Listed here are all of the emails we received up to now, in our 21th year of operation.

Choose Month...

.. or filter by thread:

APRIL MAILS [Top of Page]

Hello Daniel,

I was fascinated by your article on groups from Walthamstow, and surprised to see 'Jokers Wilde' on the list.
I was one of the founding members of 'Jokers Wilde'. We were first called 'The Concords', then 'The Pied Pipers', who's artwork/logo led to the name change to 'Jokers Wilde'). That artwork was done by John and George's father, Tom, also known as John. Concords first meeting was in 1963.
The original members were John May (Guitar - mainly Rhythm), his younger brother George (Bass), Ron Gosnell (Drums) and me (mainly lead guitar). I was the only one who didn't live in Priory Court - I came from the other end of the borough (1 Woodstock Road). George and John lived at 339 Priory Court but I can't remember Goz's (Ron's) flat number.
Quite soon after forming (and realising none of us were great singers) we added Mick Calvert, also from the 'Stow - not sure exactly where?? Brettenham Road area?? Or maybe from around the Palmerston?? - on vocals and Maracas - we'd seen the Stones! We were playing essentially R&B based music at that stage.
I was introduced to John, George and Goz (Ron) by a classmate at my school, John Hutchinson who was another Priory Court resident - we went to McEntee Tech on Billet Road. John was also a guitar player, and fronted his own band "Hutch's Classics" (Alan Hart was the Bass player, I didn't know the other members).
Both groups used to play at the Priory Court Community Centre, and we (as the Concords) also used to play at St. Patricks hall, doing support for an older band 'The Nomads'. Pete, their lead guitar player was very encouraging of us, and their Bass player showed George how to play Chord arpeggios.
We got a 'manager' - Roy Jones, from Markhouse Road. He got us gigs all over north and east London, and out into Essex a bit. We also used to run our own Sunday night gigs at the Lea Valley Hall, opposite Yardley Lane Estate. Roy was a lorry driver for Coca Cola, and Ron Gosnell was his delivery assistant. Humble beginnings indeed! This was all going on around the time The Easybeats were living down by the High Street somewhere - they had a dark blue Commer van, we had a cream J2 - this was before 'Friday on my Mind'. (and it seemed all groups' vans got covered in lipstick).
After we'd been together about two and a half years, we entered a talent quest at the Granada and won an opportunity to record two singles. (That was in early 1966). We never got to make those recordings as my family moved to Auckland, New Zealand, which has been my home since August '66. I was replaced by a guy named Ray, who came from outside the 'Stow (Possibly Ilford?? Can't remember).
Long story short (too late for that!), I found myself in London in 1998 and went to 339 Priory Court, amazed to find Tom May still living there. We had a nice 'catch up' and he put me in touch with George who was also living in Priory Court in a different flat. We organised for John to come down from his home in Waltham Abbey, and had a great evening catch up.
I'm 72 now, and have played continuously in all sorts of situations - live, recording, sessions for T.V., records and ad jingles - either full time or part time; I had a gig last night, and I teach guitar in schools (currently from year 7 onwards - what we used to call first form).
Thanks for the memories, and the social history dissemination that you're involved with.

Pete BAYLISS
  Private Reply Public Reply

Dear Daniel,

I wonder if you could solve a problem for my 83 year old mum.
Her birth certificate states that she was born at No.3 East Avenue, Walthamstow. She is baffled as to why she was born in a house and not in a hospital or at home.
This question seems to be consuming her. I have contacted the museum in Walthamstow and they will investigate further once the premises is open. They have discovered that 3 ladies by the surname of Stitch, lived there at the time (19/11/1937).
Is it possible for you to ask if any of your readers have any memories of this house or suggestions?
Many thanks

Jill MEAD
  Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: I think that births taking place in private homes was not so unusual it those days. Midwives would attend. However, perhaps some of our visitors may have suggestions?

Greetings,

I am very grateful to all who have collaborated with their Walthamstow memories down the years and hope the website can continue in perpetuity - I am willing to help with a small regular financial contribution.

My wife Heather Bell, that was from Shernhall Street - born 1948 - asked me a question this morning I could not answer - our memories fade - maybe I should search the website and Facebook Group first - but maybe not, and you will share it as a 2021 memory just three days before our fifty-first wedding anniversary. We are truly blessed to still survive together after first meeting in 1964.

I am Andrew Hatton - born 1948 from Richmond Avenue, Highams Park.
Her question: do you remember in Woolworth's at Baker's Arms or maybe down the High Street, them having a coffee/tea bar where you stood up with your drink - I did not and she could not be sure - her mother Edie Bell - grew up in Exmouth Road - left Walthamstow in 1988 - did not go in cafes and such like - but if it was cold - would have a cup of Bovril there and try & get Heather to have a cup as well - but she still hates the stuff - so did manage to get Edie to buy her a cup of cocoa instead.
Was it Woolworth's - or somewhere else please - and how did other readers warm themselves when shopping with parents on a cold day?
I look forward to reading responses - if this memory is posted.
Thank you Daniel.

Andrew S HATTON
(still "locked down" in Tolleshunt Knights, Essex where we have been since 1983 after sojourns in Sittingbourne, Maghull and briefly East Hanningfield)
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

I am trying to find out about relatives who I believe were Romany. I know they lived in Triggs yard because I did visit with my dad when I was very young. Their names were Celia and Charlie Smith. Is there a book I could purchase covering Triggs yard during late 40's and 50's, because I think that is when they would have been there.
Hoping, with thanks, that you are able to help Pat Parsons (nee Williams)

Pat PARSONS née WILLIAMS
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

Hope you are well and living the life. It sounds as if you are. I was sorry to hear about the loss of your son noted in your previous reply. My family has also suffered such tragedies in recent years and so I can well understand the emotional side that never truly leaves us when such devastating things happen and that is perhaps a comforting thing.

