Comments on: Laurie Allen of Petticoat Lane

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 21 May 2022 21:03:47 +0000

I worked for a clothes shop called ‘English Chaps’ back in 1989/90 at the exact same spot as the Discounts Company store. Great memories of the market and characters down the lane.
I worked for Roy Gale and Jeremy who were partners l think, Roy later managed the expensive shoe shop a few door away; which was popular with African customers. I remember page 3 models would come to the shop, and if l remember well enough a page 3 model had a stall on the lane, Cathy Lloyd l think not sure. I remember the late Suzanne Mitzi coming in the shop and l served her. People l remember while working down the lane were :Francine, Morris, Stewart (black cab driver). I was 19 years old back then. Longtime ago but when l reflect back the place was really buzzing with life , charm, and characters . Something you don’t see today.

By: Roberta

Roberta — Sat, 18 May 2019 12:27:54 +0000

Yes I am your cousin and remember you and your family very well It would be nice to hear from you if you wish. Just e mail me.
Sally

By: Roberta

Roberta — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 17:18:22 +0000

I think you maybe my cousin Sally; are you my Uncle Joe and Doris’s daughter?
My father was Harry Strong, Sid and Mickey’s youngest brother. The warehouse was sold after my father died in 1959. I also remember Mary with the herrings who used to sit almost just outside Mossie Marks shop when I was a little girl.

By: rochelle shepherd

rochelle shepherd — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 10:05:10 +0000

My Grandad Solly Solomon and my Mum Joe Searle, a jazz singer at the time, had a record stall in Wentworth Street called Solly’s stall. Does anyone remember him? I would be interested to know as I walked those streets when I was five years old in the mid 1960’s.

By: Sally

Sally — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 21:34:52 +0000

Roberta how many years have passed. The Lane was always our history.

By: frank hadley

frank hadley — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:33:17 +0000

hello Gerald i too remember mary green she never really said much when one bought fish from her, i remember she had a large barrel by her stall and always wore a beret. i saw the making of A KID FOR TWO FARTHINGS as i lived nearby in goulston st.i don’t think people really knew a lot about mary and just judged her on her appearance, you have to remember she had a messy job one which would not require to be fussy about how you dressed. she was part of the furniture in the lane.sadly most of the old characters have gone. best wishes ,

By: Gerald Corper

Gerald Corper — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:07:35 +0000

I come in late on this, Laurie mentions my grandmother, Mary Green – she used her maiden name despite still having been married but long separated from my rogue grandfather. I used
to visit her often, even as a small boy and she visited me for years while I grew in the Norwood Orphanage in South London. Laurie mentions the smell of her clothes and they did indeed, but
I got used to that, but contrary to Laurie saying she never changed her clothes, just see her for a
fleeting moment in “A Kid For Two Farthings” and you’ll note her clothes are very different here. Because the camera was placed in front of my bubba’s stall, and the boy actor is to run past her, I would imagine this was arranged with her, so perhaps she changed clothes for this. I remember her telling me about the filming, as a boy (I was 13 by that time) though Mary was a quiet, unassuming person and very generous and respectful, despite her poor background. I also recently saw a picture on line of a woman at a fish stall in 1903 – to my amazement it was my great grandmother, who we must assume handed it over to Mary a while thereafter. It was also nice to see a person such as Laurie Allen, still there, and keeper of so many treasured memories.

By: Roberta

Roberta — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:47:09 +0000

Sally is my cousin once removed and yes all the Strong family were in the market. Also had the warehouse on the corner of Middlesex and Wentworth Street until it was sold in about 1960

By: frank hadley

frank hadley — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 18:56:42 +0000

i must have known laurie as i lived in herbert house next to wentworth dwellings. my friend laurence also lived in wentworth dwellings, it is amazing to find someone who remembers the names of our favourite playgrounds ? also our little gang the goulstons. i miss the old lane very much and it will always be home to me. thank you laurie for the memories.

By: Sally

Sally — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 15:48:38 +0000

Did you mean Sid Strong and not Jack. Sid was my cousin and my whole family used to auctioneer china and glass in the Lane including my father. The atmosphere in those days was fantastic.