River Walk through Barking & Ilford - Loxford Water & Seven Kings Water (4K)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- A river walk following the Loxford Water and Seven Kings Water - tributaries of the River Roding.
Our walk starts at Barking Park where the Loxford Water flows beside the boating lake. Barking Park opened in 1898 and is fine example of a late Victorian park. We then walk along South Park Drive where the Loxford Water flows along a culvert to South Park where the river starts its journey to the Roding in the lake.
We start our walk along the Seven Kings Water on the other side of the lake crossing Green Lane and then walking along High Gardens and Aldborough Road South to Seven Kings High Road. The river leads us into Westwood Recreation Ground where we see the Seven Kings Water flowing above ground for the first time. Our river walk then takes us through Seven Kings Park, around King George's Hospital and across the A12 Eastern Avenue. We have to leave the side of the river for a while here as it runs across inaccessible farm land and rough ground and our route takes us p Hainault Road. We are re-united with the river in Elmbridge Road, Hainault where it flows into the Garden of Peace cemetery.
We walk parallel to the course of the river along Huntsman Road to Peregrine Road where we again find the Seven Kings Water.
The last section of the walk takes us into Hainault Forest Country Park where the Seven Kings Water has its source in the lake.
Thanks to Paul who suggested this walk in a comment on my video of a walk along the Cran Brook, and Diamond Geezer for his description of the course of the Seven Kings Water and Loxford Water
Diamond Geezer diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/20...
diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/20...
Support my channel on Patreon / johnrogers
Music
I Found DB Cooper by Craig MacArthur
Lost & Found by Dan Lebowitz
Venkatesananda by Jesse Gallagher
Cylinder One by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/cylinders/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/
Fortress Europe by Dan Bodan
Fresh Fallen Snow by Chris Haugen
Nevada City by Huma-Huma
Little Drunk, Quiet Floats by Puddle of Infinity
_________________________________________________________________________________
Please subscribe for regular videos: bit.ly/1EJjIB8
My shop: teespring.com/stores/the-lost...
My Book: This Other London amzn.to/2zbFmTd
Audiobook & Kindle: amzn.to/2xLGb8s
Blog: The Lost Byway: thelostbyway.com/
Patreon / johnrogers
Twitter: / fugueur
Instagram / thelostbyway
Make a donation to help support the channel paypal.me/JohnRogersLondon - many thanks!
Shot in 4K on a Panasonic GX80 (affiliate link) amzn.to/2QUrtXo
My Walking kit (amazon affiliate link - I earn a small commission on purchases)
amzn.to/2Xky2UA
![[LIVE] ใครคุยเรื่องบอล "พ่องตาย" #คุยให้เด็กมันฟัง EP.43 (13/7/67)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8bHYL8RuBqs/mqdefault.jpg)
In the 90s my dad lowered my cousin into the water on South Park Drive 'cause we insisted that the shiny things we could see in the bed were Roman coins. I imagine it was actually only a few pennies.
Its also where I said goodbye to my imaginary friend. In my mind she sailed down the water all the way to imaginary Hawaii. (now that would be a walk!)
So much of my childhood in this one, thanks John
Sadie St. Hilaire 0
It always saddens me whenever John does a walk in my area that I never bumped into him.... Would love to see the magic orange hat in real life.
Perception and interpretation is an amazing thing. I am in Seven Kings High Road most weeks and dispise the dirty, grimey, manic nature of the place yet to John it is Londons California.
I guess that why he is the creative poet and I am a cumudgenly sod 😁
We're bound to cross paths one day Rob - have to remember to always wear the orange hat when in the Ilford/Seven Kings area
Agreed, Rob. I live down the road from Seven Kings. This whole area is now a dirty, depressing, over crowded; like sardines in a can living here. They are building flats on every square inch of land they can find. Do you know Tesco Goodmayes? Soon, the carpark there will be redeveloped with flats and a primary school. Sigh.
@@katarinasmith4351 Hi Kat, Yes, I am just down the road in Chadwell Heath. Same here, flats going up left and right. Chicken shops and betting shops and little else...
