Upney Lane

A Memory of Barking.

I was born in the Cottage Hospital in Upney Lane in 1950 and lived in Beccles Drive (Glenny Estate) until I married in 1976. My grandparents lived at 26 Upney Lane, next door to Mr and Mrs Welch (Vera Lynn's mother and father). I can remember Mrs Welch who was lovely and just remember meeting Vera.

My grandfather built a 'dugout' under the garage at the back of number 26 and during the Blitz Mr and Mrs Welch used to join my grandparents and children in the dugout. My grandfather told me that the bus station (where this photo was taken from) took a hit and a paving slab landed in their front garden a good 200 yards away on the opposite side of the road.

I remember Faircross so well. It was always referred to as 'going round the corner' to get fish and chips, or fruit and vegetables from the greengrocers (I can't remember their names except for Charlie). There was also a very nice grocers and a travel agents (Bert Marshalls) where all our holidays were booked.

I used to walk 'round the corner' to catch the bus to Barking Station every morning to get the train to work. It was a wonderful place to live then. Barking Park was beautiful and I can remember walking back in the summer from my friends house in Barking, past the Park, sometimes at 11:00 o'clock at night without any fear.

Opposite the row of shops was Barking Abbey Grammar school. Unfortunatley, I didn't pass the 11 Plus and went to Park Modern after Manor Infants and Manor Junior School on Sandringham Road. Park Modern was not the most brilliant school especially for art orientated children. It was more concerned with sport; rugby, athletics, especially netball for girls. I was never encouraged or helped with my subject which was art. Not too fond memories of that place.

I was married at St.Margarets in 1976 and moved to Colchester and now live in North Yorkshire.