Memories of Rochford
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It was me david gale that saved samantha clarke from drowning in 1967. I remember your father gave me 10 which to me was an absolute fortune back in those days
Shared on 21 November 2009
It was me david gale that saved samantha clarke from drowning in 1967. I remember your father gave me 10 which to me was an absolute fortune back in those days
Shared on 21 November 2009
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 most directions, there was always the solitude that the Rochford Church provided.
As many others have mentioned, market day was always pretty special and I loved it when I had my day-off on the same day. (I can't remember which day of the week it was though!)
I lived in the nurses' residence until I qualified in November 1981 after which I went back to South Africa. I took many memories and lots of photographs away with me and if I should ever make a trip to the UK again, I will be sure to visit Rochford.
(I now live in Wellington, New Zealand)
Shared on 11 September 2009
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 festival around the district with the finals on the Rec (Rochford Park) and the Bobbin. We would go over the fields and watch the different sports and sideshows. I remember meeting Peggy Mount and Frankie Howard and getting their autographs. It was not till 2007 that I moved to Rochford and it feels like I have come home.
Shared on 28 April 2009
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 of 3) she fell off the wharf into the creek at high tide. She was pulled out by her arm by one of the 'big boys'. I think his name was Peter. We were the 'Clarke Family', two boys and three girls. We left Rochford when I was 11 and when I returned approximately 10 years later (all grown up) when walking through the mill, one of the workmen stopped and looked at me and said "I know you, your Joe Clarke's little 'un". I also recall at the age of about 8 I went to the Church jumble sale, bought 2 eggcups for sixpence and took them to the local antique dealer's shop and sold them for 8 shillings. How's that for enterprise at the age of 8!! I returned (again) two years ago, how sad to see the Cherry Tree so commercialised.
Shared on 15 June 2008
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 the main road to the bus stop my legs would be stung by stinging nettles. My great-grandmother's home was called Ash Lea. It was a mud road with a grassy median lined on both sides by ditches. There was a similar mud road a bit closer to the pub. And my friends and I would play in the woods at the end of these two roads. And they held a fair, close to or at the farm in the summertime. I still hear "You are my sunshine" over a loudspeaker being sung there. It must have been around the time of the end of the war. There was a nurse, Miss Tracy, who lived next to my great-grandmother and rode a bicycle to work. Last time I was there must have been in '78 when I was on a trip back to England. I was flabbergasted. Nothing but houses after houses, streetlights everywhere, all built up. But....my great-grandmother's home was still there at that time as well as the ones on either side. My grandmother and I used to go to the market most weeks - I think on Thursdays. I loved to look at the animals. And one day we bought the very best greengages we had ever eaten - they were so good we went back for more because we would have gobbled them all up before getting home. I am 68 now and in the US. But all those memories of Rochford are so clear. I remember going there, too, with my grandmother when I was seven and my great-grandmother died. I think she is buried in Hawkwell Church.
Shared on 03 April 2008
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.
Shared on 22 March 2008
Rochford, Market Square c1955
Ref: R226015
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 in Back Lane, which I used to love too.
Opposite the market square was a tearoom called Delph House, and they sold the best doughnuts I've ever tasted, mainly because my mother and I would share one of these during the school holidays while my Dad was at work, he didn't approve of his money being wasted on 'junk food'...
Shared on 15 February 2008
Rochford, Stambridge Mill c1955
Ref: R226016
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 them, they had been used as ballast for the grain barges.
I have many fond memories of this mill and the area - we moved later when I was about 7.
Shared on 10 January 2008
Rochford, Stambridge Mill c1955
Ref: R226016
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 can smell the aroma of the place now. Corn fields wild flowers. When we got to the mills the smell of grinding corn hit you. Wonderful. We would walk through the mill and onto a place called Broom hills. After a good ramble around the place dad would take us to the Cherry Tree pub. Him and mum would go inside us kids were outside with our lemonade and crisps. Wonderful memories.
Shared on 05 February 2007
Rochford, Church from the Hall c1955
Ref: R226022
The early Rochford church next to Rochford Hall was our highlight. Continue to guard your priceless community.
Shared on 24 September 2006
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