Before I begin the second part of this post, can anyone guess which soap legend, who hailed from my neck of the woods, once lived in this house? It might surprise you but it wasn't anyone who starred in EastEnders! The answer will soon be revealed!
And my East London escapades didn't just end with a visit to my old street. You can't visit the East End without going to a chippy! Well some will say you can't go to the East End without visiting a pie and mash shop but that's never been my thing. In fact this recent visit to London, I was quite disheartened by the lack of fish and chip shops. What's happened to them all??? Thankfully The Seahorse in East Ham, a chippy I've been going to for years is still around and does amazing fish and chips.
I love that it was served on the kind of crockery that you'd have found at my mum's house in the seventies, and those framed cigarette cards reminded me a lot of those collector's cards you used to get with a box of PG Tips! A very retro experience indeed. And best of all (aside from the fish and chips of course) - were all those Cockney voices I could hear around me. Unfortunately I couldn't finish the massive fish portion while I was there but the lady who worked there noticed I managed to put all the chips away! Proper chip-shop chips... there are just some things you can't get in America...
A trip around East Ham and then later Ilford!
My mum was an avid Crossroads viewer. In fact It's because of her that I also grew up watching Crossroads - the proper Crossroads I mean not that awful reboot! So I grew up watching the escapades of Benny with Miss Diane, Jill and her husband Adam, the Hunters and of course listening to that familiar theme tune that signaled the start of one of our fave soaps. You're humming that tune to yourself now, aren't you?
But I have to admit, one of the faces that wasn't familiar to me was that Meg Richardson, one of the the soap's original characters, played by the legendary Noele Gordon. By the time I started watching Crossroads, Meg had already been written out and I didn't know anything about her until I was much older. But for those who knew, Meg Richardson - and of course the actress who played her - had soap icon status, and I only become aware of this years later. It's a bit like how it is for the new generation of Neighbours and EastEnders viewers who were born long after Scott and Charlene got hitched, or never got to see Den serve Angie with divorce papers. They may not have got to see these historic soap moments when it was broadcast the first time, or known how legendary these characters were. But over the years, they would definitely have heard all about them.
So imagine my surprise when I learned that Noele Gordon actually lived in a house in East Ham, just a skip, hop and not even a jump from the house I grew up in (though she'd long since moved by the time I came along!) I shared the news of my discovery with my totally amazed family who still live in the area, and we figured we should all go and have a look. They all watched Crossroads during the days when Meg Richardson reigned supreme and were surprised that they'd never heard that she once lived in the area. Although to be fair, by the time they'd moved into the area, wreaking havoc, Noele Gordon had long left East Ham.
So I set off with my aunt and uncle in search of Noele Gordon's former home - not realizing that they were going to have their own little stroll down memory lane as they bumped into a man they once knew who they hadn't seen in more than forty years. How they all recognized each other, I don't know! So after reminiscing and sharing stories, we once again set off in pursuit of Noele's house. We found it and I was disappointed to see that there was no blue plaque outside her home! For some reason I was led to believe that there was and I don't see why there wasn't- after all Noele was soap royalty!
After marveling at this little piece of local history, we set off before the current owners came outside to demand why there was a strange-looking people gawping at their house. But how lovely it is to find a little piece of local history right on your (old) doorstep.
Right now if anyone can tell me where I can find Jimmy Greaves old house in Manor Park, that'll be next on the list!
A very nostalgic day indeed that made this nostalgia-loving lady - and lots of other people - very happy!
Photos: Angel Noire, Wix and YouTube
Blog graphics: Angel Noire
Ah Noele! Now she really does bring back memories. And for those who don't know, she really was the queen of soap! 💖
I'm a West Mids girl so of course we grew up watching Crossroads. I also don't remember Noele Gordon as I was just a bubba when she left but my mum would definitely remember her. I know back then Noele was a huge star.
Any home you have shared with your family where you have had happy times will always be a joy to return to.
My mum never missed an episode of Crossroads as it was one of her favourite soaps. I was just a little 'un at the time but I remember how people took the news when we heard that Noele was leaving Crossroads. And no they didn't take it very well!
Ah the beautiful Noele Gordon. Now that's a real blast from the past. For years she was one of Britain's biggest stars. Even if you didn't watch Crossroads, you'd still know who she was. I bet Crossroads rued the day... and so they should of!