The Homesteads

A Memory of Stanford-le-Hope.

I was born in a house named Edinburgh in St James Ave, The Homesteads. I went to the infants school and remember a lovely teacher by the name of Mrs Quinn. In the junior school I remember a dragon of a teacher by the name of Miss Naylor. When we relocated to the new secondary modern school I recall walking home cutting across old the sand pit and the fields to The Homesteads. I have loads of memories about Stanford, the schools, the old tuck shop, the Rec, the Warren. My dad worked for Shell and my mum worked in a tailoring workshop opposite the Kings Head pub for a while. I still remember the names of some of my school friends from those days: Valerie Hipsey, Anita Fuller and Wendy Potts. I remember going on the bus to Pitsea market and buying baby chicks to rear in our back garden. I also recall going pea-picking in the school holidays. We played regularly in the Rec, and often went down to the warren. I also remember going to the old swimming baths from school, not sure where they were but they were dreadful! Some of my best memories are of One-tree hill and picking bluebells and having picnics. I recall 'penny for the guy' days and then Christmas carolling around the avenues. We moved out when I was twelve and my younger sister and I have be back for a look around a couple of times. Please to see the church still remains, I remember going to the Sunday School with my elder sisters. Some hard times, some happy times but will always remember Stanford with affection. Jean Heather (nee Russell)