I am Dr Brenda K Gerwat-Clark, owner of Granny’s Goodies antique doll, teddy bear and dolls house shop at 96 Kirkdale, SE26. I have had 14 other shops over the years, all in North London and now I am back to roost in Kirkdale. I also do doll and bear hospital in my studio.
How long have you lived in the area?
I grew up here then moved to Canada. I went to University in San Francisco, returning from America 10 years later.
What brought you here?
I returned to England to get married and raise my family.
What has changed most during that time?
Everything is much more organized i.e. doctors usually had their practice in their own home.
What do you most value about the street you live in?
Parking is not a problem!
What one thing would you change?
There was a pub and six shops. Now no pub and only two shops are left sadly.
What’s the one thing you couldn’t do without?
The Forest Hill Society
The most famous person you’ve seen or met?
The Queen.
Do you belong to any groups?
The Forest Hill Society and the Forest Hill Classic Car Club.
Describe your perfect weekend
When my children and grandchildren visit me.
What is your favourite place to eat?
A little place in Tinos, a Greek Island.
Cafe, pub or bar?
Pub: The Railway Telegraph, Forest Hill.
What is your favourite shop?
My own! Granny’s Goodies.
Where’s your favourite place to walk?
Horniman Museum Gardens.
When I want to relax…
The swinging hammock in my garden.
If money was no object…
A yellow Lambourgini!
The book I’m reading at the moment…
I have just bought at auction 60 out-of-print books on antique dolls and teddy bears and I am going through them all.
My perfect holiday…
At my little holiday home in Greece.
My secret ambition..
No secret ones, if I really have an ambition, I work hard towards it.
Granny’s Goodies
96 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4BG
www.grannys-goodies.co.uk
Pictured above with her two daughters Naomi and Leona.
This feature first appeared in the September 2015 issue of SE23 magazine.