Nostalgic memories of Abridge's local history
Share your own memories of Abridge and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 11 in total
Does anyone have any knowledge of Nick Partridge, I used to work with him in East London and the last I heard he wanted to join the Police.
Looking at the photo 'Main Road and 'The Malsters Arms' 1955. you can see the row of lime trees which were in the grounds of 'The Limes' where my Grandparents lived. They were Mr.& Mrs Pond. (Joseph & Jessie). I think they moved to Abridge after the first world war and lived in the council houses over the road before moving to 'The Limes' some time later. Their eldest daughter Kathleen (my mum) ...see more
I grew up in the Maltsters Arms - my mother and father, Stella and Alan Knight, bought the pub from the brewery in the late 70's and my father renovated it. My sister Joanne and I attended Ongar Comp and my brother Paul attended the village infants school. I rememebr the Silver Jubilee - there is a very funny video on You-tube. (it features my father)
I was born in Abridge in 1964, the last of 9 kids. We lived in The Mead which is no longer there. Abridge was a great place to grow up, we would play outside in the woods or over the shallows all day and only come home when we were hungry. In the summer we would walk to Grange Farm open air swimming pool and then after walk onto Loughton to the Chariot for fish and chips. Lots of the old time Abridge ...see more
The house referred to as 'The Haunted House' was occupied when I lived in Abridge from 1950 to 1961 (see the memory below). It belonged to the Bayles' family and had a beautiful, but rather wild garden at the back. At the age of 16 my first boyfriend, who lived across the road from me in the larger houses of London Road, was David Kings.....(I can't remember the second half of his surname!) and he was the grandson ...see more
The bottom of Silver Street on the other side of the bridge ended at the river with some railings over a drainage outlet. This was a good place for children to get into the river from the middle of the village and paddle upstream under the bridge. It was quite shallow in the middle of summer and small fish about three inches long with red tips to their fins could be seen at this point swimming in the vicinity of the ...see more
This is the view looking down to the end of London Road where it meets the village. The road does a sharp turn to the left into the Market Place and behind the large tree is 'Top Bayles' grocers shop. Mr Bayles had served in 'Top Bayles' since he was a boy. He was a lovely old gentleman and very kind to the children. Tins of biscuits fronted the counter and there was a bacon slicer at ...see more
I moved to Abridge in 1950 when I was ten years old. My parents bought the white cottage on the London Road, which had a wooden building next to it. This very soon became The Poplar Cafe, my mother’s dream of riches! I attended the little village school for a year until I passed the 'Scholarship' and went on to Loughton County High School for Girls in 1951. The head teacher, Mr Garner, took the top class (the ...see more
This photo appears at the back of Essex Living Memories (pages 112 - 113) and in "I Remember When ... Memories of Britain (page 134)". The two ladies in the foreground with the prams appear familiar - The lady on the left may be Mrs Peagram with her son Colin in the pram, the lady on the right could be Mrs Hockley with her son, Kenneth. The couple with the child in the pushchair outside the butchers looks ...see more
My parents, Rene and Freddie Gook moved to Abridge in the mid fifties. They were eastenders who belonged to a cycling club and used to visit Abridge at weekends - their destination was Brighty's cafe. They were captivated by the village's charm, and bought one of the new bungalows, we lived at 5 Alderwood Drive. My Mum had a job in the city and would commute to work on the no 10a bus, my Dad was an ...see more