A Castle in Laindon

Pathe News 1961

Click on picture to see video
Pathe News

A short film taken in the garden of ‘The Falls’ Goodview Road, Laindon (off A127).

Enjoy.

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  • I was so pleased to see this vidio, as my late husband and brother-in-law where good friends with Reg James a nephew who lived next door to the castle and I remember taking my oldest girl to walk over it. I seem to remember also a large area with gold fish. What a shame if this is taken down!!!!

    By mary hawkins (17/08/2013)
  • I’ve just been looking into my family tree a bit closer and stumbled across a newspaper clipping that I googled and it brought me here, how amazing to see relatives on video and what an amazing garden. I would of loved to have met this man but sadly he passed away a while before I was born.

    By Holley (13/05/2013)
  • This brought back some happy memories as it’s my Great Aunt & Uncle’s House, my Grandparents Jack & Bessie lived just down the road, indeed everyone who lived in Goodview Road were either a brother or sister, if you read this Martin we must be related, I assume you are a descendent of either Brenda or David? I have a few stills taken about the same time as this film was taken. Thanks for sharing this short film.

    By John Baker (19/12/2012)
  • This is my Great Granddad’s house! I am gobsmacked to see both my Great Granddad and Great Grandmother on the internet – unbelievable. The last time I visited was in 1982 and what a shame to see the garden looking so sad and neglected now. I have some very happy memories as a young boy playing in this magical garden with its many glass houses full of rusty nails and coach houses full to the brim with stuff. I also remember making wishes by the wishing well, staring at the koi carp from the bridge and being spooked out by the animal graveyard! I clearly must have my Great Granddad’s genes as I now have a magical garden that has a wishing well, several old brick outhouses, 176 rose bushes and it was once featured on a BBC West Midlands programme! I am out every day constructing new pathways, lighting features and new garden structures. I had no idea how much of a connection I have with my Great Granddad until watching this video. Amazing!

    By Martin Blazeby (29/06/2012)
  • This is really fascinating. I have driven pass Goodview Road many times and was not aware that there was even a road there. How wonderful that the Castle part of this building still remains. Nina, I looked on Quirks as you mentioned, and there are quite a few photos of the castle.

    By Helen Painter (19/02/2012)
  • Hi Frances. I’m glad you enjoyed the film. It certainly is fascinating. I came across it quite by chance while surfing the net. According to British Pathé’s website, it is possible to buy individual stills, but I‘m not sure whether it’s possible to obtain a copy of the complete film. I would suggest that you contact British Pathé via their website and use their ‘Contact us’ facility to make an enquiry. I wish you good luck and every success. Best wishes.

    By Nina Humphrey (née Burton) (18/02/2012)
  • Hi Nina, Very interesting video how did you come across it. Keith Nock told me about it. We were friends with Eric Stevens (I was married to Eric once) whose uncle is Sid James. 

    Is there any way we can get a copy of this. I think Eric would really like this. Have told him to look at this.

    By Frances Tyler (17/02/2012)
  • Hi Andrea. I’m glad you like it too. I’ve always considered it a cross between a ‘work of art and an eye sore’. We drove passed a couple of days ago. It is still there and ‘up for sale’. If you google, Quirks+Goodview Road, you will be able to see a better view of it, inside as well. The film was taken in 1961. Mr Sidney James, the man who built it, died 4 years later, so we are quite surprised that it has been kept the same for so long. No doubt, it won’t remain so for long after it is sold. Perhaps we could all club together and raise the market price of £560,000. Then we could have it preserved in the same way as The Haven. (Only joking). Best wishes.

    By Nina Humphrey(née Burton) (24/01/2012)
  • I remember looking round the castle with my friend Eric Stevens, Mr James was a relative of his. I think Mr James was a builder and brought back materials from London after the war to build it, we had great times looking round it.

    By Keith Nock (24/01/2012)
  • Nina, thank you very much for that, enjoy, I most certainly did! We used to walk everywhere and this has stirred something familiar in my mind from years back. I am also wondering if this is the place that can still be seen from the A127? Also, I took a look at the film of Billy Foyle and his horse playing football; I am almost sure that Tony Matthews is one of the lads spectating.

    By Andrea (23/01/2012)

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