Following on from Vintage Playgrounds, Jason Hazeley, creator of Facebook 1976, sent this pair of images to How to be a Retronaut:
“I can’t remember where I found these pics (they might be RIBA shots – on an urban architecture forum, I think) but they show a playground in Pimlico in the 1960s which has always rather appealed to me. Needless to say, this particular feature (death trap?) is no longer there. (Yes, I popped round to check).”
I remember that playground, it’s in Churchill Gardens and I lived in Alderney Street, just up the road, it was a total death trap but maybe we were in awe because we all played in the streets. I also recall when Churchill Gardens was built, they tore down all the old houses at the back of Lupus Street and the flats had central heating, I was so jealous. When they were building the estate us kids, just a few used to wander around the building site, it was our new playground,we roamed all over it and when we needed a wee we did it in the toilets that weren’t connected, we didn’t know we weren’t supposed to we were about, lord I can’t remember, maybe 9 years old. Your photos brought back loads of memories for me. So get in contact if you want to know some history, Annie
We called this playground The Flying Saucer.
My Mum and Dad moved into Shelley House in about 1951, and what a wonderful flat that was after living in Lupus Street over the wet fish shop on the corner of Glamorgan Street. Central heating, plenty of hot water, a bathroom!! and a lift to any floor that you wanted. A dream come true. I was just a bit too old to play in the playground.
Does anybody know the exact whereabouts of this old playground.?
I have been researching the area and this is one of the sites i had not yet found!
Could anyone say if it is located in churchill gardens – Behind the post office..? Of closer to the river.? Or perhaps by St Gabriels Church.?
Plus doe anybody know the exact location of where the original Victoria Coach Station was’ on at end’ or there abouts of Lupus Street.?
Thanks in advance.
The flying saucer playground was behind Gilbert House (Westmoreland terrace side of the Estate)towards Chelsea bridge.