Jim Windsors

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Tue 20 Jan, 2009 1:30 pm

BLAKEY wrote: Trojan wrote: Trojan wrote: BLAKEY wrote: There was also a colossal excellent public cafe which occupied the entire first floor (I think it was first floor though possibly second) of the Windsor's premises. I've had many a good wholesome lunch there - waitress service as well !! - for a very reasonable price. Many of the older waitresses in Leeds used to move from one famous cafe to another. One excellent lady in particular Kitty (real name we understood to be Sylvesta) worked there for a good while as well as at Sherwins Lands Lane and others. Happy days. Would that be Craven Dairies? Or Gilpins? Mmmmm - a puzzling thought that, Lads. I'm still certain though, with respect, that it was Windsor's, and was on either the first or second floor - either above or below Windsor's Commercial Club - certainly it involved entering Windsor's narrow doorway on Vicar lane, and climbing up stairs to the cafe.Where oh where is Kitty (Sylvesta) - she could tell us for sure !! On second thoughts Gilpins may have been part of the markets buildng. I used to deliver bread there, we'd park in the middle of Vicar Lane to unload - unpopular with buses I bet - it was 47 years ago so my memory may be playing me tricks.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Tue 20 Jan, 2009 1:47 pm

Trojan wrote: BLAKEY wrote: Trojan wrote: Trojan wrote: BLAKEY wrote: There was also a colossal excellent public cafe which occupied the entire first floor (I think it was first floor though possibly second) of the Windsor's premises. I've had many a good wholesome lunch there - waitress service as well !! - for a very reasonable price. Many of the older waitresses in Leeds used to move from one famous cafe to another. One excellent lady in particular Kitty (real name we understood to be Sylvesta) worked there for a good while as well as at Sherwins Lands Lane and others. Happy days. Would that be Craven Dairies? Or Gilpins? Mmmmm - a puzzling thought that, Lads. I'm still certain though, with respect, that it was Windsor's, and was on either the first or second floor - either above or below Windsor's Commercial Club - certainly it involved entering Windsor's narrow doorway on Vicar lane, and climbing up stairs to the cafe.Where oh where is Kitty (Sylvesta) - she could tell us for sure !! On second thoughts Gilpins may have been part of the markets buildng. I used to deliver bread there, we'd park in the middle of Vicar Lane to unload - unpopular with buses I bet - it was 47 years ago so my memory may be playing me tricks. Yes, for some reason I can remember the signage above Gilpins - it had a cream background with plain lettering in maroon. It was certainly on that stretch of Vicar Lane as you say, but was no doubt "a cut above" the Windsor's cafe which was down to earth but served good honest food at really great prices, especially for waitress service - I'd better be careful using that word now, or some PC nutter will be saying I ought to say "waitperson."

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Tue 20 Jan, 2009 2:10 pm

BLAKEY wrote: Trojan wrote: BLAKEY wrote: Trojan wrote: Trojan wrote: BLAKEY wrote: There was also a colossal excellent public cafe which occupied the entire first floor (I think it was first floor though possibly second) of the Windsor's premises. I've had many a good wholesome lunch there - waitress service as well !! - for a very reasonable price. Many of the older waitresses in Leeds used to move from one famous cafe to another. One excellent lady in particular Kitty (real name we understood to be Sylvesta) worked there for a good while as well as at Sherwins Lands Lane and others. Happy days. Would that be Craven Dairies? Or Gilpins? Mmmmm - a puzzling thought that, Lads. I'm still certain though, with respect, that it was Windsor's, and was on either the first or second floor - either above or below Windsor's Commercial Club - certainly it involved entering Windsor's narrow doorway on Vicar lane, and climbing up stairs to the cafe.Where oh where is Kitty (Sylvesta) - she could tell us for sure !! On second thoughts Gilpins may have been part of the markets buildng. I used to deliver bread there, we'd park in the middle of Vicar Lane to unload - unpopular with buses I bet - it was 47 years ago so my memory may be playing me tricks. Yes, for some reason I can remember the signage above Gilpins - it had a cream background with plain lettering in maroon. It was certainly on that stretch of Vicar Lane as you say, but was no doubt "a cut above" the Windsor's cafe which was down to earth but served good honest food at really great prices, especially for waitress service - I'd better be careful using that word now, or some PC nutter will be saying I ought to say "waitperson." Non-gender specific food service operative - please

dogduke · Post by **dogduke** » Tue 20 Jan, 2009 3:17 pm

I used to frequent the Commercial Club in the sixties.Used to have a Sunday lunchtime session there.One night during the week was 'Con Secs'night where a lot of turns would perform for the Concert Secretaries from the local working mens clubs could book them.All right for a game of snooker-decent tables.

Chrism · Post by **Chrism** » Tue 20 Jan, 2009 3:25 pm

Is this it? Gilpins? http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... AY=FULLThe user comment seems to explain it.

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Tue 20 Jan, 2009 6:35 pm

Chrism wrote: Is this it? Gilpins? http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... AY=FULLThe user comment seems to explain it. Yes. When I was 14/15 I worked on Newboulds (Sunblest)vans helping to deliver bread as a Saturday and school Holidays job (do they still have those?) I used to get all over West Yorkshire, Huddersfield, Hemsworth, Harrogate, Dewsbury, Bradford (in the middle of a smallpox scare) and Leeds. Newboulds had recently taken over a Leeds bakery called Prices and Gilpins were their customer.

dogduke · Post by **dogduke** » Wed 21 Jan, 2009 2:30 pm

There was a story at one time,true or false I don't know about Jim.One of his regular customers was literally on his uppers.The sole of one shoe had parted from the upper and was flapping.On seeing this Jim offered to help,he took out of his pocket a wad of pound notes and gave the guy the rubber band off them to keep his shoe from flapping !!!

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 11 Jun, 2010 2:11 pm

I remember the animated racehorses. I loved to see that. I also recall an animated Babycham neon sign which was on a closeby building - not certain which but perhaps on the wall of the building where the transport office is. Both animations seem to have been long gone.

carith · Post by **carith** » Fri 11 Jun, 2010 6:25 pm

Did Jim Windsor have a betting shop on Kirkstall Road in the 60s.