Cambridge and Bethnal Green Old Boys Club

Old C&BG Filmshow at the Bishopsgate Institute

2012-01-19T04:27:00.000-08:00

At the recent film show at the Bishopsgate Institute the East London Advertiser printed a small piece which included this photo.

From left: Major Carr, Mel Burton, Monty Meth & Maxie Lea

Spitalfields Life has done us proud again !

2012-01-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

Once again, the Gentle Author has done us proud with these memories of the New Club at Virginia Road.

Go see !

http://spitalfieldslife.com/

Maxie Lea MBE - a well earned tribute

2011-09-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

The Spitalfields Life site has done Maxie, and the club, proud by this excellent and well illustrated tribute to a man who has literally devoted most of his life to the C&BG Boys Club.

Use this link to take you to the site: http://spitalfieldslife.com/
Borrowed from that website and with many thanks & due acknowledgement are two of Maxie's snaps, the first showing Maxie in football strip and the second with Victor Monger, at the tender age of eleven.

Also shown is a fine portrait by professional photographer Jeremy Freedman, Maxie's nephew, who's website is: http://jeremyfreedman.com/

After you have read the article use the links at the end of it to access the other stories about the club:

The Return of Aubrey Silkoff

Ron Goldstein of Boreham St

At the Cambridge & Bethnal Green Boys Club 86th Annual Reunion

Aubrey Goldsmith of Shoreditch

The Annual Re-union, 5th September 2011

2011-09-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the sterling work of the Club Committee, we met once again at the Imperial Hotel and a super time was had by all.

One of the highlights of the evening was provided by guest speaker Martin Sugarman who gave us a masterly account of Jack Nissenthal's actions during the famous Dieppe Raid of August 1942.

Martin, Archivist to AJEX and a long time personal friend, has recently written a fine book "Fighting Back" which covers the contribution made my British Jewry in WW2 and copies of this book were eagerly snapped up by a very appreciative audience.

We look forward to next year's re-union...... don't miss it !

Amongst the snaps taken and pictured above were Alfie Mendosa, a sprightly 92 year old and seen here with Martin Sugarman and I, and we were once again delighted to see Syd Tabor. Joe Brandez was also at my table with his son Simon and that's him making one of the evening's toasts.

The Hiller boys once again closed the evening to a very appreciative audience.

Finally, if any readers of this Blog have a favourite picture taken at the function send them to me as an e-mail attachment and I will publish them here.

Ron

Found whilst GOOGLING on the internet

2011-04-05T01:37:00.000-07:00

By pure chance I came across this obituary in the RCS (Royal College of Surgeons) website.

The old C&BG club produced some lovely men, Paul Abbey was just one of them.

Biographical entry
Abbey, Paul (1920 - 2008)
FRCS 1953; MB BS London 1944; DLO 1958.

Born 6 January 1920
London, UK
Died10 September 2008
Occupation ENT surgeon
Details
Paul Abbey was a consultant ENT surgeon in the Windsor area. He was born on 6 January 1920 in Stoke Newington, London, the son of M Abbey, who had arrived in the UK in 1911 from Lodz in Poland. He was the youngest of four children – there were two older brothers and one older sister. The family lived in a two-bedroom flat until Paul was about 4½ years old, when they moved to Bethnal Green into rooms above a small factory in a converted pub. He attended primary school in Teesdale Street, where he was bullied, and in the evenings he went to Hebrew classes at the same school. At the age of 11, Paul started at the Central School, where his form teacher, Mr Jones, decided that he should try for a scholarship to Parmiter’s, the local grammar school, which was a successful move. Paul’s barmitzvah took place at Teesdale Street Synagogue when he was 13. He was an active member of the Jewish Boys Club and the Cambridge and Bethnal Green Club, taking part in swimming and gymnastics, as well as summer camps near Herne Bay. In the senior years at school Paul became a prefect, and became the school’s most successful sportsman, excelling at gymnastics, swimming and football. When Paul was 15, he bought himself a racing bicycle from James Goose in Holborn, which he paid off at 2/6 per week. He and his brother Manny would take off on camping holidays by bike, once as far as the Isle of Wight.

In 1939, he passed his Senior County exams and was accepted as a student at Westminster Hospital. When war was declared, the Westminster was evacuated to Glasgow, but a friend told him about a vacancy at the London Hospital which was evacuating its medical college to Cambridge. He applied and started in October 1939.

Paul qualified in 1944 and then became receiving room officer, house surgeon to A M A Moore and the gynaecological firm, and then house physician to A E Clarke-Kennedy. He joined the RAF medical service in February 1945 and was posted to India, where he spent two enjoyable years, rising to squadron leader. He made friends with the RAF transport pilots. He would wander out to the airfield and see whether a DC-3 was due to take off. “Hi doc”, the pilots would yell from the cockpit. “Just off to Jaipur. Want to come along for the ride? Hop on, old chap, we’ll list you as additional freight.” He eventually learnt to fly himself in Tiger Moth planes and kept his linen flying helmet and goggles as souvenirs.

On demobilisation, he returned to the London Hospital for three years, at first as a supernumerary registrar to Clive Butler in the septic ward, where penicillin was effecting a radical change in the management of osteomyelitis. He then moved to the King George Hospital in Ilford, initially as a house surgeon for six months, followed by three years as a surgical registrar, during which time he passed the FRCS.

In December 1954, Paul decided to specialise in ENT. He started work at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, where he became a senior registrar and then moved to a similar post at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. In May 1961, Paul obtained his first ENT consultant appointment at Southampton General Hospital. Two years later he applied successfully for a more advantageous ENT consultant post with the Windsor group of hospitals, where he spent the rest of his career.

When he arrived in the area, Wexham Park Hospital was being built, and Paul had a large hand in the design of the ENT department. A firm believer in the original values and mission of the NHS, he disapproved of the many bureaucratic reorganisations that began in the 1970s.

He published numerous articles, delivered lectures and belonged to many committees and councils, including the ENT section of the Royal Society of Medicine and the British Association of Otolaryngologists. He was particularly proud of designing a new surgical instrument which bears his name. In 1985 he retired from the NHS, but continued in private practice for several more years and became a surgical member of the Medical Appeals Tribunal for Industrial Injuries.

Outside medicine, Paul’s great love was sailing. In the days before mobile phones, it was the ultimate escape from the stress of hospital life – out on the water he was completely unreachable. For many years he had an Enterprise dinghy and would tow this boat down to Cornwall every year for family holidays. Later, he teamed up with two friends to purchase the St Brigid, a 32-foot sailing cruiser which they moored down at Lymington on the south coast. Paul spent a lot of his spare time on St Brigid, including two weeks sailing in the English Channel every summer. He studied for his yachtmaster’s qualification, joined the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and even bought a house in Lymington. The whole family was involved in Paul’s sailing. Paul married Joan née Singer in March 1952. Jocelyn was born in April 1956 and Bryony came along four years later, in May 1960. Joan took navigation courses and their two children were co-opted as deck hands during school holidays.