I can well visualise anyone not employed at the Eveready Co requiring an early nights rest resulting from the sheer boredom or reading this piece. I have managed however, to reduce it down to almost half it's original length. If you feel it's a bit OTT for members - I take not the slightest offence in your deciding not to publish.
Many thanks

Steve HENNAH
  Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Thank you, Steve. I think our visitors will appreciate your article "as is".
You may read it [HERE] or in the Lost Trades page

Hello Daniel,

A few names I remember are: Dennis Benfield / ?Blackgrovem Mavis Bundock, Warren, Wright, Daphne ?.

Blackhorse Rd School 1943-44

Blackhorse Rd School 1943-44


Bobert ELLIS
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

Hello all just seen school photo by Ed Wybrow 1945, is he still around? Last I saw he lived in Bournemouth with his Wife Phyllis.

Bobert ELLIS
  Private Reply Public Reply

MARCH MAILS [Top of Page]

Hello Daniel,

Congratulations on your excellent site! I would be grateful if you could post my message below. Thanks.
Hello all. I lived in Highams Park from 1958 to 1969. I attended Selwyn Avenue Junior School and Monoux Grammar School. After I left school, my family moved out of London, but I have recently made contact with some friends from school. I would be interested in sharing memories of that period.

Mark PORTER
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi,

I left McEntee in 1979. I cannot remember for the life of me what all the elements meant in our school badge, but I remember having it drummed into us LOL but nope its gone!
I was hoping you could help,
Thanks

Mark FULLICK
  Private Reply Public Reply

Dear Daniel,

In an attempt to supply names, I will use the photograph from 1960-61 Ms Tuckwell's class. In effect everyone in the picture will be 10-11 years old.
Back row : left to right
Barbara Young: Susan Crook: Jaqueline Hall: Terence Allen: Wendy Francis: Lorraine Edington: Pat Cornell: Gareth Richardson: Robert Murrell.
Second row: L-R
Jennifer Harrington: Peter Curry: Gillian Cadle: Paul Watts: Jean Perkins: Pauline Martin: Pat Chappel: Derek Fowler.
Third Row :L-R
Jaqueline Townsend: Beryl Palmer: Lynne Delamore: ??: ??: ??: Linda Castle Jaqueline Radleigh : Pamela Gilkes.
Front row: L-R
Roger Meade: John Kearney: Barry Sutherland: Jeffrey Blackwell: Malcolm Herron: Robert Scott: Colin Delamore.
Apologies to the three classmates, I just cannot recall their names from 60 years ago. Further apologies for any mis-spelling of names- and wrong identifications.??
Kind regards

Terence ALLEN
  Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Thank you. Names added under relevant picture.

Hi Daniel,

I was at Chapel End from 1953 - 1957, Mr Burton and Miss Hewitt were head teachers.
I went on to marry one of my classmates so did another couple Janet Lamude and Peter Briggs who I know went on to be very successful in business. I have lived in New Zealand and am now back in UK living in Hertfordshire.
Regards

Audrey NOTSCHILD
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

I have just discovered your Walthamstow Memories website and have enjoyed browsing the various pages. I was born in Thorpe Coombe Hospital and grew up just down the road in Woodford so have many memories of the local area.
My late father was president of the Woodford Historical Society and amassed a large collection of local history books. There are far too many for me to keep so I am gradually disposing of some of them. I just wondered if you might know of anyone who might be interested in the attached link to a book published by the Walthamstow Antiquarian Society in 1954.

Testo

Across The Years
eBay Item (click on picture)


Kind regards,

Andrew BUGGEY
  Private Reply Public Reply

Dear Daniel,

Hoping this email finds you well (enough).
I am finally collecting various papers that have been in storage for decades. The three attached photos are from my Mission Grove years. They may be useful for the Walthamstow Memories page on Mission Grove school.
I have most of the names of my fellow classmates, if anyone is interested.

Mission Grove School 1957-58

1. I think this is from 1957-58 - which would have been Ms. Wakefield's class. (I am back row, third from left)


Mission Grove School 1959-60

2. This would be from 1959-60 Miss Witherwick's class. There I am in the back row, fourth from the right.

Mission Grove School 1960-61

3. This is from 1960-61, the indomitable Ms Tuckwell's class. (fourth from left back row)


Back row : left to right
Barbara Young, Susan Crook, Jaqueline Hall, Terence Allen, Wendy Francis, Lorraine Edington, Pat Cornell, Gareth Richardson, Robert Murrell.
Second row: L-R
Jennifer Harrington, Peter Curry, Gillian Cadle, Paul Watts, Jean Perkins, Pauline Martin, Pat Chappel, Derek Fowler.
Third Row :L-R
Jaqueline Townsend, Beryl Palmer, Lynne Delamore, ??, ??, ??, Linda Castle, Jaqueline Radleigh, Pamela Gilkes.
Front row: L-R
Roger Meade, John Kearney, Barry Sutherland, Jeffrey Blackwell, Malcolm Herron, Robert Scott, Colin Delamore.

Best regards

Terence ALLEN
  Private Reply Public Reply

So did I. The billiard cue but on the bum. He was the technical drawing teacher, drove a sprite and fancied the girls gym teacher we all thought.
Met a guy in Phuket who owned a bar. His name was Martin and he was headboy. I was in detention. He liked Stockdale.. Sadly Martin died a few years ago.
The headmaster at the time was one Herbert P Williams. The religion teacher, can't remember his name, told me I would come to nothing. I ended up as the MD of two group companies and group marketing director. Funny old world isnt it?
Regards to all

Terry LUCAS Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

I wonder if you can help me..1962 there was a singer who used to get up and sing in the pubs around the area.. He was good he named himself Richard (Rickey Watson) friend of a family member.. we have lost contact..
Kind Regards

