Forum Topic

Better Ole  Gillette Corner

Has anyone a decent photograph of the Better Ole Transort Cafe that used to sit where currently the Shell petrol station sits at Gillette Corner?For me and lots of other keen cyclists this was our favourite waterhole on the way home on Sunday afternoons from Runnymede where a lot of us in the late 1940's and early 1950's used to camp out under the hedges overnight and swim across the Thames. We were returning to Hammersmith They were great times, there was always a crowd of boys and surprisingly girls.James Marshall at LBH does not have a copy although there is an aerial pic on Google but it is difficult to see much detail.Ron Curant

Ron Curant ● 5341d4 Comments

The bricklaying team you mentioned Ron had what I'd call a hairy job to say the least!Just to be on top of the Offices roof was sufficient for me the day I was allowed up there...the clock tower look so ...well towering!Here's the tower from an unusual angle. It's in Isleworth!

Jim Lawes ● 5340d

Thanks Jim,That is the same pic that comes up on Google it seems likely that it is the only one.I think Gillette's was built about 1935 my wife's family were part on the Bricklaying team that built the clock tower.Ron.

Ron Curant ● 5340d

Better 'ole cafeType the above into the Forum Search Box and Tony Wood's previous enquiry about the old cafe can be seen.

Jim Lawes ● 5340d

I well remember a smallish detached building by the pavement there at Gillette Corne in the early 1950's...a cafe .... that was popular with cyclists.There was a good view of it from the upstairs of the ole 91 bus ..probably an ST or STL type!If you type in Great West Road / Gillettes/ Packards in the Forum Search you will come across many previous messages and pictures about this area.Yes, indeed, Runneymede was a very popular day's outing for families in those early years... swimming in the Thames there and joining the queue at the cafe.Here is a 1933 picture of the Cafe ..and maybe remnants of it were there still after the War. You may, as others will, remember Jock's Box at Chiswick Roundabout (hidden behind the National Westminster Bank.Gillette's wasn't built till 1937ish so I suppose the corner was known ...as it really is..Syon Hill!

Jim Lawes ● 5340d