Nostalgic memories of Dagenham's local history
Share your own memories of Dagenham 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 131 - 140 of 141 in total
My mother asked me to go to the shops and get some bread at Barton's the bakers. I was just ten years old. 'But' she said, 'if a raid starts, don't hang about but run straight back home'. I often had to go to the shops, it was never a lot I had to get - mainly just one or two things, and if a raid did start, providing it was relatively quiet, I would always try to get these things. So this day saw me ...see more
It was either a long walk or a ride on the 174 bus from Oxlow Lane shops to the Heathway. It surprises even now just what variety there was there, no need to have to travel miles to get a new shirt or the new Beatles record, all here on the Heathway. My favourite shop was Palmers which was on the far side if the hill opposite the Gaumont. This was the local toy and record store as I recall ...see more
At the far end of this parade of shops stood Ledgers the greengrocers, which was owned and run by the Ledger family for many years. I worked there on Saturdays and holidays with their eldest son Jamie; he and I did a lot of growing up together over those years! Jim, Jamie's father, had a Ford Thames van with windows and bench seats, the forerunner of today's modern 'people carrier'. We would set off at ...see more
I grew up within a few minutes walk of this our local shopping centre. The photo was taken outside the Fifty Shilling Tailors looking towards Dagenham Heathway Station. Some of the shops I remember were Day's the newsagents, Meyer's the greengrocers, Gillings the fishmongers run by a pair of identical twins and Jenners which was a general store selling all manner of household equipment, linens, clothing and toys. ...see more
This photograph was taken from outside the Grange Cinema. There were three cinemas in Dagenham and The Grange was the smallest. We patronised all three in turn for the Saturday Morning pictures which cost I believe 6d (2 1/2 p.). The parade of shops contained the only bank in the borough and a very busy barbers shop called Viney. My Dad used to work at the Ford Motor Works and when he was on night shift would ...see more
I remember Valence swimming pool from the late fifties. I lived in Bushgrove Road and went to Valence School and used to go early on a Saturday morning with my mates to be first in there before the crowds. I couldn't swim, but that didn't matter 'cos I had an old van tyre to keep me afloat (I've still got the damn valve marks in my ribs now). I remember jumping in and not being able to breathe for about a ...see more
My mum worked at Valence open swimming pool and my aunt worked in the buffet - what a result - in for free and free Oxo after the freezing water. My mum looked after the ladies locker rooms - she remembers the boys trying to peep over the top of the girls lockers! She remembers when they closed the pool and she lost her job, and saying 'no' to working at the Dagenham indoor pool, and a little girl ...see more
I loved Valence swimming pool, I used to have swimming lessons there with Grafton junior school and still remember how cold that water was first thing in the mornings. My father used to buy me a season ticket which cost 7shillings & 6pence (37p) which allowed me to go swimming when ever I wanted. I was very sad when they closed it, the then new Dagenham swimming pool was never the same. A few years ago ...see more
I was bought up in Dagenham and went to Valence swimming pool regularly with my school. If you had signed up to go swimming at the start of the school year you had to go - whatever the weather!! I always had a cup of Oxo afterwards to warm me up!! When Dagenham indoor pool was built in the early 70's it seemed like sheer luxury!! What a shame it has become so run-down now.............
My Mum, Valerie Sands married my Dad, Frank Lyall, in this church in 1953. When they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary they made a lovely album each for us 3 children of their childhood, marriage and up to 2003. A sketched copy of this church made up the front cover. I don't remember going to Dagenham when we still lived in England, but next time I go on holiday to England from South Africa, we are ...see more
