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Becontree Heath
Becontree Heath maps
Historic maps of Becontree Heath and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Becontree Heath maps
Becontree Heath photos
We have no photos of Becontree Heath, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Dagenham| Chadwell Heath| Seven Kings| Barking| Ilford| Rainham| Gants Hill| Romford| Barkingside| East Ham| Hornchurch| Collier Row| Fulwell Cross| Gidea Park| Belvedere| Chigwell| Wanstead| Chigwell Row| Ardleigh Green| Woodford Bridge| Woolwich| Corbets Tey| Havering-Atte-Bower| Snaresbrook| South Woodford| Erith| Upminster| Leytonstone| Woodford| Northumberland Heath
Becontree Heath area books
Displaying 1 of 13 books about Becontree Heath and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Becontree Heath
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Greater London memories
Hummed to Sleep by A Factory
We used to live on what was called The Avenues on the Rylands estate. This was situated behind the Princess shopping parade, so called after the name of the local flea pit where all the kids went to Saturday morning pictures. It later became the Princess bowling alley. It was located on the old A13 New Rd opposite the road that led to the main entrances to Fords. The estate was originally built for the white-collared Ford workers plus foremen and was one of the few private estates in Dagenham. It sounds almost posh now, but believe me it wasn't. The blue-collared workers tended to live on the massive council Becontree estate that Dagenham was also famous for (that and the Dagenham Girl Pipers of course). My dad must have been one of the few dads who wasn't an Irish Catholic (although my mum was) and who didn't work in Fords. But the majority of my mate's dads were and did. During the weekdays at 12 noon the factory would... Read more
Valence Swimming Pool
I remember Valence swimming pool from the late fifties. I lived in Bushgrove Road and went to Valence School and used to go early on a Saturday morning with my mates to be first in there before the crowds. I couldn't swim, but that didn't matter 'cos I had an old van tyre to keep me afloat (I've still got the damn valve marks in my ribs now). I remember jumping in and not being able to breathe for about a minute due to the temperature (normally about 55 degrees Farenheit, if I remember rightly). It used to be posted on the board outside to let you know what misery you were about to go through. A cup of Oxo and a penny biscuit afterwards soon warmed you up (if you could hold the cup still). I went over the park recently (Aug 2007) and you can still see the outline of the pool in the grass where it's been filled in!! Good memories.
Not Much Money But Plenty of Happy Memories.
I moved to Dagenham with my family in 1949. We lived in Cartwright Road off Hedgemans Road. I have memories of long hot summer holidays off from Finneymore Road School. The days were filled with trips to Leys swimming pool, where we would spend most of the day. We would bag of crisps and a hot Oxo drink if we had enough money.
Parsloes Park was another full day out. The large sandpit was the favourite haunt, there were large square concrete blocks built into the pit, we would play 'King of the castle' games, where one would climb onto the block and announce they were king of the castle, only to be pushed off into the soft sand by the new king, this would amuse us for ages. We would eat packed sandwiches, and there was plenty of water to quench our thirst from the water fountain spout. The park wardens wore brown suits, trilby hats, brown leather boots up to their knees, and rode around the park on... Read more
Memories.
I was married in this church 40 years ago. It was where the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, worshipped. the buildings on the right have been demolished. There used to be a bank, I think it was Barclays, and a small motor repairers called Davies Bros.
Old Dagenham Church
My Mum, Valerie Sands married my Dad, Frank Lyall, in this church in 1953. When they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary they made a lovely album each for us 3 children of their childhood, marriage and up to 2003. A sketched copy of this church made up the front cover. I don't remember going to Dagenham when we still lived in England, but next time I go on holiday to England from South Africa, we are going to go and visit my mother's brother, Mike Sands, who lives in their childhood house in Central Park Avenue.
Valence Swimming Baths!!
I was bought up in Dagenham and went to Valence swimming pool regularly with my school. If you had signed up to go swimming at the start of the school year you had to go - whatever the weather!! I always had a cup of Oxo afterwards to warm me up!! When Dagenham indoor pool was built in the early 70's it seemed like sheer luxury!! What a shame it has become so run-down now.............
Valence Swimming Pool
I loved Valence swimming pool, I used to have swimming lessons there with Grafton junior school and still remember how cold that water was first thing in the mornings. My father used to buy me a season ticket which cost 7shillings & 6pence (37p) which allowed me to go swimming when ever I wanted. I was very sad when they closed it, the then new Dagenham swimming pool was never the same. A few years ago I took my dog for a walk over Valence Park and went to where the pool used to be and was amazed at how small it must have been. I would be interested to know when the pool first opened.
