Nostalgic memories of Ilford's local history
Share your own memories of Ilford 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 21 - 30 of 49 in total
The Pantomime Cinderella was performed at the Ilford Hippodrome from Dec 28th 1942 – Jan 4th 1943. When the pony hauling Cinderella’s coach stopped on the stage it went and dropped a load of poo. The children all thought it was great fun, including me. Sadly the Ilford Hippodrome was destroyed by the Germans when a V2 rocket landed at the back of the theatre on the night 12th Jan 1944 during a performance of the pantomime Dick Whittington – many were killed and injured.
This is such a clear photo of where I lived! I used to stand on the balcony right under that big clock! x
I remember the H-G fire well. I was sixteen at the time and was on my way home from evening classes at the South West Essex Tech, as it was called in those days, in Longbridge Road Barking. As soon as I left the college on my bike I noticed the glow in the sky and knew it was somewhere near where we were living at the time in Sunnyside Rd. I always rode down Dawlish Drive and by the time I reached South Park ...see more
My father and grandfather, Henry Reeve and Frank Jobson, owned the newsagent facing the main Valentine's Park Gates. I was born 1968, in the bedroom above, and arrived with the newspapers. I spent such a great childhood residing in lford and sadly had to leave 1979 when the lease could not be renewed, as the buildings were being demolished. But very happy memories I still hold close to my heart.
I lived opposite the Rose & Crown pub in the old 3 storey victorian houses, they were demolished years ago but I clearly remember looking out of my bedroom window at chucking out time and laughing at the 'drunk' people staggering down the road - I was around 3-4years old then. As a treat on a Saturday and if my dad was lucky on the 'horses' my dad used to take us for a milkshake in the Rainbow Cafe near the Pioneer Mkt.
Happy memories
This is not a memory - more of a request for info/stories please. I used to live in Barkingside in the 1990's when I was a child. I have since moved away but I am still very interested in the history of the area, especially anything about the second world war. As someone who is deeply interested in history, I am wondering if anyone on here has any stories or info on Barkingside during the war, especially in the ...see more
Born in Colombo Road in 1937. Remember the doodle bugs, air aid shelters, Christchurch School, Dane Secondary (even know the school song word for word). Days of fun in Valentines Park and the swimming pool. Ilford Town Hall dances and the Palais. Drinking at The Havelock and The Valentine. Trolley buses replaced by smelly diesel buses, a political stunt making certain people very rich. Worked in Plesseys for a ...see more
Anyone remember York Parade, where my wife was born in 1938? I have also posted more info on Dagenham comments page. Please contact me before she falls off the perch,,,,Thanks Ian and Yvette
Country born and bred, I regularly stayed with aunts and uncles in Seven Kings and Barkingside
My regular haunts were Valentine's 'Cranbrook' and Barkingkside Parks as well as the disused airfield known as Fairlop. The latter being a haven for aircraft modellers.
I cycled everywhere and made many friends of my own age.
I was a good rower at that age and took a group of townies out on a skiff on the Park Lake which ...see more
I can recall going with my father up to Barkingside after an air raid during the Second World War and seeing a farm that had been hit. There were fire hoses all over the road and pigs running up the High Street. The farm was just across the road from the cinema (The State?). We too were to be bombed out of our house, at the bottom of Clayhall, near Peal Drive. I think about that time a numner of houses were bombed in Chalgrove Crescent with a number of deaths.