Welcome to Ilford Historical Society
Ilford Historical Society was formed in September 1968 and started by Peter Wright who was, at the time, the Reference Librarian at Ilford Library.
It is governed by a committee elected by its members at Annual General Meetings. We organise meetings during the winter on the 2nd Monday of each month. These are held at Redbridge Central Library from September till May inclusive. There are illustrated talks on local and general history with free refreshments beforehand. Visitors are welcome to attend for a small fee of £3 payable at the door.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting on Monday 14th October:
14 October 2024 AGM 7.15pm followed by
The Origin of some of Redbridge’s Street Names
By Jef Page, Ilford HS President
Studio 2, Redbridge central Library 7pm for 7:30pm start
It is governed by a committee elected by its members at Annual General Meetings. We organise meetings during the winter on the 2nd Monday of each month. These are held at Redbridge Central Library from September till May inclusive. There are illustrated talks on local and general history with free refreshments beforehand. Visitors are welcome to attend for a small fee of £3 payable at the door.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting on Monday 14th October:
14 October 2024 AGM 7.15pm followed by
The Origin of some of Redbridge’s Street Names
By Jef Page, Ilford HS President
Studio 2, Redbridge central Library 7pm for 7:30pm start
Brief History of Ilford
Valentines Mansion
In ancient times Ilford was part of Barking parish, so much of our history is linked to that town and abbey, founded there c.AD 666 and demolished in 1541-2. The Hospital Chapel of St.Mary the Virgin and St.Thomas of Canterbury was founded c.1140 by Adeliza, Abbess of Barking and this is the oldest and most interesting building in Ilford.
Much of the northern part of the parish was covered by Hainault Forest until an Act of Parliament in 1851 enabled the grubbing up of over 100,000 trees. Ancient grazing rights were continued beyond that date.
Much of the northern part of the parish was covered by Hainault Forest until an Act of Parliament in 1851 enabled the grubbing up of over 100,000 trees. Ancient grazing rights were continued beyond that date.
Ilford Hospital Chapel
In 1830 Ilford was created as a separate ecclesiastical parish with the building of St.Mary's church in the High Road, but it was not until 1888 that Ilford took over its own municipal responsibilities, electing its own council. It was essentially a large village with small hamlets and farms and some grand houses. In 1891 the population of Ilford was 10,711 but ten years later it had grown to 41,235 as there was a major house building boom and population influx of new families.
In 1926 Ilford became a Municipal Borough and in 1965 it was merged with Wanstead and Woodford to form the London Borough of Redbridge. Apart from Ilford itself, the Municipal Borough covered Loxford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes, part of Chadwell Heath, Aldborough Hatch, Hainault and Barkingside. As this is the area covered by our society we have adopted the Ilford Borough Shield as our new logo. It shows ermine, an oak tree, the crowns of the "Seven Kings" and the water of the River Roding .
In 1926 Ilford became a Municipal Borough and in 1965 it was merged with Wanstead and Woodford to form the London Borough of Redbridge. Apart from Ilford itself, the Municipal Borough covered Loxford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes, part of Chadwell Heath, Aldborough Hatch, Hainault and Barkingside. As this is the area covered by our society we have adopted the Ilford Borough Shield as our new logo. It shows ermine, an oak tree, the crowns of the "Seven Kings" and the water of the River Roding .
