Gidea Park, Hare Street c.1950

Photo ref: G270001

My grandparents lived at number 24 Factory Road. They were the last people to leave the street and I remember visiting them for the last time there when the rest of the street was deserted; the postage stamp gardens overgrown and windows broken etc. I was born in 1953 so my memories of the place begin three or four years later of course. I remember that there was an old derilict school a little further ...see more

I was born in north London, at the age of 5, I moved with my two twin younger brothers & parents to Harold Hill council estate on the first part built; 24 Charlbury Crescent. We had farms all around us as the rest of Harold Hill was not built. I went to Bosworth School, then on to Quarles Secondary Modern, I used to cycle to school. I played for school football team at Bosworth and remember going on a school ...see more

One thing which I can never remember anyone commenting on, and of which I have seen no photos, is the holiday coaches which used to depart from behind Romford Market place in the 1950s. The particular company I remember from various holiday journeys is GRASSHOPPER COACH COMPANY. They were painted in a dignified deep green and were very smart with their half cab bodies. They may have been a variant of ...see more

I was born in Carlton Road in 1937. Got bombed out when a landmine dropped down the road and we were evacuated to Clacton while my Dad worked down the Underground tunnel when his factory and the machines were moved away from the air raids. Went to a boarding school in Surrey because I got very good at forging notes to my teacher and playing hookey. Forgot one thing - the attendance officer. Family Services ...see more