Feenan Highway

Feenan Highway
from Hazel Dolling

My aunt and uncle, Lil and Jack Batchelder , lived at number 182 for many years from during the War to the early 1970s. Their neighbours for most of this time were Annie and Jim Game on one side and Mrs Larsen on the other. This photo dates from the 1950s.

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  • I lived on feenan highway with my nan and grandad Edith and samual Clarkson everyone knew my grandad as bill I lived there from 1985 until 2000 I lived right opposite the daisy field had a lot of very good times growing up miss the old Tilbury town very much

    By P.clarkson (20/06/2023)
  • I am amazed at the amount of interest and debate that this photo has  provoked! Having not looked at it in a while it was quite a surprise to see all your comments, suggestions and conclusions. All very interesting. I presumed the photo was taken in the 1950s as it has a postcard back and was posted in 1954, although of course the date the photo was taken could be earlier. The publisher is Bell’s Photo Co.Ltd., Westcliff-on-Sea. I haven’t been able to find the dates they were in business, perhaps someone will have better luck!

    By Hazel Dolling (07/01/2016)
  • Milton Gardens certainly had vehicle access, although it was a cul-de-sac. Post 1955 I spent many times visiting my good friend Dennis Barter who then lived on the corner of Feenan Highway and Milton Gardens (Number 32 I believe it was). His garden backed “into” Milton Gardens so they effectively had access onto the road.

    Comment for Cliff (my brother). Even at nearly 76 and in spite of a lifetime appreciating and promoting the benefits of good beer, my memory still holds out. A family trait I suspect.

     

    By Jim Chapple (29/06/2015)
  • Regarding my last posting I omitted to say that I think there was always vehicle access to both Spencer Walk (through to Arkwright) and Swinburne Grds (no through road)

    By Tony Duligal (28/06/2015)
  • I’m certain that if anybody could peruse a pre-WW2 map of Tilbury (maybe a trip to the Library ) it will show that both of the 2 roads mentioned had access to Feenan Highway, the gable ends of the house’s  of Spencer Walk face Feenan H’Way and were built forming an “L”. On entering Spencer from the Highway the road has been widen for parking which was originally a grass verge. I wonder at the interest that just one photo of by gone days has created, great reading. 

    By Tony Duligal (27/06/2015)
  • Could be Cliff!! So, would the photographic models, standing at the bus stops, please identify themselves and resolve this date issue?

    By John Baldry (26/06/2015)
  • Andy it probably would’nt have helped, I expect all you would have seen is a “tax applied for” or a Guiness label.

    By Percy Dalton (25/06/2015)
  • another thing I’ve noticed about picture there are no drains

    By andy reynolds (25/06/2015)
  • I notice that the kerb on the right of the picture leading to Milton Gardens and Swinburne Gardens appear to be lowered. I can’t quite make out if the kerb is lowered on the Spencer Walk entrance. Is it possible John that they were not open for cars but were accessible for bicycles? 

    Well spotted with the LT bus stops Jim (You must be really old to notice such things).

    Isn’t it amazing what can be found out by scrutinising one picture.

     

    By Cliff Cowin (24/06/2015)
  • If only the photographer had got the whole car in we could have read the tax disc, mystery solved simples

    By andy reynolds (24/06/2015)
  • Some, but not many “H” TV  aerials would suggest around 1952/53. The Coronation spurred on early sales of TV’s, although I recall not within the reach of many of the residents of Tilbury at that time! 

    By Jim Chapple (23/06/2015)
  • I notice there are several television arials on chimney stacks this could help with dating picture

    By andy reynolds (23/06/2015)
  • All we need now is for D.I. Reynolds and his Council contacts to confirm when the roads were cut through and we’ve really narrowed it down!

    By Percy Dalton (22/06/2015)
  • Another clue could be that there at least three visible ‘H’ television aerials. They stopped broadcasting during WW2. Restarted temporarily in 1946. Stopped again in 1947 due to the national fuel crisis. Resumed again in 1948 with coverage of the Olympic Games in London. I don’t think that many people would have had TV until the 1950’s.

    By Cliff Cowin (22/06/2015)
  • Look at the bus stop signs. LT not Eastern National. When did LT take over the bus routes?

    By Jim Chapple (22/06/2015)
  • Further investigation shows that LT started operating the 300 series routes in Thurrock in 1952. Therefore the picture must be post January 1952!

    By Jim Chapple (22/06/2015)
  • I agree it’s almost certainly a Wolesley 10 and they were manufactured between 1939 and 1948 so the timing fits.

    By Percy Dalton (21/06/2015)
  • You have started something here Hazel!! Why do you say 1950’s? Cliff and Percy are agreeing with you and I can’t fault their logic, but I don’t ever remember Spencer Walk not being a road, to ride through on my bike during the late 1940’s. I think the roads may have been ‘cut through’ for WW2 emergency vehicles, so I’m guessing early 1940’s for the photo.

    By John Baldry (21/06/2015)
  • The car has front to rear opening doors and a running board which could be a Wolseley 10.

    These cars were built in the late 1940’s and were popular as police cars.

    I doubt that the car was new so I would think this picture was taken 1950’s.

    By Cliff Cowin (20/06/2015)
  • Just going by the style of the car in the foreground, the complete lack of traffic in the whole length of Feenan Highway and the way the lady at the bus stop is dressed I’d say early to mid fifties. Just an educated guess.

    By Percy Dalton (20/06/2015)
  • When do you guys think this photo was taken before we put it to bed

    By William (Billy) Gill (19/06/2015)
  • Spot on with the location ID. Enhance the photo and you see the “Swinburne Gardens” road sign on the right.

    By John Baldry (16/06/2015)
  • If you look closely at this photo you will see that the roads at the sides have not been cut through ie Spencer Walk  and Swinburne Gds the kerbs and grass verges are still intact, got my magnify glass out Percy,  lol

    By andy reynolds (16/06/2015)
  • Very observant D.I. Reynolds, well done.

    By Percy Dalton (15/06/2015)
  • I would say this pic was taken very near brennan road there is a sign on the lamp post probally warning of crossroads

    By andy reynolds (14/06/2015)
  • i lived in burns place till i was 9.  1964-1972

    Surname Gilham. This is how I remember fee an highway 

    By Jeannette wall (13/06/2015)
  • If I’m right I think the picture was taken by Stephensons Avenue looking towards Chadwell. I lived in Burns Place, which is just down from the bus stop on the right hand side, I remember how neat and tidy Feenan Highway used to be with its wide grass verges

    By kathryn opie (02/08/2013)

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