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Ilford Retro
Великобритания
Добавлен 8 авг 2019
Comparing Ilford past with Ilford present.
Old photos of Ilford, a retrospective look at the town and its changes over the past 50 years.
(All photos and footage are owned by Ilford Retro).
Ilford Retro is very proud to announce that our first series of video documentaries is now available to buy as a book! From Gants Hill Odeon to The Plough and Plessey, it includes all 52 episodes with photos of old and new. Ilford Retro Vol. 1 is available on Amazon NOW!
Thanks for tuning in and turning back the clock with us.......
If you're feeling generous, you can share the love here: ko-fi.com/ilfordretro
Old photos of Ilford, a retrospective look at the town and its changes over the past 50 years.
(All photos and footage are owned by Ilford Retro).
Ilford Retro is very proud to announce that our first series of video documentaries is now available to buy as a book! From Gants Hill Odeon to The Plough and Plessey, it includes all 52 episodes with photos of old and new. Ilford Retro Vol. 1 is available on Amazon NOW!
Thanks for tuning in and turning back the clock with us.......
If you're feeling generous, you can share the love here: ko-fi.com/ilfordretro
#102 Ilford High Road - Ratners and C&H Fabrics 1991 v 2024
Plenty of household names have come and gone at the western end of Ilford High Road over the years. Building societies have been merged or taken over, retailers have closed down or moved out of the town and new names have replaced them. Between 1991 and 2024 only one business has remained constant at the parade featured. Another disappeared and returned when its name was revived. Do you know which they are?
Просмотров: 409
Видео
#101 Dagenham Motors & RGB Electronics 2007 v 2024
Просмотров 350День назад
Ilford has various commercial buildings dating from the 1930s when the simple but suave Art Deco style was in its prime. Some of these are hiding in plain sight among shopping parades of differing architectural periods while others sit by themselves proudly looking upon the street. One such building is the former "Morris House" on the Seven Kings end of Ilford High Road. Through generations thi...
#100 Owen Clark 1995 v 2024
Просмотров 50714 дней назад
As town centre stalwarts go, Ilford's Owen Clark can lay claim to having been its longest running independent shop. Selling art materials to generations this specialist store held an important position on Cranbrook Road. With greater computer use in art schools and a shift to digital creation since the 90s the business suffered and scaled back before closure. Did you buy anything there? Source ...
#099 Valentines Park & The Boat House 2012 v 2024
Просмотров 26421 день назад
In 2012 many public spaces were decorated with Olympic Games branding as London and specifically nearby Stratford, hosted the XXX Olympiad. In Valentines Park the boat house and bandstand were adorned with flags and bunting, the former being part of the first parcel of land to be purchased for use as a public park 126 years ago. Boating on the lake continues today. Have you rowed a boat there?
#098 Ley Street & HL Wade Chemist 1980 v 2024
Просмотров 504Месяц назад
The town centre end of Ley Street has had a commercial strip for over a century. As if signalling the start of the parade, Pithers bakery stood on the corner with Hainault Street from the 1960s making way in the late 70s for Hainault Roofing which is seen in this episode. Also featured is veteran pharmicist H.L. Wade which traded beside the bus stop for over 70 years. With thanks to Ilford Hist...
#097 Loxford High School 2006 v 2024
Просмотров 623Месяц назад
Loxford High School has had a colourful history since its inception 120 years ago. Now leading a Multi-Academy Trust it has come a long way since its beginnings as a small school on Eton Road at the southern junction of Woodlands Road. With thanks to alumnus A Hunte and former governor P Ballard for additional information around the school's history and development. Sources: www.earwaker.co.uk/...
#096 HMV, Samana, The Computer Shop & Next 2007 v 2024
Просмотров 303Месяц назад
Did a former owner of a shoe shop chain predict the future of town centres in 2013? Was 2005 one of the worst years ever for high street stores going under? Find out in this week's exciting episode in which we recall HMV's relatively short-lived revival in Ilford and remember part of the Exchange which has seen a fair number of businesses come and go. Do you remember others which haven't been m...
#095 David Leung Cameras & Animal Ark Vets, Goodmayes 2014 v 2024
Просмотров 414Месяц назад
Do you remember those specialist local shops which pulled in regular customers from far and wide? The sorts which over time 'sold everything', or at least everything you needed and if they didn't have it, they could get it for you? David S H Leung's camera shop in Goodmayes was one such place. He first opened in Green Lane in the 70s before moving to this corner plot - a former greengrocers - a...
#094 Redbridge Central Library & Museum 1983 v 2024
Просмотров 570Месяц назад
Redbridge Central Library is one of the most well-visited libraries in the country. A focal point of the town centre development which took place in the 1980s it is a proven success both internally and externally. However, could it one day see its purpose switched to residential housing? The plans mooted in 2019 seem to have been quietly paused. Would you like the library to kept as it is or be...
