Ilford Historical Society
@ilfordhistory.bsky.social
The Bluesky account for the Ilford Historical Society. Posts by @ColinRuneckles
Website:
https://ilfordhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/
Website:
https://ilfordhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/
Oh no!
You were in the right place but I hadn't realised it had gone - that is very sad. I'd got quite attached to that house!
You were in the right place but I hadn't realised it had gone - that is very sad. I'd got quite attached to that house!
November 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Oh no!
You were in the right place but I hadn't realised it had gone - that is very sad. I'd got quite attached to that house!
You were in the right place but I hadn't realised it had gone - that is very sad. I'd got quite attached to that house!
Something I found for my talk last night on Parks & Recreation was this wonderful piece about South Park, literally in the same month that the park was opened in May 1902.
A 'regular quarrel on the water'?
The solution - ensure that boating and model boats were given separate parts of the lake.
A 'regular quarrel on the water'?
The solution - ensure that boating and model boats were given separate parts of the lake.
November 11, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Something I found for my talk last night on Parks & Recreation was this wonderful piece about South Park, literally in the same month that the park was opened in May 1902.
A 'regular quarrel on the water'?
The solution - ensure that boating and model boats were given separate parts of the lake.
A 'regular quarrel on the water'?
The solution - ensure that boating and model boats were given separate parts of the lake.
The next talk in the series is, well you can see - it's one of mine and I'll be speaking on the subject of Parks & Recreation.
7 for 7:30pm start on Monday 10th November in the Gloucester Room in the library in Ilford.
7 for 7:30pm start on Monday 10th November in the Gloucester Room in the library in Ilford.
October 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The next talk in the series is, well you can see - it's one of mine and I'll be speaking on the subject of Parks & Recreation.
7 for 7:30pm start on Monday 10th November in the Gloucester Room in the library in Ilford.
7 for 7:30pm start on Monday 10th November in the Gloucester Room in the library in Ilford.
I wrote an article about an early theatre plan for the Ley Street / Balfour Road site - think C&A and Wilko.
Of course only now - by accident - do I find the plans for the public library that was in the running for that site a couple of years later.
Sigh.
Of course only now - by accident - do I find the plans for the public library that was in the running for that site a couple of years later.
Sigh.
October 3, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I wrote an article about an early theatre plan for the Ley Street / Balfour Road site - think C&A and Wilko.
Of course only now - by accident - do I find the plans for the public library that was in the running for that site a couple of years later.
Sigh.
Of course only now - by accident - do I find the plans for the public library that was in the running for that site a couple of years later.
Sigh.
Our next talk will be given by our president Jef Page and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the birth of J.M.W. Turner.
13th September in the Gloucester Room, Redbridge Central Library after the AGM.
13th September in the Gloucester Room, Redbridge Central Library after the AGM.
September 29, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Our next talk will be given by our president Jef Page and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the birth of J.M.W. Turner.
13th September in the Gloucester Room, Redbridge Central Library after the AGM.
13th September in the Gloucester Room, Redbridge Central Library after the AGM.
Kelly's Directory always had photographs of local buildings.
Here's some of the ones for Ilford that Kelly's Directory for 1899-1900 had in it.
Here's some of the ones for Ilford that Kelly's Directory for 1899-1900 had in it.
September 23, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Kelly's Directory always had photographs of local buildings.
Here's some of the ones for Ilford that Kelly's Directory for 1899-1900 had in it.
Here's some of the ones for Ilford that Kelly's Directory for 1899-1900 had in it.
The 1960s OS map shows that the space left by the demolition of the old Kinema was taken over and used by Ilford Limited but I'm not sure what those buildings were exactly.
The site is now part of the Sainsbury's building.
The site is now part of the Sainsbury's building.
September 17, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The 1960s OS map shows that the space left by the demolition of the old Kinema was taken over and used by Ilford Limited but I'm not sure what those buildings were exactly.
The site is now part of the Sainsbury's building.
The site is now part of the Sainsbury's building.
In local history research here are always things that make you wonder what was going on...like this.
In the 1860s Little Newbury is on the west side of Ley Street.
In the 1890s it has now moved to the east side of Ley Street!
Nope, no idea at the moment...and Nut Cottage?
In the 1860s Little Newbury is on the west side of Ley Street.
In the 1890s it has now moved to the east side of Ley Street!
Nope, no idea at the moment...and Nut Cottage?
September 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
In local history research here are always things that make you wonder what was going on...like this.
In the 1860s Little Newbury is on the west side of Ley Street.
In the 1890s it has now moved to the east side of Ley Street!
Nope, no idea at the moment...and Nut Cottage?
In the 1860s Little Newbury is on the west side of Ley Street.
In the 1890s it has now moved to the east side of Ley Street!
Nope, no idea at the moment...and Nut Cottage?
The new season of meetings of the Woodford HS gets underway this coming Thursday 11th up at All Saints Church in Inmans Row at 2:30pm, with a talk about Walthamstow.
