Waltham Forest Archives

Christmas party for pupils from Ruckholt Road School, Leyton, at Sheephatch Camp School near Farnham, Surrey during WWII. Photo from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Christmas lanterns at the party for pupils of Ruckholt Road School, Leyton, evacuated to Sheephatch Camp School near Farnham, Surrey during WWII. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #FestiveLights @arascot.bsky.social

Illustrations from publicity brochure for Broadwest Films Ltd, c.1917, showing the exterior view and the studio interior.

Illustrations from publicity brochure for Broadwest Films Ltd, c.1917, showing the Green Room, and the hall in a country house setting.

Illustrations from publicity brochure for Broadwest Films Ltd, c.1917. Located in Wood Street from 1916-early 1920s, Broadwest was one of several film studios based in Walthamstow during the heyday of silent movie production in the early 20th century. #EYASilence #ExploreYourArchive

Christmas party at Leyton Town Hall, 1944. A crowd of adults and children are gathered to smile for the camera as some of them open Christmas presents. They stand in front of a sparsely decorated Christmas tree on the left. This image features Bertie Rayner on the right side and Bessie Rayner just left of centre. They were Mayor and Mayoress of Leyton from 1944-45. From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Opening presents at the Christmas party at Leyton Town Hall, 1944. This image features Bertie Rayner and Bessie Rayner, Mayor and Mayoress of Leyton 1944-45. 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Presents @arascot.bsky.social

Sculpture of William Cotton by Matthew Noble, 1855. Image source Creative Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Cotton_by_Matthew_Noble_1855.JPG#mw-jump-to-license

Annotated print of the church of St John the Baptist, Leytonstone. From our printed collections.

Photograph of Wallwood House, Leytonstone in 1892. Image from Vestry House Museum photo collection, available in our Searchroom.

William Cotton died #OTD 1 Dec 1866. Governor of Bank of England from 1842-46, he invented a machine to weigh gold sovereigns. He was co-founder of National Society 1811 & Church Building Society 1818. He lived at Wallwood House, Leytonstone & helped build church of St John the Baptist, Leytonstone.

Deed relating to the conveyance of a messuage and land in Leytonstone in 1426.

Manuscript translation by the British Museum of final concord relating to the conveyance of a messuage and land in Leytonstone in 1426. A rubber stamp mark records the receipt of this translation by Leyton Library on 21 March 1904.

Envelope for British Museum translation of 1426 deed, recording the pamphlet case location at the former Leyton Reference Library.

One of our earliest deeds, relating to the conveyance of a messuage & land in Leytonstone at Easter 1426, in the reign of Henry VI. It is helpfully accompanied by a 1904 translation from the British Museum! These documents were formerly housed at Leyton Library. #EYAMedieval #ExploreYourArchive

Constance Demain Saunders with her dog, in the garden at Vestry House, Walthamstow, 1920s. Image from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Constance Demain Saunders in the garden at Vestry House, Walthamstow, her home from 1912-30. A keen local historian, she gave the remaining lease to Walthamstow Council, enabling the opening of Walthamstow Museum in 1931, now Vestry House Museum. Constance was born in Waltham Abbey #OTD 30 Nov 1871.

'Tiara by Halex will make your hair more beautiful', Halex product publicity photo c.1960s. On the right is a display box containing Tiara combs in individual packages. On upper left is a single package, labelled with the caption 'Tiara by Halex ... a new aid to hair beauty' and the price 1 shilling & 3d. On lower left is a Tiara comb removed from its package.

'Tiara by Halex will make your hair more beautiful', product publicity photo c.1960s. British Xylonite was located at Hale End from 1897, becoming Halex Ltd in 1939. The original factory was replaced in 1960. Halex was a major local employer until closure in 1971. #EYABeauty #ExploreYourArchive

Edward, Prince of Wales visiting Leyton to open Leyton County High School for Boys at its new site at Essex Road, Leyton on 28 Nov 1929. Here he is welcomed at the Town Hall by the mayor, Alderman Sydney Cochrane. Image from VHM photo collection, available in our Searchroom.

Edward, Prince of Wales sports a bowler hat to open Leyton County High School for Boys at its new site at Essex Road, Leyton on 28 Nov 1929. Here he is welcomed at the Town Hall by the mayor, Alderman Sydney Cochrane, bicorn hat in hand. A top hat is seen on a dignitary on left. #InternationalHatDay

Illustration by K Roberts showing six different ways to wear a school hat. From 'Iris', Walthamstow School for Girls magazine, Dec 1936

How do you wear yours? Illustration by K Roberts, from 'Iris', Walthamstow School for Girls magazine, Dec 1936. #InternationalHatDay

Sam Woods' portrait on the front of his electoral campaign leaflet, 1900.