Theresa PAICE
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

Many thanks for your email of the 2nd March with the news that the renewed Walthamstow Memories site is up and running. It has certainly taken on a different look to the old one which in comparison does look rather dated.
You must have worked hard on going all through the site and working out how it should look and how to arrange all the different aspects that can arise when looking back into the history of Walthamstow. I will in due course take pleasure in going through it from time to time, something I have done with the old site for a few years. Obviously I will be in touch with anything I may add or reply to but the renewed site should give people more incentive to log in more.
Very best wishes,

Rodney SILK
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Tas,

I lived in Tower Mews from the 1950's, which led onto the back of the Tower Hotel public house. There were no stables left by that time but the buildings in the background o your photograph look like those which still front Hoe Street on the other side.
Going from memory, If you use the link below to the 1897 Ordnance Survey map I think going from memory and you photograph, the most likely location for the stables would have been at the rear of the 7-14th building going north along Hoe Street from the Tower Hotel, shown on the corner of Hoe Street and Selborne Road. The recreation ground at the rear of where I think the stables were became Selborne Park. Unfortunately Selborne Park was developed into a bus station, and the buildings on the east of Tower Mews have been demolished to be replaced by modern apartment blocks.

LINK TO IMAGE

I have also include another link to Google maps which will give you a birds eye view above the location where I think the camera was located in the photograph.

LINK TO IMAGE

Regards

Mick GILBEY Private Reply Public Reply

Hello again Daniel,

just had a look through the WM website for a list of past businesses in Walthamstow. While most of the ones we check have been already included, I noticed that the following three are not mentioned so far:

  • British Relay (TV company in Sutherland road)
  • Bush Boake Allen (Chemical company in Blackhorse lane) (At one time I just lived up from the factory and sometimes the smell was terrible and you had to shut your windows)
  • Collinson's Screws (Forest Road)

I will try to get information and pictures and send them on to you.

Dave HUGHES
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

I would like to inform you of a street that is no longer in Walthamstow: Collard Road, where I was born. It used to run from Shernall Street down to Wood Street park, there was an alley way between Collard Road and Turner Street I think it was called Dukes Way and it ran down the back of our house. There are blocks of Units there now, I believe.
The road ran parallel between Turner and Marlowe Streets.
Regards

Margaret JOHNSON
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

Does anyone remember 'The Hot Pants Girls' that worked at the petrol pumps at Bernard Wallis garage in Mark House Avenue, the year was around 1971 and I believe three of the girls were called Ginnie, Linda and Carol. At the time they use to hand out green shield stamps and I remember taking carrier bags full of them home to a very appreciative mother.

Dave HUGHES
  Private Reply Public Reply

Annie,

I came accross this web site by accident but I can provide you with a little info on the King family.
The father was Richard King. One of my elder brothers was a friend of his daughter Rosemary.
The Kings did live in a large house in Church Lane but moved to a smaller house in Dean Gardens (off of Upper Walthamstow Road, near Wood Street railway station). I think they may have moved to number 14 Dean Gardens.
Richard King was Superintendent at Brandon Mission (church) which was on the corner of Brandon Road and Chapel Street (off Wood Street). He (Richard) used to play a concertina.
I believe another adult or couple at Brandon Mission who assisted with the work also ran a florist business.
I believe 'King's Florist' shop was located at the Hoe Street end of what we referred to as "The Old Arcade" near the top of High Street.
I don't remember glass-fronted cabinet with open Bible in the front garden of Mr King's house in Church Lane, but there was a glass-fronted cabinet with an open Bible in the front garden of a house in Church Hill, opposite the high school for girls (a road which ran between) Hoe Street and Church Hill Road.
Hope that helps

George WASHINGTON Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

I am organising a nurses benefit event on the Sunday 8th of August. This will be an acoustic music session and will probably be held at Walthamstow Cricket Club in Greenway Avenue close to Wood Street BR. If anyone is interested in a slot please contact me at dhughes195257@gmail.com for more information. This will be an all ages event.

Dave HUGHES
  Private Reply Public Reply

Morning Daniel,

I thought the enclosed photos were the Wood Street Walk but mum has put on the back High Street Hike & the other is of my father on duty at the carnival about the same time.

Wood St. Walk - 1963(?)

Wood St. Walk - 1963(?)


Wood St. Walk - 1963(?)

Wood St. Walk - 1963(?)


Carnival 1963(?)

Carnival 1963(?)
My father on duty


Best Wishes,

Pat WHITEAKER
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

can you please add the following to the post bag at WM:

Hi, my name is Steven Bullet, I went to Sydney Chaplin school in the 1960s. At the time I lived with my parents and four sisters on Cooper Avenue.
I will be interested in getting in touch with people who knew me at that time. I can be contacted via Dave Hughes at dhughes195257@gmail.com if anyone is interested in getting in touch.
Thank you

Dave HUGHES
  Private Reply Public Reply

I went there from 58 to 63. We all had to go in by the back door!

David SHEWRY Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

My wife's grandmother, Alice Emma Ethel Mothersole, was a pupil at the William Morris Higher Elementary School in Walthamstow. We have in our possession a book, "Shakespeare's Works" that was awarded to her for good conduct, satisfactory progress and regular attendance at the school in 1906-1907. A copy of the book-plate prize certificate from the inside of the front cover is attached along with an early photo of Alice and one from her wedding day in 1916.
She emigrated to Australia in 1919, after marrying David Vincent Williams, who was also a resident of the Walthamstow area.
Do you think that the current school would like the book to place with their memorabilia?
Cheers

Book-plate-Award-Certificate-1906-1907

Alice Emma Ethel Mothersole
Book-plate Award Certificate,
William Morris Higher Elementary School Walthamstow, 1906-1907


Alice Emma Ethel Mothersole

Alice Emma Ethel Mothersole


Alice Mothersole David Williams wedding

Alice Mothersole and David Williams' wedding - 1916


Brent COLIN and Sue GILLIGAN
Oak Flats, New South Wales, Australia
  Private Reply Public Reply

Dear Daniel,

What a nice surprise! I look forward to what you are offering. I would really like to find old photos of where my mother grew up at Tower Stables at the corner of Shelbourne and Hoe St. Or was it the High Street? My Grand father was the manager of Tower Stables. I do have a photo taken in 1906 of when her older brother George married my aunt Jessie West behind the stables with both families [see HERE]. But I do not have a photo of the actual house. My grandfather was Charles Miller, and I had posted a photo in front of where the family lived earlier at number 9 Church Lane.
Good Luck with your project.

