Nostalgic memories of Billericay's local history

Share your own memories of Billericay and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 12 in total

Looking for Edward F Ralph who married Grace Sipple in 1956 I think you may be my half brother??
Any one remember the 4 miles fun run and the parties at Cherles III,
I used to love the six weeks summer holidays...always walked from South Green to Lake meadows....seemed such a long trek for my little legs...but well worth it...when having taken off my sandals and socks....I could stand on the the fountain and feel on top of the world! Brilliant memory!
I remember my mum taking us to Lake Meadows in the 60's when we were little; me, my 2 sisters and brother. We paddled in this pool. I later remember taking my own daughter in the 80's. Lake Meadows used to have little boats for kids and rowing boats for the lake that we all enjoyed. The paddling pool was replaced with climbing frames and boating is no longer practiced there. It's still a nice place to visit.
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.
I remember this old cafe very well - not too well lit inside, but friendly atmosphere - my Mum, her friend Joan Slaney and son Michael (who was the same age as me) used to have tea and cakes etc. in the cafe on some occasions after our Mum's had picked us up from school.  The last time I went to Billericay (many years ago now) this cafe had become an Indian Restaurant.
This old church was modernised, including an extension at the front, sometime in the 1980s (I believe). My cousin Marion got married here, early 1980s, and the modernisation work took place sometime later - need to find dates. Personally, I did not think the modernisation work was in keeping with the original architecture.