Longing for open vistas and swaying grasslands...
One day eh?
Have a great day.
In the 1950's I had many a ride on the miniature train and on the paddle steamer. At the far end of Barking park lake they used to have children's paddle boats...such wonderful times. Spent many an hour catching tiddlers in Loxford water at the back of the lake before the long haul back to Barking station at the end of the day.
In the 70's we moved to Douglas road Goodmayes, so very familiar with the various parks etc, and yes I too have walked that endless road towards Hainault. It was a joy to see little has changed on this road.
As always a super quality walk and video. John Rogers, go to the top of the class! A+
wonderful memories Michael - thanks for sharing
River hunting on an autumnal Sunday.... perfect 👍
Wow. Great memories from watching the video. Some of us ex Loxford School boys were doing the Loxford Water walk in the 80s without even realising. Memories of meeting mates at the back of Loxford school (we knew the all openings in the fences) and being mad enough to walk in the waters from Loxford to Barking Park "dead man's walk" as we called the steep embankment. Remember getting chased by a crazy stray dog, we chucked stones at kids in Barking Abbey school uniform on the other side who chucked stones back at us, we made bridges after the storm of 87 from fallen trees to cross the waters (the most dangerous one was over the steepest part of South Park Drive). Looks really filthy now but for some reason water seemed a lot cleaner and back then. Don't remember seeing a lot of rubbish.
My Sunday evening is now complete!
Same here. Tour de France highlights, then John Rogers walk with my dinner. I love watching other people exert themselves.
Hi John both South Park and Seven kings are the parks I maintain for LB Redbridge the lights by the cemetery are flood lights for the sport ground called Cricklefields which has some big man hole covers which I think go down to the river . The river has a problem of blue algae only a good day of rain clears it we try to keep the banks clear off our own backs as this was contracted out to a private company I try and take ownership of the parks I work on like my back garden and win a green flag each year keep up the good walks
thanks for that info Andy - you do a fantastic job, you've got some wonderful park. Congratulations on the Green Flags
@@JohnRogersWalks Cricklefields sports ground was used for football matches in the 1948 London Olympics
May I Say, bloody good watch.
thanks Ray
Fairlop waters was where they took aggregate from the ground to build the Victoria line, that thing you said was, maybe moving grain, was in fact moving stone an crushed concrete, I hope that helps. Ray
thanks for that info Ray - I did notice the rails running alongside the field on the other side but didn't make the connection with the quarry. It's a powerful landscape
John Rogers I only know, as my dad used to work there
Always enjoy the walks when I know where you are.
My first job as a gardener was in South Park,1983.
Thanks John.
that's a great park Little Acorns
Ah, Seven Kings. Home of Jake Burgers. Had a few late night eats there in the 80's and 90's. Sadly didn't make the video, but I looked them up and they're still there. The ghosts of past history and the ever changing face of New California. Marvelous stuff as ever.
South park was my local park, after school in the long summer evenings meeting up with my mates exploring the park, pretty sure in the 80s there was a pavilion by the pond until it got burnt down.
In the summer holidays going swimming at Barking park lido & if we had enough money left after going boating on the lake.
Walking over the railway bridge to my school in Aldborough Rd South & having to play rugby in the winter at Seven Kings park.
Happy days, unfortunately it's not the same place that i grew up in.
did you go canon palmer
This should be on tv would be good
I discovered this channel few weeks back and I was gonna suggest this . Having moved county and ilford. Sort of missing home . I use to love walks . But you are right that Hainault road takes forever. Keep up the good work . Really made my Sunday
thanks for that Vinny - glad I could transport you back to the area
John, to fill in some gaps. My first job in1963 was in Seven Kings about where McDonalds is now. The water was open in those days and went under the High Road at the point you guessed by the car dealer. After South Park it ran along the north side of Green Lane and was also open. The houses had a footbridge to the pavement. At some point it was covered over but you can still see where it ran because of the gap between the front gardens and the pavement. Yet another enjoyable video of East London spiking memories of my childhood.
