Nostalgic memories of Laindon's local history

Share your own memories of Laindon 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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Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 24 in total

I was born in Devonshire Road in 1961. I remember walking with my mum down Powell Road, through Pellhams Alley, past the North Parade post office, past the police station and along the High Road towards Langdon Hills. My mum had friends in Lee Chapel Lane and the walk seemed to go on forever. Happy days.
In the late 1950s my mum and dad moved to the Fortune of War and ran it for a few years. Bob and Betty worked for the brewery and this was the first house since Bob had left the navy. I went to Laindon Hill primary school and had the time of my life growing up in the vast rooms and yard of the pub with my older brouther Steve.
My dad sold his flowers outside the Fortune of War hotel. He had a plot of ground opposite our bungalow in Florence Road, Langdon Hills (now Florence Way). He picked them, put them in boxes at the front and back of his bicycle, then cycled down Laindon High Road each night in the summer months. He sold them to the people on the coaches going to and coming from Southend, sometimes I would go with him and sell blackberries or mushrooms I had picked.
Memories of Laindon High Road School, Enifors Cafe, 3 Walton Court. I remember being picked on by Paul Fletcher, Robert and brother. And my dad used to work at Pitsea refuse dump. Then for a while I was living off the High Road.
These houses are in St. Nicholas Lane. I lived in the house on the left of the photo. It was named Neasden. We lived there until 1950 when we moved to London. The hill was a very good winter sports attraction with some very fast toboggan runs.
this is looking towards St Nicholas Lane, isn't it?
This was taken five years before I was born, but I remember the High Road very well and loved walking along it, looking in the shop windows, it seemed to go on forever.
This is a part of Laindon we must preserve, there's not many left, but it should be safe on top of the hill. Many happy days were spent in the fields behind, flying kites and playing football, when I was a child and with my grandchildren in recent years. The Crown was a favourite lunchtime haunt when the children were little and more recently for family gatherings.
This is another part of Laindon that is no more. I can remember waiting outside the Fortune of War with a Guy leading up to Firework Night, I always collected lots of change from the kind patrons of this local drinking establishment. I don't think anyone noticed that it was really my sister dressed up in the wagon, if they did they kindly didn't say. Other times of the year we would return beer bottles to the off-licence ...see more
It was a very sad day when Laindon School closed and even worse when it was demolished. I have fond memories of my days at Laindon, I joined when Mr Chadband was head, and made many friends there. Apart from attending myself I was part of the PTA group that tried to keep it from closing, as my daughter was one of the last to be taught there. My son also attended, or so I thought at the time, I have since learnt his ...see more