Ilford, Essex

Really good days

I lived in Ilford in the 1970s, the place was magic, and it had a bus to the place. I could walk down the Broadway at night without any worry, and I was always in the Cranbrook pub. I went back last year to the Cranbrook pub and just made it in time, it closed just after. That was in 2008, and it opened in in 1970. I also had a walk in Valentine's Park, that was nice, it brought back good memories as I lived across the road in Cavendish Gardens, I loved all the night clubs in those days, Room at the Top, Lacey Lady, I think they are still going. Love Ilford, a good part of my life.

the pioneer market

I have very fond memories of the pioneer market ilford my aunt & uncle peggy & ernie holmes owned the veg stall they had no children so as there only nephew i was a very spoilt 4 year old an added bonus was that my nan daisey macCarthy worked on the oppsite hardware stall again as her only grandchild i was spoilt i remember going home with bags of sweets and toys. sadly ernie died of hodgekins disease in 1955 he was 29 aunt peg married louis amato in 1958 they had fruit & veg shops in romford road and walter hurford parade manor park they retired to barking louis died in 2004 peggy in 2006 they were 80 & 78. nan died in 1983 aged 90 her son my father benjamin brown who is from her first marriage is still alive he lives with my wife jean & i near spalding lincs he will be 94 on boxing day 2007

Pioneer Market, Ilford Lane

I used to work at Memory Brothers in the Pioneer Market. I cannot remember the exact year, but it was around 1964-65. Right opposite our shop was Holmes fruit and veg shop. I seem to also remember that they had two shops. Our shop was open counter on three sides, grocery, bacon and cooked meats which was the counter I worked on. We had a lot of fun with fellow traders and customers alike. Great days, alas long gone.

Cleveland Road School

I was born in Ilford in 1933 living in Elstree Gardens near Loxford Park. After attending Woodlands Road Primary School, I went to Clevend Road School off Ilford Lane. The headmaster was a very kind man called Mr Edwards and our teacher was Mrs Strachan (pronouned Strawn). We were very well behaved so at the end of lessons we hurried to get out into the plaground. This involved descending the many granite stairs to the ground floor at breakneck speed. The roar of this exodus as kids sped to freedom is something I will never forget. Thank you Mr Edwards and Mrs Strachan for making our school years happy. They also taught us something because I passed the 11+ exam and was sent to the best school in the borough, Ilford County High School. We went to ICHS before the war ended and the corridors were still reinforced with brick blast barriers to protect pupils against bomb blast. The barriers were removd however shortly after the war ended. Headmaster of the school was Mr Harry S Kenward who was a stern disciplinarian although gentle when you got to know him.The head teacher was Mr MacPherson, a very likeable man who taught economics. Every morning we had assembly when Mr Kenward gave announcments and led most of th boys in hymns and prayers. Music was provided by Mr Selwyn Lowe on the grand piano who used to turn bright red if the boys substituted a rude version for the words of the hymns.
We attempted to learn French but it was difficult as none of us then could see the point of it. The French teacher was a Dr Bryant who expalined that he was born in the part of Belgium where French was the first language. He kept a small cane in the back of his cupboard that he called "the stimulator."
We had a good education at ICHS and I owe much to it, having now retired after a successful career in journalism. I still see some of my old school friends monthly at a pub in Epping, Essex. Considering that we left ICHS in 1949 this says something for the strength of friendships made at school.  

Enfield - A History & Celebration

WHAT of Enfield’s future? We have already seen that in the first years of the 21st century, redevelopment is probably going to be the by-word. The former offices of Eastern Gas have already undergone a dramatic change: Tower Point is now 11 floors of one- to four- bedroom flats in the main area and a fitness centre at the south end. Plans have already been submitted for the redevelopment of the north end. As yet planning approval has not been granted, as certain organisations have lodged objections.

Enfield - A History & Celebration

The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George in London Road, originally built in 1901, suffered major damage in the war - it was virtually demolished by a landmine. The site was cleared, and eventually a new church was built in 1956 in a style that would not look out of place in a new town. St Paul’s, New Southgate was repaired, and Ponders End Congregational Church was rebuilt on a new site. Another new church built in 1956-57 was Suffolks Baptist Church. (Stephen G Hoye) The new Roman Catholic church is a very interesting building. ITV broadcast one of their morning services from here. There is a family centre at the church where various activities take place, and wedding receptions are held here too.

Enfield - A History & Celebration

Chestnut and Waltham Abbey. A new Edmonton Union workhouse was erected in Silver Street, and opened in 1842 for able bodied paupers. The site is now occupied by North Middlesex Hospital. Photograph E263701k (above) shows some of the original buildings. From the time of the Domesday Book, Southgate had been part of Edmonton; in 1881 it finally became an entity in its own right. In 1885 Highlands Hospital was begun; it was eventually completed in 1890, and served as an isolation unit. A Poor Law Orphanage was opened at Chase Farm (now Chase Farm Hospital), the year 1886. In 1889, Middlesex County Council came into being. Previously all decisions county-wide had been made by judges at quarter sessions. Six years later, a more distinguishable form of local government started. All three parishes lost their Local Boards of Health. Instead, each parish became an Urban District Council. This had been made possible by the implementation of the 1894 Local Government Act. Also established at the same time under the terms of the 1870 Education Act was the Enfield School Board , which oversaw the running of all the schools in the area. As the Victorian area came to a close in 1901, each area was in a state of transition from being a rural community to being an urban one. Further change was bound to come during the 20th century.