Chadwell Heath
Encyclopedia
Chadwell Heath is a place in the London Borough of Redbridge
and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
, both in Greater London
. It is 12 miles (19 km) north-east of Charing Cross
.
. The London to Colchester Roman road caused some early 'ribbon' development while much of the rest of the parish remained rural. The railway was constructed through the area from Romford and Ilford and in 1864 Chadwell Heath railway station
was opened. Suburban growth commenced in 1900 and proceeded rapidly until World War I
; increasing after the war. It was the 'end of the line' for both the London tram system and later the electric trolley bus service from Aldgate. The trolley buses turned around at Station Road and Wangye Road.
Mary Wollstonecraft
(born 1759), mother of 'Frankenstein' author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly, lived briefly at a farm near Whalebone Lane until the family moved to Barking. Mary Wollstonecraft senior wrote 'Vindication of the Rights of Women' in 1792 and was a notable critic of Edmund Burke
.
Artist Henry Gillard Glindoni (1852-1913) moved to Chadwell Heath around 1891 and lived in a new villa on the corner of Mill Lane and Whalebone Lane North. This building is still there and his north-facing studio adjacent to the house is now a small shop. He painted local scenes and some of his work can still be seen in Valence House Museum.
The area suffered several bomb hits during World War Two. A large parachute mine also exploded causing extensive residential damage while a second failed to explode and its parachute became entangled in trees near Chadwell Heath station. A heavy anti-aircraft battery was located east of Whalebone Lane North and traces of the concrete emplacements remain today.
A survivor of the RMS Titanic, Miss Eva Hart
MBE, was a resident of Japan Road, Chadwell Heath, for many years until her death in 1996. Miss Hart had been a magistrate who dealt with alcohol licence applications. When the former police station was converted into a public house by Wetherspoon's it was named after her and remains so today. It contains several photographs of young Eva and her family. Immediately following the tragedy Miss Hart and her mother lived with her grandmother in Whalebone Grove. Apart from a short stay in Australia she was a life-long Chadwell Heath resident.
Actress and singer Millicent Martin was born in Mill Lane in 1934 and went to school in Romford. She became famous for appearances in 'That Was The Week That Was' and 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium' on UK TV in the 1960s. Most recently she has played Daphne's mum in the US series 'Frasier'.
Comedian, actor and musician Dudley Moore
used to refer to his mother's Baron Road home as 'Chadwell Heath' in television interviews but technically it was in Dagenham. He and his red Ferrari car were familiar sights in the area during the 1970s. He returned for his mother's funeral in 1981.
Author Michael J Merry lived in Chadwell Heath between 1940 and 1958. Singer and actor David Essex lived on the Marks Gate estate for 15 years.
Actress Michele Dockery was educated at the Chadwell Heath Foundation School. She is best known for stage appearances and for roles in Downton Abbey and The Hogfather.
Fishmonger Eric Ruffell formerly ran a shop in High Road, Chadwell Heath. For many years he held the Royal Warrant as supplier to HM The Queen by appointment. The shop was demolished during commercial redevelopment in the 1980s.
is to the east. The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
have two local wards named 'Chadwell Heath' and 'Whalebone', and the London Borough of Redbridge
has one named Chadwell. Chadwell Heath is therefore split between the two Boroughs and three wards. Many major buildings, such as the local school and former police station (now the popular pub, the Eva Hart) actually lie in the London Borough of Redbridge
. Royal Mail
includes Chadwell Heath as part of a postcode district (RM6) of the Romford
post town, however the town of Romford is in Havering.
Until the local government reorganisation of 1965 Chadwell Heath was in the county of Essex. It ceased to be Essex in that year and became part of two London boroughs in the Greater London Council area. It lost Essex from its address in the 1970s. Despite this many residents still fondly refer to the area as 'Essex' rather than 'East London'.
The esoteric publishing company founded by phrenologist L.N. Fowler had a shop and offices in the High Road in the 1970s and 1980s. This is now a fish and chip shop.
Dairy Crest
have an enormous creamery/dairy on Selinas Lane, which supplies all of London. Sunlight
laundry are also a major employer as are Sainsbury's, Tesco
and local shops.
services and National Rail from Chadwell Heath railway station
. London Buses routes that serve Chadwell Heath are the 62 from Marks Gate 'Billet Road' to Barking 'Gascoigne Estate'; 86 from Romford Station to Stratford Station; 173 from King Gearge Hospital 'Goodmayes' to Beckton Station; 362 from King George Hospital 'Goodmayes' to Grange Hill Station; 368 from Chadwell Heath 'Police Station' to Barking 'Harts Lane' and night bus N86 from Stratford Station to Harold Hill 'Dagnam Park Square'.
