Hockley, The Spa Hotel c.1965

Photo ref: H176035

Just past Hockley Primary School on the way to the village was a small sweet shop/cafe? and it was run by a really nice man called "Bill". He used to sell 1d lollies to the school children. The shop was right next door to a big oak tree. The oak tree is still there, but sadly the shop is gone. I wonder if the people who live at the house now built on the land ...see more

So many memories of this place, too many to include here! Going to the "big" school was quite daunting, however I soon was to become so inspired by what I saw there. The first days were spent being fearful of the Head Mr. Creevy (aka Creepy), who walked around the school with a sawn-off cane up his sleeve... and wasn't afraid to use it! His partner in crime (more feared by the girls), was ...see more

It's great to see this picture. This parade was on the walking route to and from school, from where we lived on the new estate at Southbourne Grove to the Evangelical church hall (pre school), Hockley Primary School, then the new Plumberow primary school, then finally onto Greensward Secondary. I recall Sutherlands as being an Aladdins cave of sweets, magazines, toys, and a very special lucky dip bran ...see more

My great-grandmothers house was built on the land on Greensward Lane which was sold during the great land sales in 1907. I remember all the stories about the dirt roads gradually being upgraded, and gas lighting being replaced by electricity. Anyone have any stories or photos of how everything developed during the early 1900's?