Paul was a great wine enthusiast, and he and Joan travelled extensively around Europe, and visited Australia, the USA and South Africa. Above all, Paul loved being with other people – he liked having an audience, he was great company and always entertaining. This world will be a duller place without him.

Max Lee MBE on Ron Fellman

2011-03-23T04:17:00.000-07:00

Since posting the article below I have received the following details from Maxie:

The group photo, from the left, shows "T", Ron Fellman, Bernard Fellerman, Joe Monger, Max Lea, Leslie Addison & Ralph Young. The "Trio" photo shows Leslie, Ron & Bernard and the 2nd snap shows Ron at Oxford & St.Georges. The last snap shows "T" & Ron.

Maxie goes on to write as follows:

Ron was Club Leader at the Virginia Rd School premises approximately 1950-1956 when we came under the GLC.

He was a very quiet man and well respected both by the management committee and the boys who came under his wing. He organised camps at Shackleford and Badger Hall, hikes and holidays abroad and kept things going very efficiently until his departure to Birmingham when David Greenhalgh (Weasel) took over from him

Apart from being Club Leader, he was a personal friend to all the other managers which at the time included Leslie Addinson, Ralph Young and myself.

He was badly missed when he first moved to Birmingham and now he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He was indeed a very lovely man.

Max Lea MBE

Ron Fellman - In Memoriam

2011-03-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

I have recently been in correspondence with Liz Fellman who has regretfully informed me that her dear father Ron Fellman has passed away during the past weekend.

Liz has also sent me the attached photos and comments that are self explanatory.

Dear Ron
Many thanks for your quick reply, and your kind wishes
I am attaching a scan of 4 photos from my father's younger days. My father is 2nd from left in the group photo at the station , in the centre of the group of 3, and on the right hand side of the two in front of the tent. I hope they come out ok - I just had the borrow a neighbour's scanner!
If you were able to post the photos on your blog, that would be very kind of you. I would be interested to see if anyone responds and has any information about what my father was like/what he did during his time with the Boys Club.
In addition to some issues of the Boys' Club annual report, I have also found a menu/toast list for the Holland-on-Sea Camp Banquet for Saturday 7 August 1954. my father is listed as Chairman, and giving the toast to the Queen.
I dont know if this will help you work out the time period my father was involved with the club?
Liz Fellman

Jack Nissenthal - The VC that never was

2010-10-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

This is not the first time I have written about Jack Nissenthal on this Blog (key his name into the search box on the right to read these other articles).

Jack was an old C&BG boy who was truly part of WW2 History, and now by one of those amazing strokes of luck, I have just learned a bit more of his post-war activities and the true calibre of the man that should have rightly been awarded a VC.

The following article was sent to me, from the US, by Peter Applebaum MD who knew Jack and his wife post war in Pretoria, South Africa.

Read on !

My memories of Jack Nissen (as we all knew him) date from my childhood through young adulthood in South Africa. Jack and Dell had a record store and nobody could understand why they did what they did because, bless them both, they didn't have a head for business and they were right next door to a store whose owners did.

It turns out that, the way I understand it, Field Marshall Smuts had invited Jack to come to South Africa straight after the war and set up radar in South Africa. However, during the sea voyage from England, Smuts and his ruling party were voted out of office and the new Nationalist party wanted none of Smuts's ideas.

Jack and Dell, as well as their two children, became family friends. Two more modest people I would be hard-pressed to name. Always friendly, kind and hospitable. I will never forget Dell's booming cockney laugh. In over twenty years I did not hear an unkind word from either of them. When my father underwent orthopedic surgery, Jack was one of the first to visit him in hospital.

Our paths diverged in the 1970s: Linda moved to London, Jack and Dell to Toronto, and I myself emigrated to the US.

When Jack's book appeared it came as a complete surprise as they had kept completely silent about his WW2 exploits. His book was written so modestly that I had to delve a bit but it became clear to me that Jack had worked with Sir Robert Watson-Watt on the radar system which ultimately saved not only England but us all. That to say nothing of Dieppe.

It has not been my lot to meet the great and good (in South Africa the latter are in extremely short supply). Jack was, with the wisdom of hindsight, the greatest man I ever met. It was a privilege to have known him.

Peter Appelbaum

A few more reunion photos for you by Aubrey Silkoff

2010-09-29T03:43:00.000-07:00

The first pic is of Melvyn & Barry Burton
The second shows David Goldsmith and Alan Kane

Keeping in touch ?

2010-09-26T02:47:00.000-07:00

Please remember that this Blog is a unique way of contacting other former club members.

You have two options open to you.

1. Simply leave a comment under any of the articles on this site and I will reply as a further comment.

2. Send me an e-mail (my address is given above & in my Profile) and I will then post the article for you.
Any photos sent to me as jpg attachments can also be published.

It would also be appreciated if you pass on the link to this blog to any former club members with whom you are in contact.

Finally may I wish everybody a Happy New Year.

Best regards

Ron

News from overseas (1)

2010-09-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

After the last club reunion I started a correspondence with Anita Loftus who sent me the following:

I have today heard from Joe Kaye (Kosky) in California) who tells me he has sent you a comment but that 'it came back'. He has asked me to send you a copy, which I am dutifully doing as follows:.

Friday 17th Sept.

Hi,

My name is Joe Kaye and a very close friend of Ben Katz and Simon Kester. When I belonged to the Boys Club (1937-1940) my name was Joe Kosky and I lived in Chertsey Bldgs. I now have lived in California for 48 years and am still in touch with the Katz Boys. I also knew Joe Brandez at school (Virginia Road) and Dicky Posener.

The lady in Melbourne, Australia (Anita Loftus) who asked you to put names under the photos, was my school sweetheart until she met Jack Loftus at a Club Dance. Anita and I have been in touch for years now by email, since Jack passed away.

It's so wonderful that some of the "old boys" still get together and I would be there if I still lived in the U.K.

Please give my best wishes to everyone.
All the best to you for a wonderful job.

Joe Kaye

ps from Ron:
Joe included an e-mail address but in the interests of anti-spamming I won't print it here but I will be happy to pass on any correspondence sent to me (see my profile for my e-mail address).
Alternately, try adding your comment below.

I also have just received this lovely photo of Jack Loftus taken in Melbourne just before a WW2 commemorative parade and also Jack in uniform circa 1941/1942

On 20-11-2010 Anita sent me this
"I am forwarding the picture of Jack and his brother Leslie in the Bandstand
(circa around 1936) which has just turned up from somewhere in my P.C."

Reunion September 6th 2010

2010-09-07T03:10:00.001-07:00

This year's reunion at the Imperial Hotel in Russell Square, Holborn was a splendid affair for a number of reasons

Amongst the "happenings", was a visit by the Gentle Author of the Spitalfields Life Blog who had been invited to attend by the committee following his previous excellent article about club life.
Spitalfields Life.
On the evening, he very generously brought along with him some 100 maps of the Arnold Circus area, plus DVDs and other info, and these were in place at the tables for club members to take home with them.

Go to: http://spitalfieldslife.com/ for his brilliant report on the reunion and revel with me at his super, evocative photos of this very special event.

