Wickford, Essex

the railway

My memories of Wickford start quite late around 1981.I was born 1950 in The Towers(a maternity home, which was once the home of Gracie Fields in Hampstead)When my parents moved from Hornchurch to Bradwell-on-sea in 1981, i found myself travelling from Bradwell-on-sea to London (my work was with ICL (computers) as an Engineer)by train. So my journey started with an early rise around 6.00 i think, then a drive to Southminster station for the train to London, but of course the train was the single line diesel train which entailed a change at Wickford. This caused me many problems and headaches over the years as trains were cancelled or points failed etc. On some occasions the trains did not connect and me and my fellow commuters would spend some time walking down to Wickford high street for a welcome cup of tea in the Bakers Oven. Also on our return journeys we sometimes had time on our hands while we waited for trains to get us home.
I did get to look around Wickford and remember a Sweet shop on a corner of the same block as the butcher shop. This had an upstairs which had toys and records a few of which i purchased. There was also an interesting corrugated building which was opposite the station and seemed to be a gymnasuim, i wonder if anyone remembers who ran it and if they are the owners of the more modern gym nearby now?
We boughtour first good television a Panasonic with remote control in a good shop on the corner near the old post office. It specialised in Panasonic tvs

My Memory

We left England that year for Australia. It was April, I was 12. All my friends left behind, playing in the park near the River Crouch. I don't remember names, it was long ago. I can see myself walking to different places, I wish I had more memories.

back in 1963

I was moved to Wickford with my family in December 1963, a hard winter, removal van had trouble getting up the unmade road. Coming from London, it was a bit of a sleepy village for me and especially for my teenage siblings. Had to wait for 2 weeks to be able to buy a number one record, from Eagans the music store. The chickens and sheep being sold in the market place located where the car park is now beside the community centre. Adrian then was selling records in the market out of cardboard boxes. Narrow pavements under railway bridge, where the little shops, the cabin owned by Mr & Mrs Gladdin selling cigarettes. I attended Market Road infant and junior schools, later attending Beauchamps. So many memories.

Flood

I was sent off to buy some bread by my mother. But crossing the river Crouch by the bridge was impossible.  Wickford was under water. I don't recall the year. But the brand name of the bread was: Wheatchief. I used to buy sandpaper in Mays for my dad. And Egans, I thought they could fix anything, as well as selling records!  But my Saturday haunt was the library in the High Street. A little room it was, housing their cardboard pockets to place your chosen book-ticket into. Does anyone remember the little library in the High Street? I went back to Wickford a fews years back, and well, the only thing recognisable was the cycle shop at Halls Corner - Prentice. Halls had been long gone too I was told. And the Castle Pub, now a supermarket is in its place.

Basildon Living Memories Pocket Album

Pardey & Johnson traded from the gabled building on the left. Basically a grocery shop and off-licence, it also accommodated Wickford’s post office around the time of our picture. The in-store café can be seen to the extreme left. The pub sign a few doors along marks the position of the White Swan.

Basildon Living Memories Pocket Album

We are looking south, towards Halls Corner. The shops on the left were built with bricks from the Nevendon Road brickworks. The shrubs conceal Ladybrow, a former doctor’s house and surgery. It was demolished in the late 1960s, and the site is now occupied by the Ladygate Shopping Centre.

Basildon Living Memories Pocket Album

Judging by the slogan on the rectory wall, not everyone was happy with the post-war Conservative government. The Quart Pot, a Baddow Brewery house, was where Wickford’s Salvation Army had their early meetings. They would apparently leave a copy of the ‘War Cry’ in the hollow oak outside the pub, for the benefit of passers-by.