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MEMORIES OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
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NORTHAMPTON 60'S MEMORIES My memories of Saturdays in Northampton town centre in the 60's are of the "Saturday Morning Rush" at the Odeon Cinema on The Parade at the top of the Market Square ( when it was a FULL market square ). We would rush up the huge flight of steps, stopping to buy a drink or popcorn,usually both,at the foyer and then in to see the latest installment of the weekly adventure series film and 'feature' film. There would be the "cheesy" PEARL & DEAN advertisements for local restaurants etc. I remember the deep red velvet screen curtains that would slowly open and theorganist coming up through the stage to a barrage of cheers / catcalls before the films started. After the films we would run back down the steps, along the Parade and into the Emporium Arcade, straight to the 'Joke Shop'. Here we would stand window-shopping and if we had any money left go in and buy such things as trick flies, blueface soap, hand buzzers, false spots, imitation dog poo and the like. Then up the arcade to the chip shop ( 'Killer Morgan's' I think it was called) He was an ex-boxer and had pictures from 'The Ring' boxing chronicle all round the shop. Next stop 'Abel' to look at the records for sale and also a clothes shop whose name I cannot remember to see what the latest fashion was in jeans,shirts,etc. A wander around the market, listening to the traders shouting out their wares and prices, then into Peacock Way, have a look in 'Bricks Menswear and then on to the Drapery to catch the bus back to Kingshorpe. Great days ! It seems so different now in the town centre and I often wish it could go back to how it used to be. A full market square and hardly any empty shops as there are now.
Andrew Pinckard
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