Waltham Forest Archives

Photographic portrait of Solomon Plaatje c.1900. Source: Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sol_Plaatje_002.jpg

Plaque at 25 Carnarvon Road, Leyton. Photographed by Spudgun67, 2014. Source: Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solomon_T._Plaatje_1876-1932_-_Greater_London_Council_Blue_Plaque.jpg

Cover of biography of Sol Plaatje, from our Local Studies Library.

Solomon Plaatje (1876-1932). Co-founder of South African Native National Congress 1912. Author of 'Native Life in South Africa'. A member of SANNC delegation to England in 1914, Plaatje lived at 25 Carnarvon Road, Leyton in 1914-15. 📷 Creative Commons portrait is.gd/kYmTJc plaque is.gd/1KCNw4 #BHM25

Peter Ashan signing books after his Black History Month workshop in the Searchroom on Sat 11 Oct.

Facsimiles of the portrait of the Malagasy refugees who lived in Walthamstow from 1839-41, and of a section of Coe's map of Walthamstow showing Marsh Street, 1822. From the Searchroom display for Peter Ashan's Black History Month workshop on Sat 11 Oct.

Ephemera relating to the career of Laurie Cunningham (1956-1989), from the Searchroom display for Peter Ashan's Black History Month workshop on Sat 11 Oct.

Peter Ashan speaking at his Black History Month workshop in the Searchroom on Sat 11 Oct.

Huge thanks to Peter Ashan for sharing all his knowledge and expertise in an excellent workshop last Saturday, to celebrate Black History Month in Waltham Forest. We learnt a lot, and look forward to the next one! #BHM25

@londontopsoc.bsky.social You are added to the starter pack! We saw a notification for your message, but we're unable to view or reply to DMs at present, apologies.

London local history and heritage organisations starter pack, now updated to welcome @londontopsoc.bsky.social to Bluesky! go.bsky.app/6ZX5gxf

Photographic portrait of Keith Boyce, courtesy of Peter Edwards Museum & Library.

Keith Boyce (1943-1996), cricketer born in Barbados. Played for Walthamstow Cricket Club, Essex CCC 1966-77, & West Indies cricket team 1971-75. He was first man to take eight wickets in a List A match 1971. Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1974. 📷 Portrait courtesy Peter Edwards Museum & Library #BHM25

Thanks for your enquiry. There may be relevant images in the Photo Collection. Please would you email us at wfa.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk so that we can reply.

Just one hour left! Drop in before 2pm today for our Black History Month Open day, and meet the lovely team from Waltham Forest Twinning Association!

Black History Month Open Day in our Searchroom today, Sat 11 Oct! Drop in between 11am to 2pm to see a range of sources from our collections, including a tabletop display of the exhibition 'Cultural Diversity in Waltham Forest'. Hope you can join us!

View of St John's church, Leytonstone, late 19th century. Print from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Portraits of Abdullah Susi & James Chuma, etching from Wellcome Collection via Creative Commons. Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chumah_and_Susah,_David_Livingstone%27s_servants._Etching._Wellcome_V0018838,_crop.jpg

Abdullah Susi (d.1891) & James Chuma (1850-1882) accompanied David Livingstone on African journeys 1866-73. In 1874 they lived in Leytonstone with Rev Horace Waller whilst contributing to his edition of 'The Last Journals of David Livingstone'. 📷 Portrait commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ch... #BHM25

Just two days until our Black History Month Open Day on Sat 11 Oct! This is a free, drop in event from 11am-2pm, in our Searchroom at Chingford Assembly Hall, The Green, Station Road E4 7EN. Hope you can join us!

Photographic portrait of Franklyn Georges, Mayor of Waltham Forest 1990/91. Photo © Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom.

Franklyn Georges, former Leytonstone resident who grew up in Dominica. A trade union activist and educator, in 1990/91 he was Waltham Forest's first mayor of African-Caribbean heritage. 📷 Portrait © Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom. #BHM25

#Free Talk next Saturday 11 October. Find out more about the life of author and photographer James Arthur Brimble with Gary Stone
📍The View, Ranger’s Rd #Chingford
🗓️ Saturday 11th October
🕰️ 12-1
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-life-a...

Colour print portrait of the Malagasy Christian refugees who lived in Walthamstow from 1839. On the left are Mary Rafaravavy in a red cloak with gold edging, and Sarah Razafy in a dark blue cloak. In the centre, two of the men sit behind a large rock, one in a red cloak with gold edging, and the second in a brown cloak. The other two men are on the right, one standing in a white robe, the other seated in a brown cloak.

Manuscript comprising Biblical quotations written and signed by James Andrianisa and Simeon Andrianomanana, c.1840.

