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 51 - 60 of 62 in total
I was a resident at the cottage homes from about 1960 for a few years, and again in the later 1960s and early 1970s. The building on the right is where the swimming pool was. We used to collect the key from the lodge at the front gates. There were 12 houses, all named after trees. Hawthorn House, Laurel House, Laburnham House and so on. We had orchards behind the houses on the right, a sports field and sick bay ...see more
My Dad, Dennis (Den) Smith lived at 69 St. Andrews Avenue with his widowed mother Iris and his younger sister Mary. During WWII the area suffered bomb damage and dad and his sister were evacuated to Birmingham. However, dad soon got homesick and returned to Essex. During the war his mother worked at the Munitions Factory at Dagenham. Dad attended Suttons School, Hornchurch, Essex ...see more
Like Gloria Friend, I spent a happy childhood in Hornchurch, attending Suttons Primary School where my mother (Mrs Wilton) was deputy head and Mr Occomore our headmaster. We were carefully drilled in our tables, phonics and acceptable social behaviour like never dropping litter nor biting our nails and keeping our bikes in good working order. My favourite teacher (not counting my mum!) was Mr Moore who loved ...see more
I was born in Horncurch in 1938. I lived in Kent Drive for 14 years and attended Suttons Primary and went onto Romford High in 1952. We backed onto Suttons school and were very near the aerodrome. Kyles the green grocer on the corner of Stanley Road. Oxos (I think) the sweet shop. Maisie the milkman's horse who delivered daily along with the baker and on Fridays the fish man with cockles and mussels. Doctor Crainer ...see more
If anybody knew my dad and reads this site, please tell others, Tony died on October 31st 2008 at home in the arms of June, his wife of 57 years and my mum. It is now nearly a year and I still miss him so much, I lost a mentor and friend. On www.archive.org there are two short movies of him and his family, one taken at 18 Priors Park, Hornchurch when he must be about 30 years old, and another in his home in Basildon ...see more
I attended Suttons Secondary School whilst living in Elm Park from 1946 to 1948, after that we moved to Scotland. I enjoyed Suttons and can remember several of the teachers. Mr Lovatt was the Principal, his secretary was Miss Swan (an attractive lady). Mr Ward, Vice Principal, taught us technical drafting. His greased-back hair and mouthfull of bad teeth gave him a fearsome look, if a ...see more
I will always have fond memories of the Dell as our scout hut was located there. Also I lived a few minutes walk away at Ravenscourt Grove. I moved there in 1948. The Dell was a boy's dream place to play in.
I lived in Elm Park from when I was born (in Oldchurch Hospital) in 1950 to when I was dragged away to Australia, kicking and screaming (inside) at the end of 1964. I often went to The Bull with a couple of my friends from Maylands girls' school. Of course, being only 13 or 14, we had to stay outside but we went to listen to the groups that played there, from time to time.
Lots of happy times (and a few hangovers ) in the Bull pub in the early sixties. In the days when the door was in the front, there used to be a small bar to the left with a dart board and pin table with a small hatch/bar where you got your light and bitter or Watneys Red Barrel. I left hornchurch in the mid 70s, must go back one day...
I now live in Hornchurch, since 2003, and the High Street looks nothing like this (apart from the pub, the Bull, still the same but is now the Fatlin & Furkin) picture in 1955.