The Church 1923, Buckhurst Hill
The Church 1923, Buckhurst Hill Ref: 73932
Memories of The Church 1923, Buckhurst Hill
Grandfather Had Relation Who Lived Here
I have not had the pleasure to have seen Buckhurst Hill, Essex to date but my grandfather Robert Martin Taylor had a relation who lived there. His son Everard William Taylor was born Scotland 28th August 1885 and died Perth, Western Australia when I was seven, 10th Sept 1963. I will like to hear from anyone who may have known my relatives. My email: margaretgoode@hotmail.com Kind Regards and Hello to all Margaret From OZ.
Buckhurst Hill & local memories
Read and share memories of Buckhurst Hill and Essex inspired by Frith photos.
Toy Shop Queens Rd Buckhurst Hill
My grandparents lived in Kings Place, Bukhurst Hill, Florence and William Street. I stayed a lot with them and always remember the toy shop at the bottom of Queens Road, its name I can't recall. There used to be a full train set in the window. There was a slot in the doorway where you put a penny in and the train used to go round. It was just magic and everytime I went with Nan to the shops she generously gave me a penny.
Trolly Times
Most young boys at sometime rode and or built their own trolly. My experience growing up, living on the edge of French's Yard on Epping New Road in Buckhurst Hill, was full of good times riding my home-built trolly down the long slope in the yard after working hours and on weekends. My main difficulty back then was finding at least two matching pram wheels. Having one wheel was useless, but finding two the same size was like gold! Many times the two front wheels were the smallest, and the bigger pair were for the back. A good wide plank was to sit on, a six inch nail, or a proper bolt through the centre of the wooden front axle allowed us to steer it, by a rope nailed to each end. Brakes? The best kind was a stick nailed into the side of the plank, and pulled up on so it dragged on the ground.
I can't recall how many trollys I built back in those wartime days but... Read more
The Two Bob Gun.
At the top of Queens Road in Buckhurst Hill is a small newsagents shop. It was owned by the Mr & Mrs. Silk. The shop sold papers magazines cigarettes, sweets and a few toys. Situated right across the road from where Princes Road branches off. The little shop did a roaring trade. I attended school at Taunton House about half way down Queens Road., and of course passed Silks going to and from school. My Mother always let me stop for a minute to look in the shop window.
One day I saw a toy revolver, like the cowboys used in the wild west. It was a cap gun and with the holster cost two shillings. I asked my parents so many times if I could have that gun. Each time I was told No, as it was too expensive. After several months of hoping and asking I still recieved the same answer. One day I looked in the window and it was gone ! I was heart broken, someone... Read more
W & C French Ltd Contractors.
My father Leon Lalonde was Mechanical Engineer for W&C French from 1928 to 1947. He was responsible for the repair and maintenance of all Mechanical Equipment and Heavy Machinery. The large yard was located between Fairlands Close and The Reindeer Pub on Epping New Road. The yard housed every different kind of machine and piece of equipment a construction company might need. It also had a major repair workshop, paintshop, welding shop, and wood working shop.
During the war Mr. Charles French was naturally very concerned about the safety and welfare of his staff and employees and their families. He ordered a series of Air Raid shelters to be built into the natural side of a hill within the yard. These were to be four side by side concrete shelters, reinforced with tram lines from Walthamstow, which had switched to trolley buses. They would have a roof several feet thick, and walls of equal strength. One was designated as a Womans and Childrens Shelter, the second for Men. Each... Read more
Going to Church
I went with my family to the Congregational Church all my life till we got married there in 1970 and then moved away. I remember the new hall being built and Harold Johnson getting cement on his cassock whenthey laid the foundation stone. Of course both the old hall and church have now been demolished. The church used to put on shows in both the old and new hall which we took part in. My friends were there and I have many happy memories of church, singing in the choir, Sunday school, collecting for missions and sitting next to my mother and Mrs Cowley in the same pew every Sunday.
The Three Colts Pub
My nan and grandad ran the Three Colts pub in Princes Road in the 1950s, their names were John and Alice French. They had three children, the eldest daughter being my mum, her name was Audrey, then there was David and finally Carol. My mum married a boy from up the road in Princes Road called Gerald Brazier. Whenever I see the pub I find it very comforting and have a sense of where I come from. I was born in 1963 in Riverway, Loughton. It would be nice if anyone has memories of the pub in the 1950s when my grandparents were there.
