Serangoon Gardens was formerly a residential estate for the British (and some Australian and New Zealand) soldiers and airmen, where some of them were based in the nearby RAF (Royal Air Force) Chia Keng Camp, until the early seventies.
The name Serangoon is likely to be derived from burong ranggoon, referring to a species of black and white stork that lives around Sungei Serangoon (formerly called Rangoon River). Satu, or one in Malay, was added to the name, thus becoming Saranggoon. This name was used for a long period of time before it eventually evolved to Serangoon. During the Japanese Occupation, large plots of flower farms were cultivated in this region, leading to the naming of the estate as Serangoon Gardens.
Serangoon Gardens was developed in the early fifties by Steven Charles Macey, a British private developer who also worked as an engineer at RAF. Due to its limited accessibility from other parts of Singapore in its early days, and for the benefits of the residents, Macey sought approval from the Singapore Rural Board to build a recreational clubhouse on a 5.56 acres of land. Completed in 1956, Serangoon Gardens Sports Club was opened exclusively to the residents of Serangoon Gardens at a monthly membership rate of $2.
The clubhouse underwent major changes over the decades. It was renamed as Serangoon Gardens Recreation Club after the British withdrew from Singapore in the early seventies. However, the clubhouse suffered a decline in membership and had difficulty maintaining its facilities due to a lack of funds. In 1981, it was given a makeover under the proposal of Lau Teik Soon, Member of Parliament for Serangoon Gardens, and became the new Serangoon Gardens Country Club.
Due to the historical ties with the British, the network of roads inside Serangoon Gardens, more than 40 of them cramped into this small estate, are mostly named after places in Britain (England, Scotland and Wales):
Serangoon Gardens is fondly known as ang sar lee (红砂厘) by the local Chinese, referring to the red zinc roofs of the houses that once occupied this estate. In the old days, certain parts of Serangoon Gardens were given nicknames such as zhap ji cheng (十二千 or 12,000) and zhap si cheng (十四千 or 14,000), describing the approximate prices of the houses available in their respective areas.
The most prominent landmarks of Serangoon Gardens are perhaps the Serangoon Garden Circus and the popular Chomp Chomp Food Centre (its official name is Serangoon Gardens Food Centre), which serves delicious local delights in BBQ stingray, BBQ chicken wings, satay and Hokkien mee. The area resembles a mini-version of the Newton Cirus and its food centre.
In the sixties, the street hawkers plied their trades at the location opposite where the hawker centre now stands. They were shifted and given stalls to continue their businesses after the new hawker centre was completed in 1972. The origin of the name “Chomp Chomp” is unknown; perhaps it was used to reflect the noise of frenzied eating. Chomp Chomp Food Centre had a major upgrading in 1998 where a new roof was installed.
Serangoon Gardens’ Paramount Theatre (百乐门戏院) was one of the most popular hangouts for the residents in the old days. Located at Maju Avenue, it was built in the late fifties. During that era, movie screenings in Singapore were not held at the same time islandwide. The popular movies were usually screened at the cinemas in the busy city district, such as Capitol, Cathay and Lido. Paramount, being located at the relatively ulu estate, could not compete with the likes of the mighty Shaw, but nevertheless able to provide a series of popular English and Chinese films to their audience.
The decline of the movie industry in the seventies saw part of Paramount Theatre leased out to other retail businesses. Occupying a large 11,700 square feet, NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) opened its fairprice supermarket here in 1974, just a year after its debut at Toa Payoh. By 1983, the cinema of Paramount could no longer survive and had to shut down. DBS (Development Bank of Singapore) set up a branch in the building in 1991, and subsequently, restaurants, cafés, confectioneries and even tuition centers moved in. The building of the former Paramount Theatre was renamed as Serangoon Gardens Village.
Today, the once sleepy neighbourhood is buzzing with life once more. A new mall named myVillage now stands in the site of the old Paramount Theatre (Serangoon Gardens Village), which was demolished in 2009. It is the prized asset of local developer Chye Lee & Sons, whose late father owned the former Paramount Theatre.
There is confusion over whether the name of this unique neighbourhood is Serangoon Gardens or Serangoon Garden. Some landmarks use the singular version such as Serangoon Garden Circus, Serangoon Garden Way, Serangoon Garden District and Serangoon Garden Secondary School. Others would retain the plural version, as in Serangoon Gardens Post Office and Serangoon Gardens Country Club.
