Photographs of some Laindon Roads

Below are eight undated photos of Laindon Roads displayed in alphabetical order.  Names of some of the dwellings have been added by the editing team (in no particular order).

Aston Road

Lynton, Zomba, Nairobi,  Rosetta, Ivydene

Buckingham Road

Zena, The Taranki, Tobruk, Edgefield, Hylands, Jubilee, South View, Stephendale, Meadow View, Malvinia, Lorano, Alexandra, Petit Bot, Barton, Buckingham House, Bettyville, Greenleaf, D’Arcy, Anchor, Broadlea, Woodlands, Engadine, Marsden, Attleborough, Alpha.

Dickens Drive

Little Dorrit, Exeter, Stan-Stur, Dunromin, Rose Marie, Normanhurst, Devon, Princetown, Winchester, Hazlemere, Taunton, Balmoral, West Holme, Beaconsfield, Stockbridge, Dartmouth, Salisbury, Westerham, Killarney, Whiteheather, Montrose, The Clans, Dilkhusa, Brampton, Lauriston, Westwood, Langdon, Bramdean, Cheshunt.

Leinster Road

The Den, Tremley, Oakdene, Westview, Beta,  Lena’s Cot., La Retraite, Greenacres, Ty Gwyn, Dorice, Walincourt Desmondene, Frimley, Lyndhurst, Hadley, The Marguerite, Leinster, Rose Mary, Minotaur.

Martindale Avenue

Dwellings were numbered.

New Century Road

Fairoak, Fairlight, Florence Lodge, Ebor, Red Ruff, Archirundel, Arundel, Dancroft, Herbert Villa, St Breladed, Aloma, The Leighs, Woodview, Gracelyn, Elizabeth Villa, Eleanor, St. Leonards, Sunset, Ramleh, Claremont, Hillside, Mon Ami, Arcadia, Rhodesia, Flora, Doneyclare, Betty Lodge, Hilldrop, Sunnyside, Alverstone, Cisernia, Lee Lodge, St Agnesm Jasmine, Roseneath, Angora, Kia Ora, Hilbernia, Stebonheath, Fairview, Engadine, The Ramblers, Rosario, Lily Bungalow, Kenmore, Willowdene, The Paulrels, Joan of Arc, The Nook, Barrington, Grandene.

Somewhere within New Century Road lay ‘Marina Court’ which was numbered 1 – 4.

St Nicholas Lane

Conway, Elmwood, Burbank, Majacie, Beech House, Wallingford, Denham, Campbell, Oberon, Leonora, Tring, Ajax, Frinton, Exmouth, Dawlish, Titania, Grafton, Woodstock, Mailines, Forre House, Exmouth, St Ives, Marlow, Alberta House, Homelea, Elysium, Chester, Coniger, St. Leonards, Blenheim, Edenbridge, Briar Dene, Nicholby, Havelock, St. Peters. Lincoln, Marlow, Roxana, Normanville. 

Wash Road

Portsea House, Laindon Ponds, Pond Cottages, Norfolk House, Home Lodge, Tainui, Akaroa, Recco, Doylands, Shirley, Medina, The Lodge, Poonah, Collinwood, Milton Lodge, Evelyn, The Lillies, Janhar,  Windermere, Lukuledi, Westralia, Cummor, R.J. Villa, Lyndhurst, Homestead, Epworthm Mon Desir, Ravenshoe, Carnaby, Drinda, Pembroke, Wash Road Stores & Post Office, Sturminster, St. Leonards, Denia, Pastime, High View, Braeside, Fortune Works, Fortune of War Cottages, Watch House Farm, St. Winifred, Villa Juanita, Boyney, Marjorie, The Elms, Kookaburra, Rockferry, Joycedene, Mundles Farm, Mundles Cottage, The Prince of Wales, The Madew, Bensons Farm, Avonmore, Westleigh, Daniel Farm, Magdalene Lodge. 

Aston Road, Laindon
Barry Ellerby
Buckingham Road, Laindon
Barry Ellerby
Dickens Drive, Laindon
Barry Ellerby
Leinster Road, Laindon
Barry Ellerby
Martindale Avenue, Laindon
Barry Ellerby
New Century Road, Laindon
Barry Ellerby
St. Nicholas Lane, Laindon
Barry Ellerby
Wash Road, Laindon
Barry Ellerby

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  • New Century Road.

