Hornchurch, the High Street c1965

My Hometown

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 our marvelous GP. As a child I would walk with my mother to the White Hart in the village where many shops had been destroyed by air raids. The Home and Colonial Stores was my mother's favorite port of call. Burtons tailors was on a corner with a billiard hall above. At 14 I moved to Upminster Bridge and after leaving school I worked at Ford Motor Co in the drawing office. I was both confirmed (1948)and married (1960) in St Andrew's Church. When as a child, I had attended the church often and remember that on Mothering Sunday we would walk around the church outside giving it a 'hug' as it was the 'mother church'.

Tony Wonfor

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 when he was in his 50ish years.
In his later years he was plagued with ill health, and spent most of his time at home. His last holiday was with my wife and I in Scotland, a place he loved with a passion, he made many good friends there.
Dad also had a few plays recorded by the BBC and wrote some short stories, some are very funny.
He left June, 4 sons, 1 daughter, 3 grandsons, 5 granddaughters and and a great-grandaughter. They all miss his stories and tall tales. He had a wonderful way to teach others and spent lots of time teaching us all new ideas, in science, and life.
He also after the death of his mother-in-law took on my Uncle Bill in Australia has his son, and his sister Dorreen.
He told many stories of his young life with friends like Denny in Hornchurch and of his army days.
Dad God bless you and thank you for all you did for us.

Thank you.
Regards
Colin James Wonfor

SUTTONS SECONDARY BOYS SCHOOL HORNCHURCH

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 pupil got out of line Mr Ward would throw chalk at him or rap his head with the blackboard ruler. I enjoyed sports events, especially the 100 yards. Frank Isaac was the school's best runner. Mr Cook was our House Master, Mr Bird taught woodwork, Mr Gee taught chemistry, we used to let off stink bombs in his class, that got me to the Principal's office once, Mr Ward was there but he didn't give me the cane. It was while I was at this school that I was lucky enough to be chosen to go to Kennylands Camp School with my friend Tony Wonfor, actually we went two years running. That's another story, the memory for which is written elsewhere under 'Kennylands at Sonning Common.

8th Hornchurch Scouts

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.

The Bull Hotel

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.