Brentwood Voices

This fascinating compilation of reminiscences records life in Brentwood, a town once described as a tiny hamlet on the Great Essex Road but now an expanding borough with a growing population of more than 71,000 within its surrounding parishes. Newcomers, as well as residents who have strong links with the town, will enjoy reading about folk who were born, have worked and lived here for most, or all, of their lives. More than a hundred people connected with the borough have contributed their personal stories that will surely evoke memories of a time that has all but vanished. Every facet of life is covered - from childhood to old age, work and family, war and peace. Included are stories of leisure, fun and pastimes of previous generations long before this high-speed technological age. The text is illustrated by a wide selection of photographs, some historical, other contemporary, of the town and its residents, generously loaned from private collections. The earliest photograph was taken in 1883 when Brentwood High Street was a quiet, leisurely thoroughfare. This book offers nostalgic glimpses into the past lives of people and places, some long forgotten. For the younger generation, it provides an intriguing insight into the lives of Brentwood’s past.