#093 Ilford High Road - Collier, Dolcis & Card Factory 1985 v 2024
Просмотров 8022 месяца назад
The central parade of Ilford High Road was once full of clothes and shoe shops; brand names competing with each other sitting side-by-side. Buyouts, mergers and divestments and not to mention a changing economy, have seen the popular names of yesterday disappear gradually over time. Do any of those names still exist? This episode looks at a few from 1985 and compares their former units with wha...
#092 Hornchurch Bus Garage and West & Coe 1988 v 2024
Просмотров 5812 месяца назад
The tranquil pose of Priory Mews on Hornchurch Road makes it hard to imagine a London Transport bus garage once stood in its place. It was closed when the Local Government Act 1988 came into force which brought in competitive tendering for public contracts. A constant between then and now is the funeral directors West & Coe which has expanded throughout East London and Essex during its 100 year...
#091 Cleveland Road - Chadwick Road 1981 v 2024
Просмотров 3652 месяца назад
One of the shortest roads in Ilford is Handforth Road, between Winston Way and Clements Road. It is part of the former Cleveland Road between Ilford High Road and Grange Road, which underwent huge change between 1981 and 1983. Cleveland Road still exists south of Winston Way. Its north section is now made up of the dual carriageway, Handforth Road, part of Clements Road and Chadwick Road.
#090 Rumbelows, Betfred & Mercury Telephones 1994 v 2024
Просмотров 3672 месяца назад
Not so long ago people rented their televisions from high street stores such as Rumbelows and Radio Rentals. At this section of Ilford High Road Colorvision also had a branch through the 80s and 90s. The proliferation of electronics equipment hire shops from the 1940s can be paralleled by the growth of betting shops since the 1960s when the UK ban on them was lifted. But while the former has di...
#089 Ley Street Fire Station 1986 v 2024
Просмотров 5223 месяца назад
(*NOTE caption should read 'closed' in 1987 and demolished in 1990). Ilford has had three permanent fire stations and this episode features the second one, while recalling some of the early developments of the town's fire fighting services since 1871. Sources: A Potted History of Ilford by Norman Gunby Ilford by Ian Dowling and Nick Harris Ilford Old And New Volume 6 by J & B Piggott
#088 Edward Terry Bookshop 1995 v 2024
Просмотров 5603 месяца назад
A slightly different episode this week: we are seeking any further information about the origins and ownership of this bookshop, along with your memories of it. Caught on our camcorder footage from 1995 is another former Ilford institution - Edward Terry bookseller. For around 30 years it traded on Roden Street, renamed Chapel Road as part of the town centre redevelopment in the mid-80s. It was...
#087 Cranbrook Road & Jono's 1997 v 2024
Просмотров 7493 месяца назад
#087 Cranbrook Road & Jono's 1997 v 2024
#086 Hainault Street & Brian Dash 1983 v 2024
Просмотров 7173 месяца назад
#086 Hainault Street & Brian Dash 1983 v 2024
#084 Gilderson & Sons and Malachi Place 2007 v 2024
Просмотров 3964 месяца назад
#084 Gilderson & Sons and Malachi Place 2007 v 2024
#083 Midland Bank, Superdrug & Peter Lord 1985 v 2024
Просмотров 6514 месяца назад
#083 Midland Bank, Superdrug & Peter Lord 1985 v 2024
#082 Fullwell Cross Library 1978 v 2024
Просмотров 6524 месяца назад
#082 Fullwell Cross Library 1978 v 2024
#079 Ilford Recorder Building 2003 v 2024
Просмотров 5745 месяцев назад
#079 Ilford Recorder Building 2003 v 2024
#078 Ilford Broadway, Sherrys & Burton 1983 v 2024
Просмотров 1,2 тыс.5 месяцев назад
#078 Ilford Broadway, Sherrys & Burton 1983 v 2024
#077 Woodlands Road - Clements Road 1981 v 2024
Просмотров 2,1 тыс.5 месяцев назад
#077 Woodlands Road - Clements Road 1981 v 2024
#076 Rossi Bros Ice Cream Parlour 1995 v 2024
Просмотров 1,1 тыс.6 месяцев назад
#076 Rossi Bros Ice Cream Parlour 1995 v 2024
#075 The Hawbush, Little Heath & Route 387 1993 v 2023
Просмотров 3506 месяцев назад
#075 The Hawbush, Little Heath & Route 387 1993 v 2023
#073 Stop Out & Bee Jay Amusements 1982 v 2023
Просмотров 8146 месяцев назад
#073 Stop Out & Bee Jay Amusements 1982 v 2023
I'd like to see the same with before and after scenes in Bayswater, London and also Colchester, Essex. Please??
