Ilford, The High Road 1966

Photo ref: I34026

I was born in Gantshill in 1947 and my formative years were spent all around the area. I remember my meeting my mum for lunch at Sally Lunns sometimes during the school holidays as she worked at the Prudential Building. I went to Gearies girls school which no longer exists and when I left school I worked at a hairdressers shop in Cranbrook Road called Betta Waves which was run by an ...see more

I worked Saturdays and the school holidays at Sally Lunns.That was from 1960 to 1964. Thet use to sell a Vienna steak which I helped to make, their crinkly chips were fantastic. They used to be part cooked (Jerries) at a lower temperature and placed in a huge bowl. When the lunch time rush started, the heat was turned up and the jerries were quickly fried and were crisp. The Lewis family owned ...see more

Ilford Town Hall is on the corner of Oakfield Road where I lived throughout WW2. The public Air Raid Shelter we used to sleep in was opposite the Town Hall in Oakfield Road. A very large department store called Moultons was opposite, in the High Street. I remember when Moultons was on fire one night & flames were pouring from its windows, the firemen looked so small on their ladders as they fought (successfully) ...see more

My first job as a teenager was with ICT, which subsequently became ICL and I think has now disappeared. I used to repair punch card equipment at Ilford Film, Plessey and Ilford Town Hall back in the early 60's. I probably have walked up that piece of road a hundred times. The town hall is just visible on the right. In the entrance to Ilford Film, Roden Street I believe, there was a working blacksmith's shop in the early 60's.