Barnsbury Boy - Tony Bernie – 1955-1960
Tony Bernie
I was born at the Whittington Hospital, Highgate, two weeks before D Day. My dear Dad was part of the Invasion Forces.
We lived above my Nan’s flower shop in New North Road. It had no real garden only a small yard, no bath and an outside WC.
When old enough, I was allowed over the road to play in the wide open areas of the newly built Bentham Court.
Walking home from school often took me up Paradise Passage, “Bucks Alley”, where old man Buckley had a huge warehouse storing second hand clothes... and a pig farm. Yes, small but he kept pigs. His daughter was my Mum’s best friend who married a GI and left after WW2 to live in the USA. I’m now in constant touch with her family via Facebook.
We built scooters out of scrap wood, ball bearings and decorated with bottle tops. Bomb sites were fabulous play areas. Always though there was a game of football.
I attended Ecclesbourne Road Primary School see attached photos, six boys including me went to Barnsbury in September, 1955. School was served by the good old 611.
Life up to the age of 11 out of school time was spent at Highbury Fields, football and swimming, Clissold Park via No. 73 bus. Messing around the canal, crossing on the huge tubular sewer pipe, newt collecting by the New River and special days at Waterlow Park.
Dad took me to see the Arsenal and my love of the game grew and grew.
During these years one aunt/uncle ran The Baring Arms; another the café close by, whilst another had John’s sweet shop in Popham Road.
Dad taught me to swim at The Tibb, where I bathed once a week!!!
Bonfire Nights were treacherous at Tibberton Square.
Family time was paramount and my close family feelings were born here in 1957, though these were tested when an aunt and uncle moved to Surrey. Their 15 year old son, my cousin Jack ,wouldn’t go as he refused to leave his school... in Eden Grove! So he stayed living with his sister in Stoke Newington.
Whilst I had many neighbourhood friends, none has lasted whereas I have four very close friends met in 1955 at school.
I had a fabulous childhood in Islington, London N1.
I was born at the Whittington Hospital, Highgate, two weeks before D Day. My dear Dad was part of the Invasion Forces.
We lived above my Nan’s flower shop in New North Road. It had no real garden only a small yard, no bath and an outside WC.
When old enough, I was allowed over the road to play in the wide open areas of the newly built Bentham Court.
Walking home from school often took me up Paradise Passage, “Bucks Alley”, where old man Buckley had a huge warehouse storing second hand clothes... and a pig farm. Yes, small but he kept pigs. His daughter was my Mum’s best friend who married a GI and left after WW2 to live in the USA. I’m now in constant touch with her family via Facebook.
We built scooters out of scrap wood, ball bearings and decorated with bottle tops. Bomb sites were fabulous play areas. Always though there was a game of football.
I attended Ecclesbourne Road Primary School see attached photos, six boys including me went to Barnsbury in September, 1955. School was served by the good old 611.
Life up to the age of 11 out of school time was spent at Highbury Fields, football and swimming, Clissold Park via No. 73 bus. Messing around the canal, crossing on the huge tubular sewer pipe, newt collecting by the New River and special days at Waterlow Park.
Dad took me to see the Arsenal and my love of the game grew and grew.
During these years one aunt/uncle ran The Baring Arms; another the café close by, whilst another had John’s sweet shop in Popham Road.
Dad taught me to swim at The Tibb, where I bathed once a week!!!
Bonfire Nights were treacherous at Tibberton Square.
Family time was paramount and my close family feelings were born here in 1957, though these were tested when an aunt and uncle moved to Surrey. Their 15 year old son, my cousin Jack ,wouldn’t go as he refused to leave his school... in Eden Grove! So he stayed living with his sister in Stoke Newington.
Whilst I had many neighbourhood friends, none has lasted whereas I have four very close friends met in 1955 at school.
I had a fabulous childhood in Islington, London N1.