It's a great idea and thanks for the suggestion. Our historic photos are largely based in and around Ilford and we use our own collection to avoid any copyright claims. That said, we considering ways we could branch out or at least use some of the non-Ilford photos we have in the future.
Thanks for thinking about it and for your reply.🎉🎉
I'm so happy to see this clip. Brings tears to my eyes. I grew up on Roden street then moved to Ley street back in 1979. Back then there were ONLY a few Indian families there. Great folks. But now 😮. I've posted my rage before while trying to find a traditional fish and chips shop locally. Food is food but I never grew up with a guy wearing a turban serving fish and chips and I won't stand for it now either.
Marks & Spencer finally pulled the plug on their Ilford branch. The last day of trading was Saturday 29/06/2024. Closest branches are now Stratford, Romford and South Woodford (click & collect). At least that's what it says on the notice taped to the window of the now empty shop.
You're right. A shame that another big name either bites the dust or closes their Ilford store. There is some effort to bring back the Food Hall in some shape or form (online petition) and there'd be no shortage of vacant units available for it.
As a young teenager i would visit regularly Woolworths , WH Smiths , Boots Basement floor and Ourprice for there records and cassettes as they all sold them.I also got my T.C.R race track from Woolworths those were the days..
Boots was a great place to get some cheap releases, because from memory they would always be a bit behind the curve and have things for cheaper that they just couldn't shift. Smiths and Woolworths usually had all the current stuff and Our Price definitely did, plus loads to browse in the racks. There was great music choice in shops back in the day wasn't there.........
I was here the night it closed, there were a couple of Routemasters out working on the 165s. The place stood for quite a while after closure, not quite empty as the LT Museum stored some exhibits here, FRM 1 being one of them.....
You witnessed some history there. Interesting to hear that they stored things from the LT Museum there afterwards (including FRM1!). They must have felt it was pretty secure and maybe giving the impression that there was nothing of much value inside once it had closed.
I remember what Gerald Ratner said about his business 😂😂😂. I remember my mum brought me a watch from there 3 years earlier for my birthday. 1991 was memorable year in a lot of nice ways especially the summer
It was a complete business-killer which was a shame because Ratners sold a good range of watches at better prices than say, Argos or other jewellers.
@@IlfordRetro Oh definitely. I forgot Argos sold jewellery and watches now you mentioned it. Was Elizabeth Duke.
@@rajnirvan3336 that's the one. I remember thinking Elizabeth Duke sounded so posh!
I thought it was Gerald’s Son who said it…. I certainly remember it well!
@@pikachu6031 I bet he wished he could have blamed someone else for saying it......
Not only did I spend a lot of my childhood in the summer in the large pool and go there with our school but my Mum told us they had wrestling there and would go there and watch the Crabtree brothers one of who was Shirley Crabtree wrestle (Big Daddy) who i met when I was a 9 year old. EASY EASY.!
Wow, you actually met Big Daddy at a local wrestling gig! Incredible. I only have a vague recollection of other events being held at the swimming baths, but like the Odeon cinemas, anywhere big enough would be used as an event space in days gone by.
@@IlfordRetro No i met him years later when he was at his most famous at crystal Palace Swimming pool my Mum watched him wrestling at ilford Swimming baths when she was younger.
@@davidmoore2308 oh, my mistake I read your comment incorrectly. Makes sense that it was your Mum who saw the Crabtrees at Ilford - and still a big deal that you both saw him. Big Daddy passed away far too early.
Ratners, ah! I remember his Crap comment, which earned front page news, as well as pages 2, 3, 4, 5 etc! In fact, he put an apology letter in each of his branches, but to no avail!
It was a masterclass in what NOT to say about your own business! I didn't realise there was an apology in the press but as you point out, the damage was already done. I wish more of those corporate gaffes happened these days. Well, in fact I'm sure they do, most notably on Twitter but these days they are more likely to gain you a following if not loads of publicity for your brand 😂 .
@@IlfordRetro they say bad publicity is better than no publicity! I'm not sure about that!
@@ClydebridgeStation 🤣
i walked past burger king last week . not sure if it permanently closed or just temporary i thought they did ok for customers. the high road looked so much busier years again
You're right that in previous years the High Road was always packed and on a Saturday afternoon it would be heaving. The old Burger King on the High Road has reopened as Popeye's Chicken which brings some life back to that part of the street. It seems popular enough and will hopefully last longer than the Wendy's that was there before it.