Tas RICHARDSON
  Private Reply Public Reply

03 Mar 2021 - FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Friends, Followers & occasional Visitors,

Just a short note to thank you all for the many words of appreciation, and for the many visits to the new site:

Statistics for 2-3 March 2021

Statistics for 2-3 March 2021


The best reward for my efforts is the number of visits received in just 48 hours!
And over a hundred just in the first hours, apparently coming from the WM FaceBook page! Thank you all, you have made my day!

There are over 200 subscribers to our Newsletter, but in this last mailing, some emails have bounced back as 'undeliverable': have you changed your email address recently or since you subscribed to our Newsletter? Please check...

As always, any comments and suggestions from you are most welcome and don't forget to share your memories and pictures!

Enjoy browsing and exploring your new site.
Kindest regards to you all.

  Email Daniel Daniels Signature

Hello Daniel,

This is the best I can do, one photo is Gamuel Road school and the others are Markhouse Road.
I do know many names but just do not know how to attach them to the photos.

Gamuel School 1948

Gamuel School - 1948
Walthamstow

Markhouse Rd. School 1948

Markhouse Rd. School 1948
Walthamstow

Markhouse Rd. School 1949

Markhouse Rd. School 1949
Walthamstow

Markhouse Rd. School 1950

Markhouse Rd. School 1950
Walthamstow

Markhouse Rd. School 19??

Markhouse Rd. School 19??
Walthamstow

Markhouse Rd. School 19??

Markhouse Rd. School 19??
Walthamstow

Len HALL
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

Here is a photo from when I was at Wood Street School (I never knew it as Woodside). I am Alan Gallant (although at that time I was Alan Goldstein) and my family lived at 15 Greenway Avenue, just by Wood Street Station.

Woodside School

Woodside School - Class 4 1953-54
Walthamstow

I am central in the photo in the second row immediately behind the boy holding Class 4 1953-54. The teacher is Mrs Whipp and most of us boys were in love with her. The Headmaster at the time was Mr L.V. Head.
My memory of the names of my fellow pupils is awful, but I believe Gillian Glyde is top row 2nd pupil in from the left, Lawrence Lewis is 2nd row 3rd pupil in from left, Billy Wright is top row first in from right and finally Colin/Brian Ericsson is bottom row 2nd in from left.
Regards

Alan GALLANT
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

From the beginning of 2020, as a personal sign of appreciation, I have regularly delivered, at least once a month, boxes of 'treats' for the nurses and cleaning staff at the Margaret Centre at Whipps Cross Hospital.
I started this of my own initiative, but recently some friends have started giving me donations towards this and so the project is constantly growing and the 'boxes' are highly appreciated by the nurses and staff, who are particularly under stress in these CV times.
If you would like more details on how you may help, please email me.
Regards

Dave HUGHES
  Private Reply Public Reply

Thank you Daniel for all the work you do for the rest of us to enjoy your site.
Stay well

Lyn TUCKER
née Jackson
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

It looks very interesting and thanks for your dedicated effort put in over the years.
Is there a limit on how many words can be used when writing stories for site inclusion as I've all but completed one on life at the Ever Ready electrical Co in Forest Rd as a youngster in the 60's. The problem is I'm in the eight thousand and that's after reviewing, amending and cutting back on parts of the article.
Just noticed that the site is reading 'not secure' Perhaps you would like to check this out at some point.
Anyway, many thanks - it can't have been easy at times.
Kind regards

Steve HENNAH Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Other visitors may also wonder: The "Not secure" message is mainly a concern for e-commerce sites, where sensitive information (ie: credit cards, etc) are circulated. It is somewhat misleading, because it makes people think there are all sorts of 'fishing' going about if it's "not secure". Not quite so. Walthamstow Memories is not commercial (no ads, not even 'cookies').
Hi Daniel,

Additions for your school lists:

Henry Maynard dating from around 1965 - 1970 (ish!): Teachers:
Mr Ronan
Miss Burge

Pupils:
Russell Bishop
Alan(?) Kemp
Lee Tomlin

Warwick Boys School, all dating 1971 - 1973 (again, ish!)

Teachers:
Headmaster - Mr A A Maxwell
Music (and Deputy Head) - Mr Christopher N Ruff
French Mr Kershook
English (and occasional RE!) - Mr Block (who I seem to recall was an ex-para)
History - Mr Eagle
Maths? Mr Warder
Both my Art Teacher and Metalwork teacher (Messrs Ford and Hall) have already been mentioned.
Pupils:
Michael Adams (great friend at the time, now living in the US as far as I know)
Paul Bartholomews (not sure of spelling)
Bobby Mann
Andre Bowen (?)
David Schuster (who I seem to recall was deaf?)
Bradley Goldblatt (who tried to head butt me but I ducked and he ran off to the toilet to stem the flow of blood from his nose!)

How is it I can remember this but can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday?!
Anyway, a great read, keep up the good work.
Best Regards,

Richard DOWNING
  Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Lists will be updated presently. Thank you!
Hi Daniel,

I've just taken a nosey at the new website and must say, what a lovely fresh look it has now.
Well done sir!
I would probably be able to add some names to the school rolls but not sure I could help anywhere else!
Best Regards,

Richard DOWNING
  Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Just attach the list to your email, Richard. Thank you!
Hello Daniel,

I tried to look at my old school and that was Markhouse Road secondary modern and it was not one of those sites that went any further. However, there is a Facebook page for it. I am not a member now. I withdrew all my school photos when I left the group. Would you like me to send them to you?

