Nostalgic memories of East Ham's local history
Share your own memories of East Ham 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 61 - 70 of 97 in total
My memories of my aunt and uncle's shop in Lonsdale Avenue spans from my earliest memory until 1978 when it was destroyed by fire. My aunt and uncle were Violet and Stanley (Mick) Mitchell. I'm not sure when they first opened the shop but I think it was the end of the 1940s. They had the shop until 1978 when my Uncle Mick suddenly passed away. The shop was being sold so they could retire ...see more
I remember living in Rutland Road, Forest Gate in 1944, after being evacuated to Yorkshire, we lived at number 21 Rutland Road, my grandparents lived at no 19, and my uncle and aunt lived at no 17. There was a little penny drink shop just a few doors down, which very handy. I attended Monega Road School at first then to Shaftesbury Road School shortly afterwards. The Trebor sweet factory was ...see more
I always think of East Ham at Christmas, going to the Co-op to see Father Christmas, it seemed like magic how they did it. Then when older I remember my dad sat down our shed at 61 Stokes Road plucking chickens, he kept chickens in our small garden along with rabbits and canaries in an avairy. He would be all done up in scarf and big coat, with a lead going down garden with a light on the end, no health and safety ...see more
We used to live in Sherrard Road and I attended Monega Road School. I remember some real pea soupers where I'd walk to school by following the walls of the houses as I went along. Otherwise couldn't see more than a few feet. But also remember great Christmases as friends of my parents lived just down the road and they'd always spoil me rotten. Sadly I've lost touch with them.
My late father, Don Lawes, grew up at no. 121 Byron Avenue on the Poets Estate in East Ham (off High Street North) during the '40s and '50s and attended East Ham Grammar School from 1938 to 1944. My late paternal grandmother, May Lawes, was a councillor on East Ham borough council (and mayor for a term) during that period. I remember the house was a typical East Ham terrace, with an outside ...see more
Can anyone remember the smelly old factories? I think there was one one where the fire station is now, also there was some sort of works on the Becton bypass where I was lead to believe from my mum that they boiled up old animal bones, the smell some days in Stokes Road was terrible, then there was the smell from the Thames when you were on the ferry.
How funny, a friend got in touch with me through this web site, she said I got lost in the park because we had one of those terrible fogs that were green, couldn't see a hand in front of your face. I was wandering around trying to find the way out, could it have been that bad? I used to cut through to work at Fentocraft.
I was born in 1944 in Great Haywood, Staffordshire, but grew up in Notting Hill. I lived in a prefab in Lancaster Road, W.11. My childhood was full of happy memories and although, as with everyone else around, food and money was scarce, I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy playing outside till dark, with our neighbours. We didn't have posh toys, but had skipping ropes, balls, ...see more
I was born in Sutton Road, Plaistow (Plaster to us locals) in 1944 and from the age of 4 I was free to roam. Things were different then! Barking Road for all the shops, and the pubs. Rathbone Street market on a Saturday, when it was down Rathbone Street not on the Barking Road. Seeing all the stalls with food overhanging the edges of barrows, which if you were quick or very little could be yours for the ...see more
I was born in Hatherley Gardens in 1951. My memories are of all the lovely shops that were around, I wonder if anyone can remember some of them? Salters Prams, Larkins Sweet Shop, Rowes Sports, Hamlets estate, Economic Stores, Cohens furnishers, Bertwistles chip shop, Slaters show repairs, Greenwoods, Eddy Grimsteads, Streletts Junk Shop, Greens Surplus Stores, East Ham Pet Stores, Hill Bros Fishmongers, ...see more