It's permanently closed their lease expired apparently
Apologies June I was in 1991-mode when you first made your comment! You're right about that Burger King in the Exchange, I think it closed in December 2023 and I'll agree with what @Xxlovecongoxx says about their lease expiring. I guess they didn't feel they were doing enough sales to renew it.
Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but here goes. Isn't it interesting how a bustling busy Ilford high road went down the toilet after developers got hold of it. Yes I know shopping trends have changed and everyone does their shopping on line these days, BUT compare pedestrianised developed Ilford today where a lot of the high street shops are empty, or charity ships or fast food outlets and NOW Marks and Spencer finally called it a day and compare it to un-pedestrianised Barkingside high street which looks like it's still a busy thoroughfare. It makes you wonder if it's a good idea to let developers redevelop towns. All they seem to do is ruin a town centre and tear the heart out of the area, leaving it looking like any other town up and down the country . I recently visited Chelmsford town centre for the first time in 30 years and was really disappointed how much it had changed. I was struck by how uninteresting it had become and could have been ( like Ilford) any other town centre in the country. All the same shops.. all very boring, I won't be visiting it again. I know I sound like I've gone off topic, but I feel the same about how boring Ilford has become,back in the eighties & nineties I was always ' up the high road', I only live ten minutes walk from Ilford high road but NOW unless I have to use the train or need to see someone at the bank, I avoid it like the plague and go to Barkingside of Romford where there seems to be a bit more going on. It's just sad to see what developers did to Ilford and all for the sake of lining their pockets & sod the consequences.
An interesting take. There is something in what you're saying I think. I don't think pedestrianisation itself was a bad idea; it separated the traffic and no doubt eliminated fatalities caused by erratic driving and jay walking. However in its combination with the opening of the Exchange shopping centre it meant footfall slowly gravitated towards it and the peripheral but important businesses suffered. Ilford High Road's core of businesses used to spread to its eastern edge. You could find the ABC cinema and Lloyds Bank for example as well as Ajax sports shop whereas now there is no reason to browse or bank at that end of town. The discounter supermarkets do good trade but they feel disconnected from being anything to do with the High Road, with Griggs Approach making a defined and imposing border. I wonder whether buses could still have been accommodated down the High Road to give it some combination of pedestrian and calmer transport mix. All academic now of course - until some new masterplan is drawn up! Barkingside and Romford do still have something of that old Ilford busy-ness (although Romford too is largely pedestrianised).
I moved to Ilford in December 1957, to work at Stratford loco, and lodged in the newly built railway hostel, sited at Aldersbrook. I lived there until February 65,and loved every minute of it.Two things I'll always remember, Bodgers new store was being built, opposite the original station entrance, and the fire at Harrison and Gibson's.I haven't been there since leaving in 65, but from what I can gather, the new Ilford is not a patch on my era.Which is a great shame.
Nice to hear from a viewer who remembers the new Bodgers store being built. You were there at a time when the new-look Ilford Broadway was being shaped and the old early Victorian buildings lining the entrance to the town were being swept away. I think it would have been an exciting time to witness that change, which for me was the 60s equivalent to the construction of the dual carriageway and pedestrianisation of the High Road 25 years later. The fire at Harrison Gibsons was huge news too and it must have been the talk of the town for quite a while. The fact the replacement building was erected within a year or so has always fascinated me. It's like they hardly missed any business. The square, concrete architecture was not a patch on the beautiful Victorian row that was burnt down, and today the former H&G building still stands, derelect and awaiting demolition. The railways offered some good careers and hopefully led you to all manner of experiences in different regions. Nice that you remember those from your Ilford days.
I spent my childhood in Redcliffe Gardens opposite where the cricket and hockey pitches are from 1955-1972. We used to walk the family dog through the park. When my Dad took the dog through the park in the morning he would often have the cat on his shoulders as well. He got quite a few stares as he crossed back and forth on the zebra crossing on Cranbrook Road. I have memories of playing football and cricket on Melbourne Field where my Grandfather also played about 1910-1920 as well as tennis in the courts. Also spent time with friends in the cafe and sitting around outside. I used the Lido for swimming as a 5 year old. There was usually a good neighbour who would go and take me along. I remember with fondness the features such as the boating lake and the mansion. Also the large Cedar tree and rows of horse chestnuts. I spent many hours walking and cutting through the park on my way to either Ilford station or Gants Hill. Valentines Park was and I hope still is the Crown Jewel of Ilford. ❤
Wonderful memories and thanks for sharing them. The old cedar tree is still there, as of course is the mansion, cricket pitch and tennis courts. The old boating lake ceased many moons ago (not got a specific year for that unfortunately) and you may have heard they will be building a new lido beside the site of the original one you remember which was demolished in 1995. Thankfully it remains the jewel in the crown of the town and is generally well managed. I can imagine the scene of your dad crossing that zebra crossing with the cat draped over him like an accessory!