Len HALL Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Sure, Len, send them in!

This, taken from Google Earth Street View, shows the home at No. 4 Hale End Road Walthamstow (Looking now a little neglected) from 1950 to 1961. The single upstairs bedroom was my mothers work room: she was a tailoress.
One of her favourite stories was of a customer of hers, Roy Romaine, an Olympic swimmer who found this new material called nylon which he thought would not hold the water during swimming. My mother made him some tight fitting trunks from the nylon and she completed her story saying she enjoyed seeing the way they fitted. She also did work for a company near to Thorpe Coombe Hospital, Peter French making shirts, one being for the King of Tonga who apparently had an 18 inch neck!
Strange the things one remembers for ones childhood.

No. 4 Hale End Road Walthamstow

No. 4 Hale End Road
Walthamstow


Chris WARNER
  Private Reply Public Reply

Thank you so much Daniel,

Firstly, it is so relieving to know that you and family are safe and well...
...equally as important is my gratitude for the mammoth task that you have undertaken, and this email of mine may be very small but it contains a very large Appreciation from me, knowing the time and effort it must have taken you to update this excellent site???
Go well,

Roberta HADNAM
(maiden Brown to Holloway)
  Private Reply Public Reply

It looks fabulous. Bravo Daniel (and thank you for marshalling all the wonderful content of the site).

Sally PASSMORE
  Private Reply Public Reply

Thanks for this Daniel it is brilliant that you have managed this epic task.
Would you please remove my Yahoo address and replace it with my grahamharveyuk@outlook.com one. People who had my YAHOO address periodically get harmful emails purporting to be me thanks to yahoo's data breach some years ago.
Best wishes

Graham HAREVEY
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

Thank you Daniel for all of your dedication to revamp Walthamstow Memories. I, when born, lived on the upper floor with my parents at 145a Howard Road, with John Knowles living on the ground floor. Mr. Knowles later became my teacher at either Wood Street Primary or Chapel End Secondary Schools, I can't remember which. We moved from 145a to 4 Hale End Road around 1950ish and then to Ash Vale, Surrey in 1961.
Enough about me, initially this was to say thank you for you work in getting WM up and running again, I was missing seeing it popping up on my tablet, not one of the many others I take orally that is...
Regards

Chris WARNER
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

Thank you for all you are doing. Appreciated by more people than you may think!

David GROSVENOR
  Private Reply Public Reply

01 Mar 2021 - FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Friends, Followers & occasional Visitors,

The day has finally come: your Renewed Walthamstow Memories site is ready, with a more up-to-date look and layout along with a few novelties (of which I'll tell you in a minute)!

Memories are valuable. In my mind, I consider this site like a valuable antique car that had a few dents. It needed to be dusted and spruced up a bit. It took a lot of hammering to get the bodywork up to shape and gave it a nice paint spray. I can now proudly - alas! only metaphorically - nip down to Brighton in my buffed and polished vintage car.

In 2015 (time passes with the speed of light) the original creator of this site, John H. Knowles, retired and handed the site and all the works over to me. Since then, it's been a humdinging, thumping "one-man-band" overture. The changeover occurred when I was just about to move my family from Italy to Spain. A difficult moment? I leave it you to imagine.

My granddaughter, then 4 years old and living with us, demanded her grandfather's entire doting attention and all I could dedicate to the WM site was the occasional update of the incoming emails. And little of that too...
However, 2020 has obliged us to appreciate that an Englishman's home is his castle. In some aspects, this has been positive for me and has given me the time to sit down and think of how to update and improve the web site. How lucky I am to have this site with so many affectionate visitors!

Considering the enormous outlandish growth of the fandangled "Oh so invasive" mind boggling smartphones & tablets, the site badly needed a new suit. The advent of HTML5 (the language used for writing web pages) and the emergence of new exact and demanding coding that can make or break a website, everything on the site, had to be updated! A daunting task! Easier said than done. It has taken many days and sleepless nights and months of hard work

For those interested in some statistics, there are 120 html pages in the Walthamstow Memories site, each containing an average of 4000 lines of code (with peaks of over 8000). Out of the 1300+ images in the site, more than half had spaces in their names (hardly tolerated by HTML5!), so... as you have guessed, I have had to maddingly rename every single image by hand (or to be more precise, by my almost 70yrs old fingers). This past two months I've been thumping away on my keyboard and it now squeaks like... an old castle door!

But let's come to the little surprises.
Firstly, the pages are now 'resizeable': you may change the size of your browser's window and... text and images will (should?) adapt to your viewport.
Then, there are new pages:

  • A "Help" page, where you will find some guidance on how to navigate within the site;
  • A page with useful hints for creating your "memories" ("Make Memories" to submit for posting;
  • Postbags: in addition to the 'month selection' I've added a "Filter function" to some of the postbags: you can select a "thread" and see only those emails that you're interested in.
  • There is also a new search function in the "Lost streets" and in the "Personal memories" pages.

Now to the "known problems". The display of images and/or text, in some pages, is not optimal (either for size or position) and some of the tables may not display properly on small screens. I'm working on these issues, but please notify me if you find any problems that have slipped through: I'm not Asimov's R. Daneel Olivaw, the twenty-thousand-year-old android Robot! I am just (now and again) almost a human...
Finally, the suit is new, but all the contents are still there for you to enjoy!

As always, any comments and suggestions from you are most welcome and don't forget to share your memories and pictures!

Enjoy browsing and exploring your new site. Thank you for your attention and kindest regards to you all.

