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.

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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 56 in total

I have been reading many articles printed here & it got me & my wife thinking back to our childhood days (my wife was born in Llanelli, South Wales , & her childhood memories of the 1950's & were very much akin to mine albeit mine was in London). We having been discussing, recently, about the state this country is in, moreover, the world, & we came to the conclusion that those days were the best. ...see more
Does anyone remember Joe's Cafe in Hainault Road Leyton. It was under the railway bridge, opposite the laundry. This was owned by my grandmother, and passed onto my dad. I used to work there Saturday mornings.Dad ran this with my Mum for all of their working lives, and did a great trade with all of the local workmen, especially breakfast. Dad would not allow any swearing with Mum being there, and I remember him tearing customers off a strip if they broke his rule!
I also remember the father Christmas grotto and the ride there. I was mystified for years as to how we seemed to travel through the store to reach it. The ride changed every year. Years later my mum explained how it was done, but at the time it was part of the magic of my 60s childhood.
In the 1930’s to 1950. My grandparents were mattress makers & had a small factory to the rear of the shop where they sold mattresses & bedding. It was a family business & my mother worked with my grandmother. On sewing machines, making mattress covers. My father was foreman in the filling & finishing workshop I was born in Epping in 1942 in my grandparents home. We moved ...see more
We lived at 66 lancaster road Family of 5 Went to davis lane school Headmaster was called mr knowels! I remember he died while i was still at the school and replaced by mr windsor Loved playing in the fields, in the morning just before school started! Happy memories, was sad when they tore down half of lancaster, including my childhood home Wish i was back there, when the summers were hot and we played near the flats, riding our bikes up and down the ramps under the flats!
Leytonstone was such a lovely high road, lovely cafes, cinemas , bowling alley, but what is driving me a bit nuts is trying to find out the name of 2 shops that where there, tha first one was what is the left side of Boots the chemist now. It was a high end fashion shop and it was where I had my first Saturday job. The lady that owned it was always in a black turban and black dresses. She was very strict but ...see more
My grandfather, William Buttler own a tobacconist/confectionary in Leytonstone during 1920s to 1930s. Does anyone have any memories of this, also where about in Leytonstone was it.
My Dad, Mark Schofield went to Goodall Rd School from about 1947 - 51. He remembers having a school photo taken during this time and we would love to find a copy. If anyone can help, please let me know thanks, Jane
Remember being there 1970-1974, English Teacher and head of year Mr. Richardson. I lived in Bulwer Court. Fond memories of the wanstead flats fair and cathall baths.
Hi everyone, Bit of a Newby so here goes, we had a newsagents outside the greenman called the bookstall My mum and dad ran it for years it was the meeting spot for most of the community. Dad started there in the 70s and finished up in the 90s. We were opposite Leytonstone house and the welsh church plenty of good memories and good friends made. Diane