry the shopping and we would walk through the Cut, looking at all the market stalls. There was quite a large shop in the middle of Lower Marsh and I can't remember whether it was a Boots or a Woollies. We were very fortunate to have a car and dad would drive us all up West to see the Christmas lights.

We all had new clothes for Christmas, courtesy of Provident cheques but I think sometimes we all had to be quiet when the Provident man knocked for his money.

Our mum didn't drink at all but our Dad made sure he had her share. One Christmas he walked to his local as usual. It was a pub which he called "Blows" in Chester Way. I can't remember what it was actually called. He got back so late and so drunk, we'd all had our Christmas dinner and mum refused to open the Christmas present he had bought her. When our mum made her mind up about something, there was no going back and the parcel sat there for three months. In March, when she finally opened it, it was a pale blue Morphy Richards hairdryer - I can still see it now! Whenever they had a row, mum would give dad the silent treatment and after he died she told me that she would give anything to have every one of those silent moments back to spend with him. There's a lesson for all of us in that!


Despite their little spats, they were absolutely devoted to each other and remained together for the whole of their lives. This was their wedding day on October 18th, 1941 in St Mary's Church Lambeth. Sadly, the photo has been damaged but they were a really handsome couple when they were younger. I am full of gratitude to them both for the sacrifices they made for us and the values they instilled in us - I know my brothers will feel the same. I like to think our mum and dad will be doing the Lambeth Walk together and enjoying Christmas wherever they are - minus the shellfish of course...............