Back in the 1970's I worked in Crescent Cameras which I think was number 1 or 3 Centreway, I can't quite remember, I only worked there for a few weeks before being transferred to their head office which was in Leytonstone next to the Red Lion pub opposite Woolworths. Crescent Cameras went bankrupt in 1980 & I was made redundant .. ahhh those were the days.
Crescent Cameras eh, that's a name that I don't recall and it sounds quaint by today's technology trendy brands (eg Wex instead of Calumet Photography). The experience of being made redundant is never nice, but the fact that it was from a company that no longer exists perhaps makes your time there a bit more unique and no doubt nostalgic?! Were they upstairs or downstairs at Centreway?
@@IlfordRetro Cresent Cameras also had a branch at Gants Hill (which was the first branch I worked at). I cut my teeth on the retail industry and found it all very interesting as I didn't have a clue about photographic equipment prior to working there, But I soaked it up like a sponge and learned a lot including how to handle photographic equipment and how to sell it to 'Joe public' and I ultimately become a quite good amateur photographer even if I say so myself.😆 The Shop was right on the corner of the upper cranbrook road next to the Mandarin Palace, they took over the shop when crescent cameras went the way of the Dodo in 1980...ish. If you look at the Chinese restaurant today, the camera shop was the part with logographic writing and ' function room & cocktail bar ' on the shop front sign. Hard to believe that was 44 years ago.
From the late 70's I knew the family very well who owned Ilford Radio cars. The owner lived at the top of Tomswood hill Barkingside and had a transmission aerial on top of his house which was connected via an early kind of internet to the office @ 281 & consequently 315 high road Ilford. Ilford cars had the best reception in east London and on good days ( weather permitting) they could receive messages out as far as Heathrow and was a very successful mini cab business. But with the slow and inevitable upsurge of fly by night competitors and their constant undercutting of fares the business started to struggle and so in the early 2000's his son decided to sell the business for a piffling amount (which included the good will it had built up over the years) to a consortium made up of the Asian drivers that had worked there. I don't know what happened to the business after 1999 but it looks like they struggled before giving up. None of this is confidential as the original owner sold his house at the top of Tomswood hill and retired to the coast in the early 2000's and has sadly since passed away.
Great insight into the company. It was the only taxi firm anyone used to call in the 80s. It seems the owner was ahead of his time and for that small period really had cornered the market. While researching the episode I couldn't find much about the present company at all and its office on the High Road is vacant, identified only by the firm's signage. A real shame he didn't receive what the company's real value - as you say, figuratively you cannot begin to put a price on a good reputation.
The 199 bus route must have replaced the 291 route which ran in the early 70s (they were operated by single deck RF type coaches). It wasn't well used, so I can't imagine why they used double deckers on it - unless they were too tight fisted to buy new single deckers at the time. What a pity the old shops had to go to provide Sainsburys, which I believe is now closed as well.
According to what I've read online, the 199 started in 1972 to replace the southern end of the 179. The 179 continued to run on Saturdays though, meaning there was a duplication on that bit of the route. Good question as to why they would use double deckers on it! Yes the large Sainsbury's is due for demolition when their housing project on the site commences construction. The replacement Sainsbury's will apparently be smaller than the existing one. Not sure when that's all going to start though.
If memory serves me correctly (it's been many many many many years) in the other side of the pedestrian underpass by the new library was a large car park. The surface was just crushed rubble and shoppers & commuters used to park there. I can't remember what the charge was ( if they DID charge), but eventually the Cineworld complex was built on the site.
You are absolutely right about that. Once the houses were pulled down on Oakfield Road, car parks were created and for many years lay undeveloped. I think some were actually free. I know it seems a long time ago, but it was ONLY just over 20 years ago that Cineworld was built! That's relatively recent in my humble opinion 😅
I remember a Wimpy bar/restaurant around about the middle of the parade of shops in Ilford chambers back in the 1970's. I remember about 1978 (when I was about 18) being in the Wimpy around 10.30 at night having a meal with a mate after coming out of Room at the top ( on top of Harrison Gibsons) and a fight kicked off in the Wimpy between a couple of drunks, the manager called the police and the drunks were duly arrested. My mate and I just sat there out of harms way watching the fracas while eating our Wimpy & chips. When we eventually got up to leave, we had to pay the bill at the cash register and I quipped "And here's an extra pound for the floor show" 😂😂😂😂
I never knew Wimpy did in-house entertainment 🤣 What a kind man you are. An impromptu show like that (as long as no one was seriously hurt) is well worth a complimentary fee. Was at least some consolation to the manager!
