Butcher's Wood © Danny Hall

Danny Hall, aged 15, and "first true love" (his words) Joy Hodges, strolling through Butcher's Wood. The woods were located between New North Road and Manford Way. Tales of an unfortunate butcher hanging himself helped create a spooky atmosphere. Many felt uneasy going through the woods alone after dark. Yellow Pine Way replaced Butcher's Wood in late 1960's.

Marlyon Road © Danny Hall

These pictures were taken in a back garden at the bottom of Marlyon Road before Hainault Industrial Estate became heavily developed (about 1960), Gardens at that time were usually only separated by picket fencing. Danny's sister Kim, neighbour Paul Moss and cousin Shane are playing in the paddling pool, with Danny's mother standing behind. 

The building shown in the right picture was 'Tucks' rubber factory which stood near Gainsborough's, a company that made chocolates. In 1957 a night watchman at Tucks raised the alarm when nearby the chocolate factory went up in flames and explosions woke up local residents due to thieves accidently setting a gas meter alight when blowing the safe. A fireman claimed it was the worse fire since the Blitz. Two hundred were left jobless.

Tree Nursery © Peter Small

Danny Hall worked in the tree nursery (next to Romford Road) planting saplings during the 1960s as part of a gang of five. The trees were grown to be planted along the Borough's roads. In well-organised fashion, the first man marked a spot; the second man dug a hole; the third man placed a sapling in the hole; the fourth man covered the roots with soil; the fifth man trod the soil down... then onto the next!