News flashback
THISWEEK IN 1949,Princess Elizabeth was cheered
by crowds of women and children as she toured Ilford's
postwar housing projects.
At the end of the visit,she told the mayor:"I have been
over many houses and estates, and I can really say that
those I have seen in Ilford are the best."
There was one surprise during the tour, the princess
stopped her car to go into old people's flats in Beehive
Lane after the mayor had pointed them out.
After a wet morning,the clouds dispersed and the sun
shone for most of the visit,although rain did fall towards
the end.
Thousands of spectators, many waving flags and
streamers, lined the route, and saw the trimly-dressed,
smiling princess,who charmed everyone she met.
The princess drove into Ilford in a saloon car from the
east by way of EasternAvenue to Budoch Court,accom-
panied by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Colonel Sir
FrancisWhitmore.
IN 1969, Redbridge Council faced a bill of nearly
�900,000 for repairs to 56 schools in the borough.
Defects in the schools, which were all more than 30
years old,were brought to light after a survey of all build-
ings by the borough engineer.
In some cases, schools faced being fully rewired and
heating systems renewed, gutterings repaired and new
roofs put on. Smaller things such as repairs to floors
were also needed.
Even after the spending,there would still be �666,000
of outstanding work left to do.
That was made up of �393,000 on building work,
�110,000 on heating,�122,000 on electrical and �41,000
for repairs to toilets.
Cllr Nicholas Hurst, vice-chairman of the buildings
sub-committee, said:"We are only chipping away at the
tip of the iceberg,but we are making every effort."
IN 1989, an air-raid shelter was rocked by an explosion
� 50 years after the outbreak ofWorldWarTwo.
Pals Richard Spence, 20, and Paul Johnson, 22, were
blasted more than 6ft into the air after trying to light a
GOING UNDERGROUND: Richard Spence and Paul Johnson in the
Anderson shelter where they were hurt trying to light a fire
fire in the Anderson
shelter.
Ilford Firefighters put
out the blaze in a garden
in Primrose Avenue,
Goodmayes, and Richard
and Paul were were
treated in hospital for
minor burns and cuts.
A fire brigade
spokesman said: "They
were very lucky.
"They poured petrol
on to garden rubbish in
the shelter.
"When they lit a match
there was an explosion."
House owner Wendy
Empson, 25, said: "All my
neighbours thought a
bomb had gone off."
Paul, of Chiltern Road,
Newbury Park, said: "It
was a very stupid thing to
do. I was thrown right up
the stairs of the shelter.
"We should have
known better."
Airman moved to tears
over model Halifax gift
MODEL FRIENDS: Stephen Moore, left, Douglas Dawe, Graham Moore and Ray Swinchatt
Picture: KY8L0087
A WAR veteran was in tears after a pal gave him
an exact replica model of the Halifax bomber he
flew in as a teenager.
Widowed Douglas Dawe witnessed bloodshed from the
cockpit of his Halifax, which he took on 32 missions across
France and Germany during World War Two.
Ray Swinchatt was so struck by his friend's determination to not
let go of his war memories, that he commissioned the model.
"When you go in his house, there's a curtain pelmet with pictures
of planes and things that have been cut out of magazines," said Mr
Swinchatt, 64, of Clayhall. "I thought to myself `that's not good
enough'. That's how this model came about."
Mr Dawe, 84, of Horns Road, Barkingside, was a flight engineer
for the Royal Canadian Air Force, based in Yorkshire.
The model, which has been crafted in full detail using old photos
and historical records, is taking pride of place in the war veteran's
living room.
He said: "It was wonderful of Ray. It's brought back a lot of mem-
ories, mostly good."
One mission in France ended with Ray's crew making an emer-
gency dash across the Channel to land after being hit by enemy fire.
"The whole aircraft shook," said Mr Dawe. "Wildcat Willy as it
was named, was a write-off."
The father-of-two also saw comrades killed in the air.
He said: "We used to fly in a gaggle, at different heights. Bombs
used to drop either side of our aircraft. I saw many aircraft acciden-
tally blown up in the sky. When you see an aircraft go down it
wrenches your heart. You know the crew can't get out."
Last week, a party was thrown as the model was presented to Mr
Dawe, with his daughter Susan, who was visiting from Canada, join-
ing neighbours.
Mr Swinchatt, who has been pals with the war veteran for 20
years, said: "He was crying happy tears. It meant a lot to him."
REPORT: ZJAN SHIRINIAN
zjan.shirinian@archant.co.uk
Caution
urged with
doorstep
salesmen
RESIDENTS are being
warned to be wary of
suspicious doorstep sellers.
Trading Standards and police
crime prevention officers have
received complaints about
tradesman calling and
arranging to make an
appointment to sell crime
prevention products.
The seller then turns up at the
allotted time and tries to tout
the items, which include
shredders, property-marking
pens and CO2 detectors.
ARedbridge Council
spokesman said: "Before
committing to buy any
products, residents must be
sure that they are willing to do
so, and have not been
pressurised in any way.
"It is advisable to get quotes
from other companies before
buying any items.
"In addition, where there is a
total payment of more than
�35, consumers must be
provided with a minimum
seven calendar days cooling
off period, and cancellation
rights."
Anyone worried about bogus
or suspicious callers, can call
Consumer Direct on 08454
040506 or the police on 0300
123 1212.
14 www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk Recorder, Thursday 22nd October 2009
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