Robert Hart wrote in recently:
I too have fond memories of Durban. I was born in Johannesburg in 1972 and remember our annual holiday in Durban. You must appreciate that I was very young and my memories of the holidays spent in Durban are not as vivid and detailed as that of an adult at that time. My parents were relatively poor so we couldn’t live it up in the well to do spots, however as a one-off extravagance we would have tea at Greenacres and I remember well the Indian waiters and the fancy tea pots, and going to the Hub with my mother and watching her go through the bargain bins
Do you have any photos that you can post on the your website of Greenacres? I always remember when Edgars opened seeing the original mosaic in the front entrance.
I also remember eating at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant with it’s wagon wheel decor and staying in the hotel above, unfortunately I can’t remember its name.
I seem to recall seeing a model of a Union Castle ship in the Durban Museum next to the Durban City Hall in the early 1990′s and I also have a memory of once having an opportunity to go on the Vintage Car Ride on Durban Beach Front.
We later moved down to Durban in the mid-1980s when I attended Durban High School and occasionally went to the Press Club in Salisbury Arcade where there was also a wonderful toy and hobby shop on the 2nd floor.
At the time I also spent the weekend at the local Municipal Pool next to the Durban Post Office and well remember ordering the toasted sandwiches from the small restaurant that served the park next door as well.
When the “Workshop” opened up, I used to enjoy eating some of the local Indian food at some of the cheaper restaurants and going to the CNA to read the books & magazines, not to mention looking in “Kings Sports” which I sadly witnessed closing down.
At the time one didn’t appreciate what we had and took it for granted that it was safe to walk anywhere around Durban in relative safety. Sadly when I returned to Durban in 2010 after living abroad for over 10 years I was shocked to see how Durban has declined.
Also, changing the street names is helping to destroy the rich history and culture Durban had and only by people such as yourself recalling your memories, do we prevent the rich history and greatness of Durban from being destroyed. Let’s hope that you continue recalling your memories so that we can continue to preserve the past……it’s much appreciated.
Thanks for the memories Robert. I also have vivid memories of the cafes at Greenacres (and Payne Brothers too) and I’m told that I once covered the family in shame when, as a toddler, I walked out of the Greenacres’ cafe with the organist’s shoes in my hand….
I hope someone can chip in with some pictures. They must be out there.
Hi Robert
It is good to see people adding to the website with their memories and recollections. Your memory of the Ocean Liner model in the Durban Museum is quite correct. The model, long before you were born, used to stand in the Castle Arcade. This building which was an iconic building in Durban was sadly demolished to make way for the 320 West Street building. The model moved from there to the Durban Museum. I have an idea that the model has now been stored away. The model if I recall was that of the Armadale Castle of the Union Castle Lines which was the first mail steamer to cross the bar in Durban harbour officially. That was in 1904.
On 23rd August 1984, Edgars opened its doors to the public from the famous Greenacres building we all knew. There had been a scare in 1982 that the building would be demolished but the owners retained the facade altering the interior completely. The Local History Museum in Aliwal Street were selling a small booklet on the history of Harvey, Greenacre & co. The booklet shows a small photo of the mosaic you mention being saved in 1983.
The “hobby shop” you mention in Salisbury Arcade was Track and Trestle. It was the only worthwhile hobby shop in Durban at the time and the owner was Carl Peters. Carl had started in the toy business whilst still at school at Glenwood High School. He used to work part time for Reg Woodroffe, who had started Regwoods Toys in I think, Hooper Lane. This was in the mid 1970s. Reg also had the Doll’s Hospital where dolls of all sorts were brought in for repair. The original Regwoods had a disastrous fire and thereafter the company was sold. Carl then started Track and Trestle and as far as I remember it was his first outlet. In the 1990s, he opened a branch down in the Checkers Centre in Brickhill Road. His first love was model trains and he was instrumental in starting National Model Train Conventions in the main cities in South Africa. Sadly Carl died at a relatively young age.
The municipal swimming pool in town was called the Town Baths as opposed to the Beach Baths down at North Beach.
I remember the Press Club. It was a well known coffee bar / meeting place in Salisbury Arcade, Smith Street end.
Can anyone help?
My great aunt emigrated from the UK to South Africa in 1920 and the family elders believe that she lived in Durban and owned a dress shop in Durban. Her name was Eleanor Adie, she died in the rearly 1970s, so this is a real long shot!
Thanks
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