Ghostly Memories Of Eastbury House

A Memory of Barking.

I am Barking born and bred on 25.04.1921 and lived in Fanshaw Avenue which was not far from Eastbury House. I have now reached the age of 92 and would like to share a memory which until very recently I kept to myself. I remember the old creepy Eastbury House which was then untenanted and sustained damage from Hooligans, the high brick wall which skirted the grounds and the shaded areas which were eerie if you were on your own but o.k. if you were with friends or with a boyfriend! I can still see in my minds eye, my lovely dad who would come out looking for me if I wasn't home by 9pm and often found me in the shaded spots of the high brick wall of Eastbury House, with a boyfriend! One night I saw these six hooded monks wearing capes and talking amongst themselves in a highly agitated a disturbed manner, in the grounds. They walked towards me then vanished into thin air. They were just ghosts, and my first and only experience, thank God!
Just recently my step-daughter has done some research on Eastbury House and there is another story to tell! There was indeed a connection with the Church! It dates back to feudal times.The Abbess of Barking held it after the establishment of the feudal system as part of her manor. Barking abbey was dissolved in 1539 under Henry V111 and was passed onto favoured subjects of the King. It was leased to the Barking Urban District Council in 1934 and was a museum for a while. During the 2nd World War the house became an ARP (air-raid platform) and a nursery for young children. Today the Council manage it on behalf of the National Trust and it is a Head Office for Barking Arts Council.