Both singular and plural versions have been used since Serangoon Gardens was first developed in the fifties.
Published: 22 April 2012
Updated: 18 June 2012
Wow..Great Job! Thanks for all the hardwork that goes into all these.
I had been living near serangoon gardens for so many yrs without understanding that is going on there in the past. Had been to the ntuc at the paramount cinema when i was a young gal without even understanding what is wat.
Thanks for all these good work. Keep it up!
Serangoon Gardens (ang sar lee) in 1967
(Photo Credit: Jalan Kayu Trail: Serangoon Gardens)
The houses in Serangoon Gardens were mainly owned by locals and some were rented to married personnel of the British forces. This is unlike those in RAF Seletar (now Seletar camp).
Zhap ji cheng is not another nickname for Serangoon Gardens but rather the sector which have Groves in the road name; between Conway Grove to Colchester Grove. $12,000 was the average price of houses in this sector and the land area of each is about 1600 sq ft. The “Drive” sector, Medway to Burghley was referred to as 十四千 as $14,000 was the average price of houses there with the land area of 1800 sq ft.
This is a wonderful piece of info on the nicknames of Serangoon Gardens! (Have updated the article accordingly)
Thanks Old Bird
I made a mistake with regards to the land areas; it should be 2600 sq ft and 2800 sq ft for 十二千 and 十四千 respectively.
Awesome! Serangoon Gardens was one of my childhood homes. My grandmother paid $23,000 for a 5000 sq foot bungalow back in the 50s.
Growing up in nearby Lor Kinchir, I have many memories of SG. I remember we used to refer to it as Serangoon Gardens, when used alone. When used as an ‘adjective’ it is usually singular, e.g. Serangoon Garden Way.
There appears to be some curiosity about the name Chomp Chomp given to the food centre by the Serangoon Gardens Circus, and some weird guesses made as to how that food centre got its name. When the CCC Committee of the Serangoon Gardens Consituency decided to site a hawkers centre in that location we were quite certain that many residents and friends would frequent the food court and delight in its delicious and savoury stuff that we know our hawker friends were capable of dishing out. So it was no problem visualising our visitors tucking into their favourite orders like there was no more coming, like bugs bunny chomping his carrots away………..and so, we decided to name our food court Chomp Chomp.
It is with nostalgic sadness to note that there is no longer the quaint ‘Chomp Chomp’ sign done out of wrought iron and held up by an antiquated post. Ah well, that’s progress. Sad.
Former MP for Serangoon Gardens
Thanks… Now we know the exact story behind the name of Chomp Chomp
would this be the Lenny Rodrigo, who previously stayed at Kingsmead Hall as a bachelor. if so, pls kindly drop me a email jayaanand69@gmail.com
My memories of serangoon circulate round the Canberra Bar, The Captains Cabin, the Chinese Emporium and the Yum Yum cafe! I remember buying tropical fish from a stall and 2nd hand books and magazines too! I still remember a pair of Bata Shoes my mother bought me made from latex! Wow talk about sweaty feet! as retirement looms i’ve rekindled an interest in my time in Singers (1967-71) and remember them as perhaps the happiest of my life, I do intend to visit soon!
Regards and please keep up the good work.
David Smith
Wow … I am so glad to have visited your site. Thanks very much for the effort. I stayed in Serangoon Gardens when I was one. I still have the house which my dad paid around $12,000 for it back in 1955. The house and Serangoon Gardens brings back so much memories with my brother and 4 sisters growing up there… laterite road and all. It is currently rented out but I do intend to return next year.
My brother & I spent a lot of time playing and representing the Sports Club in soccer until it was repalced by the current Country Club. If you guys used to see soccer matches then on the field at the club (and the occasional fights), probably my brother and I were playing.
I have been away from Serangoon Gardens for a good 18 years now but I do have very fond memories there … Serangoon North Primary School, Serangoon Garden Secondary School for ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels before leaving for Australia for Tertairy Education.
Thanks for the memories …. but Serangoon Gardens …. I’ll be back!
Melvyn Thum
Hi Melvyn, I know you will remember Jacqueline Kang… she and I lived at the other end of Worthing Road! What a pleasant surprise to see your name here. Please connect with me on Facebook.