Our excellent Guest speaker was Grant Cornwell CEO of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and he made comparison with the work that his Foundation does for the youth of today with C&BG's own excellent record.

Many members had turned up despite their obvious frailty and how delighted we were to see, for example, Syd Tabor who, I must remind you all, wrote the words to our Club song.

Our hard-working Maxie Lea also managed to surprise Monty Meth with a super book all about the Spurs (one of Monty's passions) which was awarded to Monty by the committee, on behalf of the club, for his stalwart work as Chairman of the club for so many years.

The Hiller boys really triumphed this year and resounding shouts of "More !" brought them back for one reprise.

In short, a splendid time was had by all, including yours truly !

Today I received the following e-mail from Conor Maloney-Hill which I believe is self-explanatory:

Dear old boys of the Cambridge and Bethnal Green and New Cambridge Boys’ Clubs,

My name’s Conor, and I’m a researcher at a TV production company called Century Films. Some of you will be aware that we’re currently producing a documentary for BBC Two about the history of London, and that we’re investigating the past 120 years of specific areas, one of those being the Boundary Estate.

Thank you for having me as a guest at your 86th anniversary on Monday night. I was made to feel especially welcome, and I felt honoured to be there. I had a very enjoyable time and some fascinating conversations about life on the Boundary Estate.

However, there were a lot of old boys I didn’t get a chance to meet, so I’m sure there are still a lot of great stories to be found. If you feel you have anything you can tell us about life on the Boundary Estate, please get in touch. Maybe you even had ancestors who lived in the Old Nichol, before the Boundary Estate was built. If so, we would love to hear from you.

You can call us on 020 7378 6106,or email us at: historystreet@centuryfilmsltd.com

Finally, if you are reading this, leave us a comment to let us know you have called and don't forget to trot along to http://spitalfieldslife.com/ to read that full report and see some wonderful photos
Spitalfields Life.

ps
I have had a delightful letter from Australia asking me to label the pictures above & I am glad to oblige.
1. John Bush and his son Nigel
2. Martin Markey
3. Tony & Irving Hiller
4. Monty Meth & Maxie Lea
5. " "
6. The Guest List (I was sitting on Table 3)
7. Syd Tabor

Since the reunion I have received the following letter from one of the guests who has chosen to remain anonymous.

I RECENTLY WENT WITH MY FATHER TO THE 2010 CLUB REUNION. I HAVE BEEN BEFORE AND IT IS QUITE APPARENT TO ME THAT THE MEMBERS GET A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE SEEING OLD FRIENDS. I SUPPOSE THAT ON AVERAGE IN EXCESS OF 100 PEOPLE MEET AND THEN SIT DOWN FOR DINNER.

IT IS CLEAR THAT ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE ELEMENTS OCCURS PRIOR TO THE MEAL WHEN MEMBERS TALK TO OLD FRIENDS. THE BUZZ AND ATMOSPHERE IN THAT ROOM IS ALMOST PALPABLE AND ALTHOUGH IT IS GREAT GOING WITH MY FATHER, I FEEL A LITTLE BIT LIKE AN INTRUDER. BUT I AM SURE THAT MANY FATHERS FEEL A TWANG OF PRIDE BEING ABLE TO SAY; THAT’S MY SON OR GRANDSON.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I DID NOT WANT TO GO, FOR ALL MANNER OF REASONS, BUT IN A FUNNY WAY I REGRET NOT GOING A FEW YEARS EARLIER. THIS YEAR THE GUEST SPEAKER WAS FROM SPURS. GREAT FOR MOST OF THE SPEECH, BUT HE FINISHED OFF WITH JOKES AT OUR COMPETITORS EXPENSE. I WAS NOT TOO KEEN ON THIS AND I CAN SAY THIS AS A SPURS SUPPORTER.

THIS YEAR WAS THE 2ND YEAR IN THE NEW VENUE, ON RUSSELL SQUARE, AND I THINK IT WAS A GOOD MOVE. THE VENUE GIVES THE MEMBERS TIME AND SPACE TO CHAT AND THE FOOD IS GREAT. I AM SURE SOME MIGHT COMPLAIN, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE IN EXCESS OF 100 PEOPLE TO PLEASE, IT IS HARD TO PLEASE EVERYONE. THIS REUNION COINCIDED WITH A TUBE STRIKE AND I TOLD MY FATHER IT WOULD PREVENT A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM ATTENDING. NOT A BIT OF IT. THE PLACE WAS PACKED AND THE DISSRUPTION HAD LITTLE EFFECT. OF COURSE IF I WAS TO THINK BACK, COMPARED TO MANY OBSTACLES WHICH OCCURED IN THE PAST, A TUBE STRIKE WAS OF VERY LITTLE INCONVENIENCE.

I THINK THAT MEMBERS MIGHT LIKE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE YEAR AND PERHAPS NEXT YEAR MEMBERS COULD BE ASKED IF THEY WANT TO GIVE THEIR LAND LINE, MOBILE, EMAIL ETC. TO OTHER MEMBERS SO THAT THEY COULD DO THIS.

ANYWAY, I ENJOY IT, I ENJOY SEEING MY FATHER SO HAPPY WHEN HE SEES OLD FRIENDS AND FEELING A LITTLE BIT WARM BEFORE THE WINTER SETS IN IS A GOOD THING.

Anon

Some pics & a bit of chat from Aubrey Silkoff

2010-08-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Ron

I’ve just logged onto to the link that has put me through to your blog on the C&BG Boys Club. I attended the club from about 1949 up until 1954. I have very distinct (and fond) memories. Although at that age I was a bit oblivious to the goings on around me and I’ve forgotten more than I can remember.

The club leader: was it Monty? And also Titchiner (‘Titch’). I have a photograph (in poor condition) of a club meeting with some of the boys and their leaders.

We used to go to camp in Surrey (or was it Sussex). Again I have a couple of poor quality photos.

We visited The Royal Academy of Art-my very first visit to an art exhibition.

My first visit to see a play was from the club (via a taxi)- ‘Arsenic & Old Lace.’

I also remember times when ‘ruffians invaded’ the club and scaring me.

I did try The Brady club at one time but I was far more comfortable at The Cambridge & Bethnal Green Boys Club. There were fewer kids and leaders and I knew pretty well everyone there.

Always pleased to recommend a good Blog about the East End !

2010-08-03T04:04:00.000-07:00

Maxie Lea has recently put me in touch with a super Blog called Spitalfields Life (Click on the link immediately below).
Spitalfields Life.
On this site there are some articles about an ex-C&BG boy named Aubrey Silkoff
This fascinating story concerns some grafitti scratched on a wall on 19th April 1950 by various kids who lived in the Arnold Circus area.
To find the articles, scroll down until you find the SEARCH BOX, enter SILKOFF and you will be taken to two articles.
Alternatively, look in the July Archives and find an article titled "The return of Aubrey Silkoff", dated July 28 2010.
This unique Blog is updated literally every day and is well worth a visit.
Enjoy !
Ron

STOP PRESS !

Since writing the above, the Gentle Author has paid me a visit and written a super article about the club which has been published today, 11th August 2010.

