South Ockendon, Celandine Road c.1955

Photo ref: S280010

I was born at 78 Celandine Road in 1949. My mother told me that it was a very cold March day and had been snowing. The midwife had a number of calls to make that morning but as she threw back the eiderdown to make room for my delivery, it fell onto the small electric heater and caught on fire. Luckily I was a quick delivery and Mum was able to help the midwife to put out the fire before sitting her down and making ...see more

An update to my earlier post where I say my mum and dad live in a tenament building with an outdoor toilet shared with two other famillies, I saw that same house up for sale recently £850,000!!!!

I remember going to Benyon Primary school; we lived at 14 Celandine Road. I remember Mr Cowley the grocer and the bakers where we bought a piece of bread pudding for three old pennies. Also the little sweet shop were we bought sherbet. There was an elderly disabled lady who sat in her window chatting to the children and she made the most beautiful dolls clothes that we bought on our birthday or ...see more

I was born in 64 Celendine Road on 8th April 1954. I know the girl next door was called Gail because that's what I was going to be called, but mum and dad chose Wendy. I was 8 months old when we moved to 81 Shannon Way,Aveley and I lived there until I married on the 23rd June 1973.