Laindon People

Worldwide distribution

Having read the brief report on the February memory day meeting and seeing the number of attendees (26), I was, to put it bluntly, totally underwhelmed and more than a little disappointed. Although after a while I thought about it some more and came to the conclusion that there cannot be many original Laindoners from times gone by, still resident in the area. Having attended only a couple of these meetings myself during the 18 month period since I first discovered this website, I realise that it may be inconvenient for many who contribute to the site to put in an appearance even if they wanted to.

I have read many of the articles on these web pages and most of the comments made in response to them. It has become apparent that many Laindon people now reside in other parts of our county, myself included. Others in Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire, the West Country and elsewhere, even as far north as Scotland. Then consider the large numbers who left our shores and emigrated, to America, Canada, New Zealand and the greatest number, it would seem, to Australia, no doubt there are others in European countries and possibly elsewhere around the globe.

The worldwide distribution of Laindoners is quite considerable and somewhat remarkable when looked into. There will, of course, be many reasons for these relocations, work opportunities, family, financial/economic etc. etc., or others, like myself, just on a whim. Well why not? It’s not as if Laindon has any “magnetic” draw in its current characterless form.

So to get back to my original point: I think that 26 is actually a reasonable number of attendees, all things considered and for those in a position to be able to attend frequently, what a treat to share precious memories face to face with real people. You don’t achieve that sense of feeling through a computer, but hey! it’s better than nothing. 

P.S. Hoping to be able to make April 29th at Manor Mission

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  • I was very interested to read Donald Joy’s contribution and the following comments since. As an old Laindoner as I class myself, it was in 1964 that my parents had had enough of Basildon being built up so much while Laindon started to rot, that they decided to move to Norfolk and I followed them. As much as I like to recall my younger days in Laindon and having been born there, I do my best to visit there when memory days are held, but sadly can’t get to every one, as like many others, I have to make arrangements if I have nothing else to attend to.

    I have sad memories as well as good ones, the same as I have two books about the town, as well as original postcards, but sadly I could never live there again. I will remember it how it was and keep in touch with a few remainers I am in touch with.

    By Brian Baylis (20/03/2017)
  • When we talk of “old Laindoners” who are we referring to exactly? I would suggest no one under fifty years of age certainly. Maybe fifty plus. Or more?

    Not to wax too grim or despondent but there will come a time when the readers of these columns will be our family descendants researching the family lineage and delighted to find evidence of the lifestyle and thoughts of their ancestors they never knew. Alternatively, the readers of these columns might include research students studying the social history of what was once near third world farmland and how the early inhabitants loved it as it was— and how they lived.

    Of one thing we can be sure. There will come a time when there are no more “old Laindoners”. That’s OK. Change comes to all things and is part of God’s plan. But these columns will remain and will be available for future generations and that is, after all, part of why we all contribute to them. To leave a memory and an echo of our lives and experiences in a Laindon that is long gone. Yet remains with us and always will.

    By Alan Davies (05/03/2017)
  • Alan, while I agree with you, I purposely avoided mention of the Grim Reaper. I thought that just maybe people of our generation would be a little uncomfortable if he had been included in my comment. I was also wanting to avoid mentioning him for my own reason, namely that one of his reps has been to call on me in recent weeks. Of course I sent him packing with more than one flea in his ear as I have more things on my bucket list yet to do. Yes you are right to say that time has taken its toll on quite a few, but there are many more “Old Laindoners”, thankfully, still plodding on and long may they continue to do so. 

    What year did the Laindon Link road go through ? That’s when the town started to go downhill fast according to my recollection. Anyone younger than school age at that time would be the ones I suspect not old enough to remember the same Laindon I and many others have such fond memories of. No doubt this last comment will set me up for correction from certain quarters but I welcome other people’s memories, views and opinions on the subject. 

    Editor:  The Laindon Link was completed in 1958.

    By Donald Joy (05/03/2017)
  • Everything that Donald states is perfectly true. The principal reason however, is that the Grim Reaper has been steadily at work over the years. And there have been a lot of years for him to do his work. One of the most interesting and informative contributors to these pages was Bill Diment. I was scheduled to make a trip back to the UK and was determined to meet him and simply listen to him talk about the old days and about his experiences. Unfortunately he died shortly before I made the trip back. On the bright side, many of Bill’s memories are preserved in these archives and are well worth the time of any old Laindoner to peruse. Few knew as much, had as many varied experiences, and could write as well as Bill Diment.

    By Alan Davies (04/03/2017)

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