I do urge you to visit the Spitalfields Life blog, link given above, and don't be afraid to write any of your comments :)

It is with deep regret........Sydney Lever

2010-05-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

One of the less agreeable parts of running a Blog such as this one is to receive news of the passing of one of the clubs stalwarts. Dear Sydney was a staunch supporter of the club reunion and had served the New Cambridge Club for many years. He will be sadly missed at future re-unions and we take this opportunity of wishing his family a long and healthy life.

I give below an e-mail received today from his son.

Dear Ron

It is with the greatest sadness that I write to advise you of the passing of my father, Sydney Lever, earlier today after a short illness at the age of 85.

As you know he was heavily involved with the club and the reunion dinners. He appears in many of the pictures on your blog.

Funeral is at Bushey on Friday 21 May 2010 at 11.00am and the shiva at 37 West Drive, Harrow Weald, Middlesex HA3 6TX from Sunday until Wednesday night.

Regards

Simon Lever

Still waters run deep !

2010-02-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

One of the joys of spending a lot of time on the internet is when you get a letter such as this one, which arrived in my e-mail box the other day:

Dear Mr Goldstein,

I don’t know if I may have the wrong name but my late father used to mention a very good friend named Sidney Tabor who was in the ‘Phantom’ regiment during WWII. I noticed your article and wondered if it may be the same?
With kind regards
Kevin Holdaway.

The short story is that the writer of this letter has now been put in touch with our much respected Syd Tabor and I have learned, for the first time, of Syd's very impressive wartime background.

The photos show Syd & I at the 2008 Club re-union and Syd (central) with his Phantom unit friends, including (with the pipe) Ted Holdaway, the late father of Kevin Holdaway.

Don't you just love the internet !!!!

Jackie Shinder

2010-01-18T04:43:00.000-08:00

I regret to inform everyone that our dear old friend Jackie has passed away.

I am informed that the funeral will be at Bushey Cemetery at 1pm on Tuesday the 11th of January.

Prayers will be held on Tuesday evening at his son's home and details can be obtained by sending me an e-mail.

Jackie was always held in the highest esteem and we send our heartfelt condolences to Stella and all the family.

Visit to the Bandstand

2009-12-20T23:02:00.000-08:00

The attached pictures were sent to me by Simon Brandes of a memorable visit to the Bandstand.

If anyone who took part in the ceremony would like to send me details about the ceremony that took place I will be glad to add them here.

p.s

As a direct result of this posting I was pleased to get an e-mail report from Joe and this is shown below

Dear Ron

This is a resume of what happened at 11.00 am on the 28th June 2009 some ex Members of Cambridge and The Cambridge and Bethnal Green Boys Club assembled on the top tier of the Bandstand in Calvert Avenue to dedicate a park bench purchased by Tony Ring and Tony Hiller, in recognition of the association we all had with the Club in Virginia Road School and all the boys that lived around the Bandstand near and far.
The Bandstand is now run by The Friends of Arnold Circus, the Chairperson is Naseem Khan OBE and a group of Volunteers. It is very well looked after by these Volunteers
Who have displayed many plants and flowers.
Monty Meth gave a speech, thanking the two Tony’s for their kind gesture and also he thanked Ms. Khan and her Volunteers for their work in keeping the Bandstand in the limelight.
All in all, a morning to remember of the times we spent in the area.
The names of the people on the photograph, to the best of my knowledge are, Monty Meth, Lennie Saunders, Tony Ring, Tony Hiller, Miriam Fugler and her two Sons, Irving Hiller, Hershal Hiller, Mo Freeman, Barry Gendler, and two others, unfortunately I cannot remember their names of course myself.
Sincerely,
Joe

AJEX Annual Parade 2009

2009-11-17T00:58:00.000-08:00

Thought you might like to see this snap of Donnie Carlton and yours truly meeting up at the annual AJEX parade and I hope you spotted the medal that Donnie is wearing. that's a genuine MM, awarded for gallantry in wartime Italy.

Maurice Graham

2009-10-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

At our recent re-union I was delighted to see Morry Graham attending although it was patently obvious that he was not in the best of health.

I have now learnt from Maxie Lee that he passed away over the Jewish New Year.

Morry was a contemporary of my late brother Mossy, a Club Captain in his time, and the blog would like to tell his family how highly Morry was esteemed in Club circles. The snap above shows Morry with my late brother Mick at a 2003 re-union.

We wish all his family a long & healthy life.

Ron

85th C&BG Reunion on September 2nd 2009

2009-09-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Thought that you might like to see a few images of the Annual Reunion held at the Imperial Hotel.

All pretty self-explanatory and if you have any photos that you wish to add to this collection please contact me (Ron) and I will be happy to oblige.

Map of Boreham Street 1919 to 1939

2009-04-07T01:59:00.000-07:00

My niece kindly passed on this map of the Boreham Street area as it was in 1919 and presumably it would have stayed the same up till 1939 when WW2 broke out.

Ivor Spencer, Toastmaster supreme

2009-01-16T08:59:00.000-08:00

The following full page obituary appeared in the Times of 13th January 2009.
We take this opportunity of wishing a long and heathy life to Ivor's widow and family

Martin Markey's Memories

2008-11-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

Out of the blue I received an e-mail from Martin Markey enclosing these evocative photos.

I'll let Martin tell his own story.

"Hi Ron, sorry about the delay I am not very good on PC yet but here goes.

Yes I am an old boy, aged 77 and I went to Virginia Road school and at 14 years of age we left school, so that is when I joined the club in 1945.

I worked for our good friend Tony Hiller making rolls of film and every year it is great to see all the family, I'm also a very good friend of Len Saunders.

The first photo is a very old one of me when I was very young, the other photos are of the clubs 16 and over football team, a school photo, and finally one in a pub before one of our reunions"

For those who remember the family

2008-10-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

This week saw the passing of another much loved and highly respected club "boy".

I refer to Alf Goldwater who has just passed away at the age of ninety-three.

We send our condolences to his family and wish them a long and healthy life

Reunion Dinner 2008

2008-09-10T00:23:00.000-07:00

A new venue this year, The Imperial Hotel in Russell Square.
The committee had worked their usual wonders and about 120 guests attended including, I was delighted to see, Sid Tabor.
Some photos attached for your scrutiny. If you wish to add some of your own send to me as jpg files with a caption attached.

Another stroll down Memory Lane

2007-12-22T23:47:00.000-08:00

Sent to me by Dave Saunders

Club Card circa 1937

2007-10-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

This club card and the list of payments provided by Jackie Shinder should be familiar to all old C&BG boys.

Reunion 2007

2007-09-05T00:09:00.001-07:00

Once again, thanks to the magnificent efforts of Maxie Lea, Monty Meth and the Committee, we met at the New Ambassador Hotel for our 83rd Anniversary of the founding of the club.
Guest Speaker was the celebrated Jewish author & playright Bernard Kops and the snap shows, from left to right, Tony Hiller, Monty Meth, Bernard Kops & Irving Hiller.
Amongst the other 100 odd guests were Simon Kester and he can be seen with Maxie & Monty. Also spotted was Dennis Frank, a spritely 90 years young and the oldest original manager present.
Finally, and only because I'm the Blog administrator, there's me (Ron Goldstein) with our Guest Speaker.

