Memories of Dagenham
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Shared Memories of Dagenham
 Dagenham, the Swimming Pool, Valence Park c1960 (ref: D178035) |
Year: 1970
Childhood Memories
I remember this scene very well, my two sisters and I spent many freezing hours (even in the summer) in the cold water of Valence swimming pool. We could buy a ticket in the morning and get a pass to go home for some lunch and then come back in for the afternoon at no extra cost. We lived just across the road to the park entrance in Becontree Avenue, my brother still lives in the same house we grew up in. I can remember the far end of the pool having diving boards and taking part in the school swimming gala when I was about 10 years old so that would be about 1969/70, I went to Grafton Juniors at the time. The pool was demolished some time ago and there are offices there now which are part of the council. Debbie Metcalfe, nee Jack Last edited: 06/01/2009 12:10 by Debbie Metcalfe |
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Year: 1940s
Dagenham 1934 -1950
My mum and dad were married in Old Dagenham Church and I was christened in the church in the mid thirties. I was educated in Fanshawe School from the infants right through to the secondary school and left school in Xmas 1949. My father owned 'Alberts' boot and shoe repair shop which was situated in a alley, which was access to lock up garages behind 'Gyps' the greengrocers on the corner of Heathway and Parsloes Ave. We lived in Kingsmill Road and my grandparents lived in Fanshawe Cresent opposite the school, and some people might remember that my gran had a monkey which sat on the windowsill in the summer. I will stop at that otherwise I will bore you all with my exciting life story. By the way the Headmaster of the senior school at the the time was Thomas Allen. Last edited: 13/10/2008 08:57 by Karl Bacon |
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Dagenham, the Swimming Pool, Valence Park c1960 (ref: D178035) |
Year: 1948
Childhood Memories Valence Swimming Pool
Recently visited Valance Park with my sister Sheila who is visiting from Australia. I live in Bedford, we used to live at 3 Coote Gardens. Memories of the sandpit, paddling pool, bandstand, the parky, football and Valence Park Swimming Pool - cold water temperatures, hot Oxo and a slice of bread and butter for a halfpenny. Shared with great mates, cousins Brian and Pat Kearney, Johnnie Cates, Brian Casey, Eddie Watson. Great community spirit in those days, from 1940 to 1956. Last edited: 09/10/2008 10:56 by Terry Kavanagh |
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 Dagenham, c1950 (ref: D178022) |
Year: 1968
September Wedding
I got married in 1968 at The Old Dagenham Church as it was known, although I believe its correct title to be St Peters and Pauls. (Correct me if I am wrong.) The marriage did not last, but I have 3 wonderful children and 2 fabulous grandsons and a new grandchild on the way. The pub opposite the church is the Cross Keys, which my dad Cliff O'Dell frequented with his friend Bill Chalk. I lived in St Giles Ave, with my mum Eileen and dad, my 2 sisters and my brother Cliff, just a short walk from the church. Crown Street was a wonderful road with lots of interesting old cottages & shops. The Vicarage I believe is still there, but all the buildings were razed to the ground and houses and flats were built in their place (not quite the same). My mother lived in the same house for 53 yrs. Happy memories. Last edited: 12/09/2008 09:13 by First Name Last Name |
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Year: 1942
Shopping At The Heathway
My mother asked me to go to the shops and get some bread at Barton's the bakers. I was just ten years old. 'But' she said, 'if a raid starts, don't hang about but run straight back home'. I often had to go to the shops, it was never a lot I had to get - mainly just one or two things, and if a raid did start, providing it was relatively quiet, I would always try to get these things. So this day saw me queueing up for bread - you had to queue for everything in those days, when suddenly a distant siren was heard. Everyone shifted about slightly looking about them. Then a more closer siren joined in, the queue became more agitated. Then our local one blared out its warning, each siren getting louder and louder making you feel that there was just nowhere you could hide. But we still held our nerve and position. But then I picked up the sound of ack-ack gunfire - distant but ominous. Then my finely tuned ears detected the out of tune throb of German bombers. I left the queue and started for home. As I ran down Parsloes Avenue towards Meadow Road where I lived, the sound of ack-ack guns and throb of bombers overhead had me terrified. Then just as panic took hold, a man came out of his porch, opened his front gate - grabbed hold of me and quickly took me back to his porch where he put his arms around me for protection, then we both huddled down cowering from the noise of guns and bombers. We could hear the clank of shrapnel hitting rooftops and pavements but I can't recall if any bombs dropped. Then he said 'Don't worry son, it won't last long, they're on their way to better targets. They'll be gone shortly, then you can hurry on home'. It didn't last long, the bombers did pass over and although the raid was still on it quietened down considerably. After a few minutes he said 'OK son you should be alright now, but hurry home as fast as you can'. I was grateful to that man for comforting me and protecting me, and felt no concern at all when he put his arm around me for protection. I wonder how many children today would feel the same confidence. Last edited: 30/07/2008 13:24 by William Pullum |
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 Dagenham, Heathway Shopping Centre 1948 (ref: D178005) |
Year: 1950
Heathway Life