Lived in Seven Kings as a child, and the Seven Kings Water was open all the way through Seven Kings Park & Westwood Park - magical times paddling & fishing for tiddlers. I remember them culverting it - very sad & loss of the wildlife along waterways. I remember it running in front of the houses in Green Lane before the culvert as they had little bridges to their homes.Thanks for the wonderful memories @John Rogers
i think it's great when you are greeted by appreciative fans! and, who hasn't been soaked by a passing vehicle during a rain? i know i have haha! i really enjoy the riparian routes, cheers! 😊
Wow, brings back many memories, i used to live in seven kings, then to Newbury park, after we left Manor park, me ol stomping ground, south park, west wood park, and seven kings park, happy valley etc etc, excellent👍👍👍even hargreves camp.👍👍top stuff johnny👍
thanks H man - glad I could take you back there
Another excellent walk hay fills my weekend evenings with peaceful contemplation.
It has been an absolute age since I have was last at Barking park, two decades ago. My word...
I never saw any UFO's while I was there, it is incredibly amazing to see you walk through areas I once knew and see them through your eyes and experience.
"and non-matching cushions" it's the little details that matter. Great narrative and great film.
Thanks Paul
There was a river flowing through the allotments at Vicarage Lane. It is shown on old maps and was not culverted over until the early 1960s. I was living in one of the houses there at that time.
A real treat to watch on this Sunday evening : Another enjoyable informative walk along roads , parks & open spaces. If only such videos & knowledgable genial guide had been around 45 years ago !!! Thank you very much: Ive become addicted to your channel as a relaxing treat of an evening !
thanks so much - wonderful to hear
Thanks John for another interesting walk. Appreciate you adding to my local knowledge. Looking forward to your next walk and appreciate all your efforts
thanks Humble - always appreciate your comments
Sunday night even more like autumn= toast and pineapple jam a hot chocolate and a virtual walk. perfect
All are great of course but my eyes do light up when you post something local to these parts... Fortunately the Cauliflower pub was granted Grade II listed status in 2014 but it doesn't hide the fact that it's been in a sorry state for 5 years since a short-lived revival. It is so called owing to the nearby "Cauliflower Lane" - the previous name of Vicarage Lane that you touched upon. Cameron Road is named after Archibald Cameron Corbett, the Victorian era Scottish MP and developer of various estates in the Ilford area in the 1890s. Thanks for the wonderful commentary as ever.
It's sad what's happened with the Cauli. I went to Canon Palmer and was using that place at 15. I think some of the covers bands are still going, great place.
@@danstevens9992 A perfect location for Canon Palmer kids, that pub. Hopefuly we see it in its former glory one day soon.
John, I’ve only recently discovered your channel, and I’m loving these videos. I’ve also been inspired enough to get out do some walking/exploring myself, and thanks to you I might just survive my extended furlough with my sanity intact!
wonderful to hear Clayton - walking's so good for body and soul. Best of luck exploring
As a young child, I remember visiting my grandma in Hainault. A feature of the day would be a walk to Peregrine Road and looking over the railings of the bridge, watching the water beneath. We would throw a twig or a feather into the stream and then cross the road to watch it appear on the other side. This video took me back 30 years. Thank you!
I grew up here. About 8 minutes in, you're right across the road from the house that my Mum and Dad bought when they got married, and we sold not long ago to pay for our Mum's care. I spent what seems like the greater part of my childhood in Barking Park or South Park. Thanks for the memories. Your work is much appreciated.
Thank you so much for this. Love it
I love your river walks they are lovely John keep them coming
John another great video! The best of Sunday. What a view the constrast of you and your orange cup with the thunderous grey sky!! So nice as well to see your subscribers saying hello to the camara. Take care, have a nice week! All the best from Argentina
Thanks so much Fiona - hope all is well in Argentina
Here we are un strict lockdown as a gobernamental law since march.School and universities has been online ver since, Masks are mandatory . Cafés are not habilitated for people to sit down, only take away. There has been a flow of cases recently. But we are taking care, making the best we can out of the situation.
So relaxing to watch....
