You are here:
Braintree
Braintree maps
Historic maps of Braintree and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Braintree maps
Braintree area books
Displaying 1 of 18 books about Braintree and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Braintree
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Braintree.
There are 13 shared memories to read.
Add your memory of Braintree
or of a photo of Braintree.
Polly's Hill...
I am really trying to think where this Polly's Hill is in Braintree. I was born and grew up in Braintree in 1976 so not as long as many who might be viewing this site. Even so, I pretty much recognise or even remember in some cases, many of the old photographs shown in this collection. - But this one is not something that sounds or looks familiar. Does anyone else have any recollection of this Road / Street named "Polly's Hill"? It would be good to hear from you. Thanks.
Whybrows of Bradwell
I am related to the Whybrow/Wybrow/Whybrew/Whybra family of Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall. I know of two or three inter-related strains of this Bradwell family in the C19 but I have an Abraham (born 1811 in Bradwell) and Mary Whybrow living in Bradwell with a son Elijah born 1840/1 and I can't tie them in to one of the existing familes. Does anyone have any information which might help me?
Recollection of June 1953
I recall receiving a Coronation Commemoration Mug, in my nursery school in June 1953. I was 5 at the time. My father was a resident Doctor in St. Michaels Hospital in Braintree. Does anyone know the name of the school ? One came out the main hospital gates, and turned left down the street. St Francis does ring a bell.
Manor Street School
I attended Manor Street School from 1943-1949 ish. I also lived at No17 Manor Street shown as one of the white cottages seen virtually joined to the school wall during those years. It's exactly opposite the entrance to the Bus Park. Can anyone help me with where the school air raid shelters were built for use by the children and staff? My memory tells me they were built just inside the front wall area, one in each half of the playground.....but someone who has written about the school history during those years writes that they were across the road on the area later used to build the canteen. There was another Air Raid Shelter built on land behind the Town Hall. This was built partially underground and served residents in our area. Mother would dash us there whenever the warning was sounded at any time both day and night. My husband John's Auntie Winnie was Miss Ambrose who taught the infants there. I mustn't go on, but could talk all day on my... Read more
Uncle Will
The young lad on the front row of this picture, holding his hand to his face [centre of road] was my husband's Uncle Will.
William Ambrose lived at Woodfield Road, Braintree but died in Gaza during WW1 age 21.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=649343
His name is recorded on the War Memorial at the Braintree Public Gardens.
Sun Brush Works
I remember the brush works in Manor Street very well. My grandmother's brother worked there, his name was Arthur Rayner. I had a hand brush from Sun Brush Works and used it for many years.
My Early Years
I remember you, Paul Smith from Chapel Hill School and High School. I also remember you going to New Zealand. I see John Mews occasionally in the White Hart at Braintree having morning coffee so I shall ask him if he remembers you. John also worked at Crittalls all his life. Doug Kemp went into the RAF and when he retired he didn't come back to Braintree. Barry Wassell also moved away and sadly he died a few years ago.
Manor Street School
The wall on the left in the photo is Manor Street School which I attended from about 1953 until 1959. I am still in touch with Rod Gray. Does anyone else remember me or Rod from that time? The Headmistress was Miss Jarvis who was always accompanied by her Dachsund dog!