Geraldine Soh
Hi Geraldine! WOW…what a surprise! My email: melvynthum@hotmail.com
Correction: “Penhurst” is a common misspelling of the street. The correct spelling should be “Penshurst”.
The original Penshurst Place in England – http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/penshurst+place
Corrected and thanks
Airfix model kits and Matchbox, Dr Fernandes Clinic which is now OCBC Bank along Serangoon Garden Way
This recollection is absolutely delightful. My family moved to SG in the 70s when I was in my teens. We lived there for 10+ years. This move by the family was the best thing that happened to me. I loved getting the know our Scottish neighbors, who were replaced by Australians, etc…
Before Chomp Chomp, the food was sold along Maju Ave (?).
There were also two second hand book shops there where I could buy a used book for 50 cents and resell it for 30 cents. These shops opened me to the world of novels.
Just outside SG was a bicycle shop (in Cheng San Village), just past the provision shop. I had so much fun cycling around the estate and the bicycle shop was an absolute essential to my cycling well-being.
Anyone has pictures of the places above?
Hey uncle, thanks for letting me know about it!
Enjoyed playing with other the British kids(I remembered the Smiths to our left, Hobbs across the street) in the neighbourhood 1965-69. I always wondered what they studied at school for they didn’t lug a bag of books compared to us Singapore kids. Christmas was an experience as we experienced the kids showing off their presents (toys, bikes etc.) while we made our own kites and played with home made plywood toy guns with a collection of rubber bands and clothes pin to propel the trajectiles.
There was a supermarket for members of the British, Aussie and NZ military force along the stores where Tip Top is currently located. There was also an English Fish and Chips shop (excellent fish and chips for $1 – a big sum for a piece of fish and chips in those days compared to what you can buy for $1 of hawker food.
Good Memories…..
Correction: Huddington Avenue not HuddingSton Avenue. I live there…
Kecinthia: I can still remember buying Kacang Puteh from the Thambi outside the Paramount Theatre. It was sold in paper cones fashioned from sheets taken from old telephone directories.
Mervyn: You were from Serangoon Garden North School? I’m an old boy.
We used to fight with the boys from Serangoon Garden South School when they crossed the centre-line of the field into our territory.
The night watchman for North School, Chin Tong, used to live in a small house behind Serangoon Garden South School. The Indian watchman for Serangoon Garden South School was murdered one night in the school premises as he rested on his bed at the new school library. His wife was in India at that time. It was Chin Tong who discovered the murder the next day. I saw his blood-stained bed…
There used to be a soccer club for boys called the Actionites Club that operated from Serangoon Garden Sports Club. It was short-lived…
Pete: Before Chomp Chomp, the food sellers were congregated around the periphery of the Serangoon Garden Circus. The stalls were lit with kerosene pressure lamps. The take-away food were wrapped in huge dried leave (kopi hyok). Some of the old ”hawkers” like the Hokkien Mee, Char Kuay Teow, Carrot Cake and Oyster Omelette (O Luwark) sellers first started selling there.
Btw, the person who fries the Oyster Omelette in Chomp Chomp is the worker and not the boss. The boss is the one who takes the orders…
The Hokkien Mee seller stopped operating for a year or two some years back coz he suffered from cancer. That’s what I heard. And he had a son who graduated from USA. His Hokkien Mee is still the best that I\’ve tasted in Singapore, Johor and Batam!
David: The short-lived Chinese Emporium there was the Leong Soon Huat Emporium. The 2nd-hand book store had no name. We called it the NIB because that’s what they stamp on the books.
