Nostalgic memories of Hornchurch's local history
Share your own memories of Hornchurch 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 21 - 30 of 62 in total
My grandad, Victor Wright, ran Wright's Car Hire in Ardleigh Green next to Carter's Bakery nearly opposite the school. He had 2 Humber limousines, a Studebaker and an Austin 18 for chauffeur driven hire. He and the other drivers, which sometimes included my dad Ron Wright, would wear a navy blue suit and cap when they took people to weddings, or to the seaside or Heathrow, or collected rolls of lino from Bartons ...see more
In the 50s there was a cafe on the left on the Southend Arterial Rd maybe a bit less than a mile further on from the Squirrels Heath Rd and Ardleigh Green Rd traffic lights, going towards Southend. Does anyone know the name of this cafe where the ton up boys used to stop in the 50s? It was a big building with a big car park out front.There was always music on the juke box.
I went past 53 herbert road today it is now a house. I stoppped for a while good times remembered I also went to number 26 where my grandparents lived , now an empty house.
I have this photo. Some 25 yrs ago I was in an antique shop with my late father when he saw this photo and told me the man was my grandfather, who I never met, and the horses belonged to him. They were used in the families green grocers in north street. The shop was in the family for some time as I would go there as a young boy after school at langtons. My father would go with his older brother to market at stratford useing a ...see more
With three Christian names, William Henry John, you'd wonder why my dad chose to be called Jack. A surveyor for the county, he died in 1943; but not before building Mum and myself a bungalow at 53 Herbert Road. Back then, houses had names and mine was 'Somerleigh' (after Somerset and Leigh where Dad & Mum had lived). It was still standing the last time my daughter took a picture in 2005, but was ...see more
Hi there, I am trying to trace the daughter of William & Ethel King who lived in Haynes Road, Hornchurch for many years. Ethel passed away in 2004 at the great age of 93 so I am hoping that someone may be able to help?
My Great Uncle & Godfather, Jimmy King, is William's half brother and he has not seen Linda since his wedding in 1948. Uncle Jim is now 87 years old and would very much like to ...see more
THE picture of BILLET LANE was taken outside of DR.PATTERSONS surgery,he was my family
doctor during the war(39/45) ,when my Grandparents lived in LANGTONS. PB.
I was born in Oldchurch Hospital in 1943 and lived in Victor Gardens until I was married in June 1962. The garden of our bungalow (No. 22) backed on to Sibley, the butchers field, which we called " The Orchard". It was where the cattle grazed before slaughter. One of the slaughtermen used to give my mum some chitterlings from the slaughtered pigs and these were placed in a very small galvanised bucket and ...see more
I remember many of the shops, the hairdressers was called Christine's I think. We lived in Benets Road nearby. My dad taught at Suttons in the sixties, he taught English, Mr Walsh.
Mr Grain was my music teacher along with Miss Ruffles at Suttons. I was in his school choir and in 1963 or 64 we performed 'Nicholas and the Pickled Boys' in the school hall for the parents. Mr Grain was very strict, but he got us all singing. He accused me once of not washing the previous night's make up off, when actually I had, but I had applied fresh make up discreetly that morning hoping the teachers wouldn't notice as it was strict school rules, no make up allowed in school.