I've been there .... bought things, etc.
Usually a good range of stock and decent prices too
Brings back memories. Both mom and her brother brought brand new 5 door (blue) Mk3 Fiestas from that site in the nineties. LX (L reg) for uncle and a (M reg) Sapphire for mom. I also remember the Mk5 (K reg) Escort hire car they gave my mom when her car was in that dealership for repair work. #memories
You did a fair bit of business with them by look of it. I think the Sapphire was such a classic model, more elegant than say, a Granada in my opinion.
@@IlfordRetro My family certainly did! Fords were very much the fabric of Britain in those days, at least it felt that way for me as a young 'un. Mom sold her sapphire in 2006 after a £500 servicing bill from the same dealership in your vid a few years prior and uncle scrapped his fiesta a year after that as the fuel injection was playing up on a car that was then worth about £750, if that! Still both cars lasted beyond their specified design/service life to be fair!
@@shahzadayub7191 Very good mileage and decent length of service by the sound of things. It's no wonder they've issued some of the most popular models in the UK over time. Good to hear your experience of them!
Wow memories. Just near Seven Kings Station
And almost opposite the ilford swimming pool.
@@Mr-To-Do-List Ah yes that too. That part of the area was very memorable for me. Once lived in Goodmayes and my late grandparents were Ilford residents from early 80s to late 90s. Seven Kings was where my grandparents lived from 1983 to 1997 great memories
The site is now being dwarfed by high-rise buildings 😢
@@awsanteina5152 and may well become a high rise plot itself one day
@@Mr-To-Do-List the old swimming pool is now Isaac Newton Academy
Go there now complete shithole
I did work experience there in the 90s
One of the better places to do work experience I would imagine? Better than being stuck behind a desk - unless you were actually stuck behind the desk at the dealership!
Christ you know how to make someone feel old.😆 I remember this site selling MG's and other BL products. So by your time line that was before Ford took it over, so that would have been through the 1970's till early 80's!
Sorry! 😄Yes you're right, that when it was selling models under British Leyland it was near the end of Steward & Ardern's time running it. Seems nearly a lifetime ago, I know.
I always remember, when I worked in Clements Road (1973-1979) the Bodgers arcade (you could cut through it to get to the bus terminus in York Road). There was an establishment within it which was forever labelled "The Sauna of Shame" as it was always being raided. I remember one court case where a Detective Constable had visited the place on five consecutive days to "obtain evidence". That was his story and he stuck to it.
Brilliant anecdote 🤣. Always wondered about that sauna, next to (above?) Regent Jewellers. It was a time when seedier venues in town were actually amongst the hustle and bustle of the High Road. There was also a place behind Alalees/Stop Outs. The streets have been comparatively sanitised since! I wonder whether the Detective Constable was charged???
@@IlfordRetro No - he was part of an undercover operation and I guess it was more interesting to him than any other special assignment he was on. The Ilford Recorder was much more interesting in those days. A pity it's archive is not on-line because I distinctly remember the current MP for Ilford North, Wes Streeting was writing pompous letters which were published as early as 1993 - whan Master Streeting was all of ten years old. I left Ilford (I lived in his constituency in Barkingside till 1996), so his later letters were written when he was only 13. I always had the impression he had a ghost writer!. No child of that age is so erudite, especially when he claims to have lived in the poverty he says he did. His recent autobiography has the same air of fantasy.
@@algiles881 Wow! You have a good memory for the Recorder back then and it's funny to read your suspicion that a young Streeting had a ghost writer 😄 - I didn't ever get it so will take your word for it! Yes I also think it is a pity the paper's archive isn't online. What I remember from the occasional Yellow Advertiser or Redbridge Post edition was that stories were much meatier back then. Ah, I misunderstood about the undercover work of the DC. I'm sure he felt it was a decent gig!
@@IlfordRetro I always think of that Monty Python sketch about the Four Yorkshiremen, when I hear Keir Rodney Starmer KC KBE and Wesley Paul William Streeting fantasising about their early lives. I can only assume Mandelson or Alistair Campbell write both their scripts. They tell so many half truths and lies - "Dad was a toolmaker" (who ran his own business but "couldn't afford to pay the phone bill") his wife "works in the NHS" (as a lawyer) and the stone wielding on a farm that Keir Rodney did to earn a few pence as an adolescent (William Wilberforce would be turning in his grave!). YOu get the feeling of the old Hovis ad which used the New World Symphony of Dvorak. Where do you begin with Wesley?. You would have to go a long way to beat the two-parent, one parent family. They are both frankly liars. Keir Rodney also never mentions he himself is a landowner in Surrey and he is a multi-millionaire.