Yes in Barking my old home town the place of my birth. And it was lovely to see Barking park so many memories thank so much Jonh more Barking please :)
There's bound to be plenty more Barking - great walking territory
@@JohnRogersWalks i can't wait thank you
Great to see the recognition from viewers young and old as you saunter the streets John. Universal appeal!
At 24 mins as the river goes under the A12 it enters hargreaves scout camp - in the 1980s there was no fence there and we would spend the long summers playing in the camp. Many times walking in the river trying to get to Hainault.
I was a member of the 3rd Ilford West Cubs and Scouts and remember going to Hargreaves to camp. That was between 1970 and 1977ish. And Gilwell Park. Happy Days.
Thankyou John. Wonderful as always
my pleasure David thanks
thank you very much for this and all the other films.
Wow wow what amazing run I love see the happiness on your face thank you for this one love barking and ilford town centre keep the good work up
Worked for 40 years at the Greater Anglia Depot. The Cauliflower pub featured in a ITV series some years ago for comedy orientated shows, but has recently fallen on hard times. The water tower supplies water to the Depot which was built in 1959 for the new electric trains that were introduced on the Southend and Colchester lines. The depot referred to as the New Shed, which I can recall being built, has a stream running under it. Its not the one you were tracing, but ends up joining up with Seven Kings water in South Park.
The river you were tracing in Green Lane is culverted now but used to be viewable by some ancient cottages which are still there. It eventually runs through between the houses and emerged under the Liverpool Street line and ran in the open more or less under the McDonalds in the High Road across to the opposite side of the road near Gladwell Motors which you walked past in the vid. Aldis and McD's is on the site of 7 Kings Bus Garage and the 7 Kings Hotel which was a similar size to the Cauliflower, but became a less than salubrious venue. The river is all hidden now, but eventually traces through Seven Kings Park in Meads Lane, under the A12, and is viewable to the West of the footbridge you ventured over. The bridge over Hainault Road, where you got wet by inconsiderate motorists, is a gravel conveyor belt from a gravel extraction site to a lorry distribution area. All splendid stuff 👍
Fantastic as always, so informative as you walk along. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
Thanks for another one, John! Enjoying the memories over in Dallas!
brilliant Paul - great to bring a bit of East London to Texas
i have watched many ‘walking’ videos on TH-cam recently but i can honestly say that yours are well above and beyond better than all the rest. many thanks.
I just saw this wonderful video of your walk through all my childhood haunts. Everything from swimming at the Barking Lido, to boating at South Park, my school on Aldborough Road, Seven Kings, seeing St. Cedd's church in the background, fishing for sticklebacks in Westwood Park, seeing Goodmayes Hospital where both my parents and I worked, walking through Happy Valley, camping at Hargreaves Scout Camp and cycling in Hainault Forest.
In the 1950's my best friend lived on Seven Kings Road and the Seven Kings River ran behind his house. It went under the road by the Church on Seven Kings Road and then made its way to Westwood Road. Looking on Google Earth, it has now been buried. There is a road called Water Street that runs from South Park Drive to Green Lane, across from Seven Kings Road. The name 'Water Street' is perhaps a clue to where the river ran as it left South Park.
Great walk - well done
Lovely stuff mate
Cheers Ruben
Love the river hunting...am now a proud owner of a ‘sacred river lea’ t-shirt!
brilliant - thanks Martin
Thanks John!
It's great to relive the experience of walking through such unpromising territory but with so many treasures along the way. These outer eastern boroughs have so much to offer...
I confess I did actually walk the river in the same direction as you, but wrote it up backwards to follow the flow.
My pleasure Diamond Geezer - really enjoyed reading your accounts of the walk, thanks
An engaging and insightful walk John; many, thanks!
Thanks john Brilliant Glad all is well keep safe. Dave👍
Another great walk and lesson on our history! looking forwards to the next one John! all the best.
thanks Shaun
John, Great video. I loved your Cran Brook walk as i live close to the source. I was wondering about Seven Kings water. Inspiring me to walk again.
