One neighbourhood in East London is adamant they should still be classified as actually being Essex
06:00, 27 Feb 2023
In a neighbourhood that borders Essex and London, the same old question continually rears its head - do they say they're from Essex or from London?
Ask the majority of people from Hornchurch, many would most likely say they are from Essex. Understandably so, considering Hornchurch was a part of Essex for most of its existence, from being part of the large ancient parish in the Becontree Hundred of Essex to becoming Hornchurch Urban District in 1929. In 1965, it joined the London Borough of Havering and administratively, it was transferred from Essex to Greater London.
This hasn't stopped the people who live there from saying they live in Essex, regardless of what their borough is. Anne Bridges and Steve Copperthwaite are brother and sister and they've always identified themselves more with Essex than the Big Smoke.
Anne said: "I have to say, I don't like this London Borough of Havering. I'm very happy to be an Essex girl. It's been a London borough for around 30 years but this is Essex - we don't get the perks London boroughs do. In my mind, it was unfair to be encompassed in that London borough.
"Going to London is fine but I travel to London, I don't live in London. I'd say the start of Essex would be Romford in my mind. Hornchurch has its qualities; a good high street, a lot of green spaces and the beautiful Horn Church (St Andrew's Church) which is where the name came from. I've lived in Hornchurch for over 25 years.
"There's a good community spirit here, big supermarkets and got good local amenities. Good transport around and you can go into London for a day trip, which makes it quite well-suited."
Langtons Gardens is very popular and gives locals a chance to get out and breathe in the fresh air as well as gaze at the swans and geese that roam the lake. Great schools are not in short supply and Hornchurch is a very residential area. There are several high streets with a range of shops on either side.
Tina Wilkes, 44, co-owner of Molly's said: "Hornchurch has changed a lot over the years and the little retail shops are all closing down. There are not many places like butchers or greengrocers to just walk into. People like local shops and want to support but then these big supermarkets take a lot of profit away from your butchers, florists and small businesses. People don't want to see them boarded up but then that is what is happening more and more.
Families, the elderly and schoolkids are all going about their days when we visited around 4pm. There are several pubs and restaurants making living in Hornchurch a fun time for those that live there with many options. Some residents we spoke to said that the number of pubs in the area is somewhat of an issue but overall, the love for the area is still there.
Steve added: "We are lucky to be living around here. It's a great place and wouldn't change it. I've lived here since I was six and have seen the changes.
"It's an ideal place during the day but a nightmare in the evening. There are nice restaurants but it's about getting the balance. it's nowhere as busy or as bad as Romford though I'd say.
Several parks surround and reside within Hornchurch meaning open spaces, something that isn't as common in London, are easily accessed. Rita Scollard, 70 and Dinah Symonds, 71 work at Molly's Florist, the 'oldest' shop in Hornchurch. They've worked in the area for several years and have seen the changes in the high street and their shops.
Dinah said: "The shops have changed a lot. You used to have a fish and tackle shop next door to us, a wedding shop next door. We definitely identify more as being from Essex. When the football's on you get loads of noise from the West Ham fans but it's always good spirits."
Rita said: "You get loads of nice people here. People always walk by and say hi to you. We get loads of regular customers who come back year after year and always get loads of thank you. Before the restaurants, you'd have a bigger variety of shops such as lighting shops."
There is a clear sense of community in Hornchurch with it being such a residential area. Local chip shop worker Husain Kaya said he likes the people in Hornchurch and that is a "nice place to live and work in."
He said: "It's a quiet place compared to Central London, it's got good schools, a good high street and the commute is easy. I would say I'm a Londoner but most customers would say they are from Essex."
Even though technically a London area, Hornchurch locals are still tied to their Essex roots and it will surely be something they hold onto for many years.
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