@@algiles881 Well I can honestly say I didn't know any of that!
My dad bought us some golf clubs from upstairs
I honestly never knew that Woolies sold such a wide range of items that they even did sports equipment. That's when there was real choice across and between reatilers.
I remember when I went to Cranbrook college, I would see a chap outside, with a beard and smoking. I somehow nicknamed him mr cheeky. Anyhow, at Christmas, I use to write him a Xmas card, to which he would respond to mr cheeky. I think his real name was Tony. Always a pleasant person.
When were you at CC? I was 74-85. Are you in the old boys group on Facebook?
I love the fact that you were familiar enough with him and shop to exchange cards with a bit of banter.
@@IlfordRetro thank you. It will be interesting to see what Cranbrook college is like now.
@@Mr-To-Do-List I understand that CC closed in 2016 and it has since become another school called Read Academy. As far as Google Street View shows, the buildings remain the same as they were under CC, perhaps with a few cosmetic changes?
And an unrivalled range of Letraset!
My mum used to get me art material in there for GCSEs. Was a very good shop but nothing lasts forever unfortunately.
It was a great shop, that's true and perhaps the fact that it wasn't continued by a different owner means our memories of it remain positive and glowing.
Ahh remember visiting this place often in the late 80s and 90s for anything art/design related. Wonderful shop!
So true. It just seemed to go on and on. Always had a new shelf of items to discover
I remember it well in the ‘70s… bought protractors and Rotring technical ink pens there. Ilford was so posh once, I haven’t been there since the late 70s and have no intention of going again… what a shame 😢
well, I'm happy that you can revisit it through these videos!
As a Barking boy, I remember purchasing art pencils for school at Owen Clark around 1987.
It must have built a solid reputation far and wide. They seemed to stock everything in there
The same stationery wholesaler I worked for, were we would speak to the likes of Mr Goldy (Gilbey’s) we would also have the unfortunate task of answering the phone to Max the buyer of Owen Clark. He was the rudest and most ignorant person. I remember as the shop was closing, I mentioned to the staff that I’d known about Max etc, they laughed, and apologised 😆
🤣 Brilliant story. There's always one isn't there! Interesting job you had, as a supplier to these businesses. Clearly you got to know the people behind the scenes very well.
@@IlfordRetroBack to Mr Gilbey! He always faxed his orders. I can remember a day when Mr Gilbey ordered one of our own brand staplers. He wanted a white one. This colour was out of stock, but Mr Gilbey faxed an order and then got on a 369 bus to collect from us 😳 I explained when he arrived, and offered him the choice of another two white staplers, better than what he had ordered, OR, he can wait until tomorrow as I can get one of our own brand delivered to him, we had other customers in Ilford. Mr Gilbey decided to cancel the order. Who was that desperate for a white stapler??
@@thebohemian. A very good question and clearly he was a very particular person! I love the anecdote but have to ask whether you mean these were the actions of Mr Goldie of Gilbey's or was this actually Mr Gilbey?!
@@IlfordRetro We never knew his first name. He was Mr Goldie from Gilbey’s of Wood Green. We referred to him as Mr Gilbey as a portmanteau!
@@thebohemian. Riiiight I see what you mean and it makes sense. It adds to the mystery surrounding this gentleman that you never knew his first name. The fact that a link to him turns up in so many episodes is also a bit spooky. He, and his quirks, live on thanks to you!
Wow a forgotten store. Cranbrook Road shops were so different from the high road. I remember some department store on that side. Was so unique
Absolutely right about the different types of shops on Cranbrook compared with the High Road. Cranbrook had more specialisms and it wasn't constant retail either, with its variety of independents, tea houses, department stores and offices next to each other. It had its own subculture.
@@IlfordRetro I mentioned on another website that it's also heartbreaking when a big shop like this has been split into 2 or more new properties
@@rajnirvan3336 you're right about that. It signals the end of something that at the time, worked so well only to be torn apart by change.
I think the department store you're referring to is either bodgers or fairheads
@@awsanteina5152 yes Fairheads. I could never remember it well. Bodger was prominent
My drama class at Seven Kings High School was one of the first audiance when The Sir Kenneth More Theatre was opened. Jane in New Zealand 🇬🇧🇳🇿
You were one of the lucky few to experience the brand new theatre. It must have been quite special. Glad you found the channel even though you're thousands of miles away.
I love this series, pure nostalgia for me. please keep them coming 😊
Thanks for your comment and for supporting the channel, we're glad you like them!
Good in the 80s, now look at it a complete shithole. The whole of London is finished.
There was a small wood here before the library and swimming pool. Mum often parked the car in Craven Gardens then we nipped through the trees to the LEB to pay the electric bill! I went to Manford Way Junior School - my class went to the swimming pool once a week on a Wednesday afternoon.
