Londoner

Soho and the West-End

By Maggie Lee

I lived in central London from 1951 (as a baby, I was born here),until the mid sixties. Berwick St. market was our local food market and I would visit there with my mum most days for fresh fruit and veg. and bread from the bakers (just a bit further down from Raymond's Revue bar), there were also two butchers shops, at the time. There was also a wet fish shop, I think it was opposite what is now called Randell and Aubin, the fish restaurant.
Soho, at that time was very much known as the 'red light district' and had many strip clubs.
I also remember on the streets were people who had set-up a movable table for 'card games', with a 'look out' in case the police were close by.
My 1st school was in Leicester Square, (no longer there now).
As a teenager I loved the record shop in Berwick st. and visited there on a Saturday.
I married in St.Patricks Church in Soho Square.
I regularly visit London and always find myself drawn to these areas, as they have so much life and I never tire seeing them again.