About two and a half years ago I came back to the UK for the first time since moving to California. I walked up to Edgware, just up from Burnt Oak, where I used to go to school, and where I used to shop for records, books, guitar strings, and more books. I was stunned to find that none of the places where I used to get these things existed any more, and I lamented the downturn of this edge-of-town suburb. I wrote a blog entry about it, which even now people are leaving comments on, telling their own tales of Edgware past. Each time I’ve returned since it seems to have gotten worse, crowded with people who have little to do, with all the half-interesting shops disappearing before our very wallets, even the chains. HMV is now a pound shop, McDonald’s is now a cheap clothes store, and we all know about Woolworths.
While back this time, I went up on Christmas Eve to do some drawing, and squeeze through the purgatorio of The Mall (formerly the Broadwalk). I sat in the cold outside the boarded up Railway pub, a wonderful old hotel which has sat empty for a few years now, and drew the church opposite. I used to pass this way on the way home from school every day, years ago; even my old school has been knocked down and replaced with a brutal looking Academy. There’s an alley to my right that cuts through to the streets leading up to Deansbrook Road, and Burnt Oak, me and Tel walking down there telling stupid jokes every afternoon of our teenage years.
I finished this sketch and walked across the road, past the still-empty Music Stop – and was shocked to find, a few doors down, a brand new guitar shop! I went inside; the young guy who worked there told me they’d only been open four days, and that the bloke who worked in the old Music Stop now worked there, having been working down at another fave old guitar shop of mine in Crouch End (in fact, this new shop is a branch of that one, Rock Around the Clock). After a chat about Ibanez guitars in America I walked off pretty happy: did this mean Edgware was on the mend? Who knows, and maybe it’s just the view from a distance, but either way, it’s a new shop that sells neither cheap luggage or cheap cardigans, nor is yet another pound shop, and that’s a start. If I still lived there, I might even shop there.
petescully 
I think these “walks down memory lane” entries are great- very nice to read and I get a feel for a place I’ve never been. Makes me realize the common sentiment about we all feel about the places we grew up.
cheers, i did a fair bit of memory lane walking this past trip, particularly in belgium (walking down the rue des souvenirs)
I agree with Rob. I’ve never come across a blog that reminds me so much of my childhood in London. You’ve captured Burnt Oak and Edgware as I have it in my head, from the eyes of a 7 year-old. I thank you for that.
It’s Sulloniacis Junction. I walked around the church recently, sniffing for Romans.
A gasping sprint across the lights as a child, to jump the 107 as it turned the corner and get to school on time. TRVTH bevel stone cut in the side of the chuch hall looks out and intruiged me. Years later, after i had figured it out, i was able to advise a school with an old mosic entrance floor, that they wanted to restore. He said that the central crest was Latin “Salvé”, but when we met I looked at it and said “Salue”
Pleased not to have missed you Pete
thank you yosita! Cheers morris, that’s very interesting. The 107, i’d forgotten about that bus. The 107 and the 142, to edgware school. Oh and the 251, plodding up stonegrove, small and horribly cramped. The olden days…
A young man!! Gosh i appreciate that!!! I am the guy from the music shop! i worked in the “other music ” shop for 22 years!!………. yes Edgware has changed, and sadly for the worst, i was born here, grew up here…..probably die here too!!! i collect old pics and books of Edgware, so if ever your passing drop in and say hello….
John O’Connell
Just found this page whilst searching for Rock Around The Clock! John OConnell is a good friend who I have known for many years and looks exactly the same as he did over 20 years ago! Yes Pete, I know that alley very well as I used to walk home from St James’ (1962-66) to Edgware Station and catch the 113 bus home. Even now, when I drive past the site of the old school, I can see it in my mind….and what a dump it was! The convent building was converted into appartments including the little cottage where Benham terrorized us with his woodwork ‘Skills’. The art class was on the first floor. One of the last old shops to go in Burnt Oak was Hassans and it will no doubt become another £1 shop or a Turkish Community Centre – what a shame!