  Email Daniel Daniels Signature

FEBRUARY MAILS [Top of Page]

Dear Daniel,

well done for all your hard work where others would have given up!
I have seen your / my young braves association on w/stow memories plus my text both together so no panic for you on this, if you want me to send it again i will get my wife to do it as i am computer illiterate. again well done,
regards

Ron MOORE
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

desperately trying to locate Michael Woodward, he attended Andrew's Road School with me an went on to Williem Elliot. DOB 1945 same as me. I joined army apprentices school in 1961 aged 15, and last saw Mick when on leave from Germany 1965. Sadly lost touch as various postings around the world, I last saw him i think he was living in Rosebank Road(?) and I think at that time he was working for Walthamstow Council highways dept. I used to live at 19 Worcester Road with my parents, hopefully you can help me with this request.
Kind regards

Tony NEWTON
ex Worcester Road Private Reply Public Reply

As mentioned earlier, Daniel, here are images of the two memorials no longer in place.
Until services get back to normal, the cemetery staff are understandably, not entertaining research enquiries.

First tomb stone - Queen's Cemetery

First tomb stone - Queen's Cemetery


Second tomb stone - Queen's Cemetery

Second tomb stone - Queen's Cemetery


Keith FOSTER
  Private Reply Public Reply

Thank you for that discovery Daniel.
I will shortly set to and send you a couple of photos I have of just 2 now, memorial stones that are extant. The ground would certainly contain more burials unmarked by any stones, so perhaps other memorials have disappeared over the years?

I know that working my way through the burial registers recently - available Ancestry by sub, I didn't come across any further batches than those names I already transcribed from the large headstones.

Most odd - almost another 100 by the writer's calculations in that 2013 submission. Still, time marches on and more people will now be alive to family history research and may do well to learn of the 29 names from the existing headstones that are still visible.

I'm usually tracing air raid victims in the local cemeteries - WW1 customarily at Chingford Mount and WW2 in Queen's Road and Chingford too. Sometimes they can be matched up with particular incidents.

regards.

Keith FOSTER
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

Taking everything into account, the 29 actual named interments all came from 29 specific addresses, none of which were alike. But there were two in one single road, but even then, not close together as neighbours.

So, leaving aside the remotest of possibilities that everyone, including the 2 month old infant, died in a catastrophic incident in one location and at varying times during a 3 month period from injuries suffered, it does all point towards a type of flu epidemic or some such. It beggar's belief there could have been a rogue nurse in a hospital, or care home, or the above 'catastrophe', without it reaching those few newspapers already scanned to the British Newspaper archives on Find My Past. I've been a subscriber for years and well-versed to finding out something of the unusual.

As regards VHM and their archives, I have been a regular visitor for many decades and know the system and also their wonderful long serving archivist, Jo Parker. Only recently we had an online 'chat' wherein she stated it has been impossible for her to enter the site for almost a year*, so there's little hope for anyone in the foreseeable future this year.
* I read in the Daily Mail last week that the BMC refuses to consent to the use of a type of spray to fumigate national theatres - upon request by Lord Lloyd Webber. So that rules out any similar use for the tiny and restrictive Waltham Forest's museum. I'm sure the staff would require some robust guarantees before even they consent to return!

Thus, the construction of the item for W.M. was put together in an attempt to navigate around the extensive barrier to gain access to any form of archives.

By the way, I have some images of the headstones to track down in my archives, and if it doesn't conflict with any protocols of burial monuments on the website, I will try and get those to you as soon as I can.

Best regards

Keith FOSTER
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel,

I've known about this item for a considerable time but only now had enough time to put details in writing.

I wonder if like myself, people have often paused by two large headstones located in the NNE corner of the site and wondered just how almost 30 names came to be interred together? Detailed investigation which I have recently carried out, shows that the age range of both male and female, varies from just one infant at 2 months, then 35 through to 85 as the eldest, all with a given Walthamstow streetname as their home residence.

Whilst I am fully aware the 1946 Winter had been one of the severest at that time for a considerable period, without further evidence it is not enough substance to claim that they were all perhaps, victims of the cold weather.
Perhaps there is someone reading this who can claim that one of their G/G grandparents is known to be one of those buried at this spot. If so, it would be interesting to learn what they know, or have found out investigating their family history.
I have completed an inventory of all the names and can provide the following A-Z list of the surnames with ages;- Beattie 76:Beezley 72:Causton 72:Church 75:Coxhead 71:Diver 62:Dowling 66:Emere 80:Eveling 63:Grave 46: Gottenbeth 78:Herbert 35:Hopkins 72:Jeffrey 70:Lehan 2/12:Moore 67:Odell 71:Page 80: Sargeant 73:Spooner 61:B.Smith 85:M Smith 53:Stokes 44:Thornton 84:Timms 73:Truce 37:Webb 78:Wilson 38:and Witheridge 39.

If anyone recognises a name from this list I'd like to help with some further investigations about the possible reason they were all buried together. I am certainly unaware such similar memorials exist at Chingford Mount cemetery.

Keith FOSTER
Walthamstow resident since 1950.
  Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel:Something on the same subject: Michael Gilbery' email.

Hi Daniel,

Trying to find information on my birth father, William Dunn Mcfarlane Anderson and the Anderson family. He was born 8 Sept 1905 at 1A Hartington Road, Walthamstow. His parents were James Blair Anderson and Agnes Baird Anderson. The moved from Glasgow about 1897 to the London area with 3 children and then had 3 more: John Baird Kelt, b-1897 in Hoxton; Elizabeth, b-1900 in Bethnal Green; and my father William Dunn Anderson. In 1911 they lived at 8 Brunner Road. My father supposedly married and had a family with two children but I have not found their names. He married Olive May Stephenson abt 1955 and had a daughter. My aunt, Elizabeth Robertson Baird Anderson was born 4 April 1900 at 137 Ravenscroft Buildings, Bethnal Green. She has also been a challenge to research.

David STANLEY Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

I got stuck researching my family because the name was so common, but by fluke my dad in his nineties was reminiscing about my mum who passed away several years ago and revealed interesting comments. Apparently mums grandparents owned the Rising Sun pub. I googled that and found an article and comment by Carol Ann Barber. She would be my second cousin. I don't do Facebook, but would you have email address for her. I would love to contact her in case she has further family history. I also found out a great uncle who was my grandads brother owned the Crown Hotel.