With deep regret: Arthur Allsuch

2007-08-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

With deep regret I have to announce the passing of:
ARTHUR ALLSUCH affectionately known to most of us as Lolly.
The funeral will be taking place at Rainham Cemetery at 2pm on Tuesday the 7th of August.
Details of Shiva arrangements can be obtained by contacting me by e-mail.
The photo shows Arthur & Ron at the 2004 reunion

Club Memorabilia now in Bancroft Road Archives

2007-07-04T02:06:00.000-07:00

Maxie informs me that if anyone wishes to see old information (such as Minutes Books, News-sheets etc.,) these can be seen at:
Bancroft Road Library, Archive Dept., 277 Bancroft Rd., E1 4DQ.
Please quote TH/8901 and TH/8411

Maxie Lea MBE ( This article can also be found in the BBC WW2 Archives)

2007-07-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

The Cambridge and Bethnal Green Boys Club has featured in other stories on this (The BBC WW2 Archives) site.

As an East End Boy's Club whos heyday was the 1925 to 1939 period it might have been expected that it should number amongst its many ex-members people who have been honoured by Her Majesty the Queen for services to the club, the continuation of its traditions, and to Youth activities in general.

One such person is Max Lea MBE.

In 1940, as a young ten year old, Max and his late sister Sylvia was evacuated to Stoke Hammond.

This is the story of their experiences, written by his late sister Sylvia.

Max fully understands and is willing to abide by the rules and conditions of the site.

When Max and I were evacuated to Stoke Hammond in the war years, little did we know that in 1991 Max, now 61 years old, and me, nearly 59 years, would be trying to remember what happened. The one thing that we both agree on is that they are very happy memories and Mr and Mrs King and their famiy, with whom we were billeted, were all very good to us. We always told them how much we appreciated what they did for us.

I corresponded with Mrs King until she died. I now write to her daughter Phyllis who keeps me updated about the village.

One of the things that I remember is the cupboard in the kitchen with toys that belonged to Mrs King’s children. As William was in the navy and Bernard in the army, and Phyllis was grown up doing war work, we were allowed to play with these toys.

I went to chapel on Sundays (I am not sure whether Max went as often as me — I don’t think so!). We were in the Sunday school anniversary play. I was a nurse and Max read the sermon. He was paid six pence for this by Mr.Scott who was a member of the congregation.

Although we were Jewish my mother told Mrs King that she should bring us up as she did her own children as she was good enough to look after us. I went to chapel three times on Sundays.

When we arrived at Mrs King’s house I said to her you must be a nice lady because you have roses in your garden. To this day, roses are my favourite flower.

Mrs King took us to see the film ‘Old Mother Riley’. I am not sure whether the bus did not turn up or we missed it, but we had to walk to Bletchley for part of the way. I know at the time, as a small girl, it seemed a long way, but it was a lovely day.

Mr King was always working. He worked on the railway but Saturday was special as he finished at lunchtime and Mrs King always had his lunch ready.

Phyllis brought me a lovely straw hat with white satin ribbons on it. I was able to take this home to London with me. It had place of honour in my bedroom for many years.

I do not know who it was I used to play with but I remember the girls in the village were very friendly. I used to play with one of the girls in the long grass by the train track. We used to flatten the grass to make it into rooms for a house. This was something special for me, being brought up in London in the East End. We had no gardens only backyards. The only time we played on grass was in the public parks and sometimes, in the big parks, there would be a notice saying ‘keep off the grass’. I can remember the lovely smell of the grass by the railway line. I do not know if we should have been there. When I think about it now I would think that it was out of bounds.

At first, it was very strange to be sent away from home. This was the first time for Max and I to be separated from our parents. From what I can recall, we had tickets pinned to our coats with our names on. I was around 7 years old and Max was 10. We all had to meet at a school in Bethnal Green. My mother used to tell me that it was very difficult for her and my father to leave us but my parents thought that we would be safer in the country. When we parted, we all cried.

At that time, my parents had a small grocery shop at 265 Brick Lane, Bethnal Green, London. The front of the house was a small grocery shop and the house was at the back. It consisted of two rooms on the ground floor, two rooms upstairs and a toilet in the yard. The reason I am telling you this is because when we arrived at Mr and Mrs King’s house, which was very new with a garden, it really was delightful.

The reason our parents decided to send us out of London was because bombs were falling day and night. Most nights we slept in air raid shelters or in the tube stations. We had no cars in those days. We would walk with bundles of bedding under our arms ready to stay the night in a shelter. We used to try them all. Someone would tell mum that St Paul’s station was good so we would go there for a few nights and then move to another shelter for a while. It was a very frightening time. I am pleased that I was a child then and not an adult. Dad would stay at the shop trying to make sure we had a home to come back to. Thank god we all survived. My late sister, Venie, was in the land army and my other brother, Sam, was in the merchant navy.

Things got very bad in London. Mum came to Stoke Hammond to be with us. She stayed a few doors away but I cannot remember the lady’s name. Mum used to sit by her bedroom window looking towards London. One night the sky was very red. It was 7 September 1940 when the Germans blitzed London. The next day she returned home to be with my father.

Max and I both remember the small school in the lane. Max also remembers the friendships with other families — the Gadsens, the Robinsons and the Whites, and going swimming in the canal with the other children.

Our parents came to see us when possible. They used to come on a Saturday. This used to upset Max. He would say to them ‘Why do you come on a Saturday?’ This was a day that Max helped on the farm with Keith Gadsen. Max loved the farm.

The day my parents came to collect us to take us home, Max went missing. He did not want to go home to London as he loved the country. The reason we went home was not because the war was over. We still had another four years until then. It was because Max was nearly thirteen years old and in the Jewish religion he had to have his Barmitzvah (which is like being confirmed). Although there was a war on, certain traditions were still being observed.

When he got to our home in London, Max went into the backyard which was concrete and started to break it up. When he was asked ‘what are you doing?’ he said that he wanted a garden.

It must have been very difficult times for our parents trying to know what to do for the best.

I am now married. Max is still single but drives me potty — not really!

Max lives in London but comes to stay with us three to four times a year. I speak to him at least once a week on the telephone. We are very close and he is a good brother to me.

My husband Ben and I have been married for nearly thirty five years. We have two married daughters and two grandchildren. I just pray that we have no more wars, just peace all around the world.

Max and I often talk about the time we were evacuated (we will never forget) and how lucky we were to go to a good family.

Sylvia Felgate (nee Levy) 1991

In 2002, I revisited Stoke Hammond and met many of the families’ children, who still live there. We chatted about those days and I was made very welcome. My sister Sylvia and the Kings’ daughter Phyllis remained in touch for over 50 years. Phyllis did not have any children of her own and was particularly fond of Sylvia and me whom she called her ‘little evacuees’. By strange coincidence, Sylvia and Phyllis both died on the same day — 2 December 2001 - within half an hour of each other.