I grew up within a few minutes walk of this our local shopping centre. The photo was taken outside the Fifty Shilling Tailors looking towards Dagenham Heathway Station. Some of the shops I remember were Day's the newsagents, Meyer's the greengrocers, Gillings the fishmongers run by a pair of identical twins and Jenners which was a general store selling all manner of household equipment, linens, clothing and toys. They also ran a club whereby you could pay for things little by little and when paid for could take your purchases away. On the other side of the road stood the Church Elm pub, the Post Office and Burton's the Tailors. Above Burtons was the Snooker Hall and above that the Doughty School of Ballroom Dancing where half the local population met their life partners as I did. The large square building on the horizon was the Gaumont Cinema known as the "Heathway" . This was usually the venue for the first date after the meeting at the "Doughty". The photo is quite early in my memory as later barriers were erected to protect shoppers from the traffic. Last edited: 05/09/2007 11:31 by Eileen Hammond |
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 Dagenham, 'Chequers' Road Junction c1951 (ref: D178017) |
Year: 1950
Grange Cinema
This photograph was taken from outside the Grange Cinema. There were three cinemas in Dagenham and The Grange was the smallest. We patronised all three in turn for the Saturday Morning pictures which cost I believe 6d (2 1/2 p.). The parade of shops contained the only bank in the borough and a very busy barbers shop called Viney. My Dad used to work at the Ford Motor Works and when he was on night shift would call at Coleman's the bakers in Goresbrook Road, front of picture, to bring us home hot rolls for breakfast. Just out of shot to the right was the Chequers pub, now alas demolished. Posted: 27/08/2007 16:21 by Eileen Hammond |
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Year: 1959
Valence Swimming Pool
I remember Valence swimming pool from the late fifties. I lived in Bushgrove Road and went to Valence School and used to go early on a Saturday morning with my mates to be first in there before the crowds. I couldn't swim, but that didn't matter 'cos I had an old van tyre to keep me afloat (I've still got the damn valve marks in my ribs now). I remember jumping in and not being able to breathe for about a minute due to the temperature (normally about 55 degrees Farenheit, if I remember rightly). It used to be posted on the board outside to let you know what misery you were about to go through. A cup of Oxo and a penny biscuit afterwards soon warmed you up (if you could hold the cup still). I went over the park recently (Aug 2007) and you can still see the outline of the pool in the grass where it's been filled in!! Good memories. Last edited: 14/08/2007 16:14 by Bob Valentine |
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Year: 1967
Dagenham Swimming Pool.
My mum worked at Valence open swimming pool and my aunt worked in the buffet - what a result - in for free and free Oxo after the freezing water. My mum looked after the ladies locker rooms - she remembers the boys trying to peep over the top of the girls lockers! She remembers when they closed the pool and she lost her job, and saying 'no' to working at the Dagenham indoor pool, and a little girl drowning and the father saying it would never had happened in Valence pool. Brilliant childhood memories. Last edited: 26/06/2007 15:11 by First Name Last Name |
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Dagenham, the Swimming Pool, Valence Park c1960 (ref: D178035) |
Year: 1969
Valence Swimming Pool
I loved Valence swimming pool, I used to have swimming lessons there with Grafton junior school and still remember how cold that water was first thing in the mornings. My father used to buy me a season ticket which cost 7shillings & 6pence (37p) which allowed me to go swimming when ever I wanted. I was very sad when they closed it, the then new Dagenham swimming pool was never the same. A few years ago I took my dog for a walk over Valence Park and went to where the pool used to be and was amazed at how small it must have been. I would be interested to know when the pool first opened. Last edited: 25/04/2007 10:00 by Carol Wainwright |
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Dagenham, the Swimming Pool, Valence Park c1960 (ref: D178035) |
Year: 1968
Valence Swimming Baths!!
I was bought up in Dagenham and went to Valence swimming pool regularly with my school. If you had signed up to go swimming at the start of the school year you had to go - whatever the weather!! I always had a cup of Oxo afterwards to warm me up!! When Dagenham indoor pool was built in the early 70's it seemed like sheer luxury!! What a shame it has become so run-down now............. Last edited: 25/04/2007 10:02 by Elaine Sutterby |
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Dagenham, c1950 (ref: D178022) |
Year: 1953
Old Dagenham Church
My Mum, Valerie Sands married my Dad, Frank Lyall, in this church in 1953. When they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary they made a lovely album each for us 3 children of their childhood, marriage and up to 2003. A sketched copy of this church made up the front cover. I don't remember going to Dagenham when we still lived in England, but next time I go on holiday to England from South Africa, we are going to go and visit my mother's brother, Mike Sands, who lives in their childhood house in Central Park Avenue. Last edited: 27/02/2007 10:11 by Jane Mckinnon |
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 Dagenham, Church Street c1950 (ref: d178004) |
Memories.
I was married in this church 40 years ago. It was where the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, worshipped. the buildings on the right have been demolished. There used to be a bank, I think it was Barclays, and a small motor repairers called Davies Bros. Posted: 06/04/2006 16:20 by E Hammond |
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