Back Lane

The way it was in the 60s

by Mave Sipple

I came recently across some old photos of Back Lane. I tried to recall what it was like in the 60s when I lived in Rochford.

I seem to remember there was a garage on the left, then the derelict old forge. Next there was the old forge, where horses were stabled for visitors stopping at the King's Head.

On the right near the bottom was a workshop where they made duvets. You had to go up some wooden stairs and into the work room where the feather duvets were made. The air was always full of dust. I think they also sold brushed nylon duvet covers. There were always adverts in the local paper, but I can’t remember the name of the company. This was when the duvet first became popular in the UK. Later there was a little craft shop and a ceramic studio.

The following maps are courtesy of NLS (National Library of Scotand). Click here to see both maps on the NLS site and use the transparency slider on the NLS page to fade between them.