Sulivan Court- (1949-Present)

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Sulivan Court- (1949-Present)

I had not intended to include Sulivan Court on this website because it is outside Sands End but some of you have written to me about these flats. As a boy I remember Sulivan Court as a modern and clean estate which was situated at the end of the very long Studdridge Street. I often stopped there to buy sweets on my walk to Hurlingham Park.

These low rise flats off Peterborough Road, were built between 1949-56 on the site of the Hurlingham No. 2 polo field and were designed by J Prichard Lovell. The landscaping was highly praised at the time with its numerous varieties of tree species, planted in extensive areas of grass between the blocks of flats. Sulivan School to the north of the estate also had a number of trees and it's own nature garden.

Many Sands End residents moved into Sulivan Court over the years including the notorious Bindon* family. "One of the son's Michael Bindon lived in the block opposite us" writes Mary Allen, a resident between 1973 and 1995 and former employee at Drayton's Paper Works. "Their father Denis Bindon was a taxi driver and a member of the British Legion Club in New Kings Road. He was a very nice quiet man who kept himself to himself."

"My son Paul Allen was a caretaker in Sullivan Court for a few years. Our neighbours were George and Betty Griffiths and I also knew the Bentley and West families who lived over the shops. There was also Bobby Fifield who worked as a handy/maintenance man at Drayton's but also used to entertain in local pubs."

Terry Burrows says his mum Marge (Margaret) still lives in Sulivan Court at the ripe old age of 85. " I lived in Sulivan Court from 1951 until about 1972 with my parents. I didn't have any brothers or sisters. My dad's name was Arthur. Both my parents were born in Fulham- dad in Ancill Street and mum off Munster Road. Dad worked for British Rail in the goods depot at West Brompton before it closed and he went to Camden Town. Mum worked in the West End at a bank that went out of business."

"I went to school across the way-Sulivan School (primary) and then to St Marks in Bishops Park (seniors). Living at Sulivan for 20 years and going to school locally I knew a lot of people. The now infamous John Binden lived in the block at right angles to ours and ran a gang at the time. Most people (kids) wanted to join as it was good for 'Street "Cred'. I remember other neighbours. Next door we had Mannix followed by Cruckshanks (I think he did some refereeing). On the other side the lift shaft Miller and Richardson. Third floor Dakin. Second floor Fry."

"The shops opposite our block are still there today but have changed hands and type a few times since then. In my time there was a newsagent where I was a paper boy in the mornings and some afternoons (Fulham Chronicle). I delivered in the Court, Peterborough Road, Clancarty Rd, Daisy Lane and Sullivan/Studderidge Road. Apart from the newsagent there was a greengrocers, Launderette (Easterders Style) and bakery."

"I started work in the City of London but moved around a fair bit with the job but stayed with the same firm for 40 years plus! I marred a girl from Essex but made sure she didn't support the Hammers. I am still a season ticket holder at Fulham."

Rose Thornton (nee Davies) was a resident between 1955 and 1973. She was also a pupil at nearby Hurlingham School. Rose moved to Shepherd's Bush when she got married but wasn't as happy there. She later went on to gain a degree in Management Studies at Coventry University, happy to prove her school teachers wrong.

Alison Mayfield (nee Dines) whose family lived in Tynemouth Street says her parents Harry and June worked in the sweet shop in Sulivan Court for a number of years. Brother Ron Dines was also a paper boy there.

*Read more about the Bindons in "Personalities" section.