September 7, 2025 at 8:36 AM
The new season of meetings of the Woodford HS gets underway this coming Thursday 11th up at All Saints Church in Inmans Row at 2:30pm, with a talk about Walthamstow.
The libel action brought by one Ilford man against another in late 1904 made the national press.
I have to say I love the language - "You dirty dog. You ought to be chucked into the Roding!"
The case ended with one farthing being awarded to the plaintiff - costs being paid by both men.
I have to say I love the language - "You dirty dog. You ought to be chucked into the Roding!"
The case ended with one farthing being awarded to the plaintiff - costs being paid by both men.
August 31, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The libel action brought by one Ilford man against another in late 1904 made the national press.
I have to say I love the language - "You dirty dog. You ought to be chucked into the Roding!"
The case ended with one farthing being awarded to the plaintiff - costs being paid by both men.
I have to say I love the language - "You dirty dog. You ought to be chucked into the Roding!"
The case ended with one farthing being awarded to the plaintiff - costs being paid by both men.
Our first talk of the new season is on Monday 8th September when Dr Neil Houghton will be speaking on the subject of The Jeffries Murder in Walthamstow.
And we're back in the Gloucester Room in Redbridge Central Library - 7 for 7:30pm.
And we're back in the Gloucester Room in Redbridge Central Library - 7 for 7:30pm.
August 26, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Our first talk of the new season is on Monday 8th September when Dr Neil Houghton will be speaking on the subject of The Jeffries Murder in Walthamstow.
And we're back in the Gloucester Room in Redbridge Central Library - 7 for 7:30pm.
And we're back in the Gloucester Room in Redbridge Central Library - 7 for 7:30pm.
And here we are!
The full programme for the Ilford Historical Society 2025/26 season which begins next month.
The other piece of good news is that we're back in the Gloucester Room in the Central Library in Ilford.
The full programme for the Ilford Historical Society 2025/26 season which begins next month.
The other piece of good news is that we're back in the Gloucester Room in the Central Library in Ilford.
August 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
And here we are!
The full programme for the Ilford Historical Society 2025/26 season which begins next month.
The other piece of good news is that we're back in the Gloucester Room in the Central Library in Ilford.
The full programme for the Ilford Historical Society 2025/26 season which begins next month.
The other piece of good news is that we're back in the Gloucester Room in the Central Library in Ilford.
I purchased a digital copy of Kelly's Directory for 1902/03 and came across an advert for Harrison Gibson.
And noting that this was the first time they were listed in Kelly's, in the terrace of shops which were built after Ilford Hall was demolished, I found what I think was the first advert.
And noting that this was the first time they were listed in Kelly's, in the terrace of shops which were built after Ilford Hall was demolished, I found what I think was the first advert.
August 5, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I purchased a digital copy of Kelly's Directory for 1902/03 and came across an advert for Harrison Gibson.
And noting that this was the first time they were listed in Kelly's, in the terrace of shops which were built after Ilford Hall was demolished, I found what I think was the first advert.
And noting that this was the first time they were listed in Kelly's, in the terrace of shops which were built after Ilford Hall was demolished, I found what I think was the first advert.
The houses on the right of the station were for the station employees - a detached house for the station master and three pairs of semi-detached known as 1-6 Railway Cottages.
Similar houses were built in 1903 at Fairlop, Hainault, and Barkingside.
Similar houses were built in 1903 at Fairlop, Hainault, and Barkingside.
July 14, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The houses on the right of the station were for the station employees - a detached house for the station master and three pairs of semi-detached known as 1-6 Railway Cottages.
Similar houses were built in 1903 at Fairlop, Hainault, and Barkingside.
Similar houses were built in 1903 at Fairlop, Hainault, and Barkingside.
Having been associated with the Methodist Church for a very long time, I can remember the tennis courts at the back of the Scout hut - the land was sold in the late 70s and Merton Court built in Castleview Gardens.
July 12, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Having been associated with the Methodist Church for a very long time, I can remember the tennis courts at the back of the Scout hut - the land was sold in the late 70s and Merton Court built in Castleview Gardens.
Fascinating census return from 1911!
Winnie was the daughter of the manager of the chemical works (Howards?) but who lived at Uphall Farm, and Haydon is listed as a visitor who was a cashier at what looks like a stained glass merchant.
By 1911 Uphall was a shadow of the farm it was once.
Winnie was the daughter of the manager of the chemical works (Howards?) but who lived at Uphall Farm, and Haydon is listed as a visitor who was a cashier at what looks like a stained glass merchant.
By 1911 Uphall was a shadow of the farm it was once.
July 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Fascinating census return from 1911!
Winnie was the daughter of the manager of the chemical works (Howards?) but who lived at Uphall Farm, and Haydon is listed as a visitor who was a cashier at what looks like a stained glass merchant.
By 1911 Uphall was a shadow of the farm it was once.
Winnie was the daughter of the manager of the chemical works (Howards?) but who lived at Uphall Farm, and Haydon is listed as a visitor who was a cashier at what looks like a stained glass merchant.
