Westcliff Parade 1898, Southend-On-Sea
Westcliff Parade 1898, Southend-On-Sea Ref: 41386
Memories of Westcliff Parade 1898, Southend-On-Sea
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Southend-On-Sea & local memories
Read and share memories of Southend-On-Sea and Essex inspired by Frith photos.
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.
Priory Park
This is the walled garden in Priory Park. There was a notice at the bottom of the flight of steps saying 'No unaccompanied children' which made it doubly exciting. You could enter from the museum and cloisters, always the smell of clipped lavender, a fig tree on the wall and goldfish in the channel that led to the pond. As children we used to jump over the channel which was probably not more than two feet across but seemed like an impossible distance. The one to get socks wet was a sissy! Hope it's still there and as lovely as it ever was, a credit to the Parks department.
Tholthorpe
Please let Guy Jefferson have anything about Tholthorpe.
Southend (Chalkwell) Beach
On a recent visit (Sept 2010) to Southend, I walked along that section of the beach,which brought back childhood memories of seeing Punch and Judy shows at the Minstrel Stage in the years prior to WW II. The stage was removed in 1940 and rebuilt in 1945 (SouthendTimeline.com) and can be seen in the photo as the white structure on the beach. On the same section of beach, I also recall seeing Life Saving Demonstrations put on by the travelling road show sponsored by the DAILY SKETCH newspaper. I have tried without success to get a photo or an account of this Life Saving demonstration team which frequently appeared with the DAILY MIRROR EIGHT ladies fitness team ,at seaside resorts in the summer months.
Westcliff Baths
I learned to swim here in the 1950s. The water was freezing, every day there was a notice showing the supposed water temperature, taken with a warmed thermometer I think! We used to queue up at the beginning of the swimming season to aquire a season ticket. My brothers always managed to have enough swims to get their money back by July. There was a Water Ballet show in the summer, every time I hear the music 'Sleepy Lagoon' I think of the Westcliff Baths.
Cliffs Pavilion
Does anyone remember when this was a huge hole in the ground? It used to be called Shorefields I think.
Queen Victoria
We were always told as children that she was pointing to the public toilets just below. We know now that she was pointing out to sea!
Pier Hill Buildings
This is where the sea water baths were situated
Walks And Study
College days in S.O.S were fun with Bi-Pak and Maplin providing components for the electronics I was studing, and the endless others forms of fun along the sea front. But the best memory was on the Pier. I was walking my little daughter Penny in her pushchair and stopped to chat with a gent. Penny at this age could not walk (so I thought). After a few minutes Penny got out of the chair and rushed headlong towards the pier edge. Now, I am not fit or fast, but that day I could have run for England. I caught her just in time, and hugged her to bits. I never saw my son Scot take his first steps but I will never forget Penny's! She still goes head strong into things today. I love you Pen.
1950-52 And 55-57 Boating Lake
Hi all, My father worked on the boating lake between the years 1950-52 and then again after his national service 1955-57. He has fond memories of those boats and the lake. Does anyone remember the name of the boats by any chance? We were talking about them the other day but he couldn't remember.
Southchurch Hall
I remember Southchurch Hall - it was my library when I was a child. I lived in York Road, a few years from Southchurch Hall. I can still remember the smell of beeswax polish and the squeaky wooden floor. The library had a good junior section & I loved going there.
Motor Boats
I loved these little motor boats, I can still remember the smell of the exhaust fumes and hear their engines. The late 50's/early 60's were great in Southend, until the developers came! Anyone have any memories of St Erkenwalds?
Priory Park Museum
I think this photo is of Priory Park Museum - does anyone know what happened to the Hoy Collection of birds?
Airport Characters
Does anyone remember Clive and Terry Wren ladi marmol(ads aerial), the great Freddy Laker, Jack Jones. Mike Abbot to name a very few? We had some great times then, flying was fun and a lot less restricted than it is now.
Warm Childhood And Teenage Years
My mum visited Southend-on-Sea during her childhood years. She was born in 1917. Her family made a day trip there once per year, on public transport. They could only afford one visit per year because they were poor. I was more fortunate and visited there regularly with my parents throughout my childhood, sometimes with other relatives in tow, my aunts and uncles and young cousins. I was born in 1948. My parents were fortunate enough to own their own motor vehicle, a black Ford Prefect, so they would motor there every Sunday. We would eat a plate of cockles, a huge chunk of white bread and drink tea from mugs before returning home to East Ham. The tide was always out, the sand like squishy mud between my toes and crabs were plentiful. Always we walked the length of the pier, it was one of my favourite things to do. Later on, as a teenager, I motored there with friends to take part in ten pin bowling on the pier,... Read more
Churchill Gardens And The Sherbooms
My father lived in Tunbridge Road and was employed as a landscape gardener by Ian G Walker Ltd of South Godstone, Surrey from May 1946 until July 1959. Churchill Gardens was one of the Gardens he was involved with, it was started by Mr and Mrs Sherboom, who lived in a house adjacent to the old sand pit. The Sherboom land was called Havengore, and my father worked closely with the Sherbooms to create what later became Churchill Gardens. I believe it was Mr Sherboom's choice to have the Churchill name given to what he created.
I have many photos similar to the photographs here of Churchill Gardens of the same period showing Mr and Mrs Sherboom with their dogs in the gardens (they had many Great Danes) and a newspaper cutting of the time details what Mr Sherboom acheived. It's a little sad that I find no mention of Mr Sherboom's contribution to Churchill Gardens and their creation in any Southend Council info, not least because of my... Read more
Electric Trains on Southend Pier in 1957
I remember exactly when I first went to Southend. It was October 1957 and I can be so sure as I remember seeing newspapers on sale with the fantastic news about the successful launch of the Sputnik Russian satellite. It was exciting news to round off an interesting day as my family took my on the outing of my choice to celebrate my twelfth birthday.
