Anonymous on 21/6/2011 said: “ I remember Berriman's sold best fish cake I've ever tasted! It was a special treat for a 6 year old and one I relished every week! ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ I can remember leaving the St.Paul's Scout Hall which was situated where Aldi now stands and getting a bag of chips. It was a welcome sight on a cold winter's evening as we also got warmed up. The smell of the fire and fryers was something that everybody should experience. ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ I remember spending some of my busfare, to buy a bag of chips after a school club at The Grammar Technical school and having to walk the last mile home. ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ I worked for Berriman's when I was 11-12 yrs old eyeing all the potatoes in the school holidays I got a bag of chips for doing this. ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ I remember saving my pocket money to buy fish cake and chips on a saturday from Berriman's van. ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ Fish cake and chips from Berriman on a saturday night standing around the van on a frosty night getting warm. ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ I remember Dick and Doug Berriman coming out of the pub after a few pints and getting in the van to fry the chips. ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ The Berriman brothers high up in the chip van cooking fish cakes in one great pan and chips in another wrapped in newspaper and the van was lightened by tully lamps on dark nights. ”
Anonymous on 22/6/2011 said: “ I remember when I worked for Trotters Grocery store delivering on a saturday. And school hols. When I finished on a saturday. I recieved may pay and two eggs. On my way home I would call at the Berriman chip van for chips and Douggy would fry my eggs while I went to the Waterloo P.H. for two bottles of beer. Upon my return my eggs and chips were ready and I enjoyed them while I walked home. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I can taste the chips now! You could wait ¾ of an hour to get served. They were luscious-bloody lovely! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I remember coming from ‘The Rink’ high heels, feet burning- coming down in our stocking feet and getting our fish cake and chips. That was about 54 years ago! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ Hanselmans made the fish cakes later on, after the family stopped making them. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ 1934 when I was 10 years old I used to get fish cakes and chips here with my father! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ We used to go for the chips- Dougie was serving the chips and dripping with sweat, it was so hot in there. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I used to be a policeman in Spenny and we used to get chips here when we were on night shift, in full uniform! And then nip down the back street to eat them. It was after the pubs turned out- if there were no chips Dougie used to put some more on for you! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I can remember being in a pushchair and my grandma was taking me shopping; I was about 3 or 4. We used to buy some chips and put them in the foot well of the pushchair. We parked outside Doggarts (now Mackays) and a dog came and started eating the chips! We finished them off though - I wasn’t fussy ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ The two cast iron pans did the frying, the enamel pans at the back kept the beef dripping warm. Every now and again Dougie or Dickie swapped the pans round to change the fat. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ Nights out at the flicks weren’t the same without a packet of Berriman’s chips. Clems never had a look in! Excellent to see the van again. The smell of the coke and chips, a wonderful combination. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ My Dad, Sid Hardy, used to work n the Chip Van, as a boy. Brilliant memories and best chips ever. Lovely and nostalgic to see the chip van again. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I remember coming when I was about 10 years old and get a bag of chips before we got the Eden bus home. Then romance at the fish and chip van! I met Tom at ‘The Rink’ he used to treat me to fish cake and chips. Everybody used to rush to get to the front, to be nearer the warmth and the queue used to be a mile long. It’s our 50th wedding anniversary in 2 years time and it all started with this chip van! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ Coming out of the pictures when it was cold and dark- (Esoldo, Arcadia, Cambridge and the Town Hall) I remember the smell of the chip van lamps though I never saw the horse! That chipping thing was a good machine! It doesn’t matter how long you stood you stood till you got them! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ There were a few chip vans in Spenny, Williams who had the removals had one as well - it was a common practice to have the chip vans. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ 3d or 6d for a big bag of chips. Fish cake and chips was 1, 6d (7 1/2p in today’s money!). ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ 10 bob- you could have a good night out on that! 4 pints in the club then fishcake and chips on the way home. Thursday night was group night in the club and we used to have some good groups on. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I used to stand here on a cold night and feel the heat from the coke fire. The Berriman’s were inside, red hot. They would only do four portions at once so you had to wait. The portions were great, after waiting in the cold and open air, it just felt better. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ It was lovely... After 11 o clock the old horse was took back to the stables. We’re talking 54 years ago now! In ’68 time I think it was here and all the shops down the main street were too, it was lovely, the streets were full. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ We all used to stand around the back where it was warm and eat our chips! