Farewell MyQueenstown #4 - Gillman Village
The evening sunlight shimmers through the thick canopy for the last few times in this laid back enclave. Persistent honking from those impatient drivers and hurried foot steps of the city dwellers appear miles away. Sitting down on a wooden rattan chair and sipping over a cup of cappuccino in an aroma-filled pizza house seems to be a kind of pleasure while conversing with friends whom you haven't met in years. Nearby, the birds are humming a melody and the branches are swaying gracefully with the wind. Escaping the concrete jungle and everything stressful, I felt so welcomed yet emotional. Welcomed because of the friendly and sincere people. Emotional because I have to say goodbye - to another place at the outskirts of Queenstown.
Gillman Village, located at Lock road, is a quaint hub of restaurants, pubs and furniture shops frequented by office workers and expatriate families. Formerly known as the Gillman Barracks, it used to house the British army and later, some units of the Singapore Armed Forces. For those who crave the old world charm of Singapore's colonial history without any makeover in the mould of Rochester Park or Dempsey, Gillman is definitely the place to go after work in the evening or at night. -From Tonight@MyQueenstown
Farewell Gillman Village
Gillman Village, located at Lock road, is a quaint hub of restaurants, pubs and furniture shops frequented by office workers and expatriate families. Formerly known as the Gillman Barracks, it used to house the British army and later, some units of the Singapore Armed Forces. For those who crave the old world charm of Singapore's colonial history without any makeover in the mould of Rochester Park or Dempsey, Gillman is definitely the place to go after work in the evening or at night. -From Tonight@MyQueenstown
Gillman Barracks in 1957
Gillman Village in 2010
The Corridors of 'Fragipani' Building
The same Corridor today
By the end of February, this laidback enclave will be emptied out. The 4.5 ha plot of state land has been earmarked by the Economic Development Board (EDB) for redevelopment into a permier location for art and creative business. In its heydays, Gillman Village was home to 14 tenants operating an eclectic mix of bars and restaurants. For the workers, residents and frequent patrons to the rustic village, nothing seems to go right.
The rustic old town charm of Gillman Village
Mr Chow, 66, has worked in Gilman Village as a Valet Warden for over 3 years. He enjoys the quiet working environment with a touch of rustic feel with the forestry surroundings. He describes Gilman Village as a ' Kampong style' getaway from the urban concrete jungle, even though the place is situated that close to town.
Mr Chow - a valet warden at the Village
Mr Chow even remembered the first batch of National Service enlistees being recruited in this former army barracks during 1949. On the closure of Gilman Village during end of February 2011, Mr Chow expressed a tinge of sadness as he had known the place since when he was a child.
Gates locked
Roads Blocked
The fire's burning... for a little while more
Life's a puzzle.
Home Sweet Home #4 - Everyday's a Beautiful Day
Sankar, 26, has simple expectations about his ideal home. Living in Blk 45 Stirling Road for the past 8 years with his parents, Sankar is happy with his current home in Queenstown. Sankar describes his place as an extremely quiet and cozy place to live in. Having moved over from Clementi about 8 years ago, Sankar and his family chose to reside in Queenstown due to its close proximity to town and also his workplace.
Sankar (right) with mom
Located just opposite the Queenstown Swimming Complex, the view from Blk 45 provides any observer a hint of relaxed man-made scenery as well. The swimming pool brings about a certain sparkle to it during the day, as the afternoon sunlight shines upon it. Queenstown residents can be seen spending their day either sunbathing, or swimming in the clean blue pool. Sankar often spends his day after work, sitting outside his flat in the corridor reading his book where it is cool and windy.
Swimming Pool Opposite Blk 45
Overall, Sankar feels that his house in Stirling Road is generally a good place to live in. However, there are some problems as well. During the night, food is rather difficult to obtain as there are no shopping centres or shops around the area. The closest place to get food during wee hours is the Tanglin Halt hawker centre. In addition, police patrols are a common sight in Blk 45 at night and as Sankar suspects, due to the high crime rates in the region.
Sankar and his family in the rented apartment
Even though he is rather contented to live in his current apartment, Sankar is looking forward to the promised developments to Queenstown central. He has no intentions to move away and he prefers living in the West, as it is where he had lived in all his life. 'A home should be somewhere you can be safe in and get whatever necessities that you need.'
