Nostalgic memories of Hockley's local history
Share your own memories of Hockley and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 25 in total
Just past Hockley Primary School on the way to the village was a small sweet shop/cafe? and it was run by a really nice man called "Bill". He used to sell 1d lollies to the school children. The shop was right next door to a big oak tree. The oak tree is still there, but sadly the shop is gone.
I wonder if the people who live at the house now built on the land wonder ...see more
So many memories of this place, too many to include here!
Going to the "big" school was quite daunting, however I soon was to become so inspired by what I saw there. The first days were spent being fearful of the Head Mr. Creevy (aka Creepy), who walked around the school with a sawn-off cane up his sleeve... and wasn't afraid to use it! His partner in crime (more feared by the girls), was Miss ...see more
It's great to see this picture. This parade was on the walking route to and from school, from where we lived on the new estate at Southbourne Grove to the Evangelical church hall (pre school), Hockley Primary School, then the new Plumberow primary school, then finally onto Greensward Secondary. I recall Sutherlands as being an Aladdins cave of sweets, magazines, toys, and a very special lucky dip bran tub... ...see more
My great-grandmothers house was built on the land on Greensward Lane which was sold during the great land sales in 1907. I remember all the stories about the dirt roads gradually being upgraded, and gas lighting being replaced by electricity. Anyone have any stories or photos of how everything developed during the early 1900's?
I remember the old house called "Restville" 101 Greensward Lane. Thee old ladies lived there from the 1930's to about 1960 when it was knocked down to build three new houses. It was next door to the first Doctors and I used to go to the post box on the corner to post letters. Had to get the bus from across the road to Rayleigh church where we used the old hall (now a restaurant) as a classroom before ...see more
My name is Christine Breedon ( Goodey) I have written many a story about C.H and written many letters.
I was wondering if anybody who was there in the late fifties and early sixties has a photo of the old tram that was in the back garden that they would lke to send me or put it on Francis Friths memory page. kind regards Christine.
I am trying to trace descendents of a branch of my father's family - the Hodges and the Guys. They lived and died at 35 and 42 Great Eastern Road, Hockley, Essex in the late 50s until at least 1975. The family originate from Islington and Highbury, and Bermondsey before that.
I'm hoping that people in the area may remember the family and help me with finding any of my surviving distant ...see more
I was in the above children,s home between 1959/65 and I have been doing some research and been in touch with a few families who were there at the same time as I was. I have also been in contact with a lady called Gillian Mower who just recently put me onto a book by Ruth Jones who was placed in the home only when she was ten days old back in 1928.
If any body who was there and reads this and ...see more
I remember being one of the first families to move into Broad Parade (No.5) in 1955. My dad, Jim Weller, was the manager of Greens Stores, the grocers... the Wests, were our next door neighbours, with Al Milby and family at Galleon Wine Stores on the end. At the other end were a delightfully eccentric couple, Eve, the hairdresser and her "hubby" Ronnie Childs, a wholesale greengrocer. I also remember the ...see more
I remember as a very nervous 11 year old walking through the doors of this brand new school, as the first of the 1st year. No playground, so every break was spent in the classroom or in the hall, which doubled as the gym. Watched over the 5 years I was there as the school and its buildings developed.