Nostalgic memories of Rochford's local history

Share your own memories of Rochford 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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Add Your Memory for Rochford

Displaying Memories 11 - 18 of 18 in total

Rochford Sports Festival

I did not live in Rochford, I lived in Hawkwell as a child/ teenager, but went to school there, first going to Rochford Primary then King Edmunds. One of my best friends who I often stayed over with at weekends lived at Malting Villas and her garden backed on to the Rec. For many years the Council would hold a sports festival around the district with the finals on the Rec (Rochford Park) and the Bobbin. We ...see more

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Added 28 April 2009

Mill Lane

We lived at number 11 Mill Lane and later moved to number 7. My late father, Joe Clarke was the chemist at the Mill. I remember my early childhood lived in Rochford so very fondly. We were very happy carefree children with a wonderful countryside to play in. My sister, Samantha, narrowly escaped drowning when (at the age of 3) she fell off the wharf into the creek at high tide. She was pulled out by her arm by one of ...see more

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Added 15 June 2008

Rochford Fair

I remember Rochford very dearly. As a young child I often stayed with my great-grandmother, Sara Ann Simpson. I'd walk around the churchyard, the empty farm, climb the stile, visit the newsagent's shop, see the men at lunch standing outside the pub. I recall there was a vicarage, too. And every time I walked with my grandmother down the main road to the bus stop my legs would be stung by stinging nettles. My ...see more

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Added 03 April 2008

Applegate Oxford Road Rochford

My father was demobbed during 1945 and gave his address as Applegates. Does anyone know who resided at the address who might be still alive. Regards Lilly.

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Added 22 March 2008

Market Day

I remember Rochford Market Square for the market days held there when I was a child, if my memory serves me correctly it was held every Thursday. I used to love going to see the animals in their pens, calves and pigs mainly, the bigger beasts were auctioned in the afternoons. There was a place for smaller animals in the stables in Back Lane, which I used to love too. Opposite the market square was a tearoom called Delph ...see more

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Added 15 February 2008

The Mill

When I was about 5 or 6 my dad worked at the mill, and we lived in one of the mill cottages in Mill Lane. I used to play around the mill and one day found strange washers in the old pond across from the blacksmith - later I discovered them to be Chinese coins - with square holes in them, they had been used as ballast for the grain barges. I have many fond memories of this mill and the area - we moved later when I was about 7.

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Added 10 January 2008

When I Was A Girl

When I was about five years old my parents used to take us kids on a Sunday walk. Always remember it was to Stambridge mills. Back then the roads leading to the mill were not more then a country track. On the way to the mills dad would dig up horseradish to take home to mince up in mums mincer. I can smell the aroma of the place now. Corn fields, wild flowers. When we got to the mills the smell of grinding corn hit ...see more