Nostalgic memories of Leytonstone's local history
Share your own memories of Leytonstone 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 31 - 40 of 56 in total
I was asked to read a lesson by my teacher at St Johns Church, Leytonstone for one of our school services. To my horror, she had me practice reading loudly in the school corridors and left me standing there, reading aloud, when all the other kids came back in from playtime. However, when it came to the event, no one mentioned I was to step up to the microphone (never saw one before) so I don't know if anyone heard me at all in the end.
We used to have lovely picnics, mum took sandwiches and some pop in a bottle, a towel and a flannel to wipe dirty hands and faces. We spend all day paddling and catching minnows with our net. My brother Tom always used to send a model boat out and they usually got stuck or sunk by a wave !
My name is Helena née Rich I used to love living in Leytonstone until my brother Harry died a tragic death when he was only 13. He went to Norlington School. I went to Newport Junior. We lived in Hainault Road. I can still remember the United Dairy - we lived opposite. Up the road was where the the 236 buses used to park. We had family living in Bulwer Road but after Harry died we moved around a bit. I ...see more
I grew up in Leytonstone. Lost our home in Dyson Road from the bombing, and then moved to Forest Glade. Played in the Forest (and climbed the 'King and Queen tree' often) and rode my bike around Hollow Ponds - they were fun times. Went to Canterbury Primary School and then on to Connaught School for Girls. Does anyone have any photos of us at Copnnaught around 1953 - 1954? Miss Threadgold was my Form ...see more
In 1950 I was 12 years old and I remember going to Westy's sweet shop in Crownfield Road with our ration book to get sweets, and hopefully cigs for my mum. My dad was killed in 1942 near Mayville Road School. He was in the ARP and was killed when a Lancaster bomber crashed on his headquarters. I remember Walklins the bakers in Eytonstone High Road and Elstermacs the toy shop. For Christmas our ...see more
I was recalling just the other day about a Christmas many years ago when I was a very small child and as I was talking about it to my mum of 84 years, she exclaimed 'That was in Bearmans where you got the 'Pelham Puppet from'. For years and years I was in awe of a a childhood Christmas I once knew. I remember the fairy lights and just that smell of Christmas and how the wrapping paper used to smell. It ...see more
I remember my childhood at Browning Road where we lived opposite the Robbins family who owned the fish and chips shop. I used to help cutting the chips and skinning the skate. They had two daughters, Audrey and Muriel. Murial was my age and I had a crush on her up until I left school. I was part of what we called "Browning Road Gang".
The Taylors. The Newlands, The Woolards, Gerald Ward, The Hollways and many others.
I lived in Cobden Road behind the fire station and went to school first at Mayville Road and my first teacher's name was Mrs Frith?
Then I was transfered to Davies Lane because I lived on the wrong side of the high street. Finally going to Lakehouse Secondary Modern (no longer there). I agree with the sentiments already expressed about Bush Wood and Wansted Park, we sure were lucky to have all that on our doorstep. I ...see more
We lived at 12 Brewster Road in Leyton E10 - my sister was born there, we had the upstairs flat and Nanny Mantle lived downstairs. My real nan lived at 6 Coopers Lane for about 50 years (Mrs Johnson from "old Gees" wool shop at Bakers Arms). We moved to Canvey Island in 1966 and back to Leytonstone in 1968 to 88 Forest Drive West. The best times were at the Lido, but we weren't allowed to go on our own because of the ...see more
I lived in Granleigh Road in Leytonstone. I was born in Forest Gate Maternity in Forest Lane. I can remember going to Leytonstone football ground situated at the bottom of Granleigh Road as a child with my dad on many a Saturday afternoon, they were in their day a very good amateur football side. I also started train spotting from Leytonstone Midland station as this also was at the bottom of the road and ...see more