Chigwell, Essex

Wonderful memories

I visited Grange Farm on a week's holiday with my school in 1960. It was my first real holiday, away from the streets of St Helens, Lancs. We slept in what looked like barrack rooms with about a dozen bunk beds which looked like they were leftovers from the war. We also had day trips to London, and the London Zoo.... [more]

Great place lost.

Grange Farm was the place to go for all teens.   You could swim or just hang around with friends.  To get there we walked across the fields and over the bridge across the Roding.  Now of course this place is no more.  A great loss.

Grange Farm Restaurant.

I worked in the restaurant at Grange Farm until 1957. The West Ham United football team used to come in for a meal after their training session.

West Hatch School

I lived my early years in the grounds of Great West Hatch Hospital (my father was the gardener there), next door to the school site. I can remember the school being substantially finished by the time I was 11 (1957), though my parents persuaded me (against my better judgement) not to go there for my secondary schooling. I have older memories... [more]

Grange Farm swimming pool by Carol Gook

I lived in nearby Abridge, and swam at Grange Farm pool around this time, with my school, Lambourne Primary in Abridge. I learnt to swim here, in the cold water. I loved this pool, it was a magical place for me, and I spent many summers splashing and swimming and then, later, posing and flirting teenage style. So sad that this... [more]

Essex - A Second Selection Photographic Memories

Loughton's population boomed after the railway arrived in 1850. This shot includes Overy's hairdresser's, the post office, Charlton's newsagent's, and (on the extreme left) the Century Cinema. The latter was opened in 1928 by the actress Evelyn Laye. Although much-loved, it was demolished in 1965 and replaced by shops.

Chigwell Photographic Memories

This next group of photographs, this one along with C88015 and C88075, again shows gradual change. At this time the stores (centre) were run by George Watts, and the bakery by George Hayden. Notice the complete lack of road traffic.

Chigwell Photographic Memories

In April 1941 the house suffered some damage during an air raid, but it was in good enough repair to provide Winston Churchill, then the local MP, and his wife with luncheon whilst touring the district during the General Election of 1945. The interior is at present being refurbished.