Nostalgic memories of Woodford Bridge's local history
Share your own memories of Woodford Bridge 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 52 in total
I too new Mr Wernink from the bridge mission, after a dip with my friend Evelin in the Hollow Ponds, I was attending a scout meeting at Snakes Lane when I experienced the most horrendous back pain which was diagnosed as Infantile paralysis, now known as Polio. When I came out of Waltham Abbey Isolation Hospital complete with body irons, Mr Wernink organised rehabilitation accommodation for me in Harwich ...see more
I have only just found this site. I was born in 1944 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, my Mom was sent there as bombs were falling still in the London area and Woodford was still getting there fair share. We lived in an alleyway between the post office and a shop the other side which I can't remember what it sold. My first memory when I was three years old was being taken home by a policeman as I had walked up to the ...see more
I can remember the sweet shop just outside the school, I would run there (during playtime) for sweets. There was a wooden step for small children to be able to see over the counter and a seat. I used to get 2oz of a mix of sweets and they would be put in a cone of paper that the lady made and turned over at the top. Then it was wait for the all clear from friends that no teachers were ...see more
I began my nursery training here, my house was initially Empire, then Canon Fleming.......with Miss Souter as my mentor and trainer. I was the youngest of a group of 7 girls, all hoping to gain the coveted NNEB qualification. I attended Walthamstow Tech one day a week for theory training, the rest was very much hands on!! OOOH the memories of washing all those nappies in HUGE gas-heated boilers (we students ...see more
I remember living in Claybury Hospital for a while in the late 40's. We lived with the chief fireman, Percy Drain, and we lived in a cottage opposite the laundry (I think) - my brother Darrell, me and mm. I didn't have any fears, it seemed natural but I do remember some strange sights.
PS. I'm Ian Stevens.
I remember these playing fields being flooded by the Roding on a fairly regular basis. From the main road there was the clinic where mums used to go to get free orange juice and I think milk for their babies. Also, they could get baby's health checked, weight etc. Does anyone else remember this?
Looking at this picture brings back memories of the Bridge Mission. You went down a alleyway, I think beside a tie factory and a shop called Grants. Because I had very small feet, the kind Mr Grant got my shoes in specially. They were always very small, tight and pointed, and were very painful to walk in; but because he went to so much trouble, I never said a word. The Mission, I was in the Girls ...see more
I think this is the date or so, I was fairly young, about 13 at the time. My granny was in this place, it really disturbed me having to go through all the wards with the locks and the keys, as a child it really affected me! I remember all the people running to me as I entered each ward and the nurses locking the door behind me! But I had to go through so many locked doors to see my granny.
I would like to know if anyone remembers the Cutmore family in Waltham Road, my former name was Stow, and I was good friends with Pam Hayden that lived at 129. But I would like to contact the Cutmores if anyone knows where they are.
Thank you
Valerie Sims (nee Stow)
Anyone who was there during that period, what are your memories of the Nuns, such as Sister Mathews, Peters, Cabrini and Gabriel also can anyone remember the name of the Master?