Max Lea MBE

To see the original article in the BBC WW2 Archives, copy and paste the link below into GOOGLE or other search engine

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/24/a5911724.shtml

The club goes abroad (from 1958 till 1973)

2007-07-02T02:14:00.000-07:00

1958 Belgium (Middelkerke) See photo above taken at the Brussells Exhibition
1959 Paris & Dunkirk
1960 Holland (Scheveningen)
1961 Holland
1962 Italy (Rimini)
1963 Spain (San Sebastian)
1964 Belgium (Mariakirk)
1965 Belgium (Knokke)
1966 Spain (Llansa)
1967 Italy (Gabicci)
1968 Yugoslavia (Opatija)
1969 Italy (Lido de Jesolo)
1972 Majorka (Can Picafort)
1973 Spain (Salou)

Monty Meth MBE... a well deserved honour !

2007-06-22T01:14:00.000-07:00

Spotted in the JC of 22/6/07, this is a well deserved honour for Monty who has always practised what he preached.

MAZELTOV !

IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE ?

2007-06-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

Did you come to the 2004 re-union? (that's Sydney & Mo booking everyone in)
Did you enjoy yourself?
Did you take photos?

This is an open letter addressed to anyone who is:

A: Reasonably Computerate
B: Has access to a computer and a scanner
C: Was ever a member of the New Cambridge Boy’s Club and
D: Wishes to perpetuate the memory of the club

At the age of 83 I am all too conscious of the fact that after having started this Blog off, I need someone to take it over and guarantee it continuity.

My main interest, and any experience I have, is related to the club that started at Chance Street and later spent the wartime years at the old Webbe Club premises.

Maxie has got lots of the New Cambridge club photos and memorabilia and it needs someone of that era to post those and other similar photos on to this site, to make comment and to pass on the spirit of those times to the younger generation.

If you think you could be of any assistance, please send me an e-mail (see my profile)

Ron

Maxie's Album 009 Cecil Bright...The man who brought us together

2007-05-29T23:47:00.000-07:00

This very accurate appreciation of Cecil's work for the club was written by Sidney Tabor for the club magazine in the 1950s.
My problem (as organiser of this Blog) is not to use too many superlatives when describing the boys/men who inhabited the C&BG over its many years but Cecil truly was a lovely man in every sense.

Maxie's Album 008 Michael (Morry) Ross

2007-05-29T23:29:00.000-07:00

In 1987 Michael Ross presented a boxing portrait of himself to the club.
Morry & Dave Ross were two of my (Ron's) childhood heroes and were contemporaries of my brothers Mossy & Mick. The theme of "brothers", both attending and contributing to the club, runs throughout the history of the C&BG and was part of its strength.

Maxie's Album 007 Fed. Table Tennis Team 1944

2007-05-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

H.Parnell, S.Freeman, R.Bernstein, M.Lea

Maxie's Album 005 & 006 Club visit to the House of Commons 1942

2007-05-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

Sir Percy Harris, the local MP in the Trilby hat and a very young Maxie in front of him.
Compare this with the earlier photo taken in 1935 !

Maxie's Album 003 & 004

2007-05-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

003 Junior Officers Vic Monger & Max (note the dangling fag !)
004 Max & "T", Hythe Camp 1952
To refresh some of your memories a list of Wartime & Post-war camps follow:
1943 Frome (Somerset)
1944 Banbury
1945 Canford (Dorset)
1946 Herne Bay (Dymchurch)
1947 Herne Bay
1948 Washington (Worthing)
1949 St. Mary's Bay (Dymchurch)
1950 Shackleford (Guildford)
1952 Saltwood Castle (Hythe)
1953 Weymouth
From 1954 to 1957 the club had it's own weekend campsite at Badger Hall, Thundersley in Essex which was also used for annual camps.
1954 Badger Hall
1955 Saltwood near Hythe
1956 Guestling near Hastings
1957 Pinhay, Lyme Regis
1970 Bishops Stortford

Maxie's Album 002

2007-05-29T06:28:00.001-07:00

Left to right: ?, Charlie Klip,?, Maxie Lea, Basil Silverman,Harold Bromberg, Alf Segar, Sid Freeman, Peter Younger.
Reunion circa 1992

Maxie's Wonderful Album ! 001

2007-05-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday the 29th of May 2007 Maxie Lea called round my to my house and left with me various albums relating to the C&BG Boy's Club.

There was Maxie's own album, a large file containing memorabilia and an album that had belonged to dear Cecil Bright. For the purpose of simplicity I will refer to all of these items as "Maxie's Album" and over the next few months I will endeavour to get as many of these photos and other items scanned and displayed on this site as soon as possible.

Keep watching, there are loads more to come, and if you can add any names please contact me (Ron) either by e-mail or by leaving a comment on this site

Dave Saunders famous certificate

2007-03-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Derek Merton: Obituary in the Jewish Chronicle, 9th March 2007

2007-03-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

Final batch of Ron's "oldies"

2007-02-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

That's Ron's lot of old club snaps, now it's up to YOU to find some more !
From the top:
1. Greatstones camp cookhouse duties, Ron and ?
2. A ramble with Bobby Lisky in the water, Dave Woolfe drying his feet & Ron with the walking stick
3. That's Ron with the top hat
4. Harry Moss's car with George, Harry Moss, Ronny Coffer, Dave Ross, Mick Goldstein, Syd Curtis and Ron almost completely squashed
5. Ron and his Brownie camera

Photos submitted by Dave Saunders: Batch 2

2007-02-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

WHO's-WHO supplied by Dave:
BATCH 2.
1st.down.
Myself on left with the late Harry Solomons at the AJYAnnual Sports in 1942 held at Parliament Hill Fields. I won the 880 yds. and Harry the 100 yds.
They gave me a certificate which I still have, with a promise of a medal after the war.-I am still waiting.

2nd.down.
Group at Greatstones camp 1939.
Back row 4th from left Stanley Kitler next Jack Roodyn.
Next row bending down myself, (Dave Saunders)
Bottom row,from left Dave Grenhalgh then Monty Meth. Others I can't remember

3rd.down.
Greatstones camp. 1939. Myself on right. Others I can't remember.

4th.down.
Greatstones 1939. Camp concert. I am in the back row among many familiar faces but I cannot name.

5th down.
Greatstones. Mealtime.

6th.down.
Meeting with T, Date and names not known.
(Ron adds:Extreme left is Leslie Phillips, extreme right Sam Posner)
BATCH 1.
1st. down
Greatstones camp. 2nd.right, Don Carlton then Derek Merton.
(Note from Ron: Left of Derek is a rare photo of Nat Levison who ran the drama class,extreme left is Stanley Hale and then Stanley Kittler)

2nd. down
Club Sports Day. Victoria Park. maybe 1938,
From Left. Odiff Fugler, then Myself(Dave Saunders),third runner not known.

3rd.down.
Greatstones camp. Tuck shop, No names.

4th down
Chance Street. meeting. George and Roland Lotinga, T and various others.

5th down.
Greatstones. Cookhouse.