    Anyone one remember a Mr. R Humberstone and his wife Joyce. They lived in a place called ‘Springjoy’, which was renumbered as 104.

    By mr rf howard (20/12/2022)
  • I lived at the Haven, Church Road, a lot of my friends lived in Royston Ave. My nan’s best friend Mrs. MacMasters lived on the corner, Jackie Banks and Andrew Willingham lived further along.

    By Gloria O Sullivan (13/12/2022)
  • I was born in 4 Royston Avenue Belmont as it was called. My nan Winnie lived there for many years.

    By Denise Child nee Hawkins (18/10/2021)
  • I work down Wash Road at the moment and I’m sure the house Barbara Holmes mentioned is still there with a sign saying Colinwood.

    By Phil C (18/11/2020)
  • Editor re: Red Roofs

    Thanks for your response, much appreciated.
    I have to say that I’m a bit chuffed to have established (albeit tentatively) this connection to Agnes. This lady had a far greater impact on my dad’s life than either of his biological parents. It is great that I can at least put a name to her.

    Though dad has gone, my mum has many fond stories of Agnes and (we assume) her son.

    By Sue Bottjer (03/07/2020)
  • My late father’s marriage certificate had “Red Roofs”, New Century Road, Laindon, as his address. Does anyone remember a property of this name? He lived with an elderly lady he only ever called “Gran”, who was not a relation. He lived there until his marriage in 1954. My dad’s father appears to have left him in the care of this lady as a youngster, and paid her the princely sum of £1 a week. This is back in the 1930s/40s. Dad’s name is Frank Summers.
    I can find a “Redruff” house name in New Century Road, where Agnes Monk (lady chimney sweep) lived, but nothing on “Red Roofs”. Any light on this would be most welcome.

    Editor: I feel the name ‘Red Roofs’ which appears on your father’s marriage certificate may simply be a spelling mistake. I have looked on the 1949, 1951 and 1955 Electoral Registers and there is no mention of a ‘Red Roofs’ in New Century Road. However, Agnes E Monk was living in ‘Redruff’ on those dates. I hope this helps.

    By Sue Bottjer (03/07/2020)
  • My Aunt Lil lived in a bungalow called ‘ Collinwood’ in Wash Road, Laindon. I believe it got knocked down and a house was built there and was still called Colinwood.

    By Barbara Holmes (15/04/2020)
  • My Great Aunties lived in Royston Avenue. I use to stay with them in the summer with my Nan and sister. My Nan also had a bunglow in Royston Avenue which she rented out, it was called Alberta, my Aunts lived at number 18. They moved in 1962. They were old and spinsters my Mum looked after them as they needed help. I have fond memories of Royston Avenue as it was a ¨DIRT ROAD¨ as it was not made up, so different than where we lived in Braintree Essex.

    By Chinnery (22/11/2019)
  • Hi Rita, I well remember Royston Avenue. You lived next door to my in-laws Mr and Mrs English, I married Terry in 1962.
    Our children remember it too and always called it the Bumpy Road as it was unmade in those days.

    By Ellen English Nee Burr (12/08/2019)
  • Love all the photos thank you. Hoping next time there will be one of Royston Ave. I lived there from 1942 until I married in 1963 . I now live in Pound Lane Laindon .

    By Rita Clark nee Pedrick (07/08/2019)
  • I used to go with my father to two wholesalers, R & J Pamets; and Hardings (they sold the best sausages I have ever tasted). They were both just along from the Wash.
    Looking at the photos three names popped into my head, Chickie Tarrant, David Cross and Ernest Simmons (apologies if names spelled wrongly) who lived in Dickens Drive.
    The St Nicholas Lane property names only seem to be for one side of the road. There were properties on both sides.
    The car just before the trees looks like my father’s which was a 1936 Morris Cowley, and this would date the picture from 1947 onwards.

