Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Working in Chadwell Heath

Chadwell Heath, in the part of Greater London that was formerly Essex, is one of the places where I worked in the early years of my career.

In the mid 60s, when I was a young Assistant Cinema Manager with the Rank Organisation, I had to go out on relief to various other cinemas, to be in charge while the actual Manager was away.

Chadwell Heath is between Ilford and Romford on the High Road, the Roman road from London to Colchester that in previous centuries was known simply as "The Great Road".

I had to go to the Gaumont Cinema sometimes for a couple of days at a time, and while I was a fairly regular visitor the company changed its name to Odeon.

Later, when I had graduated to being a Manager in my own right, the building was converted to Top Rank Bingo.

If anybody reading this has any connection with Chadwell Heath, or East London in general (Born? Lived? Worked? Ancestors? Relatives?), I will be pleased to hear from them.