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South Weald
South Weald photos
Displaying the first of 12 old photos of South Weald. View all South Weald photos
South Weald maps
Historic maps of South Weald and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all South Weald maps
South Weald area books
Displaying 1 of 18 books about South Weald and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of South Weald
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of South Weald.
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St Peters About 1958
I went to St Peters in about 1958, my brother must have been there 2 years before me. I joined Mrs Fox's class in the old school and remember the chalk and slates. Mrs Rogerson was the head teacher and I moved on via Mrs Hurlestons class to Miss Christies class. We farmed in Navestock, and my mother, aunt , uncle and cousin lived in High House and all went to St Peter before me, my sister followed.
The caretaker was called Mr Harris and Pottles was a regular haunt. Col and Mrs Laurie hosted the local fete and gymkana. I sat next to Susan Bennet whose family farmed in South Weald.
St Peter's C O fE Junior School
I started at St Peter's in South Weald at the age of four in 1955. This was in the old school which is no longer there. Our teacher was Mrs Fox and we were taught to write on slates. When we became proficient we were allowed to use thick black pencils on paper. I will always remember the carbolic soap in the sinks and the outside toilets with spiders and shiny Izal toilet paper. Mrs Waite's classroom next door had a big stove with railings round it. I lived in Brentwood and arrived at school courtesy of Mr Tiffin's taxi, later replaced by a Tiffin's coach as numbers rose. I think the Mivvi ice lolly was invented while I was a pupil at St Peter's and I can remember purchasing Mivvis and assorted sweets from Mr Pottle's post office in South Weald village. The conker tree was just outside the shop and there was great competition to get the best conkers. The new school was completed before I left and... Read more
Essex memories
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)
In Loving Memory
I remember going regularly to Brentwood Cemetery. My Father would take us to visit the grave site of my baby Brother Barry who died at 8 months. My Sisters & I would help my Father maintain the grave. Lots of pretty floweres. I always remember the quietness, stillness, the total peace on our visits. May you continue to rest in peace Dear Brother Barry.
