Old picture of the long gone toy department in Greenland's department store.The toy section was situated in the basement and was the highlight of every child's trip into town, especially at Christmas when they were taken to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.The old store was sold to Marks & Spencer for £350.000 and closed in 1968.
24 comments:
I can remember going to visit this wonderful toy department! Highlight of the year for me........but I remember a display with cages containing beautiful mechanical singing birds standing in the middle of this department. Can anyone else remember this or shed any light on it as I seem to be the only one who remembers them :-(
You are not alone! I distinctly remember being fascinated by the same birds in the mid 1960's.
I remember the birds too. There used to be canaries that you had to put a penny in to.
Christmas at Greenlands was always magical - it felt like you were gouing miles on the sledge to see Santa although it was probably only a few yards.
I remember when Green lands was closing down I walked around there were those very ornate manual cash registers all lined up. strange what you remember .
I remeber Greenlands for the toy dept and for the wonderful Father christmas ride every year.And I also remember my grandmother stood outside selling flags for the british legion in her uniform.
I was a wonderful shop.
I remember looking at the model soldiers in the display case in the basement & going to see Santa in a rocket. That was 1960 to 1964.
Left Hereford a very long time ago and have very fond memories of Greenlands and the singing birds for a penny. The best Santa Grotto and the "rocket ride" convinced me at the age of 5 or so that Santa was for real.
Such a shame a beautiful buliding was torn down for M&S
Stew
I remember Christmas at Greenlands,someone,somewhere had th e job of rolling the scenery on at the side of the sledge.As a child I was completely convinced.Yes I remember the cage too,when my mum brought me into town I made her go into Greenlands to put a penny in the slot and watch the automiton,I was captivated...fond memories.
Sue says....I can remember all the things the other people said, especially the Rocket ride at christmas and the birds in cages. But I loved the windows, we used to stand and put one leg up and it would look as if we had both our legs in the air. Wonderful windows beautifully dressed at christmas. x
I can just remember it as I was born in 1962. The Father Christmas grotto with its water features and sleigh ride simulation were legendary. I also remember the lifts with their sliding gates of black lattice metal. To think that same space is now Marks & Spencer's food department! Bring back the toys and the grotto I say, today's kids are missing out!
When the magic of a toy shop all those years ago can still stir some Christmas excitement! We never had many treats but this was one of them, from the moment we got on the bus to go to Hereford all dressed in our Sunday best. Greenlands the shop windows seemed magical, just wait till you got inside! Always a magical trip to the grotto. Not like now put up a shed charge a fortune and a quick in and out. It was just the best memory and always a beautiful gift to take home.
My Dad used to work for Greenlands and install the Christmas 'ride'. It wasn't until I was well into my 30's (am well into my 50's now)that I discovered that the ride didn't go around the shop, the scenery moved past you!!
I remember Greenland's wonderful sleigh ride.
Anonymous said "My Dad used to work for Greenlands and install the Christmas 'ride'. It wasn't until I was well into my 30's (am well into my 50's now)that I discovered that the ride didn't go around the shop, the scenery moved past you!!"
Anonymous i think Coventry Transport Museum would like to hear from you and anyone else who may have information as they are trying to find out about these sleigh rides , they also have a short video clip of one in action if anyone is interested!
I helped to put up the Xmas trees when employed at Foley street BY GREENLANDS as an apprentice it was a nice jolly to see the pretty girls in the store not many left now
I have fond memories of the Toy department especially the birds in the guilded cage pit in a 1p and listen to them sing. I had a smallish yellow bear �� as a present from there 60 years ago and still have him!!
I remember both the singing birds and the magical Father Christmas rides. It is such a shame that old shops like this can't survive these days.
Vacuum tubes moving items (unsure what, possibly checks ?)
It is Christmas so my thoughts fly back to Greenlands and the excitement of going down to the grotto to see Father Christmas. Every Christmas I think of it and there have been many since then! What an atmosphere they created there. It was the place to shop in Hereford in those days. I have images of black sweaters on the shop assistants and rows of wooden drawers standing behind glass counters. I must have been a teenager when Greenland’s closed but I recall feeling a real sense of loss. My memories of it are tied up with childhood emotions so I suppose I will always recall that shop with fondness and regret for what has gone.
I gather I am not alone in wandering around that shop in my memory at Christmas. It may be almost as crowded as it was when it stood in High Town!
Greenlands Father Christmas Ride to go & see Santa, was like a beautiful dream, felt so real as a child... Worth waiting all year for...
Post a Comment