Reverse of Sam Woods' electoral campaign leaflet for Walthamstow in the general election, 1900.

Sam Woods died 110 years ago #OTD 23 Nov 1915. A politician, trade unionist & former miner, he worked in coal mines from age 7. In 1897 he won the Walthamstow by-election, becoming Walthamstow's first Liberal-Labour MP until defeat in the 1900 general election. 📷 Electoral campaign leaflet 1900.

War, oil painting by Haydn Reynolds Mackey c.1920, Vestry House Museum. © the artist's estate. Image credit Vestry House Museum, via ArtUK https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/war-135302/view_as/grid/search/collections:vestry-house-museum/page/2

War, Haydn Reynolds Mackey, Vestry House Museum. Mackey taught at Walthamstow Art School. © the artist's estate. 🖼️ Vestry House Museum. artuk.org/discover/art... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on emotion for Subversive Forms: Revolutionary Approaches to Clay at Chippenham Museum.

William Bowyer (1699-1777) depicted by J Chapman, 1800. Source Creative Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Bowyer,_PA05585.jpg

Copy of view of Low Leyton church and churchyard, 1797. From our collections.

Extract from page of Leyton parish register recording the burial of William Bowyer on 25 Nov 1777.

'Learned printer' William Bowyer the younger died #OTD 18 Nov 1777. Owner of Bowyer press from 1737. Printer to @antiquaries.bsky.social from 1736. Printer of House of Lords rolls & House of Commons journals from 1767. He lived at Etloe House, Leyton, & was buried at Leyton St Mary's. 🖼️ is.gd/tBP7NQ

Photograph of William Mansel smiling, c.1853 by Mary Dillwyn (1816-1906). Source: National Library of Wales via Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27Willy%27_smiling._Mary_Dillwyn_Col._1853.jpg#mw-jump-to-license

Willy Mansel c1853 by Mary Dillwyn (1816-1906). Born in Wales, photographer Mary was granddaughter of abolitionist William Dillwyn of Higham Lodge Walthamstow. For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on photographic portraiture. 📷 National Library of Wales via Creative Commons is.gd/nutZQL

Newspaper cutting reporting on Leytonstone resident Christopher Gable dancing in the role of Hamlet at Covent Garden, c.1965. From our printed collections.

Remembering Christopher Gable (1940-1998), dancer, actor, choreographer & long-term Leytonstone resident. Original creator of Romeo in MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet when a Royal Ballet principal 1961-67. Central School of Ballet co-founder 1982; Northern Ballet artistic director 1987-98 #WorldBalletDay

Walthamstow war memorial in its former location at Lloyd Park, c.1950s. 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Chingford war memorial at junction of Kings Head Hill & The Ridgeway, c.1950s 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Leytonstone war memorial at Harrow Green, c.1930. 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Waltham Forest war memorials, all Grade II listed in 2014. Walthamstow war memorial in former location at Lloyd Park; erected 1922 & moved to Town Hall 1961. Chingford war memorial at Kings Head Hill & The Ridgeway, erected 1921. Leytonstone war memorial at Harrow Green, erected 1925. #ArmisticeDay

Coronation Gardens memorial to all those people of Leyton who suffered during the World War 1939-1945. This was unveiled in Oct 1945, prior to local peace celebrations in Coronation Gardens in 1946. Photo 1963, ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom. #ImageoftheMonth #VE80

Bust of Margaret Rawlings by Frank Dobson (1886-1963). Image credit Manchester Art Gallery, © the artist's estate. Via ArtUK https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/margaret-rawlings-19061996-256030/search/actor:dobson-frank-18861963/page/4/view_as/grid

Margaret Rawlings, co-founder of Equity whose many stage performances spanned 1927-1979. Bust by Frank Dobson who went to Harrow Green School & Leyton Technical School. 📷 Manchester Art Gallery, © the artist's estate artuk.org/discover/art... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's drama #OnlineArtExchange 🎭

Photographic portrait of Arthur Bottomley when Mayor of Walthamstow, 1945-46. From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Gamuel Road School, Walthamstow, early 1900s. Photograph from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Remembering Arthur, Baron Bottomley who died #OTD 3 Nov 1995. MP for Chatham from 1945 & for Middlesbrough East from 1962, he grew up in Walthamstow, attending Gamuel Rd & Pretoria Ave Schools. He was a Walthamstow councillor for 20 years & Mayor 1945/46. During WWII he was London's ARP controller.

Chingford Old Church in winter, early 1900s. Image from VHM photo collection, available in our Searchroom.

All Saints Church, Highams Park, early 1900s. Image from VHM photo collection, available in our Searchroom.

