Billericay circa 1962

Film Footage taken on 8mm by Ian Rough

This 8mm footage was taken by Ian Rough sometime around 1962. Ian now lives in South West France near Cognac. As a 13 year old schoolboy in Billericay he worked as an assistant projectionist at the Ritz Cinema in Chapel Street after school and at weekends. He later worked in the film/video industry and retired from McCann-Erickson Advertising ‘RoughCuts Ltd’ in 2005.

This video provides a great glimpse into how the High Street looked in the early sixties before many of the buildings were replaced.

Ian Rough

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  • A great nostalgic reminder! I lived in the bungalow opposite the old wooden signboard. I was friends with Ian who lived in Kenilworth Close. He opened his own cinema in his home and many a happy Saturday evening was spent there. Both Ian and I make brief appearances in the film and I also recognised Martin Millard and Kevin Roberts.
    Nice one Ian!

    By Mike (Mick) Clempson (11/12/2020)
  • Wow, born and brought up in Billericay I left the town in 1962 when my family moved north, though in reality my heart never left. This is the Billericay I remember. Days of Carnival on the field opposite Sun corner, walking back down from town through the fields of Chantry Way, the Bluebell Wood and picking primroses along the banks of the railway cutting (with my mother and baby brother). Lovely memories

    By Pat Stephens (04/10/2020)
  • I spent the first 13 years of my life growing up in this wonderful town (1955-1968). The film footage brought back a happy childhood, school days at Billericay infant, Junior and the Secondary school. I used to go to the Ritz every Saturday morning.

    By Anthony Frye (14/12/2018)
  • Brought back lots of memories. Spent a lot of time in Billericay went to Mayflower school. Was lovely to see the old place as it was. I think the 60’s were the best.

    By Christine Sargent (née Ward) (07/01/2018)
  • i was born in Billericay in 1946, went to the school in primary school in Perry St then onto Billericay Secondary School. Left when i was 15 then worked in Nix chemist for 12 years opposite Foxcroft. I remember the old High St well. I am now living in Wales.

    By g jackson (13/12/2017)
  • I was one of the 2 small children mentioned by Christine Cantlon. I am now 60 and my big sister Julie is 62. Maureen Stanford is now 86 and a great Grandmother.  David Stanford passed away in 1997, but the site of his old builders yard is still owned by the family, the site now being occupied by Dominos. My Mother remembers all of her helpers and has fond memories of Billericay in the 60s.

    By Paul Stanford (10/05/2015)
  • Wonderful trip down memory lane. My weekend job was in the Chantry – happy days!

    By Lesley Musgrove (maiden name) (09/08/2013)
  • You captured my memories, Very enjoyable thanks

    By anthony beales (25/07/2013)
  • It seems everyone had a Saturday job at the Tudor Paint Shop…. me too in the late 50’s & also at the Stanford’s builders yard (up the hill from the station). Teenage memories.!

    By Geoff Fox (16/04/2012)
  • What a trip down memory lane! People and places that were part of my teenage years, very emotional memories. I too worked in the Tudor Paint shop for a while on Saturdays and also looked after the proprietor’s two young children in the school holidays!!

    By Christine Cantlon (nee Dalton) (02/01/2012)
  • That was great to see the town as I worked in Kitts DIY store in 1962-1965 great memories.

    By Paul Rodway (30/11/2011)
  • there’s a scene in this filmed at the junction by the police station at the top of the high street sun corner looking down and a small light coloured car comes upto the camera, my mum thinks that might be her driving.

    By Neil Cooper (15/11/2011)
  • This brought back memories…… good to see the Tudor Paint Shop featured as I worked there as my Saturday job, with Maureen & David Stanford.

    By Lesley McGarr (18/07/2011)
  • This is wonderful footage. I’ve lived in Billericay all my life, 45 years, and it is wonderful to see it as it was.

    By Diane Wood (03/07/2011)

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