The present big bus stop next to the circus used to be a bus interchange. Can still remember the various buses that were parked there:
Red – Associated Bus Services
Green – Singapore Traction Company
Yellow – United Bus Company
Blue – Amalgamated Bus Company
The United Bus Company’s buses were the cleanest as the driver had to sweep the buses and wash the windscreen before proceeding on their next journey. The Singapore Traction Company buses operated Nissan buses that makes hell-of-a-lot of noise. One of their decommissioned Nissan buses was converted into a food-and-drink stall for drivers and conductors at the interchange…
The bus fare for us school kids in those days was a flat rate of 10cents per trip. We buy tickets from the conductor that comes around…
I used to play soccer in the car park behind the Paramount Theatre before it was taken over by NTUC Welcome. That was the original name before its present incarnation as NTUC Fairprice…
I remember as a kid going to Paramount to watch classic cowboy movies eg. For a Few Dollars More starring Clint Eastwood, The Good, Bad and the Ugly, The One Arm Swordsman (starring David Chiang) – frequently these movies were released via weekend Midnight shows to open the season (frontstalls 50cents, backstalls $1 and Circle seats $1.50). Next to Chomp Chomp where the SG sports clubhouse was located, there was an open football/soccer field which I used join a group of local kids taking turns at kicking the ball into a netless goalpost, most of us with our barefoot – couldn’t afford football boots or anything – sometimes I would have my school canvas shoes on. For those who could afford shoes, they were wearing the black canvas studded shoes that were meant for field hockey. Next to Paramount where the Gilano Pizza was located, there used to be a bakery (fresh sliced white bread and french loaves) – freshly baked and delivered by a chinese man on his bicycle to our house – 25 or 30 cents a loaf of sliced bread competing with the Cold Storage brand.
TC: That’s the Serangoon Garden Bakery. It closed down many years back. It’s now reduced to a stall in Serangoon Garden Market bearing the same name:
http://ieatishootipost.sg/2009/05/serangoon-gardens-bakery-and.html
Update: The Hokkien Mee seller is back in action after his recuperation. I think his name is Ah Hock… Be prepared to wait anywhere from 20-30 minutes if you order on a Saturday.
Remember the stalls selling one of the best Malay food in Singapore, that used to line the street opposite the Botanical Gardens beside the Gleneagles Hospital? They shifted to Serangoon Garden Market…
Correction: Ang Sar Lee (红砂厘) means red ZINC roof in Hokkien because of the many red zinc roof houses that dotted the place…
There used to be a Garden Bookstore at the corner in the same row as the present OCBC. The owner shifted to a shop in Khatib. I bumped into her twice in her present shop…
Yes…I am from Serangoon Garden North Primary School and later Serangoon Garden Secondary…formerly Lichfield Secondary School… I think. Yes, the rivalry was there but was fun. Remember they used to have British Military Excercises and the landing of helicopters blew away! When the field between the two primary schools was flooded … We played soccer polo! LOL! I remembered I was canned by Ms Baruch (Indian Principal) when I trespassed during the military Excercises.
Melvyn: You must be my senior. During my time, Mrs Selveratnam was the principal.
We used to fly kites during the recess and some it it would get stuck on the roof where there’s a weather vane with an ornamental rooster.
When the torrential rains cascaded down in sheets, the area next to the big canal would flood providing us with an instant swimming pool…
Serangoon Garden North School was later taken over by Serangoon Garden South School. Now both has been swallowed up by the French International School just across the canal… French educational colonization…
Can still recall many of the names of my Primary 6A classmates from Serangoon Garden North School in 1972:
Form Teacher: Miss Mabel Oo. Mrs. Mabel Wong, when she got married. She looks like an Eurasian with very sharp features.
BOYS
- Teo Guan Joo
- Chan Hui
- Tan Chao Hsiung (Still living in Braemar Drive, Serangoon Gardens)
- Fong Ban Lee (Used to live in Kensington Park Road. Used to work with Sumitomo)
- Tay Joo Kiat
- Neo Cheng Heng (Became a ballet dancer)
- Ng Kay Yong
- Parathaman s/o Ganapathi (My best friend. Used to live in Jalan Kelulut)
- Lim Tiong Hu
- Khamis bin Khidi (Used to live in Blk 126 Toa Payoh Lor 1)
- Boey Chee Cheong (Used to live in Porchester Avenue)
- Tan Wee Loi (Was with LTA)
- Chan Soon San
- Yang Ting Jong (?)
GIRLS
- Alice Eappen
- Chan Siok Meng (Married to a pastor)
- Lee Siew Tian
- Chia Siew Heok (The last time I met her, she was a cashier with Metro)
- Ng Siew Ngo
- Tay Siew Geok
- Cheong Siew Chin (Her family owned a laundry shop in Maju Avenue. Then she shifted to Depot Road)
- Neo Kim Noi (She was a flight stewardess with SIA)
- Soh Dun Dee (Used to live in Kensington Park Road)
- Neo Chee Peng (She worked in Hour Glass selling watches when I last spoke to her)
- Julie Sim (She was a book keeper the last time I spoke to her)
- Toh Keng Gin
Primary 5 (1971)
- Adeline Bay (A Malaysian. She was in my class only in Primary 5)
Primary 1 (1967)
- Lum (or Lam) Mun Teng (She has a distinguishing mole on her arm. A very brilliant girl).