Clothes hung at the corridor to dry
Editor's note: Life can be simple and beautiful for Sankar and his family even though they stay in a rented apartment and their living conditions are incomparable living in the upscale districts in the estate. Being happy is the way to go in life =)
MyQueenstown Panorama #3 - Lunar New Year Blues
Lunar New Year is round the corner and many residents in Queenstown are busy stocking up goodies and drinks in preparation for this joyous occasion. Tentages and bazaars have sprouted around the estate as businesses attempt to seize this once-in-a-year opportunity to earn more revenue.
However, as inflation in Singapore has accelerated to its quickest pace in two years in December, where the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 4.6 per cent on-year. While transport costs galloped 12.8%, housing and food were more expensive in December. Food prices increased 2.1%. As a larger portion of the residents in Queenstown are lower middle income earners, will they feel the pinch? Let's find out!
However, as inflation in Singapore has accelerated to its quickest pace in two years in December, where the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 4.6 per cent on-year. While transport costs galloped 12.8%, housing and food were more expensive in December. Food prices increased 2.1%. As a larger portion of the residents in Queenstown are lower middle income earners, will they feel the pinch? Let's find out!
New Year Festive Season at Tanglin Halt
Johnson, 60, lives in Tanglin Halt. This Chinese New Year, he shopped for dried food products from both Sheng Siong and Chinatown. Food products include dried products such as plums, nuts and sweets. He thinks that there is a 10% increase in food prices. Besides shopping for food, Johnson also bought quite a number of decorative items which prices he explained, have been stagnant. Gift baskets though, are pretty expensive this year as compared to previous years.
Johnson felt that food prices have surged this year
Take the popular steamboat ingredient, Lettuce or 菠菜, for example. Tanglin Halt residents replied that they have paid 20% more this year for the vegetables.
While prices have surged on this festive occasion, many residents remained candid. Mr Ang, 63, lives in Commonwealth Drive and shops for his New Year goodies from Sheng Shiong in Tanglin Halt. He prefers to get simple items such as sweets, biscuits, soft drinks and mandarin oranges as he does not have many relatives visiting on New Year. He thinks that food prices have gone up slightly due to the economic upturn this year. He does not mind the slight increase in food prices and he thinks that most Singaporeans would also not slacken on their festive purchases.
Mr Ang felt that residents would continue to pay for CNY goodies
Have you felt the pinch already?
Before Dawn @ MyQueenstown #4 - Early Birds at Tanglin Halt Food Centre (Part II)
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Mr Teng was unloading buckets of batter from his van at 3am this morning. Heating the oven and preparing the pancake ingredients at his peanut pancake stall had been part and parcel of his life for the past 40 years. While Mrs Teng was most probably half awake and resting at the benches next to the stall, Mr Teng was roaring away, cleaning his pots and pans while clearing rubbish from the buckets.
Mr Teng takes pride in keeping the stall clean and hygienic. Although heating the oven (which takes only 10 minutes) and preparing the ingredients do not take much time, Mr Teng insists on keeping the interior of his stall spick and span every morning. It is unsurprising that his stall receives an "A" for hygiene!
Pushing a trolley of batter-filled buckets from his van
Mr Teng sleeps at 9.30pm every night and wakes up at 1.30am the following morning. In the past, he could steal a few winks more and wake up later by arriving at the food centre to prepare the batter. However, the lack of space in his stall means that he got to mix the flour and 'beat' the dough at home. He is thankful that he has saved enough money to purchase a van to transport these heavy buckets filled with batter to the food centre. Otherwise, he will find it "tough" to repeat this routine at his age.
Placing the ingredients neatly on the shelves
Heating the oven
As soon as Mr Teng has finished organising the interior of the stall and heating up the oven, he would switch on the main lights of the stall and start selling these lovely pancakes (so he usually starts earlier than his "official" opening time at 5am). It has must tiring to sleep so little every day. So what does Mr Teng do at his free time? Every Monday morning, he would go to a factory in Defu Lane where he rent a machine to roast the peanuts and prepare the mixture.
