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Elmstead

Elmstead photos

Displaying the first of 2 old photos of Elmstead.   View all Elmstead photos

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Elmstead maps

Historic maps of Elmstead and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Elmstead maps

Elmstead area books

Displaying 1 of 18 books about Elmstead and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Elmstead

Elmstead memories
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Displaying a selection of personal memories of Elmstead.
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The Bowling Green, Elmstead Market

The Bowling Green c1965
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My great grandfather William Henry Parkins ran The Bowling Green from the 1920s until his death in 1953. I am aware that the Pub has now closed and the last time I visited (6-7 years ago) it was being converted into a private home. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers my great grandfather or any other members of the Parkins family.

Essex memories

Cook Family

As a child I visited my grandmother at Ivy Cottage where my mother was born 100 years ago. The Cook family and the Faircloths were the backbone of the village.  Granny Cook lived in the house next door to Ivy Cottage for which my grandfather paid 21 guineas (or it may have been 20 guineas as I believe he lost one in the garden!)  It was an exciting event when gran had a water pump fitted in the kitchen which was noisy after being primed.  My mother, Kathleen Cook, is still with us and has an excellent memory of Crockleford and its little school.  

Thorrington as A Boy

I spent many happy years as a boy living at 2 Fratting Road, Thorrington, enjoying country life, lots of friends and lovely people who resided there. I did attend school at Brightlingsea Secondary Modern School. I have returned on many occasions to see old school friends.

Happy Summer Days at The Pool

The Swimming Pool c1960
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This photo' reminded me of those carefree summer days when we would cycle from Myland to the pool, leave our bikes, unlocked, in a heap outside, pay our 6d and go to the dank, cold, changing room under the bridge.
The girls had to cross the end of the pool by a boardwalk to their changing room on the other side.
There were high diving boards so the pool was about ten feet deep at the deep end. We discovered that there was a hole in the underwater wire netting beneath the boardwalk where we could dive down to come up under the boardwalk to bang on the boards as the girls walked over,
We spent many hours sunbathing and swimming, later to retrieve our bikes, intact, from beneath the pile.
Sadly, the pool is now closed. I'm sure the modern pools are nowhere near as much fun as that outdoor pool at Colnebank.
Peter Gant.

Colchester

Lexden Church 1895
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While we were living in Colchester between 1955 and 1958, I was confirmed at this church at Lexden, Colchester. I had little memory of the church, but then while looking through the photos for Colchester I came across this photo much to my delight as this was where I was confirmed. Colchester Castle grounds was a beautiful place to walk through. Every year the Army Tattoo was displayed in the grounds too.

Colchester 1960s

The Castle Grounds c1960
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Lived Colchester late 1950s to late 1960s. Fond memories of picnics in the castle grounds with my young sister and baby brother. Boats on the lake. Military tattoo. Returned after years away and though there was change, much remained the same - thank goodness.

So Sad

High Street 1892
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This picture of High Street is very dear to me because it is how I remembered it when I was a boy in the 1940s & 50s. In 1955 I was called up to do my national sevice and was posted abroard, when I returned, to my horror, the church in the foreground had been demolished.  

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