Thank you.

Anne STEBBING Private Reply Public Reply

Dear Daniel,

hello from Australia!
My father was born in Walthamstow in 1924. His immediate and extended family lived in the area (including Leytonstone and Chingford) from the early 1900s. He attended local schools and served in the Royal Navy 1942 - 46. He also worked at Walthamstow Council before and after his war service.
He died in Australia in 2017. My sister and I are in the process of sorting through his archives which includes a very readable memoir with a lot of detail from the pre-WW2 years.

Once I have finished with these documents I would like to make sure they go to somewhere they will be useful for local history researchers. I contacted the Essex Archives and they say they don't accept Waltham Forest material. I emailed the Waltham Forest Archive at the end of November and have not had a reply. I realise that things are difficult in the UK at the moment, but guess there are others like me who are using this time to "tidy up" family history work that has been on the back burner.

Can you suggest who I should contact, as I would like to know if anyone will be interested in my father's photos and other items.

Thank you,

Bettina DOUGLAS
née COCKSEDGE
  Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

Good news, my dad's wife has found Ron's number at home!
So we can call off the search...

Thank you so much for all of your help, you've been wonderful...

Kindest regards,

Nadine GORDON Private Reply Public Reply

JANUARY MAILS [Top of Page]

Hello Ensenora,

There is a Facebook group called Walthamstow in Pictures. They have several postings of the post office which was on the bridge over the Chingford rail line.
The one in Barry's post was the sorting office in Vestry Road.

Regards

Graham SPINKS Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

I found your website only the other day and must say I found it fascinating!
I was born in 1960 and brought up to the age of 13 in Walthamstow. I went to Henry Maynard and Warwick schools and still have many happy memories of my time living there.
I would probably be able to add some names to the school rolls but not sure I caould help anywhere else!
Anyway, a great read, keep yup the good work.

Regards

Richard DOWNING Private Reply Public Reply

Dear Daniel,

My dad, Brian Slawson (born 1940), is a former student of the William Elliott Whittingham School and has had a major stroke. I am trying to get in touch with my dad's best friend - a former student called Ron Brazier (not sure of the spelling). They have known each other most of their lives, since childhood and reconnected after loosing touch for years several years ago... and now, again, they lost touch...
Please can you let me know if you have any idea where Ron is now and pass on my details.
Kind regards and many thanks

Nadine GORDON Private Reply Public Reply

Daniel,

Tower Press was indeed located at 86 Palmerston road, I served my apprenticeship there from 1962 till 1967, William [Bill] Field ran day to day operations for the printing department. Bill Field owned a company known as Fields Printing Services which became part of Tower Press which in turn became part of the Guiterman Group. Tower press was spun off from the Guiterman Group and then was acquired by John Waddington in 1967.
Waddington's closed the pressroom down in 1967 that was the reason for my departure.
Bill Field lived in Enfield during this time, in his younger years he used to pilot aircraft. He was a very strong and compassionate man.

Hope this little piece of information is helpful to Mr. Begley

Regards,

John SMITH Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel

Eventually, getting around to sending something to you. Thank you for allowing me to join and for all of your hard work to make this website happen. It's so lovely to read through it.

I was born in October, 1963, at Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital. My mother, sister, brother and I lived at 133 Elphinstone Road, E17. I went to the nursery in Priory Court and then to Winns Infant School until we moved to Suffolk around 1970/71.

I can remember some first names of the kids in the attached class photos but I don't expect anyone to remember me though it would be fun to hear if anyone recognises themselves. In the top class photo, I am second from the right in the second row up (behind seated kids). That is my best friend, Karen, on my left. She lived in Priory Court and I have so many vivid memories of such a wonderful time playing around her block whilst waiting for my mum to finish work at the launderette. In the bottom photo, I am same row (standing behind seated kids), fifth from the right. Karen is seated, fourth from the left. In this photo, the lad in the middle of the back row was named Jimmy. He had to kiss me when I was Mary and he was Joseph in the school nativity play. I'm pretty sure the lad on the far right of the top row was called Gary and he lived a few doors down from me. One of the teachers from Winns that I remember was a Miss Dooley. Lots of other memories if anyone sees themselves in these pics. Other friends' names that I remember are Francis and Carol.

I think there was a music teacher called Mrs Bush (she wore short sleeved dresses, as I remember). My second class teacher had very short black hair. She was lovely, as was Mrs Douglas who gave me a short story book when I left and I still have it. There were polystyrene cut outs of the characters from the Tufty Club all around the hall which I remember having to do PE in our pants and vests. I also remember one show that we put on and I was mortified as we all had letters stuck to our behinds and one by one we had to turn around and bend over and the letters spelt out 'bottoms up'. I'm still scarred today! Haha.

We had such fun playing in the street - football on the green and marbles on the drain covers. We'd take ourselves off to Lloyds Park to feed the ducks, dare each other to go into the William Morris Gallery and go to the kids'matinees in the little theatre. If we were lucky to have some money, we'd buy a Fab ice lolly from the little shop at the Winns/Carr entrance to the park. A boy called Paul Humphries lived opposite us (older than me). There was a lad called Vincent a few doors to the left as you look at No.133 and Gary lived a few doors in the other direction and he had a big tricycle that I was jealous of!! My Aunt - Jay (Jane) Miller, cousin Gerard (Gary) and Grandmother - Jane Taylor - lived at Empress Parade, Chingford in a corner house close to the dog track. We attended Christ the King church nearby. My Nan then moved to Whitebeam Tower, Hillyfields, Walthamstow.
The three photos are of me standing beside the silver birch tree that was outside our house on Elphinstone Road, the last one being about five years ago.