Tanglin Halt's loveliest Couple =)
Also see: Our recommendations for Tanglin Halt Original Peanut Pancake
Next week: Early Morning Taichi at Tanglin Halt
女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十期
为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻,《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元 《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》,把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。
爱上古早 理发院的年轻人
在古早 理发院 理发后,老板会给你送上温暖的湿毛巾擦拭脸蛋。这古早味理发院 (Sin Palace),今天还找得到吗? omy学生记者和两名摄影爱好者,走入这家位于联邦地铁站附近的理发院——“乐宫理发院”,回味起童年理发的唯美时光。20岁的摄影发烧友素婷认为,摄影并不需要太刻意去区别什么是自己喜欢拍摄。
爱上古早 理发院的年轻人
在古早 理发院 理发后,老板会给你送上温暖的湿毛巾擦拭脸蛋。这古早味理发院 (Sin Palace),今天还找得到吗? omy学生记者和两名摄影爱好者,走入这家位于联邦地铁站附近的理发院——“乐宫理发院”,回味起童年理发的唯美时光。20岁的摄影发烧友素婷认为,摄影并不需要太刻意去区别什么是自己喜欢拍摄。
位于联邦湾的古早理发院
新年前逛杜生坊
新春的脚步近了,得开始办年货了。“邻里四宝”当中的Boy Boy喜欢杜生坊(Dawson Place)的冷气购物环境,这里的产品和服务,从高档到大众化. 日治时期, 杜生成为抗印度国民军基地。1953年这里的英军军营被拆除
Home Sweet Home #3 - I Have a Fish Pond at Home!
Mrs Sze, 50, was busy tending to her household chores when MyQueenstown team visited. Being the first owner of her apartment at Blk 82 Strathmore Avenue, Mrs Sze has resided in this very part of Queenstown for over 15 years. In order to take care of her in-laws, Mrs Sze chose to live in Strathmore Avenue due to the close proximity to her parents' house.
Mrs Sze
As a parent of 3 teenage children, Mrs Sze has to take care of their daily meals and necessary inventories. Besides looking after her children, she also has to juggle that and between her part time career as a tuition teacher. Only after a long day of hustle and bustle can she stop to enjoy the fresh air and feed her beloved fishes in the pond outside her house.
The miniature fish breeding corner was designed by Mr Sze and a lot of attention is put in to ensure the cleanliness of the place. Pebbles are placed along the front of the pond and real potted plants are situated at its side to give a pleasant, rocky beach effect. On rest days, the couple would just pull out a couple of stools and sit next to the pond, enjoying the overall serenity of the entire neighborhood.
Fish Pond outside Mrs Sze's house!
Living next to the Alexandra Linear park has its advantages as well. Mrs Sze and her family are encouraged to exercise more often in the beautiful park which is just under their flat. However, since 1996 where she shifted to Strathmore, new developments have been constantly in progress. Her only regret lies in the fact that she can't see any more beautiful sceneries once Dawson Phase 2 was constructed!
'A home should be a comfortable place for your family, and one should always maintain close relationships with your neighbors', emphasized Mrs Sze on a final note.
Farewell MyQueenstown #3 - Queenstown Poh Piah
For the past 45 years, Mr Lim Tiam Choo's savoury handmade poh piah had tickled the taste buds of many Queenstown residents. Many of us had spent hours queuing up for that elusive combination of that soft and tender poh piah skin wrapping around a thick layer of piping hot mangguang (turnip). Whether rain or shine, Mr Lim would prepare every dish of poh piah earnestly, as if he was making them for the very first time. It's unfortunate to know that he would not be around to make pohpiahs anymore.
Queenstown Poh Piah at Tah Chung Emporium
Mr Lim lived in an attap house in a kampung at Thomson during his childhood days. When he was 20, he decided to set up a small business and borrowed $60 from his relatives and friends. His mom supported him by lending her skills in making poh piah. He rented a trishaw for 50 cents a day and rode them to Tanglin Halt and Margaret Drive. Each poh piah cost 10 cents then. He could sell about 100 poh piahs and earn about $10 each day.
Between 1968 and 1973, he would station his growing pohpiah business at Commonwealth Crescent. New blocks were built at that district and there were many residents patronising his stall. Every evening, he would light a lamp hooked to his trishaw and drove it to places with crowd. His freedom of movement was eventually curtailed by an itinerant hawker act enforced in 1968. He was fined $15 for contravening the act by the NEA officers. Hence, he moved to the Queenstown Shopping Centre (a.k.a. basement of Tah Chung Emporium) in 1973.
Poh Piah Skin at the former Wet Market
In the 1980s, Queenstown was the epicentre of youth and energy. Residents from all over the island would flock to her cinemas, bowling alleys and emporium. Mr Lim's Queenstown Poh Piah was undoubtedly a key attraction in the coffee shop at the basement of Tah Chung Emporium. He started learning techniques of making his own poh piah skin from a Thai friend in 1988. When Queenstown Shopping Centre was demolished in 2000, Mr Lim shifted his famous poh piah stall to Commonwealth Avenue Cooked Food Centre.