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ We used to hand in our empty beer bottles to get a free bag of chips. They were the best chips, I ever tasted. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ Every Friday night we used to be here- me in my mini skirt! We used to get fishcake and chips; they were the best ones going. There was an ice cream van pulled by a Shetland pony too! Sandy Alonsi- he had a shop on Green Lane too. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I used to carry the tray of chips for the brothers, and I used to take some! The van stood behind the pub and there were big queues all down Thomas Street. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ Dick and Dougie used to ask if you wanted ‘milk and sugar’ on your chips! (Salt and vinegar) It opened at 9am on a Saturday morning. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ On a Friday night we used to go to the back door of the Angel. The horse was there and it used to kick it and the landlady used to give Polly a crust of bread. The horse was fed on the tatty peelings. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ There was always queues- didn’t matter how long you waited, you still waited- the chips were the best I ever tasted. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ Florrie Berriman used to make the fishcakes. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I used to shout from the windows ‘Put fish cakes and chips in Dougie!’ Then I used to go down and get them, Dougie would say: ‘How you buzzin’ cousin’ and I’d reply ‘Not so dusty rusty!’ The Horse was a Clydesdale called Polly. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ I remember they used to wear starched white shirts, white aprons and brown corduroy trousers. They used to have a yard with a big bath to clean the tatties. Brian Milburn ( Grandson) sitting on 2 little stools. They used to chuck them in a big metal bin and bring them along to the chip van to make into chips. Best chips on the planet! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ The shape of the bag was different- the cone (3d) and the elongated bag was 6d with salt and vinegar on them. Bob or 2 spare- get a fishcake. On my 50th birthday a colleague gave me a print of the Norman Cornish painting. My friend who was a reporter used to say ‘Not only did you get fed at the chip van- you got educated too!’ because the chips were wrapped in newspaper! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ Dougie and Dickie used to drink Brown ale whilst working; it was red hot in there! The fish cakes were out of this world! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ There was a sieve like pan which sat on the top; the chips were put in there out of the frying pans to drain off the fat. ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ As a boy I was fascinated when the guy used to throw the potato into the chipper, he didn’t place them he threw and pulled the lever in one fluid moment! ”
Beamish on 13/7/2011 said: “ We used to go to ‘The Rink’- the dance and then came and got fishcake and chips. I can remember the 3 blokes who had it- they grew their own potatoes. Berriman’s mam and aunty made the fishcakes- they lived in Merrington Lane. One used to give them out and the other used to fry them! ”
Anonymous on 21/7/2011 said: “ I was never allowed a fishcake, just a cone of chips to eat as we waited for the bus. I remember Mr. Berriman chatting to my mother, and as I was jut knee high to a grasshopper at that time being told to keep away from the hot ashes, incase I burned myself, as if I would of, kids in those days didn't play with fire? ”
Anonymous on 1/8/2011 said: “ My aunt and uncle were landlord and landlady of the Waterloo when I was a child. All the grown ups used to meet in the pub on a Saturday night, children were sent upstairs with the oldest ones babysitting the young ones, we were given money from Auntie Vi to go down the back fire escape and get a cone of chips each. Wonderful memories!! ”
“ I remember Berriman's sold best fish cake I've ever tasted! It was a special treat for a 6 year old and one I relished every week! ”
“ I can remember leaving the St.Paul's Scout Hall which was situated where Aldi now stands and getting a bag of chips. It was a welcome sight on a cold winter's evening as we also got warmed up. The smell of the fire and fryers was something that everybody should experience. ”
“ I remember spending some of my busfare, to buy a bag of chips after a school club at The Grammar Technical school and having to walk the last mile home. ”
“ I worked for Berriman's when I was 11-12 yrs old eyeing all the potatoes in the school holidays I got a bag of chips for doing this. ”
“ I remember saving my pocket money to buy fish cake and chips on a saturday from Berriman's van. ”
“ Fish cake and chips from Berriman on a saturday night standing around the van on a frosty night getting warm. ”
“ I remember Dick and Doug Berriman coming out of the pub after a few pints and getting in the van to fry the chips. ”
“ The Berriman brothers high up in the chip van cooking fish cakes in one great pan and chips in another wrapped in newspaper and the van was lightened by tully lamps on dark nights. ”
“ I remember when I worked for Trotters Grocery store delivering on a saturday. And school hols. When I finished on a saturday. I recieved may pay and two eggs. On my way home I would call at the Berriman chip van for chips and Douggy would fry my eggs while I went to the Waterloo P.H. for two bottles of beer. Upon my return my eggs and chips were ready and I enjoyed them while I walked home. ”
“ I can taste the chips now! You could wait ¾ of an hour to get served. They were luscious-bloody lovely! ”
“ I remember coming from ‘The Rink’ high heels, feet burning- coming down in our stocking feet and getting our fish cake and chips. That was about 54 years ago! ”
“ Hanselmans made the fish cakes later on, after the family stopped making them. ”
“ 1934 when I was 10 years old I used to get fish cakes and chips here with my father! ”