Picture of Winns Infant School late '60s

Winns Infant School late '60s
Jane Plant (née Holmes)


Picture of 133 Elphinstone Road, Walthamstow

Jane Plant at 133 Elphinstone Road
1966-2015


Jane E PLANT
(née HOLMES) Private Reply Public Reply

Hello Daniel

Very many thanks for your rapid reply to my message. I took a look (thanks to Google Street View) at Buxton Road and it looks to me as if most of the buildings there are classic late-Victorian or Edwardian style housing - I doubt if anything remains from the 1850s, ,alas. As to Mission Grove school, I'll do as you suggest and contact them - the buildings are obviously modern but the history may go back much further and the name has indeed some resonances. I'll be surprised if there's a connexion though - L.P.Mercier's school only existed for at most four years - he came from Edgbaston where he had been Headmaster probably in 1856 to found a private school of his own, took in the boys of St John's Foundation when their head left suddenly (financial problems) in 1857, and then moved with all his pupils to a new location in Clapton in 1859. If "The Laurels School" was indeed the one in question, then I would guess it took its name from the house where Mercier lived and lodged his pupils - but as I say it would have been substantial given the numbers involved (50-60 probably).

Here's hoping that someone among your readers will have an idea!

Again many thanks,

Barry WILLIAMS Private Reply Public Reply

Hello

Forgive me for troubling you, but I wonder if you might be able to help me with a research question.
I'm trying to track down the location of a school which existed in Walthamstow for a few years between about 1856 and 1859. It was started and run by the Revd L.P. Mercier (who, incidentally, translated the works of Jules Verne) and in 1857 it incorporated the pupils of St John's Foundation School who moved from Kilburn. It may have been called 'The Laurels School' - I have found a reference to a school in Walthamstow of that name which existed in 1858. It may have been situated in Grove Lane, which I believe no longer exists.
I wonder if you might be able to help fill in some information about the school - most importantly where exactly it was. When the St John's boys arrived that made a total of some 60 pupils, so there must have been quite a big building to accommodate them all (they would most, if not all, have been boarders).

Many thanks in advance for any help you can give,

Barry WILLIAMS Private Reply Public Reply

Picture of High School For Girls, Church Hill House, Walthamstow

High School For Girls,
Church Hill House, Walthamstow


Michael Neighbour Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Daniel,

As promised, please find a word document attached detailing some of my memories of living in Walthamstow as an impressionable young boy through the 1960's and early 70's.

Best regards,

Richard DOWNING
  Private Reply Public Reply

From Daniel: Richard's memories are now in the 'Personal Stories' page.
Many thanks, Richard!

Hello Daniel,
I'm trying to find photos of the Harmer and Simmons factory that opened in 1927. It specialised in sound amplification and power supplies.
Would any members have any memories of the company and would anyone know who the Simmons partner was please?
Regards

Mark LEWIS Private Reply Public Reply

Trying to find pictures of the kids fancy dress of the Coronation street party for 1953.

Thank you

Pauline ELLEY Private Reply Public Reply

Hi Ray , ever come across a lad called Michael Woodward, he would be 75 now same as me, we were at Andrew's Road together, but my parents moved to Hayes in 1955, I last had contact with Mick in about 1965. I was on leave from Germany, but lost touch after that, any help would be most grateful.
Stay safe

Tony NEWTON
ex Worcester Road Private Reply Public Reply

I help a group in Holland who are working on a project connected with their Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. They hope to find a photograph, story and family for all of the 281 servicemen buried there in World War II. The group are doing this in gratitude to those who died in the fight for their liberation. Every year on Christmas Eve the local people light a candle on each grave.
I am writing to you because I am currently researching Gunner Henry Arthur Wisker (152701) Royal Artillery, 63 (The Queen's Own Oxford Hussars) Anti-Tank Regiment. Henry was born in 1908 to John William and Alice Wisker, of Walthamstow and was the husband of Ivy May (nee Zinzan). I think he was the uncle of the John Wisker whose reminiscences are recorded on your site. We would particularly like to find a photograph of him. I have found a few relatives via MyHeritage and Ancestry but so far no photograph. I have been unable to find anything in the British Newspaper Archive and I wonder if there is perhaps something in a more local archive?
Your pages are a true treasure chest of information and I do hope you can help. I attach a press release about the project.

Sue REYNOLDS Private Reply Public Reply

Hi,

I have just seen your post re Forest Road Boys school, I have a similar set of photographs of a family relative. The pupils are different but the teachers and poses are exactly the same.
Sadly no real info here three classes. 3, 5 and 7.
Attaching the best photo for your interest.
Picture of Forest Road Infants, Walthamstow

Richard KEIL Private Reply Public Reply

That was an Architects Practice and one of the partners was Terry Hines RIBA who was my friend (sadly passed away in 2018) he also owned the freehold, his widow was recently in the process of selling but I'm not sure whether she still owns it and the flat above.

Gordon LUMER Private Reply Public Reply

Hi, I'm trying to trace my family (a great grand-uncle and his wife):
Thomas Arthur BELL, born Bromley 5 June 1884, died 16 January 1985 in Leytonstone.
He lived at 25 Worsley Rd.
He married Katie Rush in 1913 and I'm not aware of any children.
Katie BELL (nee RUSH), born West Ham 23 Feb 1885, died 12 Sep 1970.
From my records he lived to be over 100 year old and had worked at a brewery.

I would appreciate contact with anybody that knew of them.
Happy New Year

Tony BELL Private Reply Public Reply

Copyright notice: Images on this site are reproduced for the purposes of research and study only. Whilst every effort has been made to trace the Copyright holders, we would be grateful for any information concerning Copyright of the images and we will withdraw them immediately on Copyright holder's request.
NOTICE: Walthamstow Memories is not responsible for the content of the contributions it receives. Any queries concerning any aspect of the content of a published contribution should be addressed directly to the contributor. Walthamstow Memories will only remove a contribution if the contributor requests it or if the content is likely to create offence or contains racist or sexist sentiments or material that is likely to offend religious or faith groups.
Privacy: Walthamstow Memories will never sell or otherwise pass your email addresses to commercial companies or other third parties.


Original design: HTML5 UP