Really enjoyed this one. I grew up in Barking and Dagenham and left it behind in the 90s. Barking park was host to a great fun fair every year. There were, and hopefully still are some lovely trees in the park. I have walked down South Park Drive more times than I can remember, but never ever visited the park. Wish I had now. Thanks for showing 😊.
Great video - thoroughly enjoyed this.
My first chippy tea since March, a can of hairy-strength Polish unpronounceable , and a vicarious meander through the nether regions of the Metropolis... What more could one ask of a Sunday evening?
PS - What was with the dog skull and the abandoned rocking horse? It all went very VHS Horror there for a moment.
that sounds idyllic Paul. The montage of skull (fox?), rocking horse, and silos captured the essence of that road for me, it has a strong borderlands feel to it, I'm always happy to reach the other end
Lovely
magic.
Enjoyed this walk so much. Brought back memories of 50 odd years ago when we started our married life in Shirley Gardens, Barking opposite Barking Park. Yes we used the Lido many times, water was always freezing! No heated pools for us.😱
Loved this walk, used to ride on the miniature railway in Barking Park, my Nan fell in the boating lake when the boat moved away from the wharf, she wanted to go home and get changed by bus so she didn't mess up our afternoon, probably mid 60s.
Great vid again John!
thanks Woodham
When I was child in the 60s there was a small part of the river exposed along Green Lane by Highbury gns, Seven Kings, we would come out of Ilford swimming bath and go down to that small part of the river, all closed in now as you see, great vid
Another great video John. I lived in Seven Kings as a child in the 1950s. I spent a great deal of time in South Park, particularly on the boating lake with my dad. I recall one year when Seven Kings water flooded the main road, Green Lane. My first school was near the park too
Thanks for the info John
Love this walk so good to see your latest lost my mum to covid so not been on love the autumn wont miss that oppressive heat lovely colours of leaves hope your keeping safe x
Great experience ,born about hundred yards from river gorse, spent my childhood playing in ,on and around the river , did some of the walk as kids ,paddling in it to the merrielands Manor House and orchards ,now( ASDA) unrecognisable now ,
Local lad here, I have been to the Lido a few times, had a wonderful high board I use to dive from in the 70's. The Boating lake in Barking Park use to have the boats on, £2 quid for 30 mins if I remember, also the little train use to go from the lake to the main road and back.. Always remember the smell of the engine and the pssst thunk. South Park has been my main stay since this year (2020) I run every morning around it, in March/April I first and only time I saw a Common European WoodPecker - was very green and with a red hood and flash on its head. Its been spoilt by the constant fly tips, every evening it seems to be a collection of rubbish dumped around the park. (caught a few dumpers, Redbridge does zip about it). Its good to see someone walk the route, good on you. ~trooper
Super walk John
Hi John - always a an informative and relaxing video adventure looking forward to the next one ........Cheers Kev
Great video, really love your walks. Usually end up looking at local old maps and side by side maps for walks in my local area after watching one.
Thanks for taking us with you John. This walk helped to clear up a cider induced hangover which could have spoiled a Bank Holiday Monday! Barking Park looks wonderful. Cheers 👍🏼
Fantastic Mick - glad I can help clear a hangover
The allotments are the remnants of the pre war train line when Ilford was linked to what is now the central line at Newbury Pk before it was taken over by London transport.
Diamondgeezer and I walked parts of this route a few months apart last year it seems! I started from South Park, having wandered over from the Ravensbourne, fittingly on route to the Secret Rivers exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands. Prior to the lake being formed in South Park, it seems there may have been two distinct streams - the Seven Kings Water flowing along the aptly named 'Water Lane' before taking the route you walked, and the Loxford Water heading north towards Aldborough Road and 'Cauliflower Bridge'. This second stream appears to have been straightened artificially to serve brickfields which are now under the Greater Anglia depot.
great info as ever Mike thanks for the info, I look forward to reading your extensive blog on the walk later mikegtn.net/1931
@@JohnRogersWalks Thanks John - that was a strange old walk incorporating a bit of the Ravensbourne too!
Water Lane is the clue for Seven Kings Water - it then flows along the south of the railway line to the end of Vernon Road before crossing under the railway line being the boundary of Seven Kings to Goodmayes. After as John goes.