“ We used to go for the chips- Dougie was serving the chips and dripping with sweat, it was so hot in there. ”
“ I used to be a policeman in Spenny and we used to get chips here when we were on night shift, in full uniform! And then nip down the back street to eat them. It was after the pubs turned out- if there were no chips Dougie used to put some more on for you! ”
“ I can remember being in a pushchair and my grandma was taking me shopping; I was about 3 or 4. We used to buy some chips and put them in the foot well of the pushchair. We parked outside Doggarts (now Mackays) and a dog came and started eating the chips! We finished them off though - I wasn’t fussy ”
“ The two cast iron pans did the frying, the enamel pans at the back kept the beef dripping warm. Every now and again Dougie or Dickie swapped the pans round to change the fat. ”
“ Nights out at the flicks weren’t the same without a packet of Berriman’s chips. Clems never had a look in! Excellent to see the van again. The smell of the coke and chips, a wonderful combination. ”
“ My Dad, Sid Hardy, used to work n the Chip Van, as a boy. Brilliant memories and best chips ever. Lovely and nostalgic to see the chip van again. ”
“ I remember coming when I was about 10 years old and get a bag of chips before we got the Eden bus home. Then romance at the fish and chip van! I met Tom at ‘The Rink’ he used to treat me to fish cake and chips. Everybody used to rush to get to the front, to be nearer the warmth and the queue used to be a mile long. It’s our 50th wedding anniversary in 2 years time and it all started with this chip van! ”
“ Coming out of the pictures when it was cold and dark- (Esoldo, Arcadia, Cambridge and the Town Hall) I remember the smell of the chip van lamps though I never saw the horse! That chipping thing was a good machine! It doesn’t matter how long you stood you stood till you got them! ”
“ There were a few chip vans in Spenny, Williams who had the removals had one as well - it was a common practice to have the chip vans. ”
“ 3d or 6d for a big bag of chips. Fish cake and chips was 1, 6d (7 1/2p in today’s money!). ”
“ 10 bob- you could have a good night out on that! 4 pints in the club then fishcake and chips on the way home. Thursday night was group night in the club and we used to have some good groups on. ”
“ I used to stand here on a cold night and feel the heat from the coke fire. The Berriman’s were inside, red hot. They would only do four portions at once so you had to wait. The portions were great, after waiting in the cold and open air, it just felt better. ”
“ It was lovely... After 11 o clock the old horse was took back to the stables. We’re talking 54 years ago now! In ’68 time I think it was here and all the shops down the main street were too, it was lovely, the streets were full. ”
“ We all used to stand around the back where it was warm and eat our chips! ”
“ We used to hand in our empty beer bottles to get a free bag of chips. They were the best chips, I ever tasted. ”
“ Every Friday night we used to be here- me in my mini skirt! We used to get fishcake and chips; they were the best ones going. There was an ice cream van pulled by a Shetland pony too! Sandy Alonsi- he had a shop on Green Lane too. ”
“ I used to carry the tray of chips for the brothers, and I used to take some! The van stood behind the pub and there were big queues all down Thomas Street. ”
“ Dick and Dougie used to ask if you wanted ‘milk and sugar’ on your chips! (Salt and vinegar) It opened at 9am on a Saturday morning. ”
“ On a Friday night we used to go to the back door of the Angel. The horse was there and it used to kick it and the landlady used to give Polly a crust of bread. The horse was fed on the tatty peelings. ”
“ There was always queues- didn’t matter how long you waited, you still waited- the chips were the best I ever tasted. ”
“ Florrie Berriman used to make the fishcakes. ”
“ I used to shout from the windows ‘Put fish cakes and chips in Dougie!’ Then I used to go down and get them, Dougie would say: ‘How you buzzin’ cousin’ and I’d reply ‘Not so dusty rusty!’ The Horse was a Clydesdale called Polly. ”
“ I remember they used to wear starched white shirts, white aprons and brown corduroy trousers. They used to have a yard with a big bath to clean the tatties. Brian Milburn ( Grandson) sitting on 2 little stools. They used to chuck them in a big metal bin and bring them along to the chip van to make into chips. Best chips on the planet! ”
“ The shape of the bag was different- the cone (3d) and the elongated bag was 6d with salt and vinegar on them. Bob or 2 spare- get a fishcake. On my 50th birthday a colleague gave me a print of the Norman Cornish painting. My friend who was a reporter used to say ‘Not only did you get fed at the chip van- you got educated too!’ because the chips were wrapped in newspaper! ”
“ Dougie and Dickie used to drink Brown ale whilst working; it was red hot in there! The fish cakes were out of this world! ”
“ There was a sieve like pan which sat on the top; the chips were put in there out of the frying pans to drain off the fat. ”
“ As a boy I was fascinated when the guy used to throw the potato into the chipper, he didn’t place them he threw and pulled the lever in one fluid moment! ”
“ We used to go to ‘The Rink’- the dance and then came and got fishcake and chips. I can remember the 3 blokes who had it- they grew their own potatoes. Berriman’s mam and aunty made the fishcakes- they lived in Merrington Lane. One used to give them out and the other used to fry them! ”
“ I was never allowed a fishcake, just a cone of chips to eat as we waited for the bus. I remember Mr. Berriman chatting to my mother, and as I was jut knee high to a grasshopper at that time being told to keep away from the hot ashes, incase I burned myself, as if I would of, kids in those days didn't play with fire? ”
“ My aunt and uncle were landlord and landlady of the Waterloo when I was a child. All the grown ups used to meet in the pub on a Saturday night, children were sent upstairs with the oldest ones babysitting the young ones, we were given money from Auntie Vi to go down the back fire escape and get a cone of chips each. Wonderful memories!! ”