Comments on: At Syd’s Coffee Stall

By: Alan & Olive Palmer

Alan & Olive Palmer — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 22:10:46 +0000

Seeing this site has brought back many memories of my first years as a new entrant in 1956 to the Shoreditch branch of Barclays. Bank, which was right next to Syds Stall on the corner of Calvert Ave. As the new boy I was shown around the Branch and introduced to many of the staff and started duties as the the new Junior Clerk. Malcolm my mentor started the intro with details of getting the Management coffees from Syd’s. So out to Syd’s, with a large tray and the china crockery for three coffees. The routine was well known by Syd and after making his acquaintance, the tray was loaded and we proceeded back to the branch with caution, as no spillages were allowed. Malcolm executed the task most efficiently and pointed out that as from tomorrow it was my job!
Most of the branch staff utilised Syd’s for their mid-morning refreshment break for a tea/coffee, and also lunch in the form of various sandwiches, the favourite being the saveloy sausage ones.
I was at Shoreditch for about 5 years before being transferred to another branch of Barclays. Many ex colleagues both my wife and I remember vividly ( I met my future wife at the branch), as true characters in our early banking career. Among those who would have used Syd’s services to name a few were Ron Keys(Buncher), Laurie Mumford,David Ludlow,Terry Appleby,Geoff Pearson,Malcolm Jackson,Brian Webb,Ann Rowe,Shirley Bourne,Mavis Muddle, Chris Dickinson, Foxey Fowler, Dave Hammond, David Turner, Reg Salmon, Ken Ring, Kay Simpson, Eric Dodkins, Bob Waterman, Glynn Hamm, Derek Cox, Messrs. Lawrence,Hardy, Bird, and the First Cashier Dickie Cronin. Apologies to anyone whom we may have missed.

By: Jeanette Crawley

Jeanette Crawley — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 12:17:11 +0000

What a wonderful fascinating story! To be able to hold on to such a piece of history today is fantastic. Let’s hope it’s still there in another 90 year’s! What I love about these blogs is how they bring back memories of my own childhood. Mum would take us shopping and would take us into the delicatessent in Rye Lane, Peckham and the aroma of ground coffee and watching the shopkeeper grounding the beans in his big coffee grinder and the array of biscuit barrels with perspective lids that we could peer into but never touch and only wish we could have. Mum would buy a penny worth of broken biscuits and what a treat my sister and I thought it was.

By: eddie johnson

eddie johnson — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 10:10:08 +0000

I really love these stories and pictures of bygone East end days, all credit to the Gentle Author for his prodigious and ever interesting output…what energy and love, thank you.

By: Julie Marshall

Julie Marshall — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 09:38:41 +0000

I’m so enjoying every one, delighted each morning if I see G.A. In my inbox, thank you,
Juliw

By: John Barrett

John Barrett — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 07:57:32 +0000

A very good write up today its the depth of background info that’s amazing on this ‘business empire’ GA has covered it all. John

By: Valerie-Jael

Valerie-Jael — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 07:45:56 +0000

In my youth I often had a drink and / or a sandwich there, so I’m glad to see Syd’s stall still going strong. It really is a part of East London. Valerie

By: James Harris

James Harris — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 06:54:28 +0000

Proper piece of history.

By: Caroline Bottomley

Caroline Bottomley — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 06:36:01 +0000

Walked past it many times and have never bought anything. Will something every time now.
Fantastic story, well done Tothills!