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Waltham Abbey

Waltham Abbey photos (38 available)

Old photo of Waltham Abbey

Waltham Abbey maps (2 available)

Old map of Waltham Abbey

Waltham Abbey books (22 available)

Waltham Abbey memories

Waltham Abbey the place I call home

I was born in Waltham Abbey and lived there until I was twenty eight. It is the place I call home, where my roots are. Many times I remember going into the Abbey Church; there is such a feeling of serenity and the presence of God there. As a young person I went there for quietness, to meet with God and on so many times I left feeling refreshed and restored. nowdays when I go back and open the big oak door I am drawn in by the awesomeness and wonder of such a wonderful building. I love the stain glass windows both in the main church and the Lady Chapel, the wax painting (discovered ...read more here
Contributed by Christine Brooker

Essex memories

Waltham Abbey the place I call home

I was born in Waltham Abbey and lived there until I was twenty eight. It is the place I call home, where my roots are. Many times I remember going into the Abbey Church; there is such a feeling of serenity and the presence of God there. As a young person I went there for quietness, to meet with God and on so many times I left feeling refreshed and restored. nowdays when I go back and open the big oak door I am drawn in by the awesomeness and wonder of such a wonderful building. I love the stain glass windows both in the main church and the Lady Chapel, the wax painting (discovered ...read more here
A memory of Waltham Abbey contributed by Christine Brooker

CINDER TRACK RACING AT HIGH BEECH

High Beech, near Robin Hood Inn 1911

My home was in Buckhurst Hill but on saturdays in the summertime my Dad would sometimes take my Mum and I to the cinder racing track at High Beech. My memories of those saturday aftrenoons come back as clear and a photograph. Each one enhanced by the smell of Castrol Oil, the lubricant of choice for the motorcycle Dare Devils. The grandstands would be full, the men selling choc-ices would wander the stands trying to earn a few shillings while getting to watch varoius racing heats. The 'gate' would fly upward and as many as ten young men , and sometimes a young woman, on  brakless motorcycles would dive for the first turn. In unison they would lay their bikes down, ...read more here
A memory of High Beech contributed by Denman Lalonde

My wedding

Loughton, St Mary's Church 1923

When we arrived in Loughton in 1956, we were visited by the then vicar and decided to join this church, which stands on the High Road, in the centre of Loughton. In 1964 my wedding was held there, and the vicar was the Rev. Vine.
A memory of Loughton contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

Extracts From Waltham Abbey & Essex books

Waltham Abbey, Highbridge Street 1921

A wonderful view of Waltham Abbey in the inter-war years. This view looks up Highbridge Street from the river bridge to the Abbey church and its impressive 16th-century west tower. The M25 now skirts the south of this former market town, and link roads have destroyed some of the town’s ancient character and streets.
An extract from from"Essex Pocket Album".

Waltham Abbey, Town Hall and Highbridge Street 1921

The Town Hall stands on the left of this photograph, which was taken from outside the church and looking down Highbridge Street. Of interest are the vans on the right advertising a ‘Scenic Railway’; perhaps they were part of a summer fair?
An extract from from"Essex Pocket Album".

Waltham Abbey, the Gateway c1955

An unusual view of the Abbey Gateway—in the centre—and the bridge over the Cornmill Stream, a tributary of the River Lea, with people relaxing around the broken walls. A modern link road now runs through the background to this picture.The abbey is associated with King Harold—he who was killed at Hastings—who paid for its rebuilding in 1057.An Augustinian monastery was founded here in 1177.
An extract from from"Essex Pocket Album".

High Beech, near Robin Hood Inn 1911

Epping Forest’s pleasant vistas and the opportunities it offers for a quiet escape from the busy troubles of London are the attractions that brought people here – and no doubt the romantic name of the Robin Hood Tavern (built in Victorian times) helped.
An extract from from"Chigwell Photographic Memories".

Chigwell Row, Manor Road c1955

The shop on the left is Morgan’s, selling confectionery, and the shop is still an old- fashioned confectioner’s just as Morgan would have remembered it. These buildings were built on the wastes in front of the original Chigwell Row in c1880. F Harman & Co, whose sign we can just make out on the gate next to Morgan’s, were builders, and this was their yard.
An extract from from"Chigwell Photographic Memories".