I really enjoyed this walk. It reminded me of Morro Bay in California. Very hometown atmosphere. Not a lot of tourist. Saw several coffee shops that looked interesting.... Hi From Hurley Dean, Sandpoint, Idaho USA.
Glad you enjoyed it HD, it's our home town (Yvonne was born here). You picked up it's homeyness and yes it has some really good independent shops and good coffee shops. Pleased you liked seeing a little bit of our town. How are things in Sandpoint? Hotting up for the summer?
Born in Broadway West - opposite Leigh Library- in 1947 but living in NZ for fifty years, you pretty well visited every where I played as a child, rode my bike firing cap pistols, sailing my little boat by the “Curly Bridge (wasn’t there then just an iron one). Can even place my childhood photos into the places you travelled through. Like ghosts of the past I can see my parents and grandfather (who moved into Broadway West in the late 1930s) walking the streets. The Homemade Bakery is still there (my father was the foreman master baker there in the 50s) and the green grocers right next door where my mother and I bought our vegetables and fruit on Saturday mornings. A journey through the depths of my childhood…..
Hello William, how interesting to receive your message, we know all the places you mention including Broadway West opposite the Library, I wonder what you think about the changes? Yvonne (my partner was born here as was her Mum and she's lived here all her life and I've been living here for more than 20 years, so we well know your references. Neither of us remember the “Curly Bridge being any different but I'm sure you'll know more than us. Yvonne says she wishes her Mum was still around to send your message on to as she would have experienced Leigh as your father must have done. Very happy to have brought some of these memories to you across the miles. Thank you for taking the time to connect.
@@LivingWalks Much remains the same and some has changed - all of the shops no doubt! Two “new” apartment buildings either side of the “original” one at the west end of Broadway West. There was a large self-filling saltwater swimming pool ( with changing rooms) at the bottom of the “Curly Bridge” ( use to be two sets of stairs and a ramp I think) next to the existing “paddling/ boating pool”. The Essex Yacht club has changed its club boat - it use to be the Lady Saville and how they changed them for the “new” club boat beats me! Church Hill looks just as steep to push a bike up. My mother took me to Leigh St Clements Church occasionally (mainly at Christmas) but the service was in Latin with a priest wandering the aisles translating it to English for we poor mortals. That must have changed surely! The “new” buildings between Rectory Grove and Broadway West (across the road from Lymington Ave) was all grass. The surrounding locals used to light a big Guy Fawkes bonfire there - with a guy on top of course. I don’t think the police were too happy - my father was arrested for Breach of the Peace! That’s changed - it had too with the building on the grass. I lived at 93b Broadway West over the top of a shop now called (or to be called according to Google Maps ) Gemma’s- a cafe? - but Heeleys Flower shop then run by a father and son who use to deposit their withered and smelly flowers into the back alley underneath my bedroom window when they were past their use by date). And yes, I own up to being the dropper of filled water balloons from the flat front windows onto the pavement beneath - but I don’t know if I ever hit anyone! The Coliseum cinema in Elm Road has gone of course but Google Maps indicates the original building is still there but has morphed over the decades into apartments called Strangeways. Now I always thought that that was the name of HM Manchester Prison - I trust comforts of one have not been translated into the other!
Years ago, in about 1958 our school art mistress took myself and another pupil to Leigh old town to sketch the main street area...in 1958 it was even more olde world than it is now....we completed a painting from the sketch work that hung in the school vestibule for sometime after, at least until when l left in 1961. Years later l was told she worked as a bar-maid in the Crooked Billet Pub. Spent many late teen years in the Olde town pubs.... Thanks for the stroll down memory lanes....
I grew up in Prittlwell) Southend, one of my Aunts lived in Leigh, on Chalkwell Park Drive, Mum took me to Leigh to visit my Aunt, pretty well every Tuesday. .but naturally to have a chinwag and shop. I was a just a little Tad but loved going to my sweet Aunt's house, Mum and Auntie would have a cuppa, a chinwag and we would be good to go to shop. I really cannot recognize much in this walkabout., but still enjoyed it. so thankyou. By the way, I just caught this today. Aug 2024.
Morning Anne, ah we know Leigh, Prittlewell, Southend and Chalkwell Park Drive well and we're happy to bring a little bit of your Tuesday trips with your Mum back to you. We do have a few more of the area here, (you might remember a bit of the seafront?) Thanks for dropping by.
