Museum of London: The Festival of Britain

These memories have been contributed by web users. We would like to thank everyone who has shared their recollections. If you would like to participate in this online exhibition, you can contribute your own memories.

Showing all contributions, page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

"In 1951 the Daily Mirror asked its London readers did they want to earn money by letting out spare rooms for the Festival. We were with a lovely lady in Hammersmith. I remember the Festival so well, and I still have my Festival of Britain crown coin. My Dad wrote to the BBC and got free tickets for Henry Halls Guest Night. Mum wanted to do a bit of London shopping so I was asked what I wanted to do. I was a very keen train spotter and so went to Euston Station. There was a big commotion and along the platform came Randolph Turpin who had just beat Sugar Ray Robinson the night before. Can you imagine a world champion going home on the train today? "

27/05/2008

- Arthur Penny, (non London)

"I too remember the grotto at Battersea Park. The memory of it is so vivid. I can clearly recall the perfumed air and breeze as I walked through it with my Mother. Even now as I reach my fifties, certain scents still take me back to that wonderfully magical place.

I was terrified of the bridge over the " Lava " it looked so real to a small boy. What wonderful memories have come rushing back to me today as I read through the comments on here.

I have vague recollections of the Guinness clock and also the walkway. Does anyone remember the caterpillar ride and the Rota????
How I also loved the Big Dipper roller coaster. My fatner pointed out the sign, on the top of the lift, everytime we went my on the train from Victoria. Even now when we pass the old entrance I still look over and YES in my minds eye that sign is still there."

11/05/2008

- Anonymous, (London resident)

"We lived on the Patmore estate 20 min walk to Battersea Park. The fun fair was great. The souvenir shops with their strip canopies, where you could buy gifts, candy floss and all sorts of battersea rock sticks, which lined the fun fair avenue. The wonderful grotto where you played on the penny machines. And who dared ride the dive bomber, when you was a little older of course. The burning rubber from the go karts. And not forgetting the pony rides in the childrens zoo. In the evening the avenue would be lit by coloured lights. Such a wonderful place and great fond memories, MAGIC."

02/05/2008

- noelle bishop, (non London)

"I (aged 18) travelled from the Midlands down to London by train, with two friends. Quite an experience in 1951. My first time in the BIG City. I have still in my possession (here in Canada)a City of London "Festival Of Britain" 'bus ticket. Quite a prized possession. Also, among the pictures taken, there was one of the skylon perched perfectly on a ladies hat. This was sent to a newspaper and the negative was lost."

31/03/2008

- Sylvia M.W.D.P., (non London)

"One of my earliest memories was seeing the Dome of Discovery. I was looking forward to visiting fifty years on the Millennium Dome at Greenwich. What a disappointment, perhaps after all childhood impressions are better!"
17/03/2008	- Terry Byatt, (non London)

"harry gray spelt with an a had 2 sons and 2 daughters, sons henry & harry, daughters sally & julia, lived in a yard in mitcham (now flats), the last years @ battersea he had a big wheel, lighting swirl (skid),speedway cars, small arcade and the boats on the lake inside the fairground, when it closed down we moved to southend and wheel was sold to botton bros, i miss battersea so much, fantastic times"

15/03/2008

- dave greenwood, (London resident)

"My Dad held some stall concessions at the festival gardens for a while, including a rather tame roll of the rubber balls into numbered holes, but the best by far was the "Tip the Lady" which was so popular with its two Baby Doll nighty-wearing girls forever climbing back into their upturned "beds" when the targets above their head were hit. As I say... very popular! It was located close to The Water Splash, a mini dipper which always drenched its riders and some spectators too. I was far too scared to go on the Rotor but just loved watching as it sped round with no-one appearing to be dizzy but with their clothes and hair flying, stuck to its wall. Does anyone else recall the Coronation Coach Exhibit built to scale with its white horses and footmen located near the Tree Walk? Not much to look at really when you think about it but all so evocative of the time. No fast food smells or rubbish strewn then and most of its visitors walking around in hats, jackets and ties... me still in my short trousers. I recall my Dad having the time of his life meeting British "Stars" and escorting them, in his official capacity, around the park on special event days. Once, it was covered by BBC TV and I seem to remember Yana being one of his guests... now does anyone else remember her and whatever happened to this lovely English blonde singer? The John Collins' owned Big Dipper was closed in '72 after five children were thrown out and killed which was of course, the beginning of the end for the Park which closed shortly after."

23/02/2008

- Roy Sunderland, (London resident)

"Sunday afternoon was Battersea Funfair time.

Harry Grey's Big Wheel, Dodgems and The Whip (as we called it). Harry Grey is / was related to my Mother, a cousin (maiden name Johnson from Browning Street, Walworth)

Most memorable was 'Knock the Lady out of bed': you had to hit the centre of a bulls eye and a bell would ring and out of bed she came dress in her nylon baby doll!

Good memories, what ever happened to the Greys, I know Harry had a daughter?"

08/02/2008

- David French, (London resident)

"The most outstanding memory I have of the whole exhibition was the Rover Gas Turbine (P3, I think) motorcar, the engine of which was in the 'boot', and run up to speed near the river bank. I thought at that time that it may be the way forward for all future transport, if the more or less constant engine speed, to maintain torque and avoid the time delay and also suitable gearing difficulties could be overcome with new technology, the UK 'Great Britain' would have a world winner. Very impressive, but sadly nothing has ever happened since. The search on this site for 'Car, 'Rover', 'Gas turbine', amazingly came up with nothing at all."

05/02/2008

- David J Drinkwater, (non London)

"Just editing my father's black and white cine film of the event. Looks quite primative now but was very exciting then. How times have change over the last 50 years."
04/01/2008	- J M Hutchings, (London resident)

Showing all contributions, page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The Festival of Britain

These are the memories submitted so far