If you are one of them or knows them, can get in touch with me at funnycorn@hotmail.com
Thank you Lau Chiau. Despite apparently being developed by a Brit it was not British Military Quarters, the style is quite different. Medway Park is a bit later but you can see the common design thread there with the earlier quarters. I like the lack of fences between the houses, none of the quarters had fences in those days. Not all married military personnel were entitled to quarters for their families, especially NCO’s and some of the quarters were not as spacious and were flats and not gardens. The developer and local owners may have spotted a niche market. Interestingly one of the pictures shows to European women with their children The wheeled vehicle does not seem to be a pram, it looks more like a home made “go cart”. We got the wheels for mine at Sungei Road. The names are quite eclectic but I believe that deeper research will show that they all have a common thread of an old castle or perhaps big house or defended place.
PS, the land was originally part of the Sembawang Rubber Estate
What a ride down memory lane. My Poh- poh’s house in crow hurst drive holds fond memories including a British family who rented the house next door.they were party animals who partied on till the early,early hours of the morning. When at last my aunty could not take it any more and all requests failed, she got the most powerful amplifier and record player she could get and placed the speakers over the fence. After the Cliff Richard and Beatles records were shut down, she gave them about half an hour to fall asleep, then turned on at full blast the Chinese wayang crash boom bang concert. Peace did come to roost needless to say.
What a great walk down memory lane. I lived on Worthing Road from 1955 to 1976 and attended the Convent at Cooling Close. Great memories of Ang Sar Lee!
I was trying to do an assignment for my daughter (P2) about a old place that I remember. I decided to look up Serangoon Gardens South School and I found this website. After going through this site, it brought back so much memories from my childhood to an adult. I can still remember all the transitions to the current Serangoon Gardens.
I lived around Serangoon Gardens, around Jalan Pacheli, when I was born till primary 2 before we were forced to move to make way for road leading from now Lorong Chuan to Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 ( towards CTE ) ( Exact current location should be Golden Rise ). My Dad brought a house along Tavistock Avenue where I lived ( Dad, Mum and 3 brothers ) for a another 22 years ( 1978 ~ 2000 ).
Attended Serangoon Gardens South School. I recalled having seen North School having a funny rule of everyone “freezing” when end of recess bell is rang, and resuming when another bell is rung. I thought that was quite fun.
I still can remember talking bus rides from the interchange at the Circus before it was shifted and converted to a carpark. I still have very fond memories of the place.
There used to be a burger joint “Buddy’s”??? In the ’70s where Gaurdian Pharmacy now stands.
There used to be a grocery store “Chop Chua Seng” where Borsch steakhouse now stands.
Next to Caltex on Lorong Chuan, there used to be a very smelly rubber factory.
In the ’60s and ’70s Chiselhurst grove used to lead to a muddy path which is now the Li Hwan and Tai Hwan area, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 was built around this time. Before that, the only road leading to Braddell road was via Lorong Chuan.
Burger Buddy 1980 to 1983 ?- the burgers and fires were so so but the fried chicken was good, available in small portions until KFC opened so the lady boss gave bigger portions. Man, she was bosomy, or was it padded bra? Guess she in her 60s now. Sure fantasized about her leading me down the carnal path…
Have just returned from a trip to Singapore as part of a cruise to Thailand, Vietnam and Hongkong. I took a little time to go back to SGE and though some of the names had changed I still found my way to Jalan Pacheli though the small cul de sac next to our old house (no 48) was now a through road . Found Burghley drive and Carisbrook ave virtually untouched by time and then made our way to my other house on Hillside drive (Hillside Terrace) and that was exactly as we has left it 45 years ago Even managed to have a chat with the current resident. the circus was jst the same although the names of the various shops and cafes had changed. Thanks to a very good taxi driver……..and a good tip we found our way round very very well
Agnes says :
When our family first moved into Serangoon Gardens in the late 60s, I remember that after shopping at the old High Street, and laden with shopping bags, when we hailed taxis and told the drivers we wanted to go to “ang sar lee”, they refused to drive us home because at that time it was considered so “ulu” that the drivers didn’t think they would get any return passengers after they dropped us!
