Southend Airport memories
Here are memories of Southend Airport and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Southend Airport or a Southend Airport photo.
Lancaster or Wellington Bombers?
Coincidentally Colin (Hayes) I lived near by you in St. George's Avenue! And around the same time I used to regularly cycle over to Southend Airport with a friend. Here we used to plane spot - do you remember the 'sea' of Auster planes parked up in the middle of the field? Also like you we used to sneak in under the fence at the far side of the field and crawl Indian style along to the cacooned Wellington or Lancaster bombers. We had a great time pretending to fly the planes - all without being spotted from the conning tower. Over the course of time we became very friendly with the staff there and they used to allow us onto the apron of the airdrome - even at night! How things have changed. On one occasion we witnessed a fleet of hearses collecting coffins from (I think) Bristol Freighters. All I can think is that this was the time of the Manchester United Munich air disaster (in 1959... Read more
Back in The 50's
In the late 50's I moved to Rochford Road, just a few hundred yards from the airport. My dad, had learned to fly in Canada during the war and was now back working as a booking clerk for British Rail at Prittlewell. As a youth, there was nothing to do but explore 'the prarie' or wander over the 'greasy spoon' cafe at the airport. Most of us lads would take up plane spotting out of boredom. In those days the visitors were DC3, Arganaughts, Hermese, Ambassador, Bristol 130, Ansons plus the usual Tiger Moths, Chipmunks, Doves, Herons etc. Over' the dump' on the far side of the airport were Lancastrians, Indian Bristols and later hundreds of Prentices. We used to avoid the security guy on his bike, and play among the old wrecks. It was great fun! I remember in 1960 when the Hermese crashed onto the railway line. Later, there was the ATL Accountant (a one off DC3 replacement), Harvard smoke writers (D-FDOK) converted Prentices and Carvairs. I... Read more
Flying From EGMC
I did my basic flying (ppl) at s.l.a.c with Ted Clack and Stan Diggings in 1969 then returnedto instruct at southend aero club in 1970 the Great Freddy Laker was at A.T.E.L then and Jack Jones Chanel Airways I often wonder what became of other great characters of that era Laddi Marmol Mike Abbot Clive Wren the ATC chaps Paul Cavanagh Dave Dunlop Dave Thompson "Welky" Winch and Mike Tuson to name but a few oh happy days flying was much more fun then less restricted and cheaper (what Wasn't)Oh happy days
When it Was an Aerodrome !
Ok, so it may have been a little later than 1955, but we used to live in Southbourne Grove, and used to thrash our bicycles across the fields (over the arterial road) and make our way to the back of the airport where the old engines were laid out in rows. If we were lucky, we could creep about amongst them without being caught!
Probably my earliest memory was seeing the Tiger Moths flying around, some doing aerobatics(!) I remember being taken, as a very little boy, to see one that had come down upside down in the field at the end of the road where the shops were - Bridgewater Drive? I forget the names of the roads, it was a lifetime ago.
I wish that I had been old enough to fly in one of those beautiful aeroplanes! Now all we can do is book a joy ride in one for a treat.
Memories of Essex
Visit
The early Rochford church next to Rochford Hall was our highlight. Continue to guard your priceless community.
When I Was A Girl
When I was about five years old my parents used to take us kids on a Sunday walk. Always remember it was to Stambridge mills. Back then the roads leading to the mill were not more then a country track. On the way to the mills dad would dig up horseradish to take home to mince up in mums mincer. I can smell the aroma of the place now. Corn fields wild flowers. When we got to the mills the smell of grinding corn hit you. Wonderful. We would walk through the mill and onto a place called Broom hills. After a good ramble around the place dad would take us to the Cherry Tree pub. Him and mum would go inside us kids were outside with our lemonade and crisps. Wonderful memories.
The Mill
When I was about 5 or 6 my dad worked at the mill, and we lived in one of the mill cottages in Mill Lane. I used to play around the mill and one day found strange washers in the old pond across from the blacksmith - later I discovered them to be Chinese coins - with square holes in them, they had been used as ballast for the grain barges.
I have many fond memories of this mill and the area - we moved later when I was about 7.
Market Day
I remember Rochford Market Square for the market days held there when I was a child, if my memory serves me correctly it was held every Thursday. I used to love going to see the animals in their pens, calves and pigs mainly, the bigger beasts were auctioned in the afternoons. There was a place for smaller animals in the stables in Back Lane, which I used to love too.
Opposite the market square was a tearoom called Delph House, and they sold the best doughnuts I've ever tasted, mainly because my mother and I would share one of these during the school holidays while my Dad was at work, he didn't approve of his money being wasted on 'junk food'...
Ragstone Lodge, Stambridge Rectory
This looks very much like the rectory in Stambridge, but I know it's not. Does anyone have any memories of it or photos? My family lived there in the 1960s for a couple of years.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 28,899 memories of 5,954 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Stadhampton, Oxfordshire
- High Halden, Kent
- Taunton, Somerset
- Bexley, Kent
- Greasbrough, South Yorkshire
- Luton, Bedfordshire
- Bethesda, Gwynedd
- Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
- Boxley, Kent
- Kempsey, Worcestershire
- Oban, Argyll
- Kings Sutton, Oxfordshire
- West Kirby, Merseyside
- Worcester, Worcestershire
- Mollington, Oxfordshire
- Fleetwood, Lancashire
- Golders Green, Greater London
- Romford, Essex
- Easington Colliery, County Durham
- Bull Bay, Gwynedd
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
