Royal Oak, Hale End Road, Walthamstow

My great-great grandfather, William Sheridan, was a chimney sweep, who lived at Hale End/Oak Hill, in the cottages next to the old Royal Oak pub. A record of William and his location has survived in a book of recollections about Essex: Hatley, Annie R.: Across the Years, 1953. p 56-7. (Copy in Essex Record Office.)  The author describes Oak Hill at Hale End in 1880 and it is worth quoting this at length as it provides a clear picture of the area.

"A friend of mine, Charles Everitt, a retired gardner, was born at Oak Hill, Hale End, in 1869, in one of twelve cottages known as Oak Cottages, adjacent to the "Royal Oak" public house. Of the twelve cottages, eight were wooden and four of brick. Four of them made up the inn which was nearest the Ching Brook, one was the public bar, then came the bar-parlour and then the taproom. Mrs Charlton, the "landlord", lived on the premises. The cottage next the inn was used as the local meeting place. It was a club for working men who played dominoes and draughts and had a reading room there. It was also a place of worship for local Nonconformists, having commenced as a Sunday School, founded by Mr Henry Cook and Family, of Woodford. Concerts were arranged by the people once a month, the entrance fee being one penny.

Mr. Sheridan, a sweep, lived in another cottage. When he had finished his day’s work he would wash and change and look quite smart. Another was occupied by a Mrs Andrews, who was a "governess" and taught young children, giving them a piece of cake if they were good. Here Mr Everitt started his schooling and stayed until he was old enough to walk to the National Schools at Walthamstow. He walked along Hale End Road, which was a narrow lane, to Wadham Lane, then through Hitchman’s Fields to Clay Street (Forest Road) and then over footpaths to St Mary’s Church, where the schools were. He later went to Orford Road School and finally to Churchfields School at Woodford, where the school fee was a penny or twopence a week according to what they could afford."   *

 

Royal Oak, 320 Hale End Road, Woodford Green, Essex - in January 2009

Kindly provided by Stephen Harris