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Southend-On-Sea
Southend-On-Sea photos
Displaying the first of 148 old photos of Southend-On-Sea. View all Southend-On-Sea photos
Southend-On-Sea maps
Historic maps of Southend-On-Sea and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Southend-On-Sea maps
Southend-On-Sea area books
Displaying 1 of 18 books about Southend-On-Sea and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Southend-On-Sea
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Southend-On-Sea.
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Southend Beach
My Great Uncle and Great Aunt (Joe and Rose) both passed away recently, so I decided to share their memory here. I am their Great Niece's daughter.
As far as I am aware, they met about aged 17 or 18 on a "Beano" on Southend beach one year, about 60 years ago during the summer. Joe fell for Rose immediately, and wrote with a stick into the sand, "Joe loves Rose". They stayed together for the rest of their lives and had children and grand-children. Rose was ill and died a couple of years ago. Joe fell ill also and he passed away and met her again up there almost exactly a year later. I am sad they are not here anymore, but I'm glad they are together again. I hope they appreciate me sharing their memory.
We lived in Rainham, but then moved near Southend about 15 years ago and so much has changed since.
Days at Southend
I remember travelling to Southend with my family on a steam train from London. My sister and I use to put our heads out of the windows. More often than not when we sat down our faces would be black with soot from the smoke of the train and our mum would try to wipe us clean with her hanky.
When we arrived at Southend it was off to the beach for a paddle and a play then a ride on the boats in the boating lake. At lunchtime we walked up the hill to have our lunch of pie and mash, or fish and chips, then a Rossi ice cream for afters. In the afternoon we would get on a boat to the Isle of Sheppey, and spend the rest of the day in the Kursal. My fondest memory of the Kursal was the bowl slide, where you were were taken to the top of the slide by an electric chair then, once at the top, you were given... Read more
Golden Hind
My auntie, Ivy Cass, was the cashier on the Golden Hind for many years. I spent every Christmas in Southend from 1942-1956 and went on the Golden Hind every Boxing Day. If my memory is correct there was a slot machine that had a life-size doll that had a very loud laugh that worked when you put 6d in I also walked the pier and back on the same day.
Southend on Sea, The Amusement Park
This used to be Peter Pan's Playground. I remember coming to Southend when it was completely under water from the floods.
Sausage And Mash Cafe.
I remember the sausage and mash cafe almost opposite to where this photo was taken at the bottom of Pier Hill. It was called 'The Old Sausage Shop' and I sometimes had lunch there while working at a nearby amusement arcade. It wasn't the best of places to eat I'm afraid!. The sausages came from big tin cans and heated in hot water. These were served with soggy onions and very salty mashed potatoes!. I can remember the tiled interior and the old tubular tables and chairs. I would think that the shop had changed hardly at all since the 1920's or even earlier.
The amusement arcade that I worked in was called 'Olympia'. Inside was a dodgem car track, a ghost train and a life size moving waxworks called 'Torture Through The Ages' - gruesome!. The arcade is now called 'Mr B's' or similar, but the original name is still clearly visible in... Read more
Churchill Gardens
'The gardens were officially opened on 4th May 1966 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex Sir John Ruggles-Brise Bt, CB, OBE, TD, JP. who unveiled a bust of Churchill in the centre of the gardens.' (quoted from the Southend Time Line). My young sons and I often walked through the gardens on our way home from primary school. First we would sit on the grass to enjoy iced buns and a drink of lemonade.
Airport 1950s
My father was a steward on the planes. Usually Daks Viscounts and Vikings. He flew with Crewsair, Channel Airways (I think) and BKS. He worked for Freddie Laker finally on admin. The names I remember are Keegan and Freddie Fox. Have still got his flying log. They travelled a lot back then. Even to Africa, Dubai etc.
Sausage And Mash Shop
Can anyone recall the sausage and mash shop on Pier Hill, a great favourite of mine as a young boy. I always remember the decor of a black and white tiled interior and long tables. If anyone can remember the shop's name, please reply.