Hi John, as a barking boy of 76 years, Barking park was my favourite. I remember the Mississippi paddle steamer and the miniature railway, it was steam originally. 2012 saw the railway (petrol) carry the Olympic torch on it’s journey to Stratford! Great video, keep em coming! Allan.
Thanks John! So pleased you did this walk! Seven Kings Water is a mysterious beast as you discovered. Vicarage Lane bridge and the allotments are the remains of the disused railway from Newbury Park to Ilford. Used to have ‘Say No to Enoch’ painted on the span...
I spent my teenage years living just down from SK Stn... and worked at Goodmayes Hospital in the old building. Thanks for walking Hainault Road too (the conveyor belt is from the old quarries). Watching from lockdown here in Melbourne- my heart is full!
Interesting! After watching your walk to locate the cranbrook I was inspired to research about another tributary that pours into the Roding just outside my window - aldersbrook! And there’s a heron that lives right where the two rivers meet I see it mostly in the evenings. Thanks, it’s great to know people out there appreciate the river Roding as much as I do
Oh and yes I have sighted UFO’s on two separate occasions while looking out towards the Roding river.
All through my growing up area's, I used the Barking park a lot, going swimming in the open air lido, go boating on the lake and there used to be a giant chess board near the lake, I used to live in seven kings.
Great video John. The edge of London has so many lovely parks. Think some drivers speed up to purposefully soak pedestrians! Seven Kings was where I was allowed to buy the first pair of shoes with my own money. Did love those shoes. The type of shop has changed somewhat along that parade since then. Such a shame about the Cauliflower. It can be seen from the train and the name always fascinated me. Do hope it can be saved.
Had many a great times in barking park when I was a kid in the 60s brings back fond memories live in Harold hill now which you featured in your walks to Navestock through the manor and surrounding areas well done John excellent video as always .
A brilliant walk again John visiting places well off the tourist trail. I've always wanted to visit Barking for its eateries which rumour has it are cheap and cheerful. Some many lovely spacious parks in the area as well. Really enjoyed it.
John, ask the kids to come with you to California, and then when they shake on it, take them north of Great Yarmouth??
(6:20 - THAT metallic teal colour on the Focus👌
14:02 - the Cauliflower is the most spectacular space I've ever seen inside a pub, yet never anyone drinking in there. If it was E17, or N16, it'd be the grandest pub in East L.!)
fantastic idea Alex. I did see some pictures online of the interior of the Cauliflower - hope it can be saved
I thought I'd heard the Cauliflower was closed already? It is an obscenely grand place
@@HonestSonics Yeah, I think it's been shut for a couple of years now(?) When I was last there in 2015, a friend and I drank there all afternoon and we were the only people - seem to recall the barman/owner was mostly upstairs so getting served took time - we pulled chairs into the middle of a dance floor under a 20 foot ceiling. Any owner must have been hoping to get permission to convert to housing? No drinking demographic in Seven Kings now; trying to run a pub in certain E-postcodes is a lost cause.
Ineresting and informative as ever. Keep up the good walks!
Thanks Graham
A great watch, may I suggest the river Rom,another river that crosses the A12.
thanks for that Maureen - it's on the list
I like your videos and lived in barking for a long time very nice area with alot of beautiful places
Oooh John you're just teasing me now - so close! But nice to see Barking Park again (yes to it having a Lido - was freezing but didn't matter in hot Summers like '76).
My parents used to take me to hainult Park. There used to be a mini zoo there. Fascinating to think the stream from the lake flows all the way to barking Park. My parents used to take me there too for boat rides. Happy memories. Super walk, thanks John.
glad you enjoyed it Tim
Great informative video as ever Jonn, hope they'll be one on the New River in the near future, have a great week 👍
thanks Raymond - yes I must do a New River video
Two well-known (at the time!) jazz musicians lived here --Eddie Thompson blind pianist in Kingswood Rd: and Len Skeat, bass player- in Wellwood Rd:
ThanQ so so much for this video!
