Jim Baxter, the Gravel Digger Hello there, my name is Jim Baxter and I used to work here back in 1936, before the second world war, digging sand and gravel to help build the Becontree Housing Estate in Dagenham. Â Â I represent the land at Eastbrookend. Can you imagine how different
The Dagenham Kingfisher Hello there, Iâm the âDagenham Corridor Kingfisherâ and I represent the water. You will find me along the river because I like to feast on big juicy fish, sticklebacks, aquatic insects, shrimps and tadpoles. If I am really hungry, you may often see me raiding a garden
The centre was built in 1995 and opened in 1997. This area of land had previously been used for gravel extraction in the 20âs and 30âs, leaving pockets that were later filled by rubble from the second world war. The park was landscaped, built on top of landfill that was
Eliza Luxmoore and her daughter Helen May were opposites in both their character and appearance. Eliza was diminutive but very strong of will. She had been born the daughter of a carpenter who worked at the Kings Royal dockyard’s at Devonport in Devon. At some point in the late 1840s,
I moved to Valence House, Dagenham from Devon in 1879. I came with my wife Helen, her mother Eliza, six children and some of our favourite servants. Valence House was a happy home for us, and we went on to have another five children whilst living here. We moved to Dagenham so
The compound’s gates had been left unlocked and there was nobody about. Late autumnal mist still clung in the chilly morning air as I tentatively picked my way up the muddy track.  The old wooden door, decades of paint peeling and rusted locks was just too tantalising.   My last visit
I was thrilled when I popped down to Eastbrookend Centre on a cold sunny January morning, to find that since my last visit, there was a new initiative running not only a cafe but a fresh fruit, veg and flower stall. I couldnât resist buying some bulbs for my garden
I remember when I first joined Barking and Dagenham I was taken on a tour of Eastbrookend Country Park and The Chase Nature Reserve. It was a sunny day in late Summer and the place was full of colour. I was already about an hour into the walk and we
Ali Pretty, from an interview with Jerome. Jerome is 23, and first got involved with the outdoors through doing work experience in 6th Form at Mudshute Park and Farm. Heâd lived in Wapping as a kid and went to a Spanish language school. âWhat got you interested in the first
Many of the Land of the Fanns sites are in Havering. During our exploratory visits in May 2019, we came across a large group of walkers on an early Tuesday morning. They were a lively bunch, full of laughter, and crowded into the steamy café of the Essex Wildlife Visitor
Thames Chase Trust, Pike Lane
Upminster, Essex RM14 3NS
01708 642970
landofthefanns@thameschase.org.uk
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