Nostalgic memories of Hornchurch's local history
Share your own memories of Hornchurch 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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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 31 - 40 of 62 in total
Hi from New Zealand, so good to see this site, found quite by accident. I was born in Oldchurch Hospital in 1946 and spend my childhood living at Laburnum Walk, Elm Park. Ayloff School was my first memory, crossing Southend Road - helped by the Crossing man with his lollypop banner (Mr Walmsley), such a nice man. Recall walking (in snow & rain) to the swimming pool in Hornchurch from Ayloff...such a ...see more
I used to go to Sunday school here, every Sunday afternoon. I was an angel in a Nativity play, and have a lovely black and white print of the play with numerous friends in, to name a few:- ....... Linda Hutley, Shirley Green, Faith Evans, Jennifer Rounce, Christine Pinner and Julian Krautman and Christopher Newbury. Mrs Harrison played the organ, and took us for choir lessons! My friend Patricia Merriman and I ...see more
I can remember most of the shops here. The off-licence, Stowells; where Robert Harlow and his family lived and served. Then Draytons, the sweet shop - Mr Drayton had rather red cheeks! Then there was Lings, the post office and paper shop, run by Mr Landless and family, Roger being the son. Then the family Curtis took over from them, Hilary and Stephen being the children. Then there was Greenstores, Les Appleton ...see more
I used to go to Saturday morning pictures and was on the committee to keep the children in line. We also had a choir, and we sung on the stage of Leicester Square Odeon. Then we had a Christmas Dinner. My friend Dierdre Esquilant also went.
I could go on and on with memories. Myself and my parents moved from London to Arbour Way, Elm Park on 24th August 1953. I went to Ayloff School from 1954-1960, when I left to go to Suttons Secondary. We moved to Elm Park because my dad worked at Murex in Rainham and it was a lot closer for him to get to work. I went to Brownie's at, I think it was St Nicholas church hall, in Benhurst Avenue ...see more
Our house was in Northumberland Avenue and the park was at the end of my garden. My sister and I used to jump the little river over to the park most days after school. Lots of memories there, good to see the picture. I went back there two years ago - hasn't changed much.
Hi my name is Doug Wilson.
This site brought back so many memories. I was born in a bungalow in Wingletye Lane in August 1954 but moved to Great Gardens Road when I was 9 months old.
From the time that I was allowed to cross the road on my own (was not very old -so few cars around then and my parents drummed into me to look both ways), I spent most of my time in Haynes Park: playing on the roundabout, playing pick ...see more
This is the Odeon cinema on the way to the swimming pool (now the sports centre). Used to go there and watch one film through twice just for fun.
This butchers shop seen to the left was owned by my family and was next to Woolworths. We had other shops in Chadwell Heath, Ilford etc. as well as Frank's Farm in Upminster. Behind the shop was a slaughter house and a large field and, as a small child, I remember visiting the slaughter house to see pigs being killed and butchered ( I have a memory that one of these such days was a Sunday). We sold the chain of shops to Mathews Butchers in the late sixties.
On the 19th of April, 1952 Pam Totman and I were married in this magnificent Church; she had just turned 20. I was 22 and in the Royal Navy. Pam had worked in Woolworths but at the time we met she was employed in Harold Wood at Brookes the car paint specialists. On the 1st of September 1951, her cousin Ted Dawes was to marry my cousin Jean. We both told tried to dodge the wedding but our mothers' insisted...that's ...see more
