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. This was also the first time I had seen such a big swimming pool.  It was a wonderful time. I remember the trip including transport and accomodation cost 12 pounds, included was two pounds for our 'spending money. Happy days!

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.

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 lovely outdoor pool is no more. It was one of my favourite places and contributed to my love of swimming in cold water. I still swim now, outdoors every day - I am lucky to live near a big outdoor pool that has survived but I always think of those beautiful summer days at Grange Farm, gone but not forgotten.

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.

Chigwell Photographic Memories

Samuel Harsnett, eventually Archbishop of York, was Vicar of St Mary’s from 1597 to 1605. Being fond of the parish, Harsnett established two schools in Chigwell: an English school, and a Latin school. It was the latter institution that became today’s private school.