Mr Lim has three sons. One of whom expressed a keen interest in making Poh Pia skin. During his semester breaks in his school days, he would help out at his father's stall and learn the tricks in making poh piah skin. Hence, Mr Lim helped him out by preparing the ingredients and renting a stall at the Wet Market.
Mr Lim's greatest satisfaction in his past 45 years was to bring up his children and support his family with his "fruits of labour." At 70 years of age, he felt tired and thought that it was a good time for him to retire.
Editor's Note: Although Mr Lim told us that he did not feel sad at the prospect of retiring, tears swell up in his eyes as he recall all the wonderful experiences he had at Margaret Drive. All good things come to an end... =)
MyQueenstown Panorama #2 - A Difficult Ride to Queenstown Polyclinic
The end of January marks the end of Singapore's most iconic and historically rich neighbourhood since independence. The end of January also provides a thorough headache for residents in Strathmore and Dawson. Not only do they need to contend with difficulties in travelling to Queenstown Polyclinic and the Community Centre, they face problems finding affordable food.
One-fifth to a quarter of Queenstown residents are aged 65 and above. Many of them would visit the 3 year old polyclinic because it is heavily subsidised. Although the interior of the newly built polyclinic is handicapped friendly, arriving at the Polyclinic for appointments and regular checkups has been a hassle for elderly folks living in Mei Ling, Strathmore and Dawson, whether by foot or by bus. Let's find out why in Panorama today!
Residents wrote in the MyQueenstown Team to propose an extension (in Blue) to Bus Service 64 which plies along Mei Ling Street and Alexandra Road. The current route for bus service 64 loops at Mei Ling Street before turning left into Mei Chin Road and then Queensway. In order to transfer residents from Mei Ling Street to the Polyclinic, the bus route can be extended by turning right at the junction of Mei Chin Road and Mei Ling Street before exiting to Commonwealth Avenue. In that way, residents living in Mei Ling, Strathmore and Dawson can hop on a ride on the bus to the Polyclinic!
What do you suggest to solve the problem of inaccessibility? Tell us in our facebook
One-fifth to a quarter of Queenstown residents are aged 65 and above. Many of them would visit the 3 year old polyclinic because it is heavily subsidised. Although the interior of the newly built polyclinic is handicapped friendly, arriving at the Polyclinic for appointments and regular checkups has been a hassle for elderly folks living in Mei Ling, Strathmore and Dawson, whether by foot or by bus. Let's find out why in Panorama today!
Queenstown Polyclinic at Stirling Road
By Foot
Mr Abdullah, 65, used to stay in Stirling Road but have recently shifted to Jalan Bukit Merah. He usually takes a bus to the polyclinic and crosses the overhead bridge in order to visit the doctor. He thinks that the internal infrastructure of the polyclinic is very accessible, even for people in their wheelchairs. The place is user friendly as there are many gentler slopes instead of steps.
Mr Abdullah
However, Abdullah thinks that the overhead bridge is a great obstacle for elderly like himself, as he has to climb the long flight of stairs in order to visit the doctor. The overhead bridge is the only sheltered way to the polyclinic. The other alternative route is impractical as he have to walk a huge distance to cross the traffic light located at the junction of Queensway and Commonwealth Avenue.
Installing an escalator will not be cost effective and it may be more prudent to build an overhead bridge which is wheel chair accessible.
By Bus
It's a different story for residents living in Mei Ling and Dawson. For Mr Ho who lives in Blk 157, Mei Ling Street, the only way for him to get to the Polyclinic is a long walk to Queenstown MRT for Bus Service 51 or a 800m walk to the polyclinic. Similarly, residents living in Blk 80+ Strathmore would have to walk towards the bus stop at Queenstown MRT or opposite Dawson Place for Bus Service 51.
A proposed solution to end this hassle (in Blue); Original Route of Bus Service 64 (in Red)
Residents wrote in the MyQueenstown Team to propose an extension (in Blue) to Bus Service 64 which plies along Mei Ling Street and Alexandra Road. The current route for bus service 64 loops at Mei Ling Street before turning left into Mei Chin Road and then Queensway. In order to transfer residents from Mei Ling Street to the Polyclinic, the bus route can be extended by turning right at the junction of Mei Chin Road and Mei Ling Street before exiting to Commonwealth Avenue. In that way, residents living in Mei Ling, Strathmore and Dawson can hop on a ride on the bus to the Polyclinic!
