East London & West Essex Guardian Series

1 day ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Gary Stone

The clock and barometer in Albert Crescent, South Chingford, c1950 (Image: Gary Stone) (Image: Gary Stone) The Art Deco style buildings in South Chingford's Albert Crescent, pictured c1950, feature a clock and barometer manufactured by Short & Mason of Walthamstow. The company traded from 1875 until the 1960s. Despite many overhauls throughout the past years, the clock often struggles to show the correct time. Gary Stone is a local historian (chingfordhistory.org.uk).

4 days ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Gary Stone

Loughton Station under construction c1939 (Image: Gary Stone) (Image: Gary Stone) Loughton Station, built c1939, is the third station to have existed since the railway first served the town in 1856. It replaced the previous station in readiness for the electrification of the line for London Underground trains. It has been said that the barrel vault design echoes that of King's Cross Station in central London. The building is now Grade II listed.

5 days ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Gary Stone

Butler's Retreat in Chingford c1910 (Image: Gary Stone) (Image: Gary Stone) Seen here c1910, Butlers Retreat in Chingford was originally built as a barn around 1859. It takes its name from John Butler, who took over the lease of the barn in 1891 to serve refreshments to the visitors of the forest. After closing in 2009, the building was refurbished by the City of London Corporation and reopened as a café in 2012. Gary Stone is a local historian: chingfordhistory.org.uk

1 week ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Charles Thomson

International recruitment boss Stephen McBride died at the Polish ski resort of Bialka Tatrzanska, East London Coroner's Court was told (Image: annaspies) An international businessman from Chingford fell to his death during a work visit to Poland, a court heard. Stephen John McBride, 40, of Woodbury Way, died during a “team-building trip” organised by his company, leaving behind a wife and three children.

1 week ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Gary Stone

Chingford police station in the 1960s (Image: Gary Stone) (Image: Gary Stone) Chingford has only had its dedicated police station since 1888. Seen here in the 1960s, the station replaced the village lockup built in the early 19th Century. Although the old police station was demolished to make way for the new one in 1977, the cedar tree survives to this day. Gary Stone is a local historian (chingfordhistory.org.uk).