W&C French Ltd
I was a motor vehicle apprentice with W&C French Ltd fromm 1958 to 1964 at North Farm Loughton which is now a private housing estate.The fleet was mainly Ford but I did work on heavy vehicles such as Foden, Scammel & AEC & also plant.I have tried on many sites to contact any employees of that period without success.There were some great characters employed in the transport department highly skilled that set me on the road for my future career in the motor industry. I did visit the Harlow yard after the operation moved there but later lost touch.I owe a great deal to the Guys I worked with there & the skills I was taught as most operations were carried out in house unlike today where most repairs etc are carried out by specialists.A good al round apprenticeship which would be envied today
Knighton
My great-grandfather & great-grandmother lived in one of the lodges at Knighton. If my memory is correct (as none of the family are still alive to check with), he was the butler to the Buxtons, their surname was Clarke. When my grandparents got married they lived in Queens Road, their surname was Waterman. I would be interested if anybody has any information about them. My brother has an oil painting of the lodge, it was the one pulled down to build the housing estate.
St John's School.
My primary school years were spent at St John's school until the age of 10, when during the summer, we moved to Berkshire. I never got the chance to say farewell to my friends who were moving into the final year in the September of 1964.
My memories of life in Scotand Road where we lived for 10 years, were blissful. I was a brownie, I danced and spent much time in Knighton woods or in the Kingfisher pool in Woodford, the Grange in Chigwell or larkswood pool in Chingford where my grandparents lived.
I too remember Silks the sweet shop-we used to ask for 'The tray' and from which I used to ask for 2 chews and a penny flat licorice, we weren't greedy in those days.
I remember playing with my friend Janet Robershaw who lived on Forest Edge, Hazel Henry and Joanne Cooper all of whom I never bid farewell too.
I also remember the High Street where as a treat my mother bought us... Read more
Buckhurst Hill Primary School
I was at Buckhurst Hill primary school between 1970 to 1975. Mr Carr was the headmaster in the beginning and later Mr Willy took over. The first teacher I had was a MrsPayne, than a Mrs Nelson-Ward, then a Mrs Thomas, then Mrs Gardner, and last of all Mr Little, he was a small round man who would read from 'The Wind in the Willows' to us. Mrs Gardner would teach us to dance round the maypole, and to dance with these interlocking swords. She would also teach us to make stools with wicker seats and trays. Mr Carr would take hold of the small piece of hair just in front of your ear and march you to his office for a whack if you had been bad. We had two dinner ladies, one called Mrs Gray, and the other called Mrs Glibbery, she was a large woman who would always make us eat all our dinner, lumpy mash potato ,liver, and cold semolina. The secretary's name was Mrs Gauld.... Read more
Train in Shop Window
I was born (53) in one of the pre fabs in Hornbeam Road that backed onto the fields & the Roding river where many a worm was lost when we tried to catch stickle backs & sliding down the dump on a piece of tin. My mother’s family, Harry & Mabel Street, are from Buckhurst Hill & Loughton & lived around Queen Street & around St John’s Church. I went to St John’s school for a year or two after which I was sent to a 'health' school in Clacton called Ogilvie school. We could always be seen collecting the Konkers from the ground that had fallen from the trees opposite the church & school. We used to love getting a penny to make the train go around the set up in the toy shop window & play in Knighton Wood especially when the Blue Bells were flowering although, as girls we used to think it was quite creepy too.
Violet Ayres Lodge
I was put into care at Violet Ayres Lodge in 1958 with my two brothers, John and Peter. When we first went there the houseparents were Tom and Iona Leslie. Some of the names I remember were George Howe, Michael Hill, Johnny White (known as Pud). When Uncle Tom and Auntie Iona retired, Uncle Chris and Auntie Lena took over. Some of the kids who were there then were John, Steve and Rosie Claxton, June and Roy Day, Linda, Jean, Tony and Peter Wilson. When Uncle Chris and Auntie Lena left, Auntie Sylvia and Auntie Flora took over. Being a Spurs supporter they allowed me to go to some of the home games with my friend Geoff Digby and his dad. I remember the W.C.French yard further along the road, near the Angela Cafe. Another friend Jim Croucher (who lived in Stag Lane) his dad used to work in French's yard, I think he was the timekeeper there. We used to play in Knighton Woods, there was a big hollow... Read more
THE TRAMP
Does anyone remember The Tramp. It's quite likely that he wasn't a tramp at all but that's what we called him, although we never spoke to him nor did he ever speak to us.
He became an almost daily fixture adding to the intrigue of our Wartime village. Riding his bicycle the length of Epping New Road back in the early 1940's. This 'tramp' was possibly a retired policeman, as he rode a bicycle with a double cross-bar, like some policemen of the times. He wore an all black suit, with waist-coat white shirt and tie, and ankle high black boots. Above them were bicycle clips. Tied to the lower crossbar was a rolled up umbrella and on a small carrier he had a rain suit also black. The only other colour was his fairly long gray hair.