I recall the green and cream electric trains which trundled us up and back along the mile long pier. My four year old brother wouldn't walk that far but I was glad he was the excuse for my ride on the train! Ice creams, the amusement arcade and a fun filled day were followed by a bit of a problem with my Dad's car. We had an old 1953 Ford Prefect and he parked it for the day in the street in Southend. When we first arrived in the morning my mother was sitting in the back of the car with my... Read more
Separation
This scene has little changed although there has of course been the cliff landslip.The white railings on the right hand side of the picture enclose the dinghy maintainance/storage area of the Alexader Yacht Club. Perhaps a more accurate title for the picture would be to call it the WESTERN ESPLANADE. We were married in 1960. I was then in the Navy and we were facing a separation of fifteen months as I had been drafted to an aircraft carrier HMS Albion and she was due to sail for the Far East. We spent our last couple of hours here before I caught the train. Sitting on a bench on the other side of this road holding hands and too frightened at the prospect of being parted to speak to each other. Mind you I must had said something right as we are still married.
Pier Walk
When we were at Shoebury on holiday Mum and Dad always took me on the pier. We went out by train and usually walked back providing the weather was good. I can still remember the platforms either end and the green trains with the seats with backs that could be moved. The red mine at the end of the pier and then the lifeboat station on the left. We would also go to Margate from there as well. Either by the Royal Daffodil or Royal Sovereign.
Coach Beanos
I can remember during the 50's and 60's every weekend during the summer coaches lined up all the way from Gasworks Bridge right up to the pier.
Motor Racing For The Young at Southend On Sea.
I remember this little track so well, it's just at the foot of the pier and has been there for as long as I can remember. My parents often took me to Southend for a day's outing, we had family friends at Thorpe Bay and quite often my dad and uncle and I would leave my mum and auntie to catch up on their gossip and chatter and we'd head off to Southend. After a time at the Kersaal with all its side-shows and dodge'em cars, we always went to the little race track last before heading back for tea. I can recall the smell of those little engines, the rubber tires and slipery wooden covered track. Every time a smell like that wafts past my nose, even today, I think of the track at foot of Southend Pier. It was still there in 1955 so the photo.
postscript: It's 2008 now and I understand the track is still there, albeit updated. I can't go back there now,... Read more
Southend Airport
I worked for British Air Ferries in the early seventies as a post room assistant and remember so vividly the sight and sounds of those lumbering great Carvairs and the clouds of bluish smoke and coughing engines. I was also an Air Cadet with the 1812 squadron. I remember marching up the road behind Aviation Traders and sitting on the grass near the end of the runway, listening to the Sky Larks in between the bellowing of one fat NCO. These were the days before high security and terrorism.
I also remember peddling frantically down Hoblythick Lane on new years day in the ice and fog to see a huge array of airliners diverted to Southend Airport. In my haste, I braked on the ice, didn't stop, and ended up splayed across the road with cut knees. Oh to be young again! I left Southend in 1974 and now live in Norwich but still have strong attachments.
This Used to be The Highlight of Our Day Out.
As a child in the early 1950's I can remember that the best part of our day out was the boat rides on this lake. I can still remember the smell from the engines.
I grew up in Hornchurch and if I remember correctly we bought our first car in the early 50's and 3 or 4 times in the summer we would drive to Southend and maybe once we would go to Clacton.
Boating Lake
I lived in Southend from 1944 to 1945 in Cheltenham Avenue off York Road. The boating lake (now Adventure Land) was always an attraction to us, we sailed boats before they open the lake for rowing boats. I first begain to row here. When the motor boats came about we spent many a time driving these boats around the lake trying to lengthen the time by staying far away from the jetty when when were called in. Southend was very different then and the Kursaal was the main attraction then. Rides were tame compared with today's amusment parks.
Southend Beach And Boating Lakes.
We moved to Southend during 1944 and stayed there for about a year till May 1945. A group of boys who lived in Cheltenham Avenue, off York Road and myself decided to take a boat to the boating lake where Adventure Land is now As we were walking along the front prom when we were approached by a photographer who asked us to play on the newly opened beach, this was in April 44. We played leap frog and sat near a family who were on the beach to make it look full, show ing the beach was open again. We did make it to the lake and had a good day. These pictures were produced in two local paper that week and we were all keen to view these pictures as children would. Our photo was in the paper, I did say we were children. I do not have copies of these photos to show but would be interested to see them again if anybody had a copy. I... Read more
ROBSONS CORSET SHOP
Did anyone use or work in the Robson's Corset Shop? I need you to contact me I am producing a book on Foundation Wear and peoples relationship with foundations, corselettes / girdles etc any info no matter how small is required. If this information is not put down now it will be lost for ever. Please contact me either via the site or via corsetiere@corset.ndo.co.uk Yours Geoffrey
Southend-On-Sea
Southend-on-Sea is a beautiful place, where I hope to go one day, so many places to go.
The Kursal
We moved from Kent to Eastwood near Leigh-on-Sea when I was 11 which was in 1960.
Every Sunday we would get the bus (dad didn't drive then) to Leigh. We'd walk from where the cockle sheds were (dad always had some or whelks maybe but I wouldn't try them!) along the front to Southend Pier. We'd walk down the pier then ride back on the train - thankfully! We always had an icecream cone and sometimes used to eat at a little Italian style cafe not far off the prom. I also recall the big cafe on the front near the peir where they displayed all the food cooked in the windows. Sausages spring to mind, can't remember what else but I can smell the onions even now!
As for the Kursal, we used to visit there regularly. The ride that sticks in my mind is the Caterpillar - air used to blow up and blow your skirt up, very rude to us young girls! I also recall what I... Read more