What do you suggest to solve the problem of inaccessibility? Tell us in our facebook
Top Reads This January!
It had been a great year for MyQueenstown Blog and a great time for us to fill you guys with insights on the history, civic life and aspirations of our beautiful community. New columns were introduced and a new approach was used in improving our content. Let us take a peep at some of the interesting articles posted and what other posts to look out for this January!
Before Dawn @ MyQueenstown
Let us take a peek into what goes on in Queenstown before dawn! Most of us are asleep or playing computer games in this period. Find out more about what our kids are like on their First Day in School (8842 views) and who goes for morning exercise at 4am in Queenstown Stadium (6889 views).
Upcoming Posts: Early Birds at Tanglin Halt Market & Food Centre & Worshippers at Blessed Sacrament Church
Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown
Rearing 50+ animals at home? Or staying in your comfortable house for one last night? Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown will feature interesting snippets about residents in Queenstown. Our first two posts have attracted 12428 and 17209 views respectively, making this column the most popular one!
Farewell MyQueenstown
2011 marks the end of many things in Queenstown. All the old photographs and all the memories will be kept alive - right here! Our first two posts on Commonwealth Avenue Cooked Food Centre attracted over 25,000 readers.
Before Dawn @ MyQueenstown
Let us take a peek into what goes on in Queenstown before dawn! Most of us are asleep or playing computer games in this period. Find out more about what our kids are like on their First Day in School (8842 views) and who goes for morning exercise at 4am in Queenstown Stadium (6889 views).
What goes on Before Dawn@MyQueenstown?
Upcoming Posts: Early Birds at Tanglin Halt Market & Food Centre & Worshippers at Blessed Sacrament Church
Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown
Rearing 50+ animals at home? Or staying in your comfortable house for one last night? Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown will feature interesting snippets about residents in Queenstown. Our first two posts have attracted 12428 and 17209 views respectively, making this column the most popular one!
One last night at Blk 27A
Farewell MyQueenstown
2011 marks the end of many things in Queenstown. All the old photographs and all the memories will be kept alive - right here! Our first two posts on Commonwealth Avenue Cooked Food Centre attracted over 25,000 readers.
Goodbye Commonwealth Avenue Cooked Food Centre
Upcoming Posts: Farewell Queenstown Poh Pia, Farewell Fried Dough Sticks! Farewell NTUC Cooperatives!
MyQueenstown Panorama
An insight into the contemporary social issues in Queenstown from high-rise littering (8445 views) to high costs of living faced by Queenstown folks during the onset of inflation.
High Rise Littering in Queenstown
Upcoming Posts: Calls for Feeder Service!; Things I can't afford in Queenstown
Before Dawn @ MyQueenstown #3 - Early Birds at Tanglin Halt Food Centre (Part I)
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Mr Chua Ah Nan, 61, was preparing the ingredients for braising the duck meat when MyQueenstown Team arrived at 2am. Chilli sauce was poured into a traditional vat while spring onion was chopped and placed into a plastic container. Then, Mr Chua sat on the bench outside his hawker stall patiently while waiting for the duck to be ready.
Waking up at 12am and coming to the hawker stall to prepare braised duck has been a routine for Mr Chua for the past 41 years. "Tanglin Halt Delicious Duck Noodle" or 东陵福美味鸭面 was established by Mr Chua's father-in-law 46 years ago. It started out as an itinerant hawker at Teochew Street in Clark Quay where Mr Chua's wife would assist her father in selling braised duck to coolies and workers. Mr Chua's father-in-law was an expert in making delicious braised duck and he taught Mr Chua to use duck bones and herbs in the braised sauce before simmering the duck over a small fire for 3 hours.
"I had to make a living," was what Mr Chua explained when we asked him why he would rather sacrifice his sleep or have such an irregular sleeping time. A few years ago, he used to open his stall during evenings. However, there was a change in meal preference in Tanglin Halt and residents hardly go out to hawker centres in the evening and at night for meals any more.
Mr Chua is preparing the braised duck
Still Closed!