This man gave us children a feeling of nervousness, was he a spy, or a policeman, a well dressed tramp or perhaps he was just a man who... Read more
Childhood in Buckhurst Hill
I lived at 4 Fairlands Avenue, Buckhurst Hill. My parents moved there just before the Second World War, and I was born in April 1939. I well remember W.C.French Ltd's yard next to Fairlands Avenue fronting the Eppping New Road. I went to Woodford Green Preparatory School, travelling by bus from the Bald Faced Stag (now a carvery!) on either the 10a or 38a bus route, paying a 1d fare! I remember being fascinated by the "Bundy Time Clock" where bus conductors had to punch their time card beside the bus stop. My mother took me to the Congregational Church in Palmerston Road, where the sunday school had a wonderful library run by Mr.Linder, who lived in a huge house in Roebuck Lane. Later I joined the Crusader class at the Centenary Hall, St.John's Church, started by Mr.W.Charles, always known as "The Commander" as that was his rank in the RNVR during the war. Later he was joined as leader by Mr. Charles Webb-sear, and Mr. Tim Lawson. Later I... Read more
An Artist's Influence - Who Was He?
In the late 1950s, when I was around ten years old, I spent a number of school summer holidays staying with the McPherson family who lived on the fringes of Knighton Woods near Buckhurst Hill in Essex. On these visits I spent many a long summer day exploring the woods with ‘Jimmy’ their son. These were halcyon, ‘Just William’, days and we spent many a good time around the ponds gathering newts and tadpoles or crawling through the undergrowth like two characters from a scene in Robin Hood. On several occasions I remember coming across the figure of an archetypal artist - like the one Alfred Bestal drew in the Rupert annuals. We often saw him in his fedora hat, sitting mixing oil colours on his palette, working at a canvas which he had propped on his portable wooden easel. As a budding ‘young’ artist I befriended him and often sat beside him admiring his progress while he patiently gave me tips and advice about how to paint. I have often... Read more
Buckhurst Hill in The 60s And 70s
Like the other contributer, in about 1967 I too went to Princes Road County Primary, Mr Carr was the Headmaster and he caned many a boy! The playground opened out into Knighton Woods and we played "war", it was always "war". Our classrooms were portacabins on the grassland to the side of the entrance. I left at 8 and went to Staples Road in Loughton. The bus journey (20, 20A or 167) cost 5p there and only 3p back. I went to a boys' Christian club called Crusaders run by a brilliant guy called Ray who owned an old VW Camper Van. What a great club, with really genuine community leaders and absolutely no child abuse in sight! I lived in Fairlands Avenue and spent every day I could playing in the forest. I too remember the Gypsy camp and was friends with some of the children especially Lee Gale, a great little footballer in spite of the calipers he used to wear. Other friends were Keith Flowers, and the... Read more
I Lost my Dad When I Was 3 And we Had to Leave
My name was Pat Barringer then. My dad was burned in a lorry in 1949, he lived for about 6 months and then died, I have no memories at all as I was too young, does anybody remember the name Barringer? My mum was Beryl and my dad was Bert. I also have a sister who was 18 months at the time.
Can You Help With Information About A Children's Home on Epping New Road?
Can anybody help with information, memories or photos of a former children's home in Epping New Road, in Buckhurst Hill? I spent part of my childhood in a children's home on Epping New Road (number 8?) in Buckhurst Hill. My name is Michael O'Brien, also known at one time as Reginald Downham. I am desperately trying to track down any photos, memories or history of the home, and would very much like to make contact with anyone else who was there at the same time. I remember the following information about it: I am now 65, and am living in Australia, and I need 'closure', as they say today, on a chequered childhood. From 1951 until 1956 I lived in a children's home in Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill, which was known by various names, including 'Hazeldene', and 'Violet Ayres Lodge'. My daughter Jasmine was nursing in Britain recently but was unable to locate the building. From my memory I recall that the home, possibly a Georgian-type mansion, sat at the... Read more
Bomb Craters in Buckhurst Hill
I note that several Memory Writers have mentioned Knighton Woods and Lord's Bushes in their stories. I too remember these great places to play. We'd pretend we were soldiers defending an imaginary stronghold. We'd hurl pretend grenades and mills bombs at the 'enemy' from behind fallen tree roots and large bushes. However I wonder how many other youngsters who also played in these parts of Buckhurst Hill in later years, realized that a few of the quite large ponds were once bomb craters? Some ponds weren't there before the Second World War. They appeared overnight as jagged holes in the soft Essex forest. Soon they filled with water and now have blended in with the original, naturally made ponds. Today they are home for more small fish and frogs and other creatures.