    By Georgina Nottage nee Ellingford (29/06/2019)
  • Not for the first time, I must admit to being confused. I bow to Ellen’s greater knowledge of Wash Road. She has every reason to remember it well. However, in the 1951-1953 time frame I delivered newspapers and collected money for Willy Weedon on Sundays to augment the three pounds ten a week I earned by working in the city. My first round took me from Weedon’s shop, behind the Fortune of War, then up the arterial, turn right on to Pound Lane, circle around St Nicholas Lane and up the hill past Donaldson’s and back to the arterial along Church Road. Then across the arterial, continuing on Church Road to Wash Road, turn left and left again back along Pound Lane to Willy’s shop. I am sure Wash Road (or at least the part described) at that time was paved. Clearly this does not correspond with Ellen’s memory. What am I missing. Or is it just old age and a faulty memory?

    By Alan Davies (14/10/2016)
  • Also interesting are the four figures walking evenly spaced across the road towards the man. Upon enlarging the photo, it looks like the two on the ends are wheeling pushbikes.  I wonder who they were and what they were doing.  

    By Nina Humphrey(née Burton) (13/10/2016)
  • Nina, I too have had a good look at the enlarged photo, None of the four men appear to have anything strapped across their chests, i.e, gas masks.  Is the box that the single man has on him, square or rectangular, possibly binocular case.

    They do not appear to be in work clothes so possibly a Sunday, returning or going to the pub!

    By Ellen English Nee Burr (13/10/2016)
  • Hi Alan,  Old photos really get the grey matter active don’t they.

    The road surface looks very level, no ruts that so many unmade or poorly made roads had. It is obviously summer, leaves on trees and no overcoats being worn.

    I went up and down Wash Road a great deal in 1961 and 1962 almost daily, I was courting my husband who lived in Royston Avenue at the time, it was similar to the photo, my husband had a van at the time.

    Royston Ave was not made up until late 1960’s to early 1970’s as our children always referred to it as the Bumpy Road when visiting their grandparents, our children were all born in the 60’s.

    By Ellen English Nee Burr (12/10/2016)
  • On the last photograph, Wash Road, there is a man walking who appears to have a strap across his back and a small box?

    Not a postman, but could it be a gas mask, which would date it to the 1940’s war time.

    Were the photos taken to preserve what the area looked like in case of destruction during the war?

    By Ellen English Nee Burr (11/10/2016)
  • Possibly Ellen is correct. However, if the photo is enlarged two things are puzzling. First, the man appears to have his trousers tucked into long socks. Or are they wellies” It looks likes a dry day. Why would that be necessary? Second, if one looks closely, the man appears to be carrying what might be game birds in his left hand. Has he been catching game in nearby fields? Is that why his trousers are hitched up? Does the box over his back contain some of his gaming (or poaching) tools. The road looks earlier than WW2 to me but then I was not very familiar with the Wash Road area at that time.

    By Alan Davies (11/10/2016)
  • I am really interested to see these pictures and comments. The builder AE Palmer as in the sign about artistic bungalows was my grandfather. I knew a bit about his work but not about this Laindon estate. I wonder if anyone knows which roads he built on or even remembers meeting or hearing about him? He died in 1972 in Billericay where he lived in the bungalow he had built for himself where my dad grew up.

    By Clare Palmer (09/10/2016)
  • Super photos and although these places had changed a fair bit by my time, it just reminds me what a brilliant place it was to grow up in. Adventures could be found or made almost anywhere. I can relive many wonderful occasions in my head just by looking at the pictures on this site. 

    On the subject of property names, my grandparents lived in a bungalow in Leinster Road named “Veanda”. It was many years before I understood the meaning of this and realised just how obvious it was. Ve and A = Victoria and Albert ! Only when I worked with a girl/lady named Vanda was it finally explained to me. 

    By Donald Joy (09/10/2016)
  • Aston Road was and still is a very short road which suggests that the two storey house at its end and apparently facing the photographer is in Brimsdown Avenue; the cul-de-sac which was only gained via Aston Road. According to the 1949 list there were only two inhabited properties in Brimsdown Ave.

    Regarding Dickens Drive: In his books (“Basildon” & “Basildon Behind The Headlines”) Peter Lucas records two incidents during WW2. Firstly, on 10/8/1944 a V1 (Flying Bomb) landed and exploded in an adjacent wheat field on the point of being harvested. As a  result 36 adjacent dwellings, St. Nicholas Church and its hall all sustained damage. 17 people received some sort of injury and the wheat field was completely burned. Secondly; on New Year’s Day 1945 a V2 (Rocket) exploded and damaged 250 properties many of which had only recently been repaired from the incident on 10/8/44! The parish church and its hall was again among the damaged buildings. No casualties were recorded in connection with this incident.