Amusingly, even though the taxi drivers now know where Serangoon Gardens is and are willing to take you there, most of them can’t find their way around the Groves/Drives and Avenues! Only the residents can direct the taxi drivers.
Does anyone remember there was also a Burger King at one time where the Paramount Theatre used to stand?
Burger King came much later than Fitz Patrick supermaket and the roller skating ring…. There was also Buddies where Cheers is now.
This is really a fantastic piece!
what about mubarak bookstore and than was taken over by buddy’s
This brings back a great deal of memories. The North school/South school rivalry . I attended
North school from 1960-1965 and Miss P.Baruch was the principal.Watching “cowboy” movies at
Paramount on Sat. mornings (50 cents).The market stalls along Kensington Park Drive (before the SG market was built).Though I don’t recall “red zinc” roofs only red tiled roofs ! The fish&chip shop a couple of doors away from Dr. Fernandes’s clinic and the NAAFI across the road from that (where time in bottle is).
Gardens a great neighbourhood !!!
I must be your one year senior. I think my Primary 1 is 1959 and Miss Baruch was my principal. I was very active in extra-curricular activities but mainly soccer for the school team. The Fish and Chips shop was ‘Allens Fish & Chips’ … those days it was something of a luxury. I played football for the Sports Club then with the Singh brothers of Diljit, Harjit and Jargit (hope I did not spell it wrong). Another group of Malay brothers who played for the club were Dean, Zailani, Zainis and another brother which I currently can’t recalled.
My brother represented Singapore in Soccer in the Sixties before he left for studies in London.
Oh my….it sure brings back memories…wish I can turn back time.I too grew up in Gardens…i was one of the few malay family who lived there…i stayed in portchester evenue…it was singapore 19 than…i still remember the phone number…it was 289542
i remember the family doctor…doctor fernandez….i ran round circles around him whenever he had to give me an injection back than…d needle to me back than looked like it was a foot long
i remember d old fashion fish n chips shop where it was wrapped in newspaper and d vinegar was just out of this world…
i remember cheng san kampong…one could just go in and it was like so deep and like no ending..simply love it! i also remember kampong hwi yoh….had so much fun there as well.
i played football and was quite active at d old club where they had 2 billaird tables….and a couple of jackpot machines..i sure hope with all this info, i might be able to meet any of my old friends here…anybody remember d famous Adrian Lim?…yup..he lived in Gardens as well…always on his scooter and a loner…fierce too.
i used to play football too with me grago friends at the st Francis X’vier church field…altar boys they were known as….
i too studied at serangoon gardens north school….Mr Chua was my form teacher.Was a svchool prefect,represented school in football and was also the school’s drum major for the brass band…
i sure hope to bump into any of my friends back than here……..thnks for your time..
My grandfather bought a house at 36 Crowhurst Drive back in the 60s, and that was the first house I lived in since birth. Went to Serangoon Garden South School between 1990 and 1995. Still remember the BK at Paramount and the Serangoon Garden Bakery which baked its own bread. Quite a great neighbourhood in those days before estate upgrading – if I needed anything, I would just need to go down Chartwell Drive to the Circus/Maju Ave area to find the shops. Really hope to buy back that plot at 36 Crowhurst Drive, but since the last price was over $5M, may take a while to get there…
Grew up in SG in the 70s and 80s. Still have roots there. Got to know the 2 boys who were manning NIB bookstore for their Inidan Boss. Was told NIB was named after a family membership of the owner. Believe it was ‘Nora Ini Bookstore”. Anyone remember the rattan seller whose entire family lives just door to NIB? He made great rattan furniture. My late dad bought a rocking chair from him ages ago and it is still working. Also, there was the Hong Seng bookstore under the Paramount Cinema billboard before the owner made it big and bought a shophouse a few doors away from Dr Fernandez’s Garden Dispensary.
Is this the NIB bookstore?
(Photo Credit: http://angeliatay.livejournal.com/385992.html)
I livd in serangoon 1963 and remember the shops curry houses bars cinema and of course the Amhas market what wonderful memories !!
This is just so heartwarming. Such history and love for the place!
Reading the list of comments and trying to place shop names and developments over the years is a wee bit confusing. Any thoughts on developing a page with a map which allows readers to date and annotate their memories? And when the final product is complete, have it play like a video/documentary of memories?
