Shenfield memories
Here are memories of Shenfield and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Shenfield or a Shenfield photo.
The Boys Dining Hall Hutton
Hi, I was in the Hutton Residential School from 1930 to 1939. Mr Higden was the Headmaster. We had a big dining hall where all the boys had their meals - it was more like a scene from the film, Oliver, [food glorious food]. The Headmaster and his cronies would sit above us on a stage eating roast chicken & roast potatoes while we ate whatever they dished up to us. On Saturday we got a penny pocket money. We would rush down to Musgroves and buy four golliwog bars for a penny - they were one farthing each. The shop would be packed with us boys spending our pocket money. The big boys would pinch a big bar of chocolate, pass it to one of us small boys who would run out of the shop. The big boy would then leave the shop run up the hill and catch us before we had a chance to break a square off for... Read more
I Remeber Hutton Residential School.
I was a 'student' at the institution from about 1948 to 1953. I remember some of the staff. Head master was Mr Higdon, Teacher of wood work and house master was Mr McFadon. there was Gov Reily, Mr & MrsCreasy, I think a Mr Banister. I also have an aerial photo of the institution which does show houses around the perimeter of an oval. I left there in 1953 to take up an apprenticeship with the London Electricity Board as an electrical tradesman. I then emigrated to Austalia. One thing that always sticks out in my mind is, the end of 'sugar rationing'. We all rushed down the road to a shop called Mustgraves, after we received our weekly allowance.
Children's Home in Shenfield - Around 1965 - 1969
I wish to communicate with anyone who may remember a children's home that used to be located on a large field in Shenfield.
The individual wood and brick 2 floored (Swiss styled I think) homes were dotted around the perimeter and of different names. One I know was called 'Thames.'
Children from the London Borough of Hackney were housed there.
I believe there was an Infant or Primary school nearby and the children's home was not far from a small garage with one or two petrol pumps in the dip of the main road!
I believe there was also a field and forested area not too far away.
Anyone who may have memories, photos or can help would be appreciated.
Memories of Essex
Part of my Early Schooldays
I remember fragments about living at Hutton - I lived in Lilian Crescent, in a new bungalow, having moved from Hawskmoor Green. I learnt to ride a Fairy cycle - as little 2 wheelers were called then - by pushing myself along with the aid of a low brick wall.
I remember my first day at school, saying prayers, and how I ran away - all down Hanging Hill Lane, back home - maybe I didn't like it! Mum had to take me back again on the back of her bike. We had a chicken house (quite large), in the back garden with 3 pullets, Sally, Hoppy and Perky, and my sister, Pauline hid in it at the tender age of 2.
I had friends who were twins who lived just across the road by the surname of Grimm and their dad always reminded me of Bing Crosby (though I didn't know that at the time).
I can remember going to Brentwood on a Saturday morning with my... Read more
The Ursline Girls School
Does anyone remember during the '40s when the Ursline Girls School got bombed and caught fire. I think it was the same night the Brentwood Senior Boys School got bombed and we all had three months off school. I put my time to good use - I used to go out blackberry picking and sell them sixpence a basket. I made half a crown per day, Jim Chalkley.
The Parade & Swimming Baths
Hi, I was an evacuee & I lived in Cresent Road. I used to go to Brentwood Senior Boys School at Doddinghurst Road. On Fridays we always went to the fish and chip shop - chips and crackling! I would always go to the swimming baths after school - it cost one penny. I remember when the school got bombed during the war - and so did Myrtle Road near the station. I also spent many hours playing at Brentwood Common near the pond. Does anybody else remember the war years at Brentwood? I also got to know 2 girls who helped me with my paper round, Rose and Grace Hyde, they lived near Hartswood Road and Woodmans Road. All the best, Jim.
Social Life at The Pool!
I was five years old when this photograph was taken and would have occasionally been taken to the pool by my mother. My older sister would have come too. As we got older it was a great place to hang out as teenagers and we would often go for a swim after school and then walk home to Shenfield (saving the bus fare to buy a bag of chips at the fish and chip shop opposite the Green Dragon in Shenfield). We went to the Ursuline Preparatory School (The Grange) and then on to the secondary part at 11. The swimming pool was always cold but as teenagers we were more interested in posing and looking for boys than doing much swimming! The boys used to show off by diving, jumping etc off the boards so we always tried to sit on the area near the boards. When we were ready to go home or too cold to sit there any more we often bought a hot chocolate to drink... Read more
Family Drinks
I used to live near this lovely pub which had a gorgeous garden. I was only a little girl when I used to come here with my Grandad and he had his whisky while I had my orangeade and a packet of Smith's crisps with the little blue salt bag inside where we sat in the garden. There was a pond in the garden, I used to watch the fish and there were also ducks. This was a favourite pub of my Dad who was a regular every Sunday lunch with a neighbour and friend. Quite a lot we would come to the Black Horse as a family and sit in that lovely garden. Dad with his pint, Mum with her Babycham with a cherry and me with my orangeade and crisps. This pub has many happy memories for me. It was quite a few years we used to come here, from the mid 1950's until 1966 when we moved away. I have always... Read more
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