    The Rev FWJ Reynolds who was in charge of St. Nicholas must have thought the Germans were getting a bit personal at the time. He lived at “Oliphants” in Laindon Road, Basildon. In 1945, eight days after the second incident above, “Oliphants” was damaged, together with several others in the Basildon area by another V2. Just over two months later, on 16/3/45, “Oliphants” was completely destroyed by yet another V2 strike and the Rev. and his family became homeless.

    As regards the fancy names chosen by the residents of “plotlands” for their dwellings, the strangest was, perhaps, “Orterav”. When the owner was asked why such a name, he replied that he chose it because people were always telling that he ought to have called it something different!

    By John Bathurst (12/03/2015)
  • Well done Barry and Nina, the house names have added to the photos and the nostalgia. Looking at Wash Road it seems very narrow in this photograph. It used to seem much wider than that when the Eastern National school bus sometimes diverted down there on the way to Laindon Park School. What an event too, if the water level was high at the wash. There was a wave of water which splashed up to the windows. Happy days.

    By Richard Haines (07/03/2015)
  • I enjoyed Richard’s observations of the bungalow names, something I’ve always been fascinated with.  Many had Cornwall and west country names.  My grandparents bungalow was called ‘Pendennis’ and other neighbours places were called ‘Tre-Pol-Pen’ and ‘Lulworth’.

    I was always fascinated by the line of almost identical bungalows along St Nicholas Lane.    A cousin of mine and her family lived in ‘Campbell’ for a couple of years (approx. 1955-1957) before moving on to Benfleet.  I remember visiting there several times and playing in the back garden and sampling her mum’s home-made ginger beer.

    Only a couple of names in Dickens Drive were associated the Charles Dickens until ‘Copperfields’ was built in Dickens Drive.

    Comical names such as ‘Risk-it’ and ‘Whynot’.  Suffixes such as ‘ville’ and ‘dene’ were popular.  They were lots of ‘views’.  ‘Meadow View, Hill View etc.  I wonder with all the building going on these days whether there will ever be a place called ‘Restricted View’ or ‘Brick Wall View’!  I really hope not. 

    By Nina Humphrey(née Burton) (07/03/2015)
  • Yes, it is a pity they are not dated.

    Aston Road would appear to be taken from west end looking toward the High Road. The tall building on the left is, presumably, O. Shedd. Dickens Drive looks as if it were taken from Pound Lane. There is no sign of St. Nicholas which, presumably, is behind the photographer. Judging from the van the date is probably pre WW2.

    New Century Road looks anything but new century. St Nicholas Lane looks, from memory, to be taken from the Basildon Drive area and is pretty much as I remember it in the 1940’s and 50’s. Is that an army truck in the background on the right? That might infer WW2.

    Wash Road must be an early photograph. When I delivered papers there it was wider, paved and looked a lot less like a goat path. Is the Prince of Wales further on the left?

    By Alan Davies (07/03/2015)
  • The building on the left hand side that you can just see the roof of is still there, I am one hundred percent sure of this. It’s now the Billericay dog training center. This means the Prince of Wales would be further back 

    By Barry Ellerby (07/03/2015)
  • These are fabulous pictures, a real treasure trove. I particularly like the ones of St Nicholas Lane and Dickens Drive. I think some of the owners were well-read. Who would call their house Minotaur or Little Dorrit? Some of them must have been well travelled as well to name a house Kookaburra or Tobruk or Nairobi. So, some well educated inhabitants maybe, building their second homes away from London. Some west country fans too, living in St Nicholas Lane with memories of Exmouth, St Ives and Dawlish. Who wouldn’t want an artistic bungalow on Martindale Avenue? brilliant.

    By Richard Haines (06/03/2015)
  • Thanks Richard I’ve been collecting old photos of Laindon for around 30 years as and when I can get them. There will be lots more put on the site soon.

    You are right about the names of the bungalows being very impressive, that was a great idea of Nina’s to add the names of properties in the streets. Thanks Nina.

    By Barry Ellerby (06/03/2015)

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