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

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 🎭

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 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 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! 👻

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

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...

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

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.

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, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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...

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...

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

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

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. #Railway200 📷 ©Vestry House Museum, from 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. 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. #Railway200 📷 Postcard image from VHM collection, available in our Searchroom.

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

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. #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...

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

Leyton station looking east, 1958. Low Leyton station opened in 1856. Later renamed as Leyton, it was redeveloped in 1879, with further changes on transfer to London Underground when the Central line was extended, 1940s. 📷 ©Vestry House Museum from collection available in our Searchroom. #Railway200

Dorothy Wedderburn, born at 44 Winns Terrace, Walthamstow #OTD 1925. She was principal of Royal Holloway UoL, Fawcett Society president, & author of Justice for Women (2000). She went to Walthamstow High School. 🖼️ Portrait by Paul Brason, Royal Holloway, UoL via @artukdotorg.bsky.social is.gd/wsDbeX

What a great image. Bustling Walthamstow. A British Railways illuminated sign using, I suspect, an earlier LNER frame & a view up of a platform flourescent lamp that would also, most likely, have the station name on in Gill Sans lettering. A 'masked' street lamp to stop glare as well.

St James Street station, Walthamstow, early 1970s. 📷 ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom. #Railway200

Save the date! Join us on Saturday 11 October at our open day for Black History Month. Free, drop in event, from 11am to 2pm at Chingford Assembly Hall. #BHM2025 #BH365

Flyer for Entertainment of Dissolving Views on 26 & 27 Oct 1885, given by Mr Wire, headmaster of Harrow Green Boys' School. From Harrow Green Boys' School log book. #ExploreYourArchive #EYAEducation @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social @araireland.bsky.social

Chingford Station in July 1962, with a view towards Epping Forest in the distance. 📷 ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom. #Railway200

Did you know that Keith Richards’ grandmother Eliza Richards was Mayor of #Walthamstow 1941-42? Keith’s father was born in Walthamstow but the family then moved to Dartford. Find out more about #WalthamForest Town Hall’s history this Saturday 20 September. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waltham-fo...

Children's reading room at Walthamstow Library, c.1950. 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom. @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social @araireland.bsky.social #ExploreYourArchive #EYAEducation

Great Eastern Railway, shunting engine at Temple Mills, Leyton 1897. 📷 From VHM collection, available in our Searchroom. #Railway200