@@LivingWalks Much of what I saw in the walk, looked like much of Leigh and Southend has changed. I've lived in Canada for a little over 50 yrs..but must say it was a real treat to go on the walk with you I didn't get to Leigh seafront very much, but do remember the cocklesheds. I remember much of the Southend seafront, it looks a bit sandier than when I lived there. There used to be arcade after arcade in my days there, dodgems, bingo etc...and of course The Kursaal. . If we were beaching it, we went to Shoebury which was quite a sandy beach. . I'd love a walk around Prittlewell...so much history and memories. I lived on St Mary's Rd, went to St Mary's Church and St Mary's C of E school before it moved to my old high school, Southend High for girls. Thank you so much for replying to my message..I'll keep and eye out for your upcoming walkabouts.
Hope you have a great time MA, we'll be sorry to miss it this year. I'd recommend Corner Club or Barlow and fields for good coffee, we pass them both on this video.
I liked this video- it showed Leigh as it is and not concentrated on the 'good bits' I liked the captions about the shops= unusual in video walks. I also hope this video was not made prior to covud and the economic crisis and the shops are still there. A surprising large and good range of shops and restaurants so one would not go hungry in Leigh ! Good open spaces as well. A nice place for a quiet holiday !
Thanks for your nice comments. Yes, Leigh is still doing well. A few shops have closed since, but they're replaced quite quickly. Leigh has weathered the UK economy well...
Vous êtes vraiment les bienvenus, c'est notre ville natale. Heureux que vous l'ayez apprécié. Nous avons également apprécié vos images du Parc Montsouris.
Love Leigh on sea, hoping to go in the next few days, train from fenchurch street station, London, takes about one hour. Peters Packet does great food and friendly staff.
Leigh on sea is probably the nicest place with varied independent shops in the whole of southend area. It certainly put Thorpe bay broadway & southend high st to shame.
I'd certainly agree with you @merlin5476. It's our home town in the UK, and we feel very grateful to have so many independent shops. Thanks for dropping by. Hope to bring you many more walks in the area.
A lovely cosy town. But some parts are very dull and dark..even the buildings is painted black. They could certainly do with a splash of colour, flowers, plants, creativity, upliftment etc. Just my observation. But I love the little cosy harbour, it looks like something from a Hallmark movie.
Hi Mila, people often buy a bench and put a plaque on it in memory of a loved one. Sometimes they then leave flower often on anniversaries or the loved one’s birthday.
I really enjoyed this walk. It reminded me of Morro Bay in California. Very hometown atmosphere. Not a lot of tourist. Saw several coffee shops that looked interesting.... Hi From Hurley Dean, Sandpoint, Idaho USA.
Glad you enjoyed it HD, it's our home town (Yvonne was born here). You picked up it's homeyness and yes it has some really good independent shops and good coffee shops. Pleased you liked seeing a little bit of our town. How are things in Sandpoint? Hotting up for the summer?
It's really. Lovely here . I'm a Londoner, would love live here all my life...👍❤️
Do drop by with your thoughts, comments and recommendations regarding Leigh on sea. We always welcome hearing from you.
Born in Broadway West - opposite Leigh Library- in 1947 but living in NZ for fifty years, you pretty well visited every where I played as a child, rode my bike firing cap pistols, sailing my little boat by the “Curly Bridge (wasn’t there then just an iron one). Can even place my childhood photos into the places you travelled through. Like ghosts of the past I can see my parents and grandfather (who moved into Broadway West in the late 1930s) walking the streets. The Homemade Bakery is still there (my father was the foreman master baker there in the 50s) and the green grocers right next door where my mother and I bought our vegetables and fruit on Saturday mornings. A journey through the depths of my childhood…..
Hello William, how interesting to receive your message, we know all the places you mention including Broadway West opposite the Library, I wonder what you think about the changes?
Yvonne (my partner was born here as was her Mum and she's lived here all her life and I've been living here for more than 20 years, so we well know your references. Neither of us remember the “Curly Bridge being any different but I'm sure you'll know more than us. Yvonne says she wishes her Mum was still around to send your message on to as she would have experienced Leigh as your father must have done. Very happy to have brought some of these memories to you across the miles. Thank you for taking the time to connect.
