Francis Frith logo

The Francis Frith Collection Francis Frith

An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

Call: +44 (0)1722 716 376
Sign-in or Register
Contact Us
Trustpilot
Sign-in or Register
Delivery Info Help Contact Us
US ($)
Choose A Francis Frith Shop
 UK (£) For UK & International delivery US ($) For US/Canada delivery
Call +44 (0)1722 716376
0 Items: View Basket
Shopping Basket

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas Deliveries: If you placed an order on or before midday on Wednesday 18th December for Christmas delivery it was despatched before the Royal Mail or Parcel Force deadline and therefore should be received in time for Christmas. Orders placed after midday on Wednesday 18th December will be delivered in the New Year.

Please Note: Our offices and factory are now closed until Thursday 2nd January when we will be pleased to deal with any queries that have arisen during the holiday period.

During the holiday our Gift Cards may still be ordered for any last minute orders and will be sent automatically by email direct to your recipient - see here: Gift Cards

Trustpilot
  1. Home
  2. Greater London
  3. South Woodford
  4. Memories

Nostalgic memories of South Woodford's local history

Share your own memories of South Woodford 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.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Add Your Memory for South Woodford

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 13 in total

Calypso Coffee Bar
I was there on the opening night. Iam ashamed to say that I used to go there most nights, at the expense of my studies. It was a great meeting point and with very little trouble. How things ha e changed. Then your friends and aquaintances were real. Not somebody you call a friend online Hey Ho Peter Glendining
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 23 June 2023

J F Knight, Greengrocer
Does anyone have any memories of the Greengrocers at 247 High Rd from 1963-1971?
South Woodford, Gates Corner c1965
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 26 January 2022

South Woodford And Historic Buildings
SOUTH WOODFORD LONDON E18 Does anyone have a photo of the old school outfitters on George Lane South Woodford? Think I got school uniform for Nightingale High School there around 1969. I think the building was a curved 2 story turret and used to have beautiful curved dark wood and glass (including the internal passage way between the curved glass). Not sure if it was listed but ...see more
Contact Contributor
Read Comment 1
Added 18 August 2019

Before The Traffic Lights
My family moved from Goodmayes to South Woodford in 1927 and my first memory was of my father waving welcome to 31 Lansdowne Road as we arrived in a Daimler hired car! At Churchfields School, headmaster Mr Walford, we were warned by our teacher Mrs Pettit of the arrival of the new traffic lights at Gates Corner and told just how they worked! This meant the disappearance of Constable George ...see more
South Woodford, Gates Corner c1965
Contact Contributor
Read Comments 2
Added 22 January 2014

Off Licence
I was 4, and my brother 3, my mum and dad ran the off licence and lived in the flat above. Their names where Audrey and Bill Johns. My name is Barbara and my brother is Trevor. My father embezzeled £300 and was evicted from the flat and off licence. Does any one remember us? We where put up for adoption soon after. Please, anyone remembers them, they where there 3 years could u email me. thank you
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 09 October 2012

Calypso Coffee Bar
I lived in Loughton, and have fond memories of the Calypso Cafe. When I used to go there it was a well-known bikers' cafe. Some evenings there would be over a hundred motorbikes parked outside. There was also a pub next door which I believe was called the Horse and Wells. I met my wife, who was living in Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill, and we often used to go to the pictures in Woodford, at the Majestic cinema. We were married in 1969, and then moved to Berkshire.
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 31 January 2012

The Ravens
My mother Janet Ravens, and her sister Gweneth, lived in South Woodford from 1943 to around 1958. I am researching her family tree and also trying to get together photos of the time in the places she lived. (She turns 70 next year). Also, I am trying to trace her cousin, Brenda Ravens, who was a couple of years older, who had a daughter Jane Kearney, who has probably long since married, she would be 48 ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 26 January 2012

When Gates Corner Was A Corner
Lived in South Woodford with my parents from 1952-1972 before marrying, and worked for Gates in this very building from 1968-1977 before moving up the High Road to their new Head Office when this building caught fire overnight, the new 8-lane A406 Nth.Circular having already scythed its way through the heart of Woodford, ending 'Gates Corner' forever. From 1975-1977 the motorway was driven ...see more
South Woodford, Gates Corner c1965
Contact Contributor
Read Comments 3
Added 17 November 2011

Happy Memories Of South Woodford
My family lived in Hillcrest Road, South Woodford from 1960 to 1973. I had a very very happy childhood there (am still happy though) but had to move to Brighton to attend a deaf school and to avoid the need to continue as a school boarder (after 5 years). Looking at the photos just brings everything back! The Majestic (Saturday morning club), the Vauxhall garage, the dentist (Mr Lambert) ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 19 October 2010

Definately Not A Paint Tin! Woodford Wells
About a mile or so from South Woodford toward Buckhurst Hill, on the New Road, is Woodford Wells. My friend lived in the third house from the corner diagonally across from Bancrofts School. The house next door had been destroyed by a bomb, and all the wreckage had been taken away. Another chum, my friend and I often played football on the vacant concrete pad where the house ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 14 September 2010