Nostalgic memories of Chingford's local history
Share your own memories of Chingford 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 1 - 10 of 25 in total
My mother Irene was born in 1927 in London. In the 1930’s she and her parents, Charles and Ada Moore, lived in Chingford. On the evening of 30 Sept 1940 a bomb was dropped on their home on Normandshire Dr. My grandfather, a member of the Home Guard, was killed and is buried In Chingford Mount cemetery. In the weeks to follow her grandparents also were killed by bombs dropped during the blitz. I look forward to a visit ...see more
My first job when I was 15 was in Silverthorn Telephone Exchange. I remember, when I went to the Telephone Managers Office for my interview. I had wanted to work in Directory Enquiries but was told that although I spoke well and passed the hearing and writing tests I had a regional accent and would not be able to get a position in central London. It’s not as if I spoke cockney and mum had ...see more
If you wanted to have your name in the Chingford guardian you would brave a visit to Larkswood pool on the first day of the season, which was usually early May. My friend Julia Bruns and myself got our names in the paper that way but boy was it cold.I remember we used to buy a hot drink from the cafe which consisted of an oxo cube in hot water, anyone else remember that drink? To think of it now makes me feel sick but ...see more
We lived on Normanshire Dr early 60s. Went to school on the New Rd then to Wellington Ave; at that time Wellington Ave boys and girls were separated. Loved the fish and chip shop and Rossi's ice cream. Went to the Odeon on Saturday mornings with my sister then we would rush home and listen to the radio messages of the military dedication songs and messages to loved ones. As with others spent a lot of ...see more
Lived at the Hatch from 1954 to 1973.Pupil At Chingford High School from Sept 1965 to Nov 1970.Would love to join group.Curious to know if any of my old classmates still live in Chingford or are part of the group.
Does anyone remember the cycle shop - either at the top or bottom of Chingford Mount? Can't remember which. Run by Harold Baker (my great uncle) and his wife Betty?
Sunday 25th of June 1944. A lovely summers day but at 9 o'clock in the evening the air raid siren sounded and a few minutes later a V1 flying bomb came roaring over the housetops, apparently going to miss us - but the engine cut out and in the eerie silence that followed a swishing sound briefly showed it was only too close, and was followed by a thunderous explosion that brought our house down. ...see more
My very first memory is in 1934 when my parents, sister and I came to live in rooms over a private school in The Mount (from memory) near to a new Fire Station that had just been built. I was four years old and my mother was carrying me in her arms. My sister was l5 months older than me and so she started school at the Catholic School in Station Road, Chingford. After a few weeks I was getting restive and ...see more
Very, very, happy memories of living in Chingford in the 60's. I moved to Westward Road when I was five and I went to Chase Lane School when it still had more or less outside toilets! One of the teachers (I think the maths teacher) still had one of the old fashioned desks with steps that led up to the seat. Saturday was Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon sitting on the handlebars of my dad's bike there ...see more
My mother, Doris Pace, was born in Chingford in 1909 and lived in Eglington Road. She belonged to the tennis club and used to go shopping in Station Road. Her Nanny, Annie Hilling, lived in Willow Street for many years, and used to say it was the only "street" in Chingford! This street turns out of Station Road just near the house one can see in the middle of the photo. In 1934 my ...see more
