Walthamstow / Wood Street

Brian Gardner attended Wood Street Junior School from 1949 to 1953. This photograph was taken in 1996, the building, from the outside at least, had not altered at all.

School photo taken of class 5 c. 1950 shows Brian Gardner in the front row third from the left. The photo was taken in the school hall, the teacher was Mr. Lea who was not averse to hitting pupils around the legs with a ruler.

Secondary education was via selection to either Secondary Modern or Technical or grammer schools. Selection was made according to the results of examination at age 11, known as the eleven plus exam. Failure to take the exam or to pass meant Secondary Modern whilst passing allowed entry to Grammer or Technical School. The document is a letter from Wood Street School head (Mr Head) to the parents of Brian explaining the options.

(b) Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital

Birthplace of Patricia Foulston (1942), Barbara Foulston (1948)and John Gardner (1948).
This photo was taken in 1996.

Secondary school for Brian Gardner and Patricia Foulston. The school was called the South West Essex Technical School. Originally housed in three locations; Winns Ave, Hoe Street and here as part of the college building in Forest Road. In c. 1957 a new school was built in Billet Road and the school renamed the McEntee Technical School.

(d) Assembly Hall and Town Hall

The concert hall, the home venue of Forest Philharmonic, conductor Frank Shipway. Percy Gardner bought season tickets for concerts which were regularly attended by Brian and Adam Gardner. The hall had fine acoustics and was often used by the BBC for recording purposes.

The administrative centre for Walthamstow. Brian Gardner was taken on a school visit which ended up on the roof where it became even more obvious how tall the clock was.

Brian Gardner sailing his clockwork boat across the Town Hall pond c. 1949

(e) Forest Road

Forest Road leading to Hillcrest Road, Highams Park etc.
View Highams Park map.