@@LivingWalks Much remains the same and some has changed - all of the shops no doubt! Two “new” apartment buildings either side of the “original” one at the west end of Broadway West. There was a large self-filling saltwater swimming pool ( with changing rooms) at the bottom of the “Curly Bridge” ( use to be two sets of stairs and a ramp I think) next to the existing “paddling/ boating pool”. The Essex Yacht club has changed its club boat - it use to be the Lady Saville and how they changed them for the “new” club boat beats me! Church Hill looks just as steep to push a bike up. My mother took me to Leigh St Clements Church occasionally (mainly at Christmas) but the service was in Latin with a priest wandering the aisles translating it to English for we poor mortals. That must have changed surely! The “new” buildings between Rectory Grove and Broadway West (across the road from Lymington Ave) was all grass. The surrounding locals used to light a big Guy Fawkes bonfire there - with a guy on top of course. I don’t think the police were too happy - my father was arrested for Breach of the Peace! That’s changed - it had too with the building on the grass. I lived at 93b Broadway West over the top of a shop now called (or to be called according to Google Maps ) Gemma’s- a cafe? - but Heeleys Flower shop then run by a father and son who use to deposit their withered and smelly flowers into the back alley underneath my bedroom window when they were past their use by date). And yes, I own up to being the dropper of filled water balloons from the flat front windows onto the pavement beneath - but I don’t know if I ever hit anyone! The Coliseum cinema in Elm Road has gone of course but Google Maps indicates the original building is still there but has morphed over the decades into apartments called Strangeways. Now I always thought that that was the name of HM Manchester Prison - I trust comforts of one have not been translated into the other!
Years ago, in about 1958 our school art mistress took myself and another pupil to Leigh old town to sketch the main street area...in 1958 it was even more olde world than it is now....we completed a painting from the sketch work that hung in the school vestibule for sometime after, at least until when l left in 1961. Years later l was told she worked as a bar-maid in the Crooked Billet Pub. Spent many late teen years in the Olde town pubs.... Thanks for the stroll down memory lanes....
Ah you're very welcome! We've known the area well for many years, and have seen big changes too. The Billet is still just as welcoming though :)
I grew up in Prittlwell) Southend, one of my Aunts lived in Leigh, on Chalkwell Park Drive, Mum took me to Leigh to visit my Aunt, pretty well every Tuesday. .but naturally to have a chinwag and shop. I was a just a little Tad but loved going to my sweet Aunt's house, Mum and Auntie would have a cuppa, a chinwag and we would be good to go to shop. I really cannot recognize much in this walkabout., but still enjoyed it. so thankyou. By the way, I just caught this today. Aug 2024.
Morning Anne, ah we know Leigh, Prittlewell, Southend and Chalkwell Park Drive well and we're happy to bring a little bit of your Tuesday trips with your Mum back to you. We do have a few more of the area here, (you might remember a bit of the seafront?) Thanks for dropping by.
@@LivingWalks Much of what I saw in the walk, looked like much of Leigh and Southend has changed. I've lived in Canada for a little over 50 yrs..but must say it was a real treat to go on the walk with you I didn't get to Leigh seafront very much, but do remember the cocklesheds. I remember much of the Southend seafront, it looks a bit sandier than when I lived there. There used to be arcade after arcade in my days there, dodgems, bingo etc...and of course The Kursaal. . If we were beaching it, we went to Shoebury which was quite a sandy beach. . I'd love a walk around Prittlewell...so much history and memories. I lived on St Mary's Rd, went to St Mary's Church and St Mary's C of E school before it moved to my old high school, Southend High for girls. Thank you so much for replying to my message..I'll keep and eye out for your upcoming walkabouts.
Thanks for this LW, alongside your other Leigh walks I have a broad picture of the town!
Happy to bring them to you RBS. Thanks for popping by, all the best to you.
Really like this trip. Always amazing. Super thanks!
Many thanks AW.
I enjoyed taking this virtual walk with you. Enjoyed so much I watched till the end . Have a great day. Greetings from Istanbul
Thanks for dropping by dear friend, it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.
Great to see as I was there in 80s and it hasn't changed that much....
Happy to bring a little bit of it back to you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for dropping by.
beautiful city,this part by the ocean reminded me of the young painter impressionist monet and your pictures!
Hello Eduardo, so pleased you enjoyed the walk, it’s our home town!
@@LivingWalks cool bro you must have a lot of stories from your school time,among others!
