Nostalgic memories of Dagenham's local history
Share your own memories of Dagenham 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 111 - 120 of 141 in total
Lived in 2 Wix Road, Becontree, Dagenham until I was 23 from 1951 to 1974. My mum still lives there. Did anyone else out there live nearby? I have fond memories. People were lovely. No complications. Summers were summers and autumn was conker time. Winter was snowballs, and Guy Fawkes Night was amazing. You would make your own guy from an old shirt, trousers sewn together and stuffed with newspaper and put a ...see more
We moved to Maxey Road, Dagenham from the Beacontree Estate in about 1946 and I was resident until 1961 when I got married and moved to East Ham. My education started off at South Wood Lane primary school where I still retain vivid memories of Mr. Bond, the Headmaster, Miss Childs, Mr. Bateman and my first love, at age 9, Miss Jones. There must have been many more but these are the only ones that stay with me. I can also ...see more
There was a rag and bone man on Church Street whom we knew as Charlie. Every week local housewives would gather in his yard to buy secondhand clothing and toys which he would auction from the back of a cart laden with an assortment of items which he had collected earlier. The women would stand in a group around the cart yelling his name each time he held aloft an item of clothing or a toy they ...see more
I learnt to swim in the pool with my school (Robert Clack) in September 1970. Our sports teacher, Mr George, used to tie ropes and pull you along....."Sink or swim", he would bellow. The water was freezing and the changing rooms smelt of chlorine, in the park was a bandstand where Punch and Judy puppets were performed in the summer holidays. There was so much to do in the park during the holidays, ...see more
I lived at the top of Valence Avenue, which was 1.1/4 miles long. I was nearly into Chadwell Heath, but my address was Dagenham (and proud of it!) . I used to go to Lymington Road School and we went to Valence Swimming Baths for lessons, even though it was freezing cold and had to jump in! We went back recently and what a shock it was! The Advance Laundry has gone! (I lived next door to it.) The Limington ...see more
Dear Ron,
I left for Canada that year, the old villege was still there, I came back in 1972 and it was all gone, even the Keys had changed, not the same gang. To tell you the truth I don't remember you, you know all about me? I will try to remember any way,
Best regards,
Cliff
I remember going out on the jetty and skiving off when I should have been working in the engine plant, mind you, apprentices don't do much anyway, wandering around the foundry and Frog Island.
Greetings across the waves! My wife and I live in Seattle, Washington USA. My name is Steve Harris and I went to DCHS as did my parents (Bert & Vera Harris) and sister Susan. I am looking for a number of my school chums from 'back when'. I was the lead tenor in the choir at school. Most of the names listed below are related to the music department. My wife and I have been all over the internet ...see more
My late father, Verdun Frederick Davis, was born in the Chequers Lane Cottages, I think it was no 9, on the 29th Feb 1916, one of 10 children with only Amy still living. His father was a Thames Lighterman who was employed by Sammies, he was also a good Quoits player. My mother Marjory Davis, now 91, is still alive and living in sheltered accomodation in Dagenham. I myself was born in Dagenham in 1937 in Hardie Rd, ...see more
It was with great warmth that I read the memory about the O'Dells at the Cross Keys Pub. I too spent some great times with young Cliff at the family garage and at the X Keys. My mother also worked for many years with Mrs O'Dell in the little factory in Crown Street next to the bank. It was indeed a great time to be around as school children and teens in Dagenham, we really did have it all. Fond ...see more