All Saints Church, Leyton, c.1900. Image from VHM photo collection, available in our Searchroom

All Saints Church, Leyton, 2009. Photo by sludgegulper via Creative Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:All_Saints_Church,_Leyton_E10.jpg #AllSaintsDay

Chingford All Saints, nave c.12th cent, south aisle late 13th cent, chancel 15th cent; restored 1930. Highams Park All Saints built 1898. Leyton All Saints built 1864; replaced by new church built 1973. 📷 1-3 VHM collection; 4 Creative Commons commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Al... #AllSaintsDay

Illustration by Bertrand showing the stage set up for the Pepper's Ghost illusion, 1865. Source Le Monde Illustré, no. 406, 21 Jan 1865. Author Bertrand (no first name given). Via Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peppers_Ghost.jpg

Illustration of stage set up for Pepper's Ghost, 1865. This famous stage illusion was developed by inventor John Henry Pepper who lived in Colworth Road, Leytonstone in 1890s. 🖼️
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pe... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on spooky art for Halloween! 👻

Tetley the cat, in the garden at Vestry House Museum.

Cover of booklet published in memory of Tetley of Walthamstow, 2011. Available in our Searchroom.

Tetley's memorial plaque in the garden at Vestry House Museum.

Remembering Tetley, late of Walthamstow village! Images from our collections for #NationalCatDay.

Images of local heritage plaques for Laurie Cunningham, and Dawn Butler, displayed on a front door at Chingford Assembly Hall as part of a display for Black History Month.

Part of our display on Waltham Forest heritage plaques to celebrate #BHM25. On the front doors at Chingford Assembly Hall for just a few more days!

Starting from Sunday 16th November my tours of #WalthamForest Town Hall #walthamstow will take place on third Sundays at 12pm and 2. Now booking to April 2026. Join me to discover the fascinating history of this fabulous building www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waltham-fo...

Photographic portrait of Jessica and Eric Huntley. 📷 Credit Black History Month UK: https://youtu.be/vym5yLqYO_8?si=AJ2C4BDIujEtF1bj

OS map section showing Haroldstone Road, Walthamstow, 1964.

Jessica Huntley (1927-2013) & Eric Huntley (b.1929), born in Guyana (then British Guiana); married in 1950. Lifelong activists for social & racial justice, they settled in London in late 1950s, founding Bogle-L'Ouverture publications 1968. In 1964 they lived at 21 Haroldstone Rd, Walthamstow. #BHM25

Cover of Derek Jacobi's biography, 2013. Facsimile of his admission register entry at Leyton County High School for Boys.

Cast photo from Leyton County High School for Boys' production of The Magistrate, 1952. Derek Jacobi is seated in front centre.

Extract from news feature on Derek Jacobi when performing as Hamlet in Leyton County High School for Boys' production in Edinburgh, 1957.

Extract from news feature on Derek Jacobi's Leytonstone connections. Flyer for his performance as Hamlet at the Old Vic, c.1979.

Our current Searchroom display celebrates Sir Derek Jacobi! Born in Leytonstone in Oct 1938, Jacobi lived in Essex Road (now Essex Rd South) & attended Leyton County High School for Boys. At 18 he received great acclaim for his performance as Hamlet in the LCHS production at the Edinburgh Festival.

Photo of Nubian Jak Community Trust heritage plaque for Dr George Busby at 66 Erskine Road, Walthamstow. Source: Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dr_George_Alfred_Busby_1899-1980.jpg

Photographic portrait of Dr George Busby and his wife Sarah.

Dr George Alfred Busby (1899-1980), surgeon, born in Barbados. A Walthamstow GP from 1926-29, he was well known for helping local people to receive healthcare in pre-NHS times. A Nubian Jak Community Trust heritage plaque commemorates him at his former home, 66 Erskine Road, Walthamstow. #BHM25

Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford in mid 20th century. Image from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford in mid 20th century, showing decorative features from the late 19th century restoration. Built as the Great Standing in 1540s, it is now Grade II* listed, & described by English Heritage as an 'early and rare example of this building type'. #ImageoftheMonth

Photographic portrait of Jack Johnson, 1909. Source Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1909_Jack_Johnson.jpg

Advertisement for the Royal Forest Hotel, from Chingford Directory 1907.

Jack Johnson (1878-1946), boxer & first African American heavyweight world champion 1908. He stayed at Chingford's Royal Forest Hotel in 1911 when training in Epping Forest for prospective match with Billy Wells. Blog by @thelondonarchives.bsky.social www.thelondonarchives.org/blog/the-fig... #BHM25

Photograph showing foundations of Salisbury Hall, Walthamstow, from excavation in 1952. 📷 ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom.

Salisbury Hall manor house, Walthamstow was situated south of the river Ching. Built in late 16th century to replace a medieval structure, it survived as a farmhouse until demolition in 1952. The medieval foundations were uncovered during the 1952 excavation. 📷 ©Vestry House Museum. #ArchaeologyDay

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