RESIDENTS are delving into the rich history of Southend with the help of an online group.

More than 8,000 people have joined the Facebook photo sharing group Ros Southend Past in Photos, Old Southend and Memories.

Started by Southend woman Ros Harman members share countless photos and memories of the town and have created more than 300 photo albums of old school photos, images of street parties in the Fifties, and areas of Southend in the Twenties.

Ros said: “All this information has been supplied through the members of our group.

“There are other comments from members whose relatives have lived in the area at this time, and it’s amazing how the members can work together, and piece together the social history of the time, and how our past relatives lived.”

  • The pictures below are just a sample of those posted by members of the photo sharing group

Maldon and Burnham Standard: ANOTHER ERA: The junction of Southchurch Road/ Chichester Road (then called Milton Road). The buildings were all demolished around the mid-Sixites and the Hammerson Development was built. This is now all part of the Victoria Plaza complex. The car in the picture would be coming up through the Deeping now. The photograph was posted by Adrian Harris.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: ALL LIT UP: The Illuminations (circa. 1960) on Western Esplanade, and the Never Never Land to the left of the photograph, which is in the possession of the family of Colin Pickett

Maldon and Burnham Standard: ALL CHANGE: The old children’s playground on Eastern Esplanade. This area is now home to the Sea Life
Centre. The First Aid hut was regularly used by St John Ambulance. The picture was taken by Nigel Gayner.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Maldon and Burnham Standard: DOUBLE TAKE: These two photos were taken by the fathers of group members Chris Sorrell and Leslie Harrod, who were in the same place at the same time taking a photograph of the same event more than 40 years ago. Mr Sorrell’s photo, above, shows where the buses are moving through the flooded water at Priory Park crossroads. Mr Harrod’s is of the buses approaching in the distance at the very same spot.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: SMILE PLEASE: Sylvie Teager’s 1953 Coronation Street Party, in North Road, Westcliff. Quite a few members of the Facebook photo sharing group have recognised family members in this photo. The picture has been in Sylvie’s possession for 61 years.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: ROOTS OF MODERN SHOPPING: This area at the top of Pier Hill incorporated the Grand Pier Hotel, Royal Stores pub, Going Fishing Tackle shop and Prospect House. They were all demolished to make way for the Royals Shopping Centre. The photograph was taken by Phillip Rosz in the early Seventies. The family emigrated to Australia.

  • Do you have any old pictures or memories of south Essex? Do you recognise anyone in these photos or remember when they were taken? Comment below to share your memories