Maybe some of you already know this Facebook page: Winchmore Hill and Palmers Green memories. But if you don't, and you're interested in views of what these two boroughs used to look like, the life which was lived there, say, ever since the photograph has existed, go have a look, it's absolutely great. I've spent hours looking at photos from places, people, vehicles, trades - there are pictures of posters, objects, tickets, maps, there are public events but also family things, and of course since it's a FB page, for each document you have sometimes very long and fascinating exchanges from the people who have joined the group (1400 plus), who all share their memories, sometimes correcting, often adding lost aspects of the events, their own family tidbits, or links to interesting facts to support an interpretation, etc. I cannot tell you how many things have been dug up, thousands anyway! Which is rather remarkable if you consider such a (relatively) small part of Northern London. Some people who post there have had access to sources which have never before been on the Internet, so it's fascinating. Many bygone views are compared to modern-day ones too.

The other fascinating bit is also that I've come across the first people outside the family who were actually debating somebody we know inside the family: Auntie Olive. I've written to these people, and have already started collecting their testimonies, which I'll reserve for a future post when I have got them all. One person also knew Monsieur Père.

So here's a collection of snapshots and things downloaded from the site (thanks all contributors!): but I'm sure the English side of the family would notice much, much more of interest than I have; being really cognizant of Palmers Green only, and, for instance, not enough of Enfield, Wood Green or Edmonton, I've certainly missed out on the interest of pictures referring to these localities. People or events mentioned in relation to these places would certainly ring bells to some of you that I myself can't hear!

There are naturally many past-time views of Broomfield Park and what happened there (for those who know the other parks, BP is by no means the only one!):

a lot of pictures are connected to war times:

The picture above says ARP (air raid precautions) Staff Shelter: apparently this inscription is still visible on the wall of the London bound platform in Palmers Green train station.

there are of course pictures of well-known buildings or locations:

Surprising vehicles or long-lost habits:

and here are a few random others:

A 1912 congregation at St Monica's

An Evans and Davies sale in 1968

a 1966 Hazelwood Lane Infants School performance