Nostalgic memories of Aveley's local history

Share your own memories of Aveley 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.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 91 in total

Hi Francis Some of the names you mentioned - were in my class My maiden name was Patmore I was in the same class as Yvonne - Libby - Jayne Patience - Keith - Jeff Lewis - Martin Price - I remember John Havis, Peter Bell, Alan Tubby, Gaye, Carole Beer, I'm sure there are others too! If my memory is jogged
My uncle, Bernard Montague Jay, visited The Top House every day of his adult life. My family emigrated to New Zealand, in 1962, from Aveley. When my sister and I visited our uncle Bern, in the 1980s, his wife, Hilda Jay (nee Pavitt) said “Don’t get upset if he goes to `The Top House’ for a drink, while you’re here, because he goes there, daily, and has done for his entire life.” Seeing his ...see more
I moved to Aveley in June,1970. My family were living at 128 Teviot Avenue in the maisonettes across the road from Kenningtons infants. My teacher's name was Mrs Staines. I don't remember that much about Aveley because we moved away 13 months later when I was 5 years old. I returned to Teviot Avenue 47 years later, in 2018, but found that the flats, as I remember them, had gone. I went there to reminisce and take photos ...see more
Billy Benson here. I now live in Victoria Australia, but I grew up in Aveley and lived at 5 Crescent Walk. Loved the pictures of the local shops and the old town. My family moved to Australia in 1963. I have been back since on a few occassions. I remember Bushy Bit and my best friend was Michael Curtin who has now sadly apssed away. My girlfriend when I was at the junior school was Lillian Williams who ...see more
Moved usk rd 1960 left 1970 71 memorys friends people who lived in area great child hood freedom great schools kenningtons inf and jrs mrs docking,, headmasters mr and mrs winofred ,, green open spaces people talked people cared cows getting in gardens men mending cars on sundays if you need it ask so so they will have it and help bessleys van fish n chip van shops we said where on the ...see more
I attended Sunday School here throughout my childhood, I was married here on 3rd April 1954 and son Stephen was christened here in 1955, I was also bridesmaid many times in this church. I used to also put flowers on the grave of my best friends sisters with my friend. Rev Ovendon was a great vicar he published the letter that I had written him from Germany when I was first married in the Church ...see more
I am not a native of Aveley. I was born in Barking and spent most of my childhood in Dagenham. My father's sister and her husband moved to South Ockendon (Gatehope Drive) when I was very young. Every Sunday we would travel to see the 'out in the sticks' relatives. If we didn't go by van as a family, I would go on my own and catch the green line from Dagenham, Chequers (was it the 721 or 375? - rings a bell). ...see more
I was christened there in 1960, we lived on Myrtle Grove and my Nan lived in the old Lennard House
Does anyone remember the petrol station being built on the corner of Mill Road where it joins Purfleet Road around 1969/1970. An Esso station now I think, but then it was ABCO - (with a big orange and black triangular logo) I worked for Alan Pond Group at the time. The company was a pioneer in introducing self-service petrol stations and I was given the task of getting this sparkling new site up and running and help ...see more
There've been about 2 feet of snow out there and it's about minus 10 deg, so I thought I'd stay in the warm and catch up on what everyone's been saying and better understand/manipulate - sometimes not so easy - this website (I found messages I didn't even know I'd received!). So I hope this appears properly. I found that, if I couldn't get to sleep easily I should go through my old grammar school in ...see more