, that covers Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge.
and Irish
residents; many of whom worked for the number of factories that were in the area in the 1970/80s - located, roughly where Smyth's toyshop and Halfords now are. Many Dagenham
residents moved to Chadwell Heath to become owner occupiers.
The Hinds Head pub on the corner of Station Road / Burnside Road closed in 2009. According to CAMRA, pubs are closing due to changing demographics
, the smoking ban, supermarket subsidised alcohol and direct taxation on beers and spirts.
The area enjoys a number of gastro and general pubs. The Harvester Greyhound, the Moby Dick, the Rendezvous, the Eva Hart, The Coopers Arms, the White Horse, and the Tolgate.
There are two working men's / private members clubs in the area. One on Grove Road (the Grove Social Club), and adjacent to Sainsbury's there is the Cedar Club.
's training ground is located in the area. Similar to many parts of East London
and Essex
, the area has a large "Hammers" following, and is home to a number of supporters of the Dagenham and Redbridge.
A number of famous sports people hail from the area. Former England
rugby union
legend Jason Leonard
is from Chadwell Heath, and attended the town's Warren Comprehensive School. Former England and West Ham United player Tony Cottee
and former WBO world boxing champion Colin MacMillan also attended Warren Comprehensive School. West Brom
defender Nicky Shorey
also went to the Chadwell Heath Foundation School
. Boxer Frank Bruno
, Cricketer Graham Gooch
and Darts player Bobby George
lived here, as well as footballer Mark Lazaridos (Leyton Orient). Former F1
driver Keith Jack Oliver
was born here in 14 August 1942. Jim Peters, the marathon runner who gained worldwide fame when he collapsed and was unable to finish the marathon in the 1954 Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada, lived in Chadwell Heath during the 1950s.
There are two lawn bowls clubs in the area, 'Barley Bowls' and 'St Chad's Bowls Club'.
The area is home to a private lawn tennis club 'Mike Ellames' on the corner of the A12 and Hainault Road.
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 1,937; and the area was characterised by farming, woodland and the fishing fleet at Barking. This last industry employed 1,370 men and boys by 1850, but by the end of the century had ceased to exist; replaced by...
, both in Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
. It is 12 miles (19 km) north-east of Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
.
Toponymy
The name 'Chadwell' is first recorded in 1254 as Chaudewell and means 'the cold spring'. The name was first applied to a settlement on the Barking side of the ancient Barking/Dagenham boundary and it was also known as Chadwell Street; 'Street' having the older meaning of a hamlet. In the 17th century the Blackheath Common in Dagenham parish was renamed Chadwell Heath.History
Chadwell Heath formed a hamlet in the ancient parish of DagenhamDagenham
Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
. The London to Colchester Roman road caused some early 'ribbon' development while much of the rest of the parish remained rural. The railway was constructed through the area from Romford and Ilford and in 1864 Chadwell Heath railway station
Chadwell Heath railway station
Chadwell Heath station is a railway station at Chadwell Heath. The station lies in the London Borough of Redbridge part of Chadwell Heath, which is also covered by London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London. It was opened on 11 January 1864, and is built on the site of Wangey House, one...
was opened. Suburban growth commenced in 1900 and proceeded rapidly until World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
; increasing after the war. It was the 'end of the line' for both the London tram system and later the electric trolley bus service from Aldgate. The trolley buses turned around at Station Road and Wangye Road.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book, and a children's book...
(born 1759), mother of 'Frankenstein' author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly, lived briefly at a farm near Whalebone Lane until the family moved to Barking. Mary Wollstonecraft senior wrote 'Vindication of the Rights of Women' in 1792 and was a notable critic of Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party....
.
Artist Henry Gillard Glindoni (1852-1913) moved to Chadwell Heath around 1891 and lived in a new villa on the corner of Mill Lane and Whalebone Lane North. This building is still there and his north-facing studio adjacent to the house is now a small shop. He painted local scenes and some of his work can still be seen in Valence House Museum.
The area suffered several bomb hits during World War Two. A large parachute mine also exploded causing extensive residential damage while a second failed to explode and its parachute became entangled in trees near Chadwell Heath station. A heavy anti-aircraft battery was located east of Whalebone Lane North and traces of the concrete emplacements remain today.
A survivor of the RMS Titanic, Miss Eva Hart
Eva Hart
Eva Miriam Hart MBE was a survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912.-Early life:Eva Miriam Hart was born on 31 January , 1905 in Ilford, Essex, England to Benjamin Hart and Esther Bloomfield...
