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Stone maps
Historic maps of Stone and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Stone maps
Stone area books
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Memories of Stone
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Essex memories
W & C French Ltd Contractors.
My father Leon Lalonde was Mechanical Engineer for W&C French from 1928 to 1947. He was responsible for the repair and maintenance of all Mechanical Equipment and Heavy Machinery. The large yard was located between Fairlands Close and The Reindeer Pub on Epping New Road. The yard housed every different kind of machine and piece of equipment a construction company might need. It also had a major repair workshop, paintshop, welding shop, and wood working shop.
During the war Mr. Charles French was naturally very concerned about the safety and welfare of his staff and employees and their families. He ordered a series of Air Raid shelters to be built into the natural side of a hill within the yard. These were to be four side by side concrete shelters, reinforced with tram lines from Walthamstow, which had switched to trolley buses. They would have a roof several feet thick, and walls of equal strength. One was designated as a Womans and Childrens Shelter, the second for Men. Each... Read more
The Two Bob Gun.
At the top of Queens Road in Buckhurst Hill is a small newsagents shop. It was owned by the Mr & Mrs. Silk. The shop sold papers magazines cigarettes, sweets and a few toys. Situated right across the road from where Princes Road branches off. The little shop did a roaring trade. I attended school at Taunton House about half way down Queens Road., and of course passed Silks going to and from school. My Mother always let me stop for a minute to look in the shop window.
One day I saw a toy revolver, like the cowboys used in the wild west. It was a cap gun and with the holster cost two shillings. I asked my parents so many times if I could have that gun. Each time I was told No, as it was too expensive. After several months of hoping and asking I still recieved the same answer. One day I looked in the window and it was gone ! I was heart broken, someone... Read more
Trolly Times
Most young boys at sometime rode and or built their own trolly. My experience growing up, living on the edge of French's Yard on Epping New Road in Buckhurst Hill, was full of good times riding my home-built trolly down the long slope in the yard after working hours and on weekends. My main difficulty back then was finding at least two matching pram wheels. Having one wheel was useless, but finding two the same size was like gold! Many times the two front wheels were the smallest, and the bigger pair were for the back. A good wide plank was to sit on, a six inch nail, or a proper bolt through the centre of the wooden front axle allowed us to steer it, by a rope nailed to each end. Brakes? The best kind was a stick nailed into the side of the plank, and pulled up on so it dragged on the ground.
I can't recall how many trollys I built back in those wartime days but... Read more
Toy Shop Queens Rd Buckhurst Hill
My grandparents lived in Kings Place, Bukhurst Hill, Florence and William Street. I stayed a lot with them and always remember the toy shop at the bottom of Queens Road, its name I can't recall. There used to be a full train set in the window. There was a slot in the doorway where you put a penny in and the train used to go round. It was just magic and everytime I went with Nan to the shops she generously gave me a penny.
Grandfather Had Relation Who Lived Here
I have not had the pleasure to have seen Buckhurst Hill, Essex to date but my grandfather Robert Martin Taylor had a relation who lived there. His son Everard William Taylor was born Scotland 28th August 1885 and died Perth, Western Australia when I was seven, 10th Sept 1963. I will like to hear from anyone who may have known my relatives. My email: margaretgoode@hotmail.com Kind Regards and Hello to all Margaret From OZ.
Going to Church
I went with my family to the Congregational Church all my life till we got married there in 1970 and then moved away. I remember the new hall being built and Harold Johnson getting cement on his cassock whenthey laid the foundation stone. Of course both the old hall and church have now been demolished. The church used to put on shows in both the old and new hall which we took part in. My friends were there and I have many happy memories of church, singing in the choir, Sunday school, collecting for missions and sitting next to my mother and Mrs Cowley in the same pew every Sunday.
Family History
I have recently found out that my Great Grandmother Emma Frost (nee Lake) had a baby girl in 1864 called Annie Frost and she was born in Buckhurst Hill.
I suppose Emma must have known someone in the Town. It was legal, she was married.
I live in the West Country now and I have never heard of Buckhurst Hill so I thought I would find out about it which I have done.
A lot of my relations from way back seemed to come from Essex.
Years ago I went to Southend and I believe that is in Essex - am I right?
I am elderly now so instead of travelling I go surfing on my PC.
I think this is a nice memory don't you?
Good luck to you
From Mollie
