Free and Easies and bonfire night

Hi, I’m Pat Burton and was born in 1942 in Ellerton Road. I went to Dulwich Road School till 1957. My father was Mr Burton the local chimney sweep. I had three brothers, George, Charlie and Lawrence who used to play the organ and piano with a band at various pubs in the area. We had great times at the ‘Free and Easies’ which formed a big part of the pub scene in those days when people get up to sing a number with the band. I remember Clemmy Watts being a big contributor on some of those occasions! Bonfire nights were great then, with all the groves off our road – Ensdon, Eltham, Clapton and Mitcham, competing to make the biggest and best – with Guy Fawkes the guest of honour! I used knew practically everybody’s name in the road (unlike today when most people don’t even know their neighbour).