Nostalgic memories of Gidea Park's local history

Share your own memories of Gidea Park 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 all 6 Memories

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
I was born in Factory Road in 1947. I lived there with my mum, dad, brother and 2 sisters until I was 16 and moved away because of the redevelopement. We lived at number 33, my nan lived at number 26 and my aunt and 2 cousins lived at number 12. Myself and my siblings all went to Ardleigh Green Primary School, then my brothers to Highlands and me and my sisters to Heathpark for girls. My childhood was very happy ...see more
Picture shows the junction of Main Road with Crossways. I moved to Crossways aged 7 in 1961. The shop on the corner by the phone box was a Co-op, and the one on the far side of Crossways was a Post Office. From 1961 to 1970 I caught the bus to Brentwood for school from stop opposite on left on photo. My father still lives in Crossways in 2010.