Waking up at 12am and coming to the hawker stall to prepare braised duck has been a routine for Mr Chua for the past 41 years. "Tanglin Halt Delicious Duck Noodle" or 东陵福美味鸭面 was established by Mr Chua's father-in-law 46 years ago. It started out as an itinerant hawker at Teochew Street in Clark Quay where Mr Chua's wife would assist her father in selling braised duck to coolies and workers. Mr Chua's father-in-law was an expert in making delicious braised duck and he taught Mr Chua to use duck bones and herbs in the braised sauce before simmering the duck over a small fire for 3 hours.
1972 at Tanglin Halt Market
"I had to make a living," was what Mr Chua explained when we asked him why he would rather sacrifice his sleep or have such an irregular sleeping time. A few years ago, he used to open his stall during evenings. However, there was a change in meal preference in Tanglin Halt and residents hardly go out to hawker centres in the evening and at night for meals any more.
Chilli Sauce in a Vat
The braised duck noodle is a hearty breakfast meal for many city dwellers who got up to work early in the morning. Taxi drivers, students and delivery men streamed in when Mr Chua opens his stall officially at 4am for a taste of traditionally made noodles. Generations of Tanglin Halt residents have definitely tried his braised duck noodles. Whether it is a rainy or sunny day, Mr Chua will always open his stall promptly at 4pm. When most of us are asleep, he is cooking up a delicious breakfast for us. He's certainly a hero, at before dawn in Queenstown =)
Lights on!
What do you think about Mr Chua's cooking skills? Tell us here!
Catch the early birds in Tanglin Halt Food Centre next week!
女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第九期
为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻,《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元 《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》,把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。
联邦道熟食中心将搬迁
原定今年6月清空的联邦道第40A座小贩中心和附近几座组屋的商店,搬迁期限获展延至2011年2月,让小贩和店主有多八个月的时间另寻落脚处2005年底,政府宣布仅存的小贩中心、第27A和第39A座组屋以及玛格烈通道第6C座组屋和第34A座停车场也必须拆除,让路给日后兴建的新一代组屋。
打假期工,走入大人的社会
德兰中学的潘万莉(16岁)打假期工的经历,就愉快得多。她从中二开始,就在女皇镇购物中心的男性街头服装店“Fresh”当店员。两年来,每到假期都回去打临时工,是她...具有伸缩性的上班时间,适合我们这些学生。” 在专卖体育用品和年轻人服装的女皇镇购物中心工作,难免遇到一些血气方刚的青少年
联邦道熟食中心将搬迁
原定今年6月清空的联邦道第40A座小贩中心和附近几座组屋的商店,搬迁期限获展延至2011年2月,让小贩和店主有多八个月的时间另寻落脚处2005年底,政府宣布仅存的小贩中心、第27A和第39A座组屋以及玛格烈通道第6C座组屋和第34A座停车场也必须拆除,让路给日后兴建的新一代组屋。
当局给予小贩和店主的搬迁期限原是2010年6月30日。但据小贩中心联谊会会长胡创尊透露,他们后来获知组屋居民实际上是2011年2月才需搬走,因此请求丹戎巴葛集选区议员马炎庆代为同当局商量,让小贩也延后到同个时间搬走。他也说,小贩中心至今还在营业的摊位有46个,其中只有四个找到地方搬迁。当小贩和店主获知好消息时,他们的心情是矛盾的,因为一方面为能延长营业期感到开心,
另一方面,却始终得面对搬走的事实。在小贩中心营业了20年的粥品和海鲜汤小贩郑耀成(69岁)说:“就算延长多几个月,最终还是要搬。如果这里可以重建,我会更开心。” 问及明年有什么打算,他耸肩反问:“别的地方租金那么贵,像我们这样的老人,如何跟年轻人竞争呢?”他说,自己之前曾在环境局安排下,看过另一些小贩中心的空置摊位,但选择不多,而且有些的地点实在太远了。
另外,在第6C座组屋楼下经营Go Sports滑板店的吴龙船(56岁),原本打算在6月办一场告别会,之后再搬到荷兰弄。他笑说,告别会现在不得不展期了。另一方面,一些之前已在别处顶下摊位或店面的小贩和店主,却对这样的事态进展感到不满。据吴龙船所知,一些店主在接到消息时,正准备为新店面下定金,顿时感到进退两难。而最近刚搬到旧联邦道湿巴刹原址的一名吴姓鸡饭摊主,就觉得这对早有规划的人不公平。他申诉,搬到新地点后,租金不仅比以前贵许多,生意更比在小贩中心略逊一筹。
打假期工,走入大人的社会
德兰中学的潘万莉(16岁)打假期工的经历,就愉快得多。她从中二开始,就在女皇镇购物中心的男性街头服装店“Fresh”当店员。两年来,每到假期都回去打临时工,是她...具有伸缩性的上班时间,适合我们这些学生。” 在专卖体育用品和年轻人服装的女皇镇购物中心工作,难免遇到一些血气方刚的青少年
Home Sweet Home #2 - My Lovely Home, for One Last Night
One might recognize the familiar faces of Mr Goh Leong Joo,70 and Mdm Mary Ang,60 when walking past the row of shop houses at block 27A next to Queenstown MRT station. The friendly couple had run Goh Leong Joo Provision Shop at Block 27A #01-276 for the past 40 years. Serving residents and commuters transiting at the nearby bus stop everyday, their provision shop was one of the mandatory drop-by shops for daily necessities or simply cigarettes or drinks among many Queenstown residents.