MBE, was a resident of Japan Road, Chadwell Heath, for many years until her death in 1996. Miss Hart had been a magistrate who dealt with alcohol licence applications. When the former police station was converted into a public house by Wetherspoon's it was named after her and remains so today. It contains several photographs of young Eva and her family. Immediately following the tragedy Miss Hart and her mother lived with her grandmother in Whalebone Grove. Apart from a short stay in Australia she was a life-long Chadwell Heath resident.
Actress and singer Millicent Martin was born in Mill Lane in 1934 and went to school in Romford. She became famous for appearances in 'That Was The Week That Was' and 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium' on UK TV in the 1960s. Most recently she has played Daphne's mum in the US series 'Frasier'.
Comedian, actor and musician Dudley Moore
Dudley Moore
Dudley Stuart John Moore, CBE was an English actor, comedian, composer and musician.Moore first came to prominence as one of the four writer-performers in the ground-breaking comedy revue Beyond the Fringe in the early 1960s, and then became famous as half of the highly popular television...
used to refer to his mother's Baron Road home as 'Chadwell Heath' in television interviews but technically it was in Dagenham. He and his red Ferrari car were familiar sights in the area during the 1970s. He returned for his mother's funeral in 1981.
Author Michael J Merry lived in Chadwell Heath between 1940 and 1958. Singer and actor David Essex lived on the Marks Gate estate for 15 years.
Actress Michele Dockery was educated at the Chadwell Heath Foundation School. She is best known for stage appearances and for roles in Downton Abbey and The Hogfather.
Fishmonger Eric Ruffell formerly ran a shop in High Road, Chadwell Heath. For many years he held the Royal Warrant as supplier to HM The Queen by appointment. The shop was demolished during commercial redevelopment in the 1980s.
Geography
It has easy rail access to Liverpool Street Station in the City of London. The London Borough of HaveringLondon Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
is to the east. The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 1,937; and the area was characterised by farming, woodland and the fishing fleet at Barking. This last industry employed 1,370 men and boys by 1850, but by the end of the century had ceased to exist; replaced by...
have two local wards named 'Chadwell Heath' and 'Whalebone', and the London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
has one named Chadwell. Chadwell Heath is therefore split between the two Boroughs and three wards. Many major buildings, such as the local school and former police station (now the popular pub, the Eva Hart) actually lie in the London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
. Royal Mail
Royal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
includes Chadwell Heath as part of a postcode district (RM6) of the Romford
Romford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
post town, however the town of Romford is in Havering.
Until the local government reorganisation of 1965 Chadwell Heath was in the county of Essex. It ceased to be Essex in that year and became part of two London boroughs in the Greater London Council area. It lost Essex from its address in the 1970s. Despite this many residents still fondly refer to the area as 'Essex' rather than 'East London'.
Economy
Hemmings once had an enormous bakery building on land just north of Chadwell Heath station. This building was derelict by the 1970s and was later demolished for housing. For many years Bergermaster Paints maintained a large factory in Freshwater Road. Grove Road was also an industrial area with Wiggins Teape and Morganite Carbons Ltd among companies based there. These sites were sold in the 1990s and have also been redeveloped for housing. A teddy bear factory in the same area was the site of the alleged murder of Terry 'Teddy Bear' Eve and others in the 1970s.The esoteric publishing company founded by phrenologist L.N. Fowler had a shop and offices in the High Road in the 1970s and 1980s. This is now a fish and chip shop.
Dairy Crest
Dairy Crest
Dairy Crest Group plc is a major dairy products company in the United Kingdom. Its brands include Cathedral City Cheddar cheese, Utterly Butterly, Vitalite, Clover, St Ivel and Frijj. The company delivers milk to around 1.1 million households via their milkmen...
have an enormous creamery/dairy on Selinas Lane, which supplies all of London. Sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight, in the broad sense, is the total frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. On Earth, sunlight is filtered through the Earth's atmosphere, and solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.When the direct solar radiation is not blocked...
laundry are also a major employer as are Sainsbury's, Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
and local shops.
Transport
Chadwell heath is served by London BusesLondon Buses
London Buses is the subsidiary of Transport for London that manages bus services within Greater London, UK. Buses are required to carry similar red colour schemes and conform to the same fare scheme...
services and National Rail from Chadwell Heath railway station
Chadwell Heath railway station
Chadwell Heath station is a railway station at Chadwell Heath. The station lies in the London Borough of Redbridge part of Chadwell Heath, which is also covered by London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London. It was opened on 11 January 1864, and is built on the site of Wangey House, one...
. London Buses routes that serve Chadwell Heath are the 62 from Marks Gate 'Billet Road' to Barking 'Gascoigne Estate'; 86 from Romford Station to Stratford Station; 173 from King Gearge Hospital 'Goodmayes' to Beckton Station; 362 from King George Hospital 'Goodmayes' to Grange Hill Station; 368 from Chadwell Heath 'Police Station' to Barking 'Harts Lane' and night bus N86 from Stratford Station to Harold Hill 'Dagnam Park Square'.
