Basildon, The Jolly Friars c.1960
Photo ref: B438005
Made in Britain logo

More about this scene

It was planned that each neighbourhood in the New Town would have its own pub. The first to materialise was the Crane (taking its name from the demolished Cranes Farm) in Pendle Drive on the Fryerns estate. The Jolly Friar was built nearby in Whitmore Way. The oldest pub surviving in the New Town area is the Five Bells at Vange.

A Selection of Memories from Basildon

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Basildon

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

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 was ...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 is ...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?