Leigh on sea is a Town with approx' 24K population - we get lots of London tourist especially during the weekends etc.....
Thanks for dropping by @@mrfabchild4188
Ah well I guess we all do Eduardo!
Another cool video my friend. Beautiful city views. Your fan :)
Thank you very much fellow Walker, a pleasure to hear from you. Hope to stay connected.
I'm looking forward to the Folk festival at the weekend and now I know which coffee shops to pop into afterwards. Thanks as always LW.
Hope you have a great time MA, we'll be sorry to miss it this year. I'd recommend Corner Club or Barlow and fields for good coffee, we pass them both on this video.
It’s not a very nice place. Try somewhere with a soul like Shropshire
Super Big Like 💖✅ 👍16 Leigh on the Sea looks amazing!!!
Thanks friend it’s a pleasure to hear you enjoyed it, all the best.
I send you positive energy, light and love & I wish you all the best. Thank you. Like
How kind of you AT, we wish you the very same.
Southend looks beautiful! Great walk !!👏👏
Thank you friend, so pleased you’ve joined me on the walk. All the best to you.
Hi friend. Nice quiet walk, thank you for it 😎 Staying on track. Towards new adventures 👣 Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮
You are welcome friend, I’ve been enjoying your Helsinki walks too.
THANKS YOU For Sharing This Video
All the best RÔÔTE 4K!
Leigh is a great place to live.
Hiya Darren, glad you like living here, we’re local too! Thanks for connecting.
Many moons ago now.....
Hope it brought back a good memory or two?
Fabulous place to walk
Thanks for dropping by Hamdan, so pleased you enjoyed our home town. All the best to you.
@@LivingWalks You're welcome
I liked this video- it showed Leigh as it is and not concentrated on the 'good bits' I liked the captions about the shops= unusual in video walks. I also hope this video was not made prior to covud and the economic crisis and the shops are still there. A surprising large and good range of shops and restaurants so one would not go hungry in Leigh ! Good open spaces as well. A nice place for a quiet holiday !
Thanks for your nice comments. Yes, Leigh is still doing well. A few shops have closed since, but they're replaced quite quickly. Leigh has weathered the UK economy well...
The green sailing boat at 53 38 was at the Dunkirk evacuation
Indeed so Ray!
J'ai découvert cet endroit, merci !
Vous êtes vraiment les bienvenus, c'est notre ville natale. Heureux que vous l'ayez apprécié. Nous avons également apprécié vos images du Parc Montsouris.
Love Leigh on sea, hoping to go in the next few days, train from fenchurch street station, London, takes about one hour.
Peters Packet does great food and friendly staff.
Hope you enjoy it Chris and the Folk festival this weekend if you're down for that?
Did not know about it
Prefer going during the week, usually a lot quieter
@@chrisc623 It'd the biggest free festival in the UK I believe.
@@chrisc623 quite so!
Beautiful place 😊
Thanks for visiting, so pleased you liked it.
nice walk👍
Thanks for the visit, we really enjoyed your Warsaw walk too, we enjoyed Poland but never made it to Warsaw.
Leigh on sea is probably the nicest place with varied independent shops in the whole of southend area. It certainly put Thorpe bay broadway & southend high st to shame.
I'd certainly agree with you @merlin5476. It's our home town in the UK, and we feel very grateful to have so many independent shops. Thanks for dropping by. Hope to bring you many more walks in the area.
A lovely cosy town. But some parts are very dull and dark..even the buildings is painted black. They could certainly do with a splash of colour, flowers, plants, creativity, upliftment etc. Just my observation. But I love the little cosy harbour, it looks like something from a Hallmark movie.
Hi Jacques777, yes indeed a splash of colour, flowers, plants always helps any town. Pleased you liked it regardless. All the best to you.
@@LivingWalks yes its a nice and cosy little town, all the best to you too.
Leigh is pretty cool. Totes culture block. Thames estuary views are awesome.
Hi there @bluegold21, pleased you like it, it's our home town and we're quite happy here on balance. All the best to you.
My home town...
Same here friend!
Why are there flowers on the benches? ua-cam.com/video/DKguBmJxIYs/v-deo.html
Hi Mila, people often buy a bench and put a plaque on it in memory of a loved one. Sometimes they then leave flower often on anniversaries or the loved one’s birthday.
@@LivingWalks Thank you!
@@mivatic thanks for connecting.
Leroy-on-sea
?