Closed for good
Sadly, due to the recent SERS of Block 27A, the shophouses and coffeeshops there have to cease operations. Mr and Mrs Goh were packing up their luggages and pulling down the shutters of their shop for the last time when MyQueenstown team visited.
Their last night at Home
Mr Goh reminisced fondly about time spent in block 27A where many friendships were made and close relationships between customers were forged. Mrs Goh recalled the driving circuit in front of their house in the 1960s, where they coincidentally were Class 3 driving instructors.
Mr Goh also recalled the 4 storey HDB buildings along Commonweath Avenue before they were torn down to make way for the current Queenstown MRT in 1985. Their shophouse home was extremely convenient because it was just next to the bus stop and the MRT. Sadness was expressed on their faces as they locked their house for the last time, only to turn in their keys to the HDB office the following morning. On a brighter note, Mrs Goh was happy that they can finally retire and enjoy their golden years.
说了再见#2 - 联邦道熟食中心 (Part 2)
青春的抛物线,把未来始于相遇的地点。这栋古色古香的建筑,不但藏着许多古早味的美食,也藏了许多女皇镇居民的美好回忆。看着小贩们熟悉的脸孔,听着学生们熟悉的笑声,联邦道熟食中心那幽静的环境不禁让人感到恍如隔世,时间也不时停顿了。
建于1969年的联邦道熟食中心是新加坡早期的一个小贩中心。六十年代的女皇镇处处都能找到价廉物美的流动摊贩。 为了提升卫生水平,环境署在1973年强烈取缔流动小贩,并且把这些流动小贩安顿于这栋新开张的熟食中心。在上个世纪六七十年代建成的女皇镇中心包括三家戏院和百货公司,构成一幅繁华热闹的画面。但随着岁月的流逝,人口的老化,玛格丽通道的许多租屋和设施已陆续拆迁或关闭。仅存的小贩中心与级周围的三座政府租屋也必须拆除,让路给日后兴建的新一代租屋。
不舍得,好难啊! 不难过,更难啦!光阴似箭,日月如梭,小贩们辛苦了大半辈子也应该退休并享受天伦之乐了。再多的不舍得,再多的难过,我们也应该收拾心中的感慨,衷心地感谢与祝福他们。天无不散之筵席,小贩们给予的美好回忆将终身地烙印在我们心坎里。
再见啦!
建于1969年的联邦道熟食中心是新加坡早期的一个小贩中心。六十年代的女皇镇处处都能找到价廉物美的流动摊贩。 为了提升卫生水平,环境署在1973年强烈取缔流动小贩,并且把这些流动小贩安顿于这栋新开张的熟食中心。在上个世纪六七十年代建成的女皇镇中心包括三家戏院和百货公司,构成一幅繁华热闹的画面。但随着岁月的流逝,人口的老化,玛格丽通道的许多租屋和设施已陆续拆迁或关闭。仅存的小贩中心与级周围的三座政府租屋也必须拆除,让路给日后兴建的新一代租屋。
不舍得,好难啊! 不难过,更难啦!光阴似箭,日月如梭,小贩们辛苦了大半辈子也应该退休并享受天伦之乐了。再多的不舍得,再多的难过,我们也应该收拾心中的感慨,衷心地感谢与祝福他们。天无不散之筵席,小贩们给予的美好回忆将终身地烙印在我们心坎里。
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