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Yeh I know Kingston pretty well too. Did your folks live on the Cambridge estate by any chance? That estate was pretty notorious at the time. Pirate radio station Don FM used those tower blocks sometimes. Kingston used to have two record shops i went to, Slamming Vinyl and Creative Sounds. Just a 371 or a 65 bus away. I live in Bracknell too mate. Lots of West Londoners out this way.
I think you are talking about gentrification. Its happened everywhere in London. My version of Richmond is probably different to other peoples perception of the place, as all my neighbours and mates from the area weren't wealthy in the slightest. In fact there were a lot of troubled families on my estate. Drugs were rife in my world. I guess all areas haver a darker underbelly, but dont get me wrong, I consider myself very fortunate to have lived and grown up there. My folks kicked me out when I was teenager, so I kinda sofa surfed, and lived in various hostels and bedsits all around Richmond , including Kingston, Teddington, Hampton Hill. It was a pretty colourful lifestyle, shall we say. So beneath the veneer of privilege and wealth, theres always a different story. I cant speak about what its like now, as I live in sunny Berkshire these days but I'll always look back with fondness of Richmond. I can look beyond the hooray Henry's, and the upper class snobbery and appreciate the area.
Yeh Peter Green , god bless him. My uncle was a mate of his and one of the rare visitors to that house. Peter Green was a recluse . They played in the same band when Pete lived over Wandsworth way , before Fleetwood Mac. I used to see Peter about in a big brown duffle coat, never cut his finger nails, big beard and was nicknamed the wolfman for obvious reasons by the local kids. LSD didn't do him any favours.
I used to do the opposite walk, up to Roehampton gate. Had quite a few mates on Alton estate, up Danebury avenue. Past sheen gate or via Pen Ponds. Isabella plantation is one of London's best kept secrets. Thats worth a visit if anyone is in the area. The Star and Garter hospital which was for injured war veterans is now luxury flats.
I grew up in Richmond town. Its changed a lot in the 27 years since i moved out. A collection of people from all walks of life when i was there. From musicians, actors , rock stars, graffiti artists , rogue's, gangsters and drug dealers, and just your everyday middle class , liberal folk. I lived on a small strip of social housing on the parish land, that ran between Richmond and North Sheen, down one side of Queens road, though Manor road and up to Kew. My folks still live there, bless them. Lively times in the 90s though. For me anyway. The District line served up London's finest looking for a hustle amongst the rich and famous. We used to have Park Avenue and Joes on the corner by Richmond bridge that was always lively on a Friday/Saturday night. Bull and Bush opposite the station, Flicker & Firkin. Even The Crown had doormen on a Friday night. The Marlborough and The Hole in the Wall pub which was owned by David Attenborough, The Lass on Richmond Hill , and the infamous Black Horse pub("You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.") were my local pubs, all within 15 minutes walking distance. Great times. The Roebuck is still going , and i'll be popping in there tomorrow on my way to Adesso Sicilia, a lovely little Italian/ Sicilian restaurant, courtesy of the kids for our wedding anniversary. Richmond Hill is one of my favourite place's on the planet. The walk down to the river, along to Ham House, or up along to the White Cross pub or back through to Richmond Park. Just amazing any time of the year. Although its mushroom season atm!.. just saying. lol Ahh Richmond.! Beautiful place.
That reply of mine ,wasn't a dig at all to anyone on here btw. Just a tongue in cheek comment of my own OP, as a matter of balance and self-deprecation.
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