I lived in Dagenham in the 1970s, 1980s, and in the 1990s I saw the gradual decline. Especially along the "Green Lanes" area. Its such a shame, but with high crime rates and price rises. A lot of businesses closed down. The older generation of neighbours had passed away or moved out of area. The Milkman deliveries back then as well. Life was so much better back then.
Grew up in Dagenham in the 1970's. Parsloes Park with the sand pit and beautifully kept flower beds... paddling pool. Green double swings that we called American Swings.Hot summers. I still live there but will move soon. It's lost it's soul. Real shame. It looked even better in these black and white photos. Thanks for sharing.
Very nostalgic & sad for me seeing what has been allowed to happen to Dagenham and many other Cities in the U.K .I have lived in Australia since 1968 and each time i return it gets worse and nothing is being done to reverse the situation ,Weak Governments ,Political Correctness,& ridiculous Immigration policies have practically taken the heart out of the U.K
Same here fella, I was born in Maxey Rd in 66, still some areas left that are OK ish but certainly has gone downhill, gardens all used to be kept tidy, now most of them look like building sites. Stay well mate.
So sad was a beautiful borough. So sad. Even had their own parks police. Used to feel so safe as a kid. I'd never let my kids out over parks there now. We send them to Romford.
My grand parents lived on baron road, a few doors down lived dudley moores mother, on occasions while visiting we would see him getting into a porch with (i think) suzy kendal. thanks for posting this, i never knew dagenham was like that years ago.
Once a pretty village, then a nice clean new town. Now what can you say about it? I can remember the old weather boarded houses next to the Cross Keys the Victorian houses down Exeter Road, now all gone for 'progress'. Spent many a summer's day over Leys Baths, and Saturday mornings just for us kids at the pictures on Heathway hill then afterwards we'd go to the fish and chip shop down Church Elm Lane to get a packet of chips and a humungous pickled onion. That shop is still there. All my schools have gone now though. I left many years ago but my parents still live there. I see every time I visit how much it's changed. Sad.
Thanks for uploading this very interesting video. Born in Dagenham and still living here and have seen many changes. So many landmarks are no longer, Many pubs have gone, Leys Baths where my school went for swimming lessons, gone. Gaumont Cinema Heathway gone as are many others. pleased to see that you included a picture of Martin Peters, a boy who was in my class throughout my schooldays. Fords, no longer the company in Dagenham that it was, only a very small part of the factory left. David
I was born in Barking Hospital at the end of WW2, lived with mam & dad & grandparents in Goresbrooke Road for a year before moving to Leeds (up north) not Kent, Used to love coming back in the fifties and early sixties, happy memories.
I say mam, and yes I do live up north now but used to say mam before I moved from Dagenham, most of our family did and we are all from London/Dagenham area going back generations, but one of my great grandparents was from Wales so maybe that's where it comes from maybe?
Les Hook I was born in Barking hospital also in 1952 lived here until I was married at 20. Don’t come back for a sentimental journey to Barking..you will be horrified ...a complete cesspit without going into details. Loved the place growing up..soul destroying to see it now😰
East Ender: I was born in Barking (Upney Lane) 1949. Sometimes I travel back through Barking and Dagenham to see how things are, breaks my heart every time.
Our family moved to Dagenham in1942 as our house in the east end had been bombed.I was 1 year old at the time.I grew up there went to Arnold Road school and then Goresbrook school now defunct. I left in 1974 moving to North Essex.
Thank you for sharing, tear in my eye as I see paradise lost. We didn’t have much but we had community and friends and decency and respect. Now you just get spitting, shitting, littering, thieving, stabbing, drugs, drinking, homeless sleepers, fly tips, noise, nuisance, ASB, gangs and graffiti, phew it can only get better right ?
my grandad and nan worked in fords and uncle, my dad grew up on beverly road i also spent time going to school there , haven't been back for many years - prob not the same like my town now a dump which is such a shame
dagenham looked clean and better years ago I have old photos I might put on here,loved some parts still the same a lot has altered,I agree its worse now no place to enjoy ourselves with a dance or sing song..pubs going or gone,take away or as they say take out on the increase,food isnt the same,to much novelle cuisine..what happened to good old simple food..
@@life_seeker6102No , but I know where you mean though , up Beverly Road end . I think this is Chequers Lane Cottages just before Dagenham Dock Station on the right hand side . Had an area of waste land where the dog and speedway tracks were .
Women sowing auto seat covers wanted the same money as guys doing dangerous, hot and dirty work in the foundry! Dependable constant work not enough for some.
