All Coming Back To Me Now!

A Memory of Hornchurch.

Hi from New Zealand, so good to see this site, found quite by accident. I was born in Oldchurch Hospital in 1946 and spend my childhood living at Laburnum Walk, Elm Park. Ayloff School was my first memory, crossing Southend Road - helped by the Crossing man with his lollypop banner (Mr Walmsley), such a nice man. Recall walking (in snow & rain) to the swimming pool in Hornchurch from Ayloff...such a long way for little legs. Later went on to Suttons Secondary (no bains for the "grammar" school). We had a music teacher by the name of Mr Grain, fondly know as "Seed Box" . Recall the boys putting sugar in the petrol tank of his scooter! Also remember being pushed in dad's wheelbarrow along Maylands Avenue on a Sunday morning to the Gardening Society (dad was a member) to collect plants, canes, seedlings etc. Walks to the Library in Elm Park with dad were good, my first glance at "Lady Chatterleys Lover"...later to be read in a brown paper cover on the train into London for my first job in Chancery Lane, then age 15! I was Christened in St Andrews Church, Hornchurch and both my grandparents are buried there. Dad worked at A.J Crollie in Dagenham as a Toolmaker. I was marrried (1966) in Elm Park Baptist Church. Also went there for Guides, youth club and as a Sunday school teacher. I could go on for ever, but time for me to collect the eggs and go fishing. Life in NZ is great, came here in 1976. Being an only child I so miss not having people to talk with about my Essex days. Love to hear from anyone who remembers me. Barbara Bailey (nee Fox).