Nostalgic memories of East Ham's local history
Share your own memories of East Ham 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 71 - 80 of 99 in total
I was born in Sutton Road, Plaistow (Plaster to us locals) in 1944 and from the age of 4 I was free to roam. Things were different then! Barking Road for all the shops, and the pubs. Rathbone Street market on a Saturday, when it was down Rathbone Street not on the Barking Road. Seeing all the stalls with food overhanging the edges of barrows, which if you were quick or very little could be yours for the ...see more
I was born in Hatherley Gardens in 1951. My memories are of all the lovely shops that were around, I wonder if anyone can remember some of them? Salters Prams, Larkins Sweet Shop, Rowes Sports, Hamlets estate, Economic Stores, Cohens furnishers, Bertwistles chip shop, Slaters show repairs, Greenwoods, Eddy Grimsteads, Streletts Junk Shop, Greens Surplus Stores, East Ham Pet Stores, Hill Bros Fishmongers, Alex's ...see more
When I worked at Fentocraft in St Johns Road it was a small factory that did hand painting on glass and pick-a-sticks, a game. We always had a Christmas party, they would put a table down the middle and our bosses, a M and Mrs Bound, provided the food, always a turkey and all the trimmings, even wine, which we never had at home, with our lunch. They even gave us all presents, not just one, of which I still have a Hummel ...see more
My first serious girl friend lived in White Horse Road. She worked in her father's small grocery shop in Green Street. I recall I had to buy quite a few jars of jam before I could pluck up courage to ask her out on a date, as it turned out Linda was to give me a 'dear John', how shattered was a 17 year old?
I also recall, I lived at 58 Higham Road when I would use the Erskin Arms public house, the landlord then ...see more
Thank-you for your memory of "toast" at East Ham swimming baths. I can remember going with the school swimming back in the 60s & the treat of a slice of buttered toast afterwards costing 1 penny or 2 pennies for a topper -- I think that's the right price anyway !!! LOL
The best toast in the world was served by the two old ladies in the Town Hall swimming baths; then you'd come out and go in the library next door. Saturday mornings off to the shack at Brampton Manor, Peter Brewer was the youth leader there. Often wonder what happened to all the old crowd; We use to go down the Odeon in Barking Road or Snooker rooms at the Green Man and of course the central pub. Does any one remember the Galleons Hotel? How about the town show with fireworks in Central Park?
Can anyone remember Coronation Day in Stokes Road? It's so clear in my mind but I have only one photo. We had a long table in the street . My sister was dressed as a Dutch girl and the boy next door called Lenny Moss was a jockey but his outfit was made of crepe paper and it split. I was dressed in baggy trouser and a crop top with a veil but I hid behind the curtains because of my bare tummy. We had our own Queen, ...see more
I can remember sitting in our front room (every one had a front room) with my mum playing a card game called Happy Families and the house that joined us had all their family there and you could hear them stamping there feet on the lino (there were no carpets then) and singing all the old songs. I lived at 61 Stokes Road, that's how it was then. Also why don't you hear men whistle any more? Folk were a lot poorer but you could always here someone whistling, perhaps songs had more melody then.
My family moved to East Ham from Mile End. We lived on White Horse Road, and I attend Brampton Manor. My brother and sister attended other schools. We used to to the reck centre in Central Park, on Saturdays, it was so beautiful and green. I used to work at the Shack at Brampton Manor, in the weekday evenings. I do remember also going the library at the Town Hall, I was supposed to be doing homework, but ...see more
The photograph on Barking Road c1965 brought back some childhood memories. I was born in Dukes Court in 1955. I can remember the shops in the photo, the Fish & Chip shop, Johns the Greengrocer's, Walkers, Aflecks, the Dry Cleaners on the corner. Before the Fish & Chip shop was Pat & Ken's (Eagle sewing machines), Burlin's, the oil shop & Woods the Bakers. We used to queue outside Woods for the hot ...see more