Sarah Razafy, Mary Rafaravavy, James Andrianisa, Simeon Andrianomanana, Joseph Rasoamaka & David Ratsarahomba, the Malagasy Christian refugees who lived with members of Marsh St Congregational Church, Walthamstow, 1839-41. Sarah (2nd left) died in 1840 & was buried at Marsh St burial ground. #BHM25

Only 4 places are now available for Peter Ashan's Black History Month workshop on Sat 11 October! Book your free place today www.ticketsource.co.uk/walthamfores...

Photographic portrait of Zena Edmund-Charles. Photo courtesy of Zena Edmund-Charles.

Langthorne Health Centre, Leytonstone 1989. Photo ©Vestry House Museum, from the Waltham Forest in Focus collection, available in our Searchroom.

Zena Edmund-Charles, born in Jamaica in 1932. A Leytonstone resident & former community midwife, she was practice nurse at Langthorne Health Centre 1985-2015. In 2006 she became a Fellow of @theqicn.bsky.social. Their heritage website gives her story qicnheritage.org.uk/stories/zena... #BHM25 #BH365

We believe not in Walthamstow Overseers' records. There may be mention in Bren Kennedy's History of Leyton which includes some primary sources collected by the Rev Bren. You will know already that Wanstead manorial records are held at Essex Record Office www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/ViewCatalogu...

Page from Walthamstow Overseers' account book 1775-76. Halfway down the page is an entry recording payment to Widow Warr for 'nursing the Black Child' for 28 weeks at 3s 6d per day.

Walthamstow Overseers' account book 1775-76. This page includes an entry recording payment to Widow Warr for 'nursing the Black Child' for 28 weeks at 3s 6d per day. #BHM25 #BHMUK

Black and white photo of three players of the Woodford Rugby Club team in action

A great action shot of Woodford Rugby Club players in 1983! 🏉

The Club was formed in 1924 and used a pitch next to the Woodford Wells Cricket Club in Monkhams Lane, Woodford. They later moved to a ground in Highams Park, where they still play today.

#NSHD2025 @sportingheritage.bsky.social

The Great Eastern suburban rail tour bound for Enfield, Chingford & Ongar: 69621 approaching Lea Bridge from the Stratford direction, April 1962. Image ©Vestry House Museum.

The Great Eastern suburban rail tour bound for Enfield, Chingford & Ongar: 69621 approaching Lea Bridge from the Stratford direction, April 1962. #Railway200 📷 ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom.

Chingford station c.1900. The station buildings fill the middle distance. A horse drawn passenger cart is just right of centre. At front left is a policeman, his back to the viewer. At front right a group of women, two with cycles, enter the station forecourt. In front of this group is a woman carrying a large handbag, accompanying two girls wearing large white hats Postcard image from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Chingford station c.1900. Built in 1878 to replace the station near Chingford Green, it was soon a popular destination for tourists visiting Epping Forest. In 1882 Queen Victoria travelled by train to Chingford station for the ceremony at High Beach dedicating the Forest to the people. #Railway200

Walthamstow station in 1961. Photo ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom.

Walthamstow station in 1961. Built in 1894, the station was renamed Walthamstow Queen's Road in 1968. #Railway200
📷 ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom.

Discover two very different parts of #WalthamForest this weekend. #Chingford on Saturday at 12 and #Walthamstow on Sunday at 2. Close in distance but have v different histories. Both with @footprintsoflondon.bsky.social #LoveLondon www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/waltham-f...

The level crossing at Highams Park station, 1906. 📷 VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

The level crossing at Highams Park station, 1906. #Railway200
📷 Postcard image from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Aerial photograph showing Lea Bridge station, c.1920s. The station is at bottom of the image, just right of centre. 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Aerial view of Lea Bridge station, c.1920s.
#Railway200 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Thanks so much for this! We had some doubts about mention of Gospel Oak, but copied the caption as shown on the digitised image. We'll check the original photo as soon as possible to see if other information is given on the reverse or possibly in the collection record. We'll let you know the result.

Archives on Show: Epping Forest Join us in this free drop-in session to explore the archives of Epping Forest.

Escape to Epping Forest in our archives! 🌳

Get hands-on with the history of London's largest open space at our free event. Explore original maps, vintage photos, and fascinating documents that tell the story of this ancient woodland.

All tickets are FREE.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/archives-o...

Chingford line train at Gospel Oak, c.1910. 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Chingford line train at Gospel Oak, c.1910.
📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom. #Railway200

Book now - Black History Month workshop with Peter Ashan on Sat 11 October! Join us at 3pm for this chance to learn about Peter's research for his acclaimed book 'Freedom Walks'. Free event, booking essential: www.ticketsource.co.uk/walthamfores...

Directory advertisement for Mornington School, The Green, Chingford c.1930s.

Mornington School, The Green, Chingford, directory advertisement c.1930s. The school was built in 1924 and flourished until the building was requisitioned for use as a British Restaurant during WWII. #ExploreYourArchive #EYAEducation @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social @araireland.bsky.social

The bridge replaced a level crossing, thus presumably it gave street access. There may be other relevant images in the VHM photo collection. Please email if you'd like us to check this: wfa.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk