Billericay, Chantry Café c.1955
Photo ref: B319013
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Photo ref: B319013
Photo of Billericay, Chantry Café c.1955

More about this scene

A chantry was established in Billericay in 1342. The Chantry Café probably occupies the site of the priest's house. The building—with the date 1510 on its gable—is reputedly where four local Puritans met before sailing to the New World aboard the Mayflower. There is a Billerica (no 'y') in Massachusetts to this day.

Memories of Billericay, Chantry Café c1955

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Billericay, Chantry Café c.1955

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I remember going with my mother to the cafe after visiting Outpatients at St Andrew's Hospital, after a stay there for an operation on a 'trigger thumb' - I was only 6, but I recall that the cafe did a lovely ham sandwich & glass of milk. Many years later, I visited the same building, which by then had become the Polash Indian Restaurant - the food was different, but just as enjoyable !
I was born in St Andrew's Hospital which was once a workhouse, I wasn't sure of the year it became St Andrew's Hospital. I was born there in May 1967 and my sister was born July 1968. I am not sure of year the hospital became Billericay Burns Unit before it moved to Broomfield, Chelmsford, where it is to the present day.
I had a weekend job at the Chantry with my friend Pat Barker. I visited Billericay many years ago and the cafe had long since gone. I also have fond memories of my secondary school - Norsey House (blue) Stockwell (green) Chantry (Red) and my memory escapes me regarding Yellow House. I believe the houses have changed now. I have tried to find my friend Brenda Rogers (nee Theobald) to no ...see more
I used to work for Lord Rayleighs Dairies and my area of delivery was Billericay I used to deliver milk to the Chantry Cafe and most of the Town then out to Norsey Road and surrounding areas, happy days long gone.