Memories of Childhood
by John Appleby

~ 5 ~

In the early 1920s I think our village had a population of about 10,000 souls. The main sreet descended in gentle curves and straights sheltered from the sea winds by the rows of houses on the right, past the open field where stood the infant school, occasional shops on the left. The New Ship Inn on right, Thomson's Red Stamp Store, the brick school, on left.

Then the railway station facing the little park, a gentle slope then, Wesleyan chapel on right then an elevated row of shops starting with Arthur Rutherford the chemist. A low curved, whitewashed wall marked the road leading to Nort Seaton village. Then Young's fish and chip shop with mineral waters and seating accommodation. My mother then would stop the pushchair and take my brother and me into the wee sweet shop run by my aunt and uncle for many a year.

The shops on the right gave way to the Quay Wall, an open square, a meeting place for old men with walking sticks, and the Salvation band. Here was Harrison's Stationery, a gaunt lofty working men's institute, a public toilet and the Coble Inn. Over the other side stood the post office, which sold saucy postcards, little celluloid propellers on sticks, which whirled in the wind, bright painted buckets, wooden spades, beach balls and shrimp nets. On the corner facing out to sea, stands a palace of Mediterranian art deco splendour named the Lido. Sparkling white, it took the place of a row of ancient low cottages.

From memory, there had been a short ramp sloping down on to the sand near that point. This cafe was owned by Mr Bertorelli and his wife, acquaintences of my parents. Rumour had it that there was an objection to the proposed employment of Italian craftsmen in the construction of the building. This was in the early 1920s. The new shop seemed to be very busy during the summer months, serving ice cream in all forms, and perhaps trays of tea etc. Mr Bertorelli owned his original shop opposite our aunt and uncle's sweet shop, and was popular with a younger set I think because there was a billiard table there. At that time the edge of the quay wall was unfenced, so we could leap down on to the sand 2 metres below, unless there was a row of shuggy boats there.

© 2003 John Appleby, New Zealand

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