I'd love to see a photo of that corner before the development, and it's no surprise you remember what it looked like having a route through it to the LEB! I suppose the building of the pool gave access to swimming lessons for local schools like nothing before.
@@IlfordRetro I’ve got a photo of trolleybuses parked adjacent to where the wood once stood in one of my bus books… I’ll try and find it for you!
@@peterb514 Really?! That would be wonderful to see what it was like. By all means you can email me on ilfordretro at gmail .com
I didn’t spot HMV Records, had it gone by the ‘80s? The buses terminated in York Road where I waited for the half hourly 167 to The Bald Hind. It always annoyed me that the 150, which could take me as far as The Old Maypole was so much more frequent!
Ah yes, those quirks in services were and are quite frustrating. And York Road didn't have a shelter as such, so shelter in rain or wose would have been under a tree overhanging from someone's front garden. I've never seen a photo of that HMV, I think it must have disappeared around 1977ish, but hopefully someone will be able to confirm that one day.
Hello. I was born at 98, Kingswood Road, Goodmayes, Iford Essex in the early 1960's. They were some of the happiest times of my life. Thank you for this little trip back in time. Jane in New Zealand 🇬🇧🇳🇿
Welcome Jane, thank you for stopping by the channel and we're pleased you enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
The other lake was the one foot deep model boat lake near the Perth Road entrance, where my mum always parked the Hillman Minx in the mid-sixties. It’s been filled in, but the stone edge is still visible. More happy memories of gentler times! 👍🏻
I know the one you mean and notice the edging you mention when I pass. There are still a couple of steps leading down to it. I think about the times in which model boats were floated there and think how nice it would have been to do so on a dedicated lake.
The Angel gets a mention in Samuel Pepys diary
Thanks for sharing that, I had no idea.
Used to go to Room at the Top club above Harrison Gibsons. Oscars night club was attached to The Green Gate public house near Newbury Park Station & the old King Georges Hospital.
They were both excellent party venues. Oscars was legendary and Room at The Top had a bit of class about it.
Many happy memories of The Gants Hill Odeon. The flats that have replaced it are hideous. We often caught the 25 route master bus all the way to Victoria from Ilford Broadway, cost 5p !! 😂
Imagine that now, 5p to get into central London! Thanks for sharing your memories Sue, the Odeon was a great place to see a film and Gants Hill was a good place in general to socialise.
I know a copper that works there, full of Muslim youth running drugs and prostitution nowadays
Shame both those units are now empty 😢
Yes it looks like they're being advertised for new tenants. Hopefully something will take up the space soon.
@@IlfordRetro I hope with former Wilko it's something that can carry 2 floors. Also prevention of splitting
@@rajnirvan3336 yes that would be good
@@IlfordRetro it's still even sad seeing Harrison Gibson derelict. Along with the big Boots now been spilt and the former Debenhams. Even more when M&S goes. So heartbreaking. Sometimes brings tears to my of what we remember from our childhood memories
@@rajnirvan3336 the retail landscape has changed immeasurably hasn't it. A real shame.
The son of the baker, Gary Pithers was in my class at junior school! My first memory of the area was being in the car and looking at the redundant trolley bus poles and wires… they went along Ley Street and terminated at the Fulwell Cross end of Barkingside High Street next to a small wood which is now occupied by the library and swimming pool.
I can just imagine the scene. It must have been fascinating as a youngster to see all that, and later realise you were witnessing change. I've not come across any photos of that little wood by the roundabout, they really would be nostalgic.
Good video! learned a little more today👌👍
Thanks Larry, glad you could take something new from it!
The jewel in Ilford’s crown. My school played games there in the 70s and 80s. One lunch time where there are two waterfalls, I tried to jump the stream but landed knee high in sludge!
Landing knee high in sludge meant I couldn't possibly press 'love' for your comment 😆 I know the waterfalls you mean; I hope you didn't catch anything dodgy as a result. But what a great location to do games at......
It seems to be a bit like Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy, where there's also a rugby union ground, Kirkcaldy RFC! Keeping the sporting theme, in 1994, Beveridge Park hosted two games in the plate competition of the womens rugby world cup! I'm also wondering if there will be something special for video 100!
Sounds like Kirkcaldy also knows how to keep a multi-purpose green space thriving! Also very cool that it has been used for international sport, indeed I think there should be more international events held in British parks whenever possible. Ha! Good question. I will thow you a cliche and say that Episode #100 will be just as special as all the others! 😅
Must make a visit to park 1 day here. Drove past early today
As I know you know, it's always worth stopping off at Valentines Park if you have the time. Hopefully on your next visit.