Being a wildlife biologist I was made well aware of old river systems running through my neck of the woods (7kings) although unfortunately I do not live in London anymore but when I do visit I'll be sure to do the same walk with my daughter ☺️
This was a pleasure to watch.
Liked and subbed 👍🏽
Great video and walk John, I was born in Upney Lane Barking In 1949. Went to Ripple Road Junior School then Park Modern Secondary. Lived in Barking until 1979, scattered my parents ashes in Barking Park, a place we had many happy days. Last time I visited Barking I thought I was in a foreign land, I was the only white face in town.
I walked 3 hours of the New River today from.Finsbury park and the West Reservoir amazing Walk love to see you do it
that's a great afternoon Stephen. Yes I really need to do a dedicated New River video
@@JohnRogersWalks i loved the challenge you can actually walk along a lot of it i lost it at Palmers Green
Another great video John. Although i live in Barkingside now, I grew up in Seven Kings, in fact I was born at number 11 Farnham road on June 26th in 1952. My dads birthday was also 26th of June. Regarding the 'bridge ' over Hainault road it was to do with gravel extraction and was a conveyor belt across the road. This finished a few years ago but the equipment is still there. Bob.
thanks for that info Bob
When we were kids (in the late 1970s / early 80s), and a lot smaller, we would climb into the stream at Westwood park, and crawl through the tunnel to Seven Kings park (or back) -- just for the sheer fun of doing so -- somewhere along that stream, someone had tied a fire hose to a tree and we would swing across it like Tarzan, while worrying about the hospital caretaker and his salt gun!
We also used to hire the boats at Barking Park -- when hiring boats was affordable with pocket money -- and end up going home completely drenched!
I always have a beer and watch your videos every Sunday, great stuff John! It's an event for me ha ha.
brilliant - one of the reasons I put everything else aside to get these videos online for Sunday evening
Those Car noises you could hear in Seven Kings were the local car club meet. When I lived in Seven Kings it was an American Car Club in the 1970's which mostly consisted of customized vehicles. It has probably evolved since then.
Thank you so much for this. You’ve answered the question that little me asked my harassed parents back in the 1950s when they would take me to the Westwood Road recreation ground to fish for sticklebacks in the stream. My enquiring mind wanted to know where the stream had come from before it entered under Meads Lane and where it went after it disappeared into (then) two big round concrete pipes. I’m sure in fact that in those days the water ran much further than the little duck pond because I’m sure it ran parallel to the path on the south west side of the park to a place much nearer to the shops. I similarly wanted to know where the water came from and went to in Barking Park, though I hadn’t made the connection with South Park. In one video you’ve provided a unifying explanation to the questions I raised in all the parks with running water - a question I’ve nursed unanswered for about 65 years. I also fell into the water in Westwood Road Rec in about 1962 so you could say it’s personal! 😀
Hi again John. I forgot to mention that the happy valley mentioned in your video was not the one i knew as a child. My sister and I used to go to happy valley which was next to the A12 in Newbury Park next to King George hospital. We would take our fishing nets to the stream there. We could walk through a large pipe under the A12 and come out into a farm on the other side.
Should have walk to the start john anyway what a lovely day to enjoy a walk
PLEASE KEEP THE VIDS COMING TO YOUR OLD STOMPING GROUND ISLINGTON where
me and my son love all your walks
I did start to walk to Barking Matt but ended up getting the bus. Yes I have a couple of great Islington walks planned - looking forward to getting back to the old stomping ground
John I have just discovered your channel via several others, you know how it is, one channel leads to another to an other and so on, and I'm enjoying it immensely. I'm currently binge watching in the evenings to help wind down, absolute bliss. I to have a passion for London so find your history lelling fascinating. Thank you for your walks and information, long may it continue. John H.
So nice story, I wish I would learn to talk so well
Very informative, always wanted to know about Loxford Water when I used to drop & pick up my kids from loxford Secondary school. God bless you, following your channel now. Pls keep up the good work.
Thanks for mentioning Leyton Orient, London’s finest, love to see you at the ground one day John, I’ll buy you a pint, keep up the good work.