Local News Coverage
Archant, a leading local newspaper group covers the area in its 'Ilford Recorder', 'Romford Recorder' and 'Barking & Dagenham Post' newspapers. There is also the Yellow Advertiser. As well as a local radio station Time 107.5Time 107.5
Time 107.5 is an Independent Local Radio station, broadcasting to the east London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.-History:...
, that covers Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge.
Religion
There is a Church of England place of worship on St Chad's Road, next to the White Horse public House. A Roman Catholic Church, St Bede's, is on Canon Avenue, and forms part of the overall ground for St Bede's Roman Catholic primary school (main entrance on Bishops Avenue). A baptist Church which is found in the town centre on the High Road opposite Sainsbury's. Other churches include the URC (United Reformed Church), and the Brethren Assembly in Wangey Road.Culture
Chadwell Heath was known for a strong community spirit, with a thriving white working class community, that consisted of EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
residents; many of whom worked for the number of factories that were in the area in the 1970/80s - located, roughly where Smyth's toyshop and Halfords now are. Many Dagenham
Dagenham
Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
residents moved to Chadwell Heath to become owner occupiers.
The Hinds Head pub on the corner of Station Road / Burnside Road closed in 2009. According to CAMRA, pubs are closing due to changing demographics
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
, the smoking ban, supermarket subsidised alcohol and direct taxation on beers and spirts.
The area enjoys a number of gastro and general pubs. The Harvester Greyhound, the Moby Dick, the Rendezvous, the Eva Hart, The Coopers Arms, the White Horse, and the Tolgate.
There are two working men's / private members clubs in the area. One on Grove Road (the Grove Social Club), and adjacent to Sainsbury's there is the Cedar Club.
Allotments
The area has two allotments. One adjacent to St Chad's Park on Alexandra Road, and another on Chadwell Heath Lane. There is also a plot in Little Heath next to the Eastern Avenue / A12.Sports
West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
's training ground is located in the area. Similar to many parts of East London
East London
East London is a city on the southeast coast of South Africa, situated at 32.97°S and 27.87°E in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape province. The city lies on the Indian Ocean coast, largely between the Buffalo River and the Nahoon River, and is the country's only river...
and Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, the area has a large "Hammers" following, and is home to a number of supporters of the Dagenham and Redbridge.
A number of famous sports people hail from the area. Former England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
legend Jason Leonard
Jason Leonard
Jason Leonard OBE , also known as "The Fun Bus", is an English former rugby union prop forward who held the world record for winning the most international caps until 2005, when it was surpassed by Australia's scrum-half George Gregan...
is from Chadwell Heath, and attended the town's Warren Comprehensive School. Former England and West Ham United player Tony Cottee
Tony Cottee
Anthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...
and former WBO world boxing champion Colin MacMillan also attended Warren Comprehensive School. West Brom
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
defender Nicky Shorey
Nicky Shorey
Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:...
also went to the Chadwell Heath Foundation School
Chadwell Heath Foundation School
Chadwell Heath Academy is an all ability, academy school located in Chadwell Heath in the London Borough of Redbridge. The school has approximately 1200 pupils on roll, including 300 in the Sixth Form...
. Boxer Frank Bruno
Frank Bruno
Franklin Roy Bruno MBE is an English former boxer whose career highlight was winning the WBC Heavyweight championship in 1995. Altogether, he won 40 of his 45 contests...
, Cricketer Graham Gooch
Graham Gooch
Graham Alan Gooch OBE DL is a former cricketer who captained Essex and England. He was one of the most successful international batsmen of his generation, and through a career spanning from 1973 until 2000, he became the most prolific run scorer of all time with 67,057 runs...
and Darts player Bobby George
Bobby George
Robert Francis George is an English darts player and presenter. He is widely recognised as one of the game's biggest personalities, known for his flamboyant entrances in which the "King of Darts" makes his way to the stage bedecked in jewellery, wearing a crown and cloak and holding a candelabra...
lived here, as well as footballer Mark Lazaridos (Leyton Orient). Former F1
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
driver Keith Jack Oliver
Jackie Oliver
Keith Jack Oliver, better known as Jackie Oliver, is a British former Formula One driver and team-owner from England...
was born here in 14 August 1942. Jim Peters, the marathon runner who gained worldwide fame when he collapsed and was unable to finish the marathon in the 1954 Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada, lived in Chadwell Heath during the 1950s.
There are two lawn bowls clubs in the area, 'Barley Bowls' and 'St Chad's Bowls Club'.
The area is home to a private lawn tennis club 'Mike Ellames' on the corner of the A12 and Hainault Road.