6th. down.
Greatstones camp.1939. My tent: Centre row,second from left Harold Steinfield then myself, Dave Saunders. Others I cannot remember.

7th down.
The Elms, 1942 or 1943. Our successful football team, (I think)
Top row, from left. Bobby Gray, Harry Solomons, Myself(Dave Saunders), Mo Isenberg, Harold Spiro, Stanley Kitler.
Bottom row, from left. Ralph Levene, Odiff Fugler, Sid Levy, (Brazier, I think), Giorgi.

The first of, we hope !, many photos: Batch 1, Submitted by Dave Saunders (Click on Comments)

2007-02-25T23:10:00.000-08:00

1936 & The Four Harmonica Kids

2007-02-13T01:13:00.000-08:00

The club used to foster whatever subject the members showed interest in and so, in the heydays of Larry Adler & Borra Minnowitz we had a harmonica class.
As a spin-off, some of the boys started a harmonica group aptly named the 4 Harmonica Kids and Benny Lampert and I (Ron Goldstein) were amongst its members.
The photos show my "official" photo, Benny and I meeting up at the AJEX parade of 2004 and a list of accounts that Benny has kept as a souvenir.

The club boys who went to war

2007-02-11T04:07:00.000-08:00

A lot of the boys who were members of the club came from large families and it was inevitable that when WW2 started on the 3rd of September most of the menfolk were called to arms. My own family had five sons in the forces namely Lou, Jack, Mossy,Mick and Ron. Jack (z"l) was to be lost over Nurenberg and the family was never to be the same again.To see the full story on the BBC WW2 Archives click here:The Goldstein Boys
It is to be hoped that other club members who served in the Forces and came from similarly large families will leave a record on this site.

Sgt.Major Mick Goldstein

2007-02-10T22:23:00.000-08:00

Its an old cliche that goes still waters run deep but a classic example was my brother Mick (z"l)
As with Donny Carlton and Jack Nissenthal I decided to place his story into the BBC WW2 Archives.
Click on this link Sgt.Major Mick to see the full story in its original setting.

Donny Carlton......Another C&BG wartime hero

2007-02-10T21:56:00.000-08:00

In 2004 the BBC opened a WW2 Archives and invited contributions.
I was glad to record some of the club boys formerly untold stories and one of them was how Donny Carlton won his MM medal.
Click on this link Donny to see the story in its original setting in the BBC archives.
The picture shows him at our 2004 reunion with another hero, my dear brother Mick (z"l).

The Club Song

2007-02-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

Taken directly from the Souvenir Brochure of 2000, copyright acknowledgements as before.
In the same brochure we were reminded of the club motto:
SERVUS CORPUS COLE MENTEM ANIMAM CURA which was translated as: Keep fit, cultivate your mind, think of your soul

1925-2000... The Souvenir Brochure

2007-02-10T04:10:00.000-08:00

In 2000 the reunion committee and various generous donors did us proud and laid on a super brochure to commemorate 75 fantastic years.
This wonderful photo of the old premises is brilliantly evocative and I am still trying to locate myself !
Thanks & Copyright acknowledged to Batiste Publications Ltd,design by David Marley & Camden Town Typesetters

The Guest list.....Club Reunion November 12th 1987

2007-02-10T03:36:00.000-08:00

Sorting through my C&BG files I came across this guest list for the 1987 reunion.
The table plan for the same evening shows the following guests on the top table:
Rt.Hon.Lord Diamond P.C., Charles Rubens, Harold Fry, Edward Wolfe,Dennis Frank, Norman Compton, Len Saunders, Bernard Spears, Julian Spear & Cecil Bright.
Other names,less visible at the top of the photo are: Maurice Abbey, Cyril Coburn, Myer Garet, Ben Lampert,Burnie Rose & Jack Tovy.
CLICK ON COMMENTS FOR THE FULL "SEARCHABLE" LIST

Strange reunions with old club friends

2007-02-10T02:56:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I'm not alone in having met club friends all over the world but there are three occasions that stand out in my memory.
The first one was in 1944, when, on a hill overlooking Monte Cassino, I met Johny Bofkin and we talked about past club events whilst a battle raged below.
Then in 1945 whilst visiting Venice, just a week after the war had ceased in Italy, my gondola passed by another one in which sat Nat Krieger and we yelled greetings to each other across the waters.
But the strangest meeting by far was getting a postcard in 1991 from a childhood and club friend David Biber (z'l) who had been living in Australia for many years. In the card he told me that he was making Aliyah to Israel and we arranged to meet in Netanya the following year. Our meeting,the first after 45 years was quite emotional and we visited the Kotel together with our respective wives.
Before we parted he gave me his club badge, saying "I'm not likely to attend any of the reunions, wear it for me the next time you go" and this I was able to do, later the same year.

New to Blogging?... read on

2007-02-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) No.1

Who can POST (new articles) on this site?

Please note that only Contributors, listed on the right, can POST - although anyone can COMMENT. You have to be invited to become a contributing Member.
To become a contributor simply mail me at ron_goldsteinATbtopenworld.com (where AT = @). If and when you do comment please leave your full name so that we know who is viewing the site.
If you feel you are not up to POSTING then simply send me an e-mail containing an article, ATTACH any photo in a "jpg" format and I will POST the article on your behalf.
I am hoping that by these means, photos that have been unseen by others for more than seventy years will be available to all visitors to the site. Until this happens I'm afraid that you are stuck with having to see only Ron's photos !

C&BG Club Reunion 2002

2007-02-09T01:35:00.000-08:00

In 2002 I was asked by Monty Meth to give the after dinner speech at the club reunion.
I decided the best way to tackle it was to write an article based on "A life in the day" series in the Times and to imagine I was a young lad back in the year 1935 going through the events of the day.
I enjoyed putting the piece together and I like to think it was well received on the night. To see the full story click on the red COMMENTS link below.

Derek Merton, Club Manager and unsung wartime hero

2007-02-08T23:42:00.000-08:00

The following appreciation of his wartime activities was taken from a speech made to him in 2004 by Bryan, one of his son’s, on the happy occasion of Derek’s 90th birthday..

Derek Merton and World War II

After marrying Frances two weeks after the outbreak of war, Derek had what people tend to describe as a ‘good war’. He joined up as a soldier in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps where he preferred the company of the other ranks to that of the officers. Derek’s experience of the second world war would seem to give substance to the view, expressed by someone (Norman Mailer, perhaps), that war consists of long periods of boredom and discomfort followed by short periods of intense excitement and fear. The early part seems to have been spent in camps in the remoter parts of the English countryside engaged in ‘manoeuvres’ and preparing for action.

Things improved a bit in 1943 when one of the regiment’s senior officers, one Anthony Eden, discovered Derek’s proficiency in French and sent him to London to serve at the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Forces in Europe under General Eisenhower. He was later deployed on a special assignment which entailed him being disguised as a French businessman and billeted with Dr Ninet and his family at no. 11 Avenue Hoche in Paris. From there he acted as a kind of middleman between the Allied suppliers of weapons and the Maquis resistance, speeding, no doubt, the liberation of the French. For his exploits he was well decorated. These included two stars for his service in the war, the Defence Medal and from the French government something called Reconnaissance Francaise.

