Kirjahaku

Brings together the personal memories of people who have lived and worked in Rainham and Wennington, vividly recalling childhood and working life, shops and entertainment, and the war years. The stories are complemented by around 100 photographs.

Upminster is a leafy suburb of London which has seen many changes over the last century. The Second World War and the arrival of fast transport links into the city were major events which shaped the area. In this delightful compilation, local write and long-time resident of Upminster, Cecilia Pyke, has asked a range of different people about living and working in the area. The book covers all aspects of life, from the big events, such as the impact of war, to the smallest details of everyday life. The absorbing stories are complemented by 100 photographs from the author's and residents private collections. Voices of Upminster is sure to appeal to anyone who has ever lived in this garden suburb.

This warm and nostalgic collection of memories reveals the fascinating history of North and South Ockendon before, during and after the Second World War. The 1930s saw great change in South Ockendon as London Land Company, London County Council and Essex County Council began buying up land belonging to the Belhus estate and, after the Second World War, rehousing families from London whose homes had been destroyed by the Blitz. Life also changed for the inhabitants of North Ockendon, as the old ways of farming were replaced by modern machinery, with jobs disappearing and village life diminishing. Horses practically vanished from the area and rows of green vegetables were replaced by wheat, barley and rape. Those who live and have lived in the area reminisce about their childhoods, creating a valuable historical record of Ockendon heritage which will bring back poignant memories to all who have connections with the area.

Dearest Ray is the story of a young airman, Raymond White, whose Lancaster bomber was shot down over France during the Second World War. The book contains letters written by Ray and those received from his family, who farmed in North Ockendon, Essex. We follow Ray from when he joined the Air Training Corps based in Hornchurch, through his training to become an aircraft mechanic, progressing to flight engineer and ultimately warrant officer. He was one of three of the crew who bailed out when the plane was destroyed and was interned in a prisoner of war camp. His experiences are illustrated mostly through his letters home. His family wrote regularly and through their letters we become conscious of the value of strong family ties, as they tease but support each other. Raymond survived and returned home to work on the land again but who can say what memories haunted him, as they do many who survived World War II.

Mystery on the Marsh is an adventure story set in the 1920s. Ned runs away from his home in the East End of London when his stepfather threatens to get rid of his beloved old dog. He and Toby make their way towards the River Thames where Ned thinks he might find work but they end up living rough on the marshes. For some months he survives by doing odd jobs for people, and working at the weekends in the caf where the owner, Bessie Brown, is kind to him.But before long he becomes aware that men who speak in foreign tongues visit the marshes by boat at night and he realises a gang of smugglers is operating along that part of the coast.He makes friends with a boy who lives in a pub at the river's edge and they begin the hazardous task of tracking down the source of the smuggling, with dangerous results...

In the year 2000 and at the age of seventy-two, Sarah has been widowed for three years and decides she needs an adventure. To this end she makes up her mind to uncover the mysterious disappearance of her friend, Daphne, who went to The Highlands in 1989, to holiday with her newly discovered half-brother. Ten years have passed, and it seems that Daphne has just vanished, leaving behind a husband and two sons. Sarah is determined to find her.When she reaches Scotland, Sarah finds love herself when she hires a car from Mike Ashby, a charming car salesman. Together they set about finding Daphne whose disappearance is eventually solved, with unexpected repercussions.

Janey has been married to Craig Appleton for four years. She spends a lot of time reflecting on how boring her life has become, as she tends to their two-year old son, Ben. Feeling her husband takes her for granted, to the point of being neglectful, both in and out of bed, she wonders if he's having an affair.When the truth is finally revealed she's shocked And this story tells of how she deals with its discovery and the outcome. As her grandmother told her, life deals us certain cards and its down to us how we play the hand we're dealt.Note: This novel is based on the culture and terminology used in the early 2000s. Some readers may be shocked at how deeply people felt, possibly due to the ignorance and fear of anybody whose sexual orientation differed from that which was considered the norm. We now live in a world where acceptance and understanding makes it a happier place.

We first meet Daisy when she's five years old and selling cress on the streets of London in the 1850s. On Christmas Eve she returns to her home in Mile End, to find the family have deserted the rooms they occupied. Her parents and siblings have gone into the workhouse because her father has lost his job so they are destitute. With nobody to help her she has little option but to return to the streets of the West End and earn a crust. Initially, she teams up with a boy to sweep crossings, and eventually moves into a cellar where she lives with some other girls who are in the same situation. For a time she's happy although that which held so much promise, proves to be a disaster; but she's resilient, and eventually goes 'into service' which elevates her social status a little. By the time she reaches her teens she has learnt read and write, and to behave with propriety but again, misfortune strikes. The road is long and hard for Daisy, but with guts and determination she wins through.