Billericay, Essex

RELATIVES IN BILLERICAY

1929-1939
I didnt live there mydad's family lived there .they came down from tottenham.
they were in the building trade. an address for my uncle is st helens slicers gate mill
road. I wonder if any one remembers the family.

My uncle left to build his own house over the river fenn creek woodham ferrers.
My dad Gordon helped to build broomfield hospital.I would love someone to give me some memories of my dad. manningvc@aol.com

Chantry Cafe

I remember this old cafe very well - not too well lit inside, but friendly atmosphere - my Mum, her friend Joan Slaney and son Michael (who was the same age as me) used to have tea and cakes etc. in the cafe on some occasions after our Mum's had picked us up from school.  The last time I went to Billericay (many years ago now) this cafe had become an Indian Restaurant.

Catholic Church, Laindon Road, Billericay

This old church was modernised, including an extension at the front, sometime in the 1980s (I believe). My cousin Marion got married here, early 1980s, and the modernisation work took place sometime later - need to find dates. Personally, I did not think the modernisation work was in keeping with the original architecture.

Memory Lane 1950 - 1957

I have wonderfull memories of Billericay, Church. As a child my Mother would take my Brothers Paul, Barry & Sisters Margaret & Angela & I to the Sunday Service. Father Alawyshes Roch was the priest at that time. He was a good family friend to the Gurnett's. I believe Father Roch wrote a couple of books. While listening to the Choir we would always sit & try to pick out my Grandmother Alice Gurnett & Aunt Agnes Lyons voices. If we heard them we knew we would get to visit with them after the service. We would also look around to see if Auntie Jo & Auntie Eileen were there. I recall the Processions & the Benediction Mass along with all the incense. I distincly remember the wrought iron staircase leading up to where the choir was. The Baptism font seemed so big. The people always seemed so sad clutching their Rosaries & many would have tears in their eyes. Just down from the church on the corner was where they would set up the Circus tents when they came to town. Just a little distance away was Lake Meadows where we would go for the odd picnic & see the swans. If I recall correctly Father Roch lived close by this area.

Basildon Living Memories Pocket Album

A chantry was established in Billericay in 1342. The Chantry Café probably occupies the site of the priest’s house. The building—with the date 1510 on its gable—is reputedly where four local Puritans met before sailing to the New World aboard the Mayflower. There is a Billerica (no ‘y’) in Massachusetts to this day.

Basildon Living Memories Pocket Album

West Horndon is a planned village dating only from the 1940s. Before that, it had been a sparsely-inhabited parish, whose medieval church had collapsed by the early 18th century. The railway station—formerly called East Horndon—stood in the middle of nowhere when it was first built in 1886; the Railway Hotel was previously a coaching inn. West Horndon is now a compact settlement with a small industrial estate, and some good footpaths leading to Bulphan Fen.

Basildon Living Memories Pocket Album

The weatherboarded pair of buildings nearest the camera were once a pub called the Magpie & Horseshoes. The older section (with the bow windows) was built in 1577. It was in the hands of the Bessom family from the early 19th century until 1975. They ran a plumbing and decorating business here in the 20th century. The van belongs to Magee’s Nurseries: ‘Mushrooms & tomatoes—direct from the garden’.