Do you remember ? Calvert Avenue from the Bandstand

2007-02-08T23:32:00.000-08:00

This shows Calvert Avenue looking towards Shoreditch High Street

Do you remember ? Gold's Trimming Shop in Brick Lane

2007-02-08T23:11:00.000-08:00

Almost on the north corner of Bethnal Green Road and Brick Lane once stood Gold's Trimming shop. This shop (now Pennywise) used to supply trimmings to all the small clothing factories in Brick Lane (including my father's in Boreham Street)and the sons Harry and Norman were club members.

Do you remember ? Rochelle Street School

2007-02-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

The school, which has now become a trendy Arts Centre and Restaurant

Do you remember ? Chance Street

2007-02-08T23:05:00.000-08:00

Also in this photo is what remains of the old Bethnal Green Synagogue

Do you remember ? The Bandstand

2007-02-08T22:51:00.000-08:00

A few years back the BBC took me "walk-about" in the East End of London to record my memories of earlier years. The program, entitled “In these Arms”,Spitalfields through the eyes of the Goldstein Family, was Broadcast on Radio 4 on Saturday 11/12/99
I took the opportunity at the time to snap some of the local sights that have not changed in 70 years !.

Rochelle Street School Class 3 1932

2007-02-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

Rochelle Street School was to provide a lot of club members, how many faces do you remember here and,more importantly,can you fill in any of the blanks?
Since receiving this photo (kindly provided by Arthur Allsuch) I have been trying to identify all concerned, this is how far I have got,reading from left to right:
Front Row: Jack Simons,* Babot,Arthur Allsuch, Len Kayser, ? , ?
Second Row: ?, ?, ?,Ron Goldstein, Joey Joseph, * Schneiderman, * Lerner, * Bright, ?
Third Row ?, Gerry Shapiro, ?, ?, ?, ?, ? ?,Philip Roth, ?, Stanley Hart ?
Back Row: ?, David Woolf,Judah Silver?, Lionel Damon, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?

Jack Nissenthal- The VC Hero who never was !

2007-02-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

One of our WW2 "Greats" was the late Jack Nissenthall (z"l).
I did my best to honour him on the BBC WW2 Archives click here to see the actual story of Jack's exploits.

ABSENT FRIENDS & GENERAL NEWS

2007-02-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

Inevitably, whenever I speak to Maxie Lea we speak of much loved friends who have recently passed away.

It was only today that I learned that we have recently lost Lionel Austin (z"l) and so I pass the sad news on to those of you who knew him.

I am sure that by now you must have also heard about the loss of dear Derek Merton (z"l).

It is my intention to use the site for everyone's benefit so if you have any news that you wish to be passed on, simply add a comment to this thread.

Some of those who met to honour Maxie's MBE

2007-02-08T06:11:00.000-08:00

Some of those who met to honour Maxie's MBE

The Hiller boys in action

2007-02-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

Tony & Irving have been generously entertaining us at the club reunions for a few years now and are very much part of the evening's activities.
The closeups were taken in 2003, the main view in 2005
Click on this link Tony Hiller to visit his most entertaining website.

The original camp group

2007-02-08T04:19:00.000-08:00

Starting from the back:
Cecil Bright, Dave Ross, Sid Tabor, Freddy Oels, Dave Summers,Monty Griver & Mick Goldstein

The camp group revived

2007-02-08T04:17:00.000-08:00

Cecil Bright, Dave Ross, Sid Tabor, Dave Summers,Monty Griver & Mick Goldstein

Certificate awarded to Maxie Lea MBE

2007-02-08T04:03:00.000-08:00

One of life's rare pleasures was being allowed to be one of the many sponsors of Maxie's MBE and I was equally delighted on being asked to cobble up this certificate which we all signed as a token of our esteem.
Quite apart from the immense amount of work that Maxie has done over the years to keep the "Old Boys" together, there is one favour that he did for me, that, as Michael Caine might have put it "not a lot of people know about that!".
I refer to the fact that when the New Cambridge club packed up, he rescued the photo albums of the "Old" Cambridge and gave people such as myself a chance to "adopt" those photos that portrayed us when we were still in our teens.
Many of the snaps that I have shown on the site to date are a direct result of Maxie's foresight and for this, much thanks !

The man himself....Maxie Lea MBE

2007-02-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

To make sure I got Max's details right, I went back to the press release that announced his being awarded the MBE and it is from this document that I now quote:
On the eve of his 70th birthday which falls on the 29th June 2000, Max Lea has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, 17th June 2000.
His name was submitted by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP with a recommendation that he be awarded the MBE for his services to the Old Boys of the Cambridge & Bethnal Green Boy's Club and for his services to amateur football.
Max's other love is amateur football which he has served with equal distinction. In 1992 he was the first Amateur Football Alliance referee to be presented with the Referee Association's Long & Meritious Service award

Dave Ross, Sid Kurta & Ron 2003 reunion

2007-02-08T03:54:00.000-08:00

Sid had come along to the reunion hoping to meet up with me and I couldn't resist organising this photo to compare with the one entitled "The Trio"
Have a look and consider how many years had passed (actually 67 !)

Tribute to Bernard Spear

2007-02-08T03:52:00.000-08:00

Tribute to Bernard Spear

Club Reunion 1964

2007-02-08T03:50:00.000-08:00

If anyone reading this Blog has similar group photos in their possesion could you please post them on this site so that others may also enjoy them?
Do NOT send your originals to Ron but scan them, convert them to jpg format and attach them to a short article to tell us what was going on.
Many thanks !
Ron

Seniors at 1951 re-union

2007-02-08T03:46:00.000-08:00

Seniors at 1951 reunion

"Juniors" at 1951 reunion

2007-02-08T03:44:00.000-08:00

"Juniors" at 1951 reunion

1951 Re-union

2007-02-08T03:42:00.000-08:00

1951 re-union

The Railway station with Mick & Ronnie Coffer

2007-02-08T03:40:00.000-08:00

The Railway station with Mick & Ronnie Coffer

The Trio

2007-02-08T03:38:00.000-08:00

Ron, Dave Ross & Syd Kurta 1936
Compare this with the reunion photo of 2003 !

Club Ramble 2

2007-02-08T03:34:00.000-08:00

Club Ramble 2

Club Ramble 1

2007-02-08T03:33:00.000-08:00

Club Ramble 1

Football supporters

2007-02-08T03:31:00.000-08:00

Spot Ron in the top hat?

Club Camp at Greatstones, Joe Brandez & Ron

2007-02-08T03:28:00.000-08:00

The picture shows Joe Brandez & Ron

Club Camp at Greatstones

2007-02-08T03:26:00.000-08:00

The picture shows, amongst others, Harry Moss, Sid Kurta, Ron & Mick

A visit to the House of Commons circa 1935

2007-02-08T03:22:00.000-08:00

We paid a visit to the House of Commons and were given a tour by Sir Percy Harris who was MP for Bethnal Green