By 1911 Uphall was a shadow of the farm it was once.
Looking back at old copies of the Ilford Recorder on the British Newspaper Archive and found this classic "Put that light out!" story from the final months of WWI.
Note the use of 'red tape' too - I hadn't really appreciated that its use goes back a long way...
Note the use of 'red tape' too - I hadn't really appreciated that its use goes back a long way...
July 7, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Looking back at old copies of the Ilford Recorder on the British Newspaper Archive and found this classic "Put that light out!" story from the final months of WWI.
Note the use of 'red tape' too - I hadn't really appreciated that its use goes back a long way...
Note the use of 'red tape' too - I hadn't really appreciated that its use goes back a long way...
...Ilford Lodge in 1882. They were leasehold at first and owned by builder J.W. Hobbs & Co but after the collapse/fraud case in the 1890s they were sold off in 1896.
So, here's the map showing where they were and a later photo of Clark's College which was 16 on the map.
But Beethoven House?
2/3
So, here's the map showing where they were and a later photo of Clark's College which was 16 on the map.
But Beethoven House?
2/3
June 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
...Ilford Lodge in 1882. They were leasehold at first and owned by builder J.W. Hobbs & Co but after the collapse/fraud case in the 1890s they were sold off in 1896.
So, here's the map showing where they were and a later photo of Clark's College which was 16 on the map.
But Beethoven House?
2/3
So, here's the map showing where they were and a later photo of Clark's College which was 16 on the map.
But Beethoven House?
2/3
Local historians are used to finding things when they are looking for something else...and I happened on this Sept 1884 ad for music tuition at...Beethoven House in Cranbrook Road.
Great name...but where was it? I think it likely it was one of the new villas built as a result of the sale of...
1/3
Great name...but where was it? I think it likely it was one of the new villas built as a result of the sale of...
1/3
June 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Local historians are used to finding things when they are looking for something else...and I happened on this Sept 1884 ad for music tuition at...Beethoven House in Cranbrook Road.
Great name...but where was it? I think it likely it was one of the new villas built as a result of the sale of...
1/3
Great name...but where was it? I think it likely it was one of the new villas built as a result of the sale of...
1/3
At the time the Census taker got to the Gordon Road Drill Club & Hall (and probably thought "Oh no!") all of these members of the local volunteer force were inside...
2/2
2/2
June 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM
At the time the Census taker got to the Gordon Road Drill Club & Hall (and probably thought "Oh no!") all of these members of the local volunteer force were inside...
2/2
2/2
Working through the 1921 Census for Ilford and I came across this. Every Census throws up cases where people were not at their home address...but this is something else.
So where were all of these men?
The clue is in the type of return...
1/2
So where were all of these men?
The clue is in the type of return...
1/2
June 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Working through the 1921 Census for Ilford and I came across this. Every Census throws up cases where people were not at their home address...but this is something else.
So where were all of these men?
The clue is in the type of return...
1/2
So where were all of these men?
The clue is in the type of return...
1/2
Researching an article about the area I grew up in which will always be Redbridge to me despite it now being the name of the Borough.
The website for The Vintry in Redbridge Lane has this rather nice photo of the old wine merchant's shop on the corner of Inglehurst Gardens.
www.thevintry.london
The website for The Vintry in Redbridge Lane has this rather nice photo of the old wine merchant's shop on the corner of Inglehurst Gardens.
www.thevintry.london
June 9, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Researching an article about the area I grew up in which will always be Redbridge to me despite it now being the name of the Borough.
The website for The Vintry in Redbridge Lane has this rather nice photo of the old wine merchant's shop on the corner of Inglehurst Gardens.
www.thevintry.london
The website for The Vintry in Redbridge Lane has this rather nice photo of the old wine merchant's shop on the corner of Inglehurst Gardens.
www.thevintry.london
Fighting at a football match?
There is nothing new under the sun...but this was the players!
"Immediately miniature fights took place amongst the players in different parts of the field..."
Oh dear.
There is nothing new under the sun...but this was the players!
"Immediately miniature fights took place amongst the players in different parts of the field..."
Oh dear.
May 30, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Fighting at a football match?
There is nothing new under the sun...but this was the players!
"Immediately miniature fights took place amongst the players in different parts of the field..."
Oh dear.
There is nothing new under the sun...but this was the players!
"Immediately miniature fights took place amongst the players in different parts of the field..."
Oh dear.
The 19th Century Directories for Essex not only had who was living there - gentlemen and traders - but also very interesting historical information.
This is from White's Directory for 1848 - the earliest held on Ancestry.
1/2
This is from White's Directory for 1848 - the earliest held on Ancestry.
1/2
May 28, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The 19th Century Directories for Essex not only had who was living there - gentlemen and traders - but also very interesting historical information.
This is from White's Directory for 1848 - the earliest held on Ancestry.
1/2
This is from White's Directory for 1848 - the earliest held on Ancestry.
1/2