Nostalgic memories of Buckhurst Hill's local history
Share your own memories of Buckhurst Hill 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 41 - 50 of 63 in total
My primary school years were spent at St John's school until the age of 10, when during the summer, we moved to Berkshire. I never got the chance to say farewell to my friends who were moving into the final year in the September of 1964. My memories of life in Scotand Road where we lived for 10 years, were blissful. I was a brownie, I danced and spent much time in Knighton woods or in the Kingfisher pool in ...see more
I went with my family to the Congregational Church all my life till we got married there in 1970 and then moved away. I remember the new hall being built and Harold Johnson getting cement on his cassock whenthey laid the foundation stone. Of course both the old hall and church have now been demolished. The church used to put on shows in both the old and new hall which we took part in. My friends were there ...see more
I was at Buckhurst Hill primary school between 1970 to 1975. Mr Carr was the headmaster in the beginning and later Mr Willy took over. The first teacher I had was a MrsPayne, than a Mrs Nelson-Ward, then a Mrs Thomas, then Mrs Gardner, and last of all Mr Little, he was a small round man who would read from 'The Wind in the Willows' to us. Mrs Gardner would teach us to dance round the maypole, and ...see more
I was born (53) in one of the pre fabs in Hornbeam Road that backed onto the fields & the Roding river where many a worm was lost when we tried to catch stickle backs & sliding down the dump on a piece of tin. My mother’s family, Harry & Mabel Street, are from Buckhurst Hill & Loughton & lived around Queen Street & around St John’s Church. I went to St John’s school for a year or ...see more
I was put into care at Violet Ayres Lodge in 1958 with my two brothers, John and Peter. When we first went there the houseparents were Tom and Iona Leslie. Some of the names I remember were George Howe, Michael Hill, Johnny White (known as Pud). When Uncle Tom and Auntie Iona retired, Uncle Chris and Auntie Lena took over. Some of the kids who were there then were John, Steve and Rosie Claxton, June and Roy ...see more
Does anyone remember The Tramp. It's quite likely that he wasn't a tramp at all but that's what we called him, although we never spoke to him nor did he ever speak to us. He became an almost daily fixture adding to the intrigue of our Wartime village. Riding his bicycle the length of Epping New Road back in the early 1940's. This 'tramp' was possibly a retired policeman, as he rode a bicycle with a double ...see more
I lived at 4 Fairlands Avenue, Buckhurst Hill. My parents moved there just before the Second World War, and I was born in April 1939. I well remember W.C.French Ltd's yard next to Fairlands Avenue fronting the Eppping New Road. I went to Woodford Green Preparatory School, travelling by bus from the Bald Faced Stag (now a carvery!) on either the 10a or 38a bus route, paying a 1d fare! I remember ...see more
In the late 1950s, when I was around ten years old, I spent a number of school summer holidays staying with the McPherson family who lived on the fringes of Knighton Woods near Buckhurst Hill in Essex. On these visits I spent many a long summer day exploring the woods with ‘Jimmy’ their son. These were halcyon, ‘Just William’, days and we spent many a good time around the ponds gathering newts ...see more
Like the other contributer, in about 1967 I too went to Princes Road County Primary, Mr Carr was the Headmaster and he caned many a boy! The playground opened out into Knighton Woods and we played "war", it was always "war". Our classrooms were portacabins on the grassland to the side of the entrance. I left at 8 and went to Staples Road in Loughton. The bus journey (20, 20A or 167) cost 5p ...see more
My name was Pat Barringer then. My dad was burned in a lorry in 1949, he lived for about 6 months and then died, I have no memories at all as I was too young, does anybody remember the name Barringer? My mum was Beryl and my dad was Bert. I also have a sister who was 18 months at the time.