Lock up garage in Venner Road

[brian stimson]

In the 1950s there was a motor cycle dealer who specialized in pre war motor bikes, Rudge, OK Supreme, Levis, Norton etc., His name was Wally Barnes, he had a lock up garage in Venner Road, if you were facing Sydenham High Street it was on the right just before the junction with Sydenham High Street. He was a great raconteur and we as teenagers loved his stories about the old motor biking days. When old enough some of us bought motorbikes off him usually in the £17/10 to £20.00 range. Anyone know what happened to Wally? How long he stayed in Venner Road or what is there now?

[Eagle]

Hi Brian
I lived in Venner Rd in 50's and 60's . I think you mean the original Volk Spares that was there before moved to Newlands Park.
I think they did bikes as well as cars and much smaller thajn they are now. Could have been another garage you are thinking of in that case apologies

[brian stimson]

Hi Brian
I lived in Venner Rd in 50's and 60's . I think you mean the original Volk Spares that was there before moved to Newlands Park.
I think they did bikes as well as cars and much smaller thajn they are now. Could have been another garage you are thinking of in that case apologies

Hi Eagle

It’s funny when you start reminiscing it sets of a chain reaction. I haven’t been back to Sydenham for Donkey’s years but I still remember the place with great affection. Did you know Dr Wild? He had a surgery in Sydenham Road just past Venner Road the windows of which looked out over the railway line. He was Jamaican and absolutely smashing but he could spot a malingerer a mile off and if you only wanted time off school and weren’t really sick he was very sympathetic but not gullible.

[Eagle]

Hi Brian
Yes knew Dr Wild well. His old surgery still there but a bit delapidated.
We use to go to the Surgery near where Superdrug is now. Main doctors were De Michael and Ida Fisher and Dr Benn. The Surget eventually moved down to Bell Green where it still is.