I often get stopped in the street by readers of Pullyman who have had their memories jogged by something that has been mentioned in the column.

Nostalgia is the glue that keeps us together and the longer we live is the more that we have to remember and, sadly, the less folk that are left to share it with.

Regular readers may recall that, a few months ago, I had a crash landing in Victoria Street.

You know how the saying goes, about your whole life flashing before your eyes?

Well that did not happen to me, but as I was lying, stretched full length on the pavement, waiting for a good Samaritan to turn up and set me back on my feet, I do recall trying to remember the name of the shoe shop that was once situated just up the road.

So here I am, back on my feet, and wandering up and down Victoria Street and the side streets that join it.

Once upon a time, Victoria Street was two way traffic, as was Ridgeway Street.

The busy junction at the top end was controlled by a policeman on point duty.

He was a brave man. To do his job, he really needed six arms and eyes in the back of his head.

In those days, Victoria Street and district was a busy and important part of the Douglas shopping centre.

At the top end, on the corner shared with Ridgeway Street, you will find the longest survivor in this part of town and probably, when I think about it, one of the oldest names in Douglas. It is of course, Colebourn’s TV shop.

I well remember Saturday afternoons, when part of the routine was to meet your mates at Colebourn’s and squeeze into one of those cupboards with seats, and listen to the latest records that we couldn’t afford to buy.

If you take a stroll, or in my case, a limp up and down the current Victoria Street, your first thought could well be on the number of coffee shops, takeaways, and places to eat and drink.

There are beauticians, estate agents, house builders, mortgage providers and advocates.

I’m sure that you can see where this is all leading.

Correct! There are hardly any shops.

Victoria Street has joined the club of ’used to be’ shopping centres.

I can remember, as I’m sure you can too, Wallace the Jewellers, Cubbon and Bregazzi with their exclusive furnishings and Blakemore’s music shop, that always had a grand piano on show in the window.

Blakemore’s later became Manx Radio Rentals television and radio shop.

I suppose that the demand for grand pianos would be somewhat limited.

There was Curtis’ fishmongers, Black’s fireplaces, Turner’s butchers, Bon Marche and Garey Corneil, outfitters, a bridal wear shop, and Burtons menswear.

Not to be overlooked was the specialist grocer Victoria Stores and (I think) Sayles drapers, Bell the tobacconists and two of the all-time stars of Manx shopping, Boot’s chemists and Gelling’s Foundry.

The busy street was also home to three ’proper’ pubs.

The Shakespeare, the Salisbury and the unforgettable Yates’ Wine Lodge.

And finally a couple of landmarks that I’m sure would be a welcome addition to any town centre were the Regal Cinema and the Municipal Public Baths.

Then, if we could move the aptly named Victoria Clock back to it’s rightful position in the middle of the road, it would be a suitable full stop to a little collection of memories.

Anyway, as usually happens when I try to remember more than two or three things at one time, I will make mistakes.

Your comments or corrections are always welcome.

And finally, the name of the shoe shop that started me off was Stead and Simpson.

Next week I think that we shall have a chat about driving.

Does experience make up for old age?

A decade ago Pullyman - aka Michael Cowin - was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, a condition that affects people in different ways. Michael discovered writing and Island Life is featuring some of his musings. Sometimes topical, sometimes nostalgic, read about life as seen through the eyes of Pullyman