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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Displaying Memories 41 - 50 of 62 in total
Anyone remember the group, Algate Pump? They played at the Bull and all round the Romford area and East End, they played around the 1960's.
I can confirm Pittle Lane does not exist in Hornchurch, this is in fact Billet Lane out side what is now the Doctors and Dentist surgeries 58, 58A & 58B Billet Lane. Both the properties on the right hand side still occupy the land. Although 60 Billet Lane sold its orchard off to build 58A Billet Lane in 1953. 58 Billet Lane, the doctors, sold its orchard off to make way for the new doctors surgery 58B Billet Lane ...see more
My great grandfather was a blacksmith in Rainham from 1875 until 1922 when he died. His name was Frederick Fynn and he worked in back lane. My grandfather and father were also born in Rainham, but I was born in Dagenham in 1946.
To left of the bus is the bakers.
I was born in Vicarage Road and went to Rainsford Way Primary School. This was near the Hornchurch Bus Garage and us boys would watch the big red Routemaster buses swinging round in that tight space with screeching tyres.
We used to play in the streets or have dens in our gardens. We would climb trees in Harrow Lodge Park and get chased by the Parky. We had to keep a look out for the Teds, who would throw ...see more
I lived in Minster Way from 1947-58 in one of the bungalows in this photo - but there were trees along the front of the house by this time. I remember milk being delivered by horse and cart - the milkman would go quickly up and down the front paths to put the milk bottles at the door and call out to the horse when he wanted it to move along. My father used to go out in the street with a shovel to pick up the droppings for our garden.
I lived in Hornchurch 1946-58. Went to school at North Street Primary and then for a brief time to Dury Falls before we moved in 1958. My father ran Cramphorns Corn and Seed Merchants, which can just be seen in this photo. My best friend was Elaine Collett whose parents had the Toy/Pram Shop opposite the White Hart Pub. Aleys Bakers was directly opposite and Enid Aley and I used to go to Madam DeVere's School of ...see more
The MORLEY family of nine who squeezed into a new house in Rosewood Ave, Elm Park 1950s - 1980s, did a 'down memory lane' trip 28 July 2011 (Romford Recorder), brilliant to go back to your roots. Some shops literally have not changed and some shops are long gone. Harold Lodge Park still beautiful with lake, Maylands Girls School now called Albany. Did the trip to school from old home, which was long and tiring ...see more
My father used to run a shop in Hornchurch. I have lovely memories of those days, playing in what I think was an old quarry at the back of the shop. The lady who ran the sweet shop gave me a bride doll which I adored. Helping my dad pack the cardboard boxes for home deliveries. I have a photo of my twin brother and I playing at the front of the shops. We moved away when I was seven and unfortunately I ...see more
I was born in Hornchurch and attended North Street School, I can still smell the greens from the canteen. We had little beds put up in the hall and after dinner we had to have a little sleep before afternoon school, then they changed the boundaries and I had to go to Suttons Junior School. I was at school with the Wilton twins and Mrs Wilton who was very gentle and kind. I also remember all the teachers ...see more