Rochford, Essex

Home away from home

I was a young adult when I arrived in Rochford on a Sunday afternoon in June 1978, to take up my position as student nurse at Rochford Hospital. I was from Cape Town in South Africa and the feel of this village promised everything that I expected English country life to be. Although by that time, the housing estates extended in... [more]

Rochford sports festival

I did not live in Rochford, I lived in Hawkwell as a child/ teenager, but went to school there, first going to Rochford Primary then King Edmunds. One of my best friends who I often stayed over with at weekends lived at Malting Villas and her garden backed on to the Rec. For many years the Council would hold a sports... [more]

Mill Lane

We lived at number 11 Mill Lane and later moved to number 7. My late father, Joe Clarke was the chemist at the Mill. I remember my early childhood lived in Rochford so very fondly. We were very happy carefree children with a wonderful countryside to play in. My sister, Samantha, narrowly escaped drowning when (at the age... [more]

Rochford fair

I remember Rochford very dearly. As a young child I often stayed with my great-grandmother, Sara Ann Simpson. I'd walk around the churchyard, the empty farm, climb the stile, visit the newsagent's shop, see the men at lunch standing outside the pub. I recall there was a vicarage, too. And every time I walked with my grandmother down... [more]

Applegate Oxford Road Rochford

My father was demobbed during 1945 and gave his address as Applegates. Does anyone know who resided at the address who might be still alive. Regards Lilly.

Market Day

I remember Rochford Market Square for the market days held there when I was a child, if my memory serves me correctly it was held every Thursday.  I used to love going to see the animals in their pens, calves and pigs mainly, the bigger beasts were auctioned in the afternoons. There was a place for smaller animals in the stables... [more]

The Mill

When I was about 5 or 6 my dad worked at the mill, and we lived in one of the mill cottages in Mill Lane. I used to play around the mill and one day found strange washers in the old pond across from the blacksmith - later I discovered them to be Chinese coins - with square holes in... [more]

when i was a girl

When I was about five years old my parents used to take us kids on a Sunday walk. Always remember it was to Stambridge mills. Back then the roads leading to the mill were not more then a country track. On the way to the mills dad would dig up horseradish to take home to mince up in mums mincer. I... [more]

Southend Pocket Album

Here are more Essex weatherboard cottages with tiled roofs. Notice the sign for Teas and Hovis bread over one small shop. The reassuringly solid-looking Post Office is brick built and faces the Old Ship Inn. Straight-backed cars, complete with running boards, can be seen.

Southend Photographic Memories

Here are more Essex weatherboard cottages with tiled roofs. Notice the sign for Teas and Hovis bread over one small shop. The reassuringly solid-looking Post Office is brick built and faces the Old Ship Inn. Straight- backed cars, complete with running boards, can be seen. F r a n c i s F r i t h ' s A r o u n d S o u t h... [more]

Southend Pocket Album

The bicycle was still a very important mode of transport when this photograph was taken. The brick-built buildings look as if they will last for another century at least. However, the huge Allied Flour Mill now stands on the site and very little of this scene remains.