Next month I will be returning to Singapore where I served until 1969. We lived in a brand new house in Jalan Pacheli off Burghley drive. My daughter now over 50 is coming back with me but I gather much of Serangoon circus has been demolished. We remember The Captains Cabin, The Canberra bar and the Ocean bar with great affection but we must go and have a look. It was a wonderful environment to bring up me 2 children. Every year we hold a reunion in England for those days when we served at RAF Seletar (we were army, 19 Signal Regiment) and every year the memories flood back. What a great place to live and a great place to serve.So is anything left of the old Serangoon Circus. Will we recognise it ?
The roads are unchanged, and the low rise shops are intact. But the businesses have changed. I remember our Scottish neighbors with great fondness but I have unsuccessful in finding them. Any suggestion?
Well Peter first of all were they RAF or army I still have contact with some of the Royal Signals personnel from those wonderful days. If they were RAF it may be a little more difficult but I could try. What year was that?
John: The Serangoon Garden circus is still there – the road is a little wider to accommodate the buses which drop off and pick up passengers. The Captains Cabin and Canberra Bar shop locations have change ownership hands quite a few times since 1969 and are now housed by other local restaurants. You will find the surroundings similar except for larger and expanded houses build over the original single and or 2 storey houses. The open drains which I used to play hide and seek in Penshurst Place and all other open drains throughout Serangoon Gardens are now covered over with sidewalks. Although I don’t live there anymore but do visit every few years when I return from the USA. I am now 55 yrs old but remember my childhood days in the 60s playing with kids my age from England, Australia and New Zealand as well as a few local boys.
I am sure you will have lots of fun as you reminisce during your visit and walk/drive through the streets of Serangoon Gardens.
Best Regards,
Tony
Thanks for the reply Tony sad to know those “haunts” are now long gone but I am sure we will enjoy the experience. I used to cycle to Seletar every day rain or shine. Boy was I fit then. I am 75 so this was my 75th birthday present from the family.getting excited though I have been back alone on three occasions and the last time my neighbours who were Indian still lived at the same house and took me out for the evening Thanks again.
John, by any chance you rented the Gardens house from a Eurasian lady who used to collect rent from you on behalf of the owner?
Sorry Jennifer but it’s so long ago can’t really remember. All I know is that it was the fifth house down on the left hand side as you come down the hill from Burgley drive and next to a short cul de sac which is now a main road back into the gardens. If I remember rightly though the lady who owned it was quite a well built Chinese (unusual for a Chinese to be so big.) ..but then again I may be wrong. My daughter will; remember the number though so I will send this to her also…….Why do you ask ?
I lived in SGE as a small child in the mid 60′s. with my parents and older siblings. My Dad was in the RAF, and I went to Seletar Primary School. What sticks in my mind is the most yummy creamed mushrooms on toast in the Ocean Bar
Hi Fiona. My daughter Pam (Pamela Hill) went to the same school at the same time as you. I was a PONGO but stationed at RAF Seletar (19 Signal regiment). Do you have any school photos
Hi John, We lived in Walmer Drive the street opposite the market from the early 50′s to late 60′s. My Mum used to rent houses to the forces, be it from UK or Australia on behalf of the Chinese owners. I was a young girl and she worked very hard and used to travel on foot to collect their rent and also on their behalf, pay their utility bills for a mere -20cents so that their payment would be on time and it would not be cut off.Some tenants would what she called ‘the moonlight flit’ and leave the house without letting her know. She got around this by going direct to the head of their forces. She was well known in SGE. Its interesting to have read all the various news of the early days and the memories just keep flowing in. We are now in Sydney but both my parents have passed on. Thanks for your reply.
Returned to Jalan Pacheli and Hillside drive a couple of weeks ago. Nothing much has changed except the Captains cabin, Ocean bar abd Canberra bar are under a different name but generally speaking, the whole estate looked very much as it did 50 Years ago except where our house in Jalan pacheli was on a cul de sac, it is now a main road to heavens knows where, somewhere in SGE I suspect. All the “Jungle” at the back of the house has gone. It was very very pleasant to see it all again.
Hello everyone, I started a group to share memories of growing up in Serangoon Gardens in the 50s, 60 and 70s. Please join ask in Facebook at the following link, we’d love to have you on board to share your memories and photos. Looking forward to seeing you there!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/288096541221505/