Nostalgic memories of Basildon's local history
Share your own memories of Basildon 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 16 in total
We moved from Dagenham to a newly built council house in Lee Walk in 1961 and I really enjoyed my time at the Lee Chapel South Junior school. I can still remember some of the wonderful school assemblies that took place, the tuck shop, gymnastics in the school hall and the school trips to Swanage and Barnstable. During the holidays, my mum and I would often walk to One Tree Hill along Staneway when it ...see more
I went to Basildon Infant School in 1961. My first teacher was Mrs. Southgate, who left shortly after I started. I was very upset by this, but my new teacher, Mrs. Frith, was extremely kind and asked me to put the straws in the milk bottles and also take a message to the school secretary. This seemed to solve the problem and I settled back down straight away. My next teacher was Mr. Eddie, who was a little ...see more
I remember going to this school not long after it opened, I went to school with a girl called Magdeline Wrenn who was my best friend at the time, unfortunately my parents decided to emigrate to Australia, and we left Tilbury Docks Xmas Eve 1960 arriving Australia Day January 26th 1961 though I have been back to the UK I have never had the time to visit Basildon, would love to know where Magdaline Wrenn ...see more
Mr. Whippy ice cream factory in cranes farm road. Before this road was build we used to go up Whitmore way turn left at church road and come out at York Shipley or walk across the jolly friar to get the bus.. who remembers ??. A 18 I got the job as barman at the LAINDON HOTEL, worked there for a year enjoyed it very much . Everyone was very friendly. who remember the laindon hotel?
I was born in Billericay in 1954 and lived in Church Road, Laindon . I remember my mother and grandmother taking me to see Prince Philip when he visited Basildon. I was only a small child but I do remember seeing him walking past us as we stood outside Rumbelows, my grandmother told my mother on the way home she thought Prince Philip looked taller on television! Happy days,
I was married in All Saints church on 6th July 1974 sadly it did not last but seeing the church has brought back lots of happy memories. Does anyone know if the church is still in use?
i was one of the first pupils to enter woodlands .i had moved to basildon in 1955 from ilford .went to swan mead, then manor,then at woodlands till leaving at 15yrs old
Moved into Long Riding in Jan 1957. I was 15 months old. I lived the other end, in the town houses.
Basildon has an interesting history, for it was ‘reinvented’ not once, but twice. At the start of the 19th century Basildon was a small rural parish, bounded on the west by Laindon, Dunton, Langdon Hills and Lee Chapel, and on the south and east by Vange, Pitsea and Nevendon. They were quiet, agricultural places – but an agricultural depression in the 1870s caused landowners to look for new uses ...see more
Me and my mum moved to Basildon in 1958 and my mum was highly delighted when she was awarded a council house after our grotty flat in London. I was very happy there when I was young, as there were fields to roam, ponds to fish and lots of open space. I went to Woodlands Girls School between 1964-69 and was happy there. It would be nice to know what happened to my old friends, I only keep in touch with ...see more