When Gates Corner Was A Corner
Lived in South Woodford with my parents from 1952-1972 before marrying, and worked for Gates in this very building from 1968-1977 before moving up the High Road to their new Head Office when this building caught fire overnight, the new 8-lane A406 Nth.Circular having already scythed its way through the heart of Woodford, ending 'Gates Corner' forever.
From 1975-1977 the motorway was driven through under our very noses, beginning with the endless pile-driving of what were to become the supports for this part of the High Road over the new A406. What a noisy summer that was - and a very hot one the following year ('76) when temperatures soared and even the nearby Hollow Ponds in Wanstead dried up !
As we lived just down the road from here in Woodford Green we also watched the southern end of the M11 taking shape just half-a-mile away. Then, where it connected with the new ultra-wide A406 going up to Gates Corner, Charlie Brown's roundabout was changing shape and was never going to be the same again - almost becoming Woodford's own Spaghetti Junction !
As for this picture - was Woodford ever really this quiet !
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RE: RE: When Gates Corner Was A Corner
Yes, it was a lovely quiet little town. That's how I remember it. My family lived on Malmesbury Road, South Woodford, from the time I was born, then moved to Salway Close, Woodford Green in 1952 until 1960. My mother always bought flowers from the flower man who always set up right on the corner of Gates Corner going towards George Lane.
Comment from Shirley Hood on Thursday, 22nd March 2012.