Runwell, Runwell Hospital Administration Block c.1955

Photo ref: R184025

Whilst researching my ancestry I learned that his mother, my Grandmother Beatrice Emily Sharp died in 1969 in Runwell Mental Hospital (as it was called then). I never knew her but know of this place as although it closed in 1999 I lived in Wickford, just down the road. She may have been an inpatient from 1959 - 69 as her husband died in 1959 and she may not have been able to care for herself after ...see more

My father's family lived in Rose Cottage, Chalk Street from before the war till about 1970. My father was Fred Little, he unfortunately passed away in 1969 at the age of 46. My father had John, Joe, Percy, Jim, Peg and Nellie as brothers and sisters. My grandmother was Sarah Little, she, as I remember, moved in 1970 and passed away shortly after. My sister Janet and I used to go to Mrs Turpins farm over ...see more

I have just come across a resolution of the directors of Wickford and District Land Co Ltd dated 4th April 1932 and in it the shareholders were Mr H Hooper Mr R. D. Steel, Mrs K Fisher and Mr E.R. Ashdown. Messrs Hacker, Rubens, Gotelee and St Clair of 329 High Holborn W.C.1 were appointed auditors, and they made a purchase of part of the land of South Hanningfield Hall, Essex, from Mr William Fisher.

I got a job as a Junior House Officer at Runwell Hospital in March 1958 and worked there for a year, initially living in the hospital residence and then, after I married in Dublin, Ireland later the same year, moved into a very small flat in Wickford Hall on the Southend Road. I recall that it was a muddy place during that Winter! A Mabel and Curly Thurley lived in Flat 4 and were very welcoming to the ...see more