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.
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
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
I Remember This as st Faith's Hospital For Epileptics
i remember this not as brentwood hackney schools but as st faith's hospital for women and children with epilepsy and other mental disorders. my father worked in the administration offices until he died in 1959 and my mother worked there as a nursing auxiliary after that. i remember going to children's parties (both for the patients and staff's children and have photos of my brother and I and parents at these functions. I remember one Matron, a Miss Hopkins, who was a lovely kindly lady and friend to my parents. She gave me a gold cross and chain which i still have to this day. it was her own cross and chain and i can remember feeling so touched that she should give it to me. she probably had very little money so it was a lovely thing to do. Although a massive place with huge long dayroomsl which today would not be allowed, the atmosphere was happy and the staff gave a lot... Read more
A Cup of Bovril And A Bag of Crisps After A Swim!
I used to go to Brentwood swimming pool with my school St Martin's for girls and can remember going when it reopened for the new year - easter and it was absolutely freezing! I was not much of a swimmer so can remember it being torture for me. i also used to go with my friends during the summer when we would have a swim and afterwards, after dodging the boys flicking their wet towels (i am sure you know who you are out there!!) which was horrible because if it caught you it hurt like hell, we would queue up at the kiosk and buy hot bovril and a bag of crisps. i can remember there being a children's pool as well. it was always crowded in summer. by janet aldridge (nee leggett)
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