I had the pleasure of playing in both parts of the woods almost every week for several years during the war. I still remember the name we gave the Knighton Woods' Game Keeper, it was 'Eggs & Bacon',... Read more
A Great Place to Live
Having been born and brought up in Buckhusrt Hill in the 1960s and 1970s and 1980s and now living in Kent, it reminds me what a unique place it once was. My immediate memories are of Lords Bushes and living in Forest Edge, I was lucky enough to live opposite this lovely part of Epping Forest. I also remember attending Buckhurst Hill County Primary School in Princes Road and being part of its centenary celebration in 1971. They don't make schools like that anymore! Queens Road was a delightful shopping centre to visit with no big name shops and many family businesses - not like the designer, no prices in the window, boutique type shops of today - and I particularly remember Broomes the newsagents, Metson's the school outfitters, Rorke's the tobacconist and sweet shop, Sorrels the greengrocers, the Loreli restaurant, Warwick's the hardware store, Pang's the Chinese, Silks and Moore's the newsagents, Murray's and Hobley's the bakers shops, Piggott's the butchers, O'Dell's the greengrocers, Relaible Radio, and even a... Read more
Queens Road
We lived in Chigwell during the 1960s before moving to Hertfordshire in 1969, which seemed like a foreign country then, strange accents etc. How times change! My father, John, was organist at St John's Church, Buckhurst Hill and my younger sister, Sarah, and I used to sing in the choir. We would have been around 8 and 10 at this point. I think it was the Rector Caswell running the show and the curate was Chris Slye. Choir practice on a Tuesday night was a great treat out too! We used to love to go to Buckhurst Hill shopping, a proper trip out in the car, despite its close proximity to Chigwell although it didn't seem so then. A sojourn down Queens Road from top to bottom was a must. First stop was the library; Orlando The Marmalade Cat books were my favourite in those days. Next port of call was Silks for newspapers and the occasional toys for us. I think Mum bought me a Beatles jig-saw puzzle in... Read more
Childrens' Home
I was also in a childrens' home in Palmerston Road, the home was called West Lodge, maybe we were there at the same time. I was about 9 years old maybe younger, my sisters Christine and Janice were with me. It may have been in the late 50s. Will be very intersted in catching up with any children that was there at the same time as me.
Children's Home
I was once at the children's home in Palmerston Road from about 1953 to 1957 when I went back to Stepney. I went to the school in Princes Road that backed on the Lord's Bushes. I remember impaling my foot with a garden fork at the school. Also at the bottem Queen's Road at the junction with Victoria Road there was a shop that had a train set in the window that if you put a penny in a slot set in the window frame it would do a few laps. Also used to go swiming in the river Roding.
Happy Days
i was born in Algers Road, Loughton in 1942 and moved to Chigwell in 1944, then back to Buckhurst Hill in 1947. My dad worked as a lorry driver for W.C.French. My brother Chris and friends used to walk up to Buckhurst Hill High Road across the cricket field into Epping High Road and across to Connaught Waters. We would go paddling for newts and in winter with mum and dad go ice skating. Buckhurst Hill shopping was Mr Atlee for sweets when off ration, Metsons for school uniform, Tanners chemist and Hobleys bakers. I used to be friendly with a girl whose dad had a funeral parlour opposite a pub. I can't remember the name. Out the back her dad use to be chipping away at some stone. I realise now they were head stones. There were angels and silver pots lying around. I went to Pinces Road School. My mum used to walk me through the forest and go in the back way to the playground. Then on... Read more
Progress And Change
Being raised in Buckhurst Hill was a childhood experience I feel very lucky to have enjoyed. I was raised in the small cottage at 58 Epping New Road aptly named "Ivy Cottage". Located on the edge of the yard owned by W&C French Contractors. Dad worked for Mr. French for 17 years as Mechanical Engineer. I was allowed to play in the yard after working hours, as long as I didn't get 'into mischief', which I seldom did. Mother shopped at the Co-op near the bottom of Queens Road. I remember "Auty's" the clock and watch repair shop, also near the co-op. Our newspaper came from "Silks" the newsagent at the top of Queens Road, located right across from "Parks" the fishmonger. One of my best friends was John Silk, son of the owner. For our daily needs we purchased bread and baked goods from "Gowers" bakery at the corner of Church Road and the New Road. Fresh vegetables from "Greens" the green grocer right across from the "Reindeer Pub",... Read more
Family History
I have recently found out that my Great Grandmother Emma Frost (nee Lake) had a baby girl in 1864 called Annie Frost and she was born in Buckhurst Hill.
I suppose Emma must have known someone in the Town. It was legal, she was married.
I live in the West Country now and I have never heard of Buckhurst Hill so I thought I would find out about it which I have done.
A lot of my relations from way back seemed to come from Essex.
Years ago I went to Southend and I believe that is in Essex - am I right?
I am elderly now so instead of travelling I go surfing on my PC.
I think this is a nice memory don't you?
Good luck to you
From Mollie
