docmel

God - this has stirred some memories. Two floors - ground level and basement. The gorund floor sold Prams and Bikes but I remember them having a huge railway set which could be rigged in the garden and rode on - cost hundreds even back in the 60's - but we lads all dreamt about it. Downstairs - a kid's heaven - with 2/6 pocket money Saturday Mornings were spent as long as Mum could stand it - if Dad took mewe stayed a lot longer 'cus he got tied up with the Models etc. There used to be a ride on helicopter which for 6d - took you up to the ceiling (or so it seemed) - I also remeber the Airfix Models which had been built and hung from the ceiling - the detail was incredible - I once saw the guy who made them - he was in a wheelchair and was painting a model. They also had a sister branch in Fitzalan Square called Wison Gumpits or something - but they mainly sold Prams and Bikes I think

I was seven at the time - living in an off-license on St Phillips Road. Opposite was the White Heart Pub - I remember my dad waking me and taking me downstairs - he looked aout the window at the pub and told us that it had lost it's roof. Little did we know that our shop had suffered the same fate - half the roof gone - if I remeber correctly the Fire Service came and slung a huge canvas sheet over the roof until we could get the builders in. My Mum was expecting my baby sister at any time - we all thought that is it was a girl she would have been called gail.

Yep I remember The Ark. It was located on Roebuck Road which is just off Crookesmoor Road. I used to go most weeks as I only lived round the corner You are right it was the church hall belonging to St. Nathanials Church next door. If I remember it closed down cus the neighbours complained about the noise or something. Mark