East London Walk in Search of a Mystery (4K)

[@lynnf5557]

Great video. I used to live in Thornhill road and many years ago dug down the bottom of our garden to make a deep pond, we hit a lot of very wet gravel and wondered if it could have been a brook between the gardens, also the basements of the houses would often flood, so it would make sense that a brook or river could have been there. Really interesting.

[@Lucysmom26]

My parents are English, so I have spent a lot of time in the UK visiting family and as a child etc. This video reminded me of something that for some reason always stuck with me as specifically "English" (although it isn't), which is the way, on windy days, that you will suddenly be quite cold as a cloud blocks the sun for a few seconds, and then a bit too warm when the sun is clear for a minute or two and you happen to be in a spot that's protected from the wind. Several times in the video it suddenly becomes much darker or much lighter. It reminded me so strongly of time spent in England!

[@mickeythompson9537]

Yep!

[@terryblack2219]

How much Blackhorse Lane had changed .. used to drink in the Royal standard in the early 80s…so many memories came back thank you John

[@AliBees]

I’ve never lived in London and only visited a handful of times being a northerner but even after settling in the South. But it fascinates me with its rich history and the lost rivers. Fabulous! Thank you John. Ends a Monday on a much more relaxing note. Have a great week 😊

[@matsimpsk]

Hah, I love this. A big bunch of this walk is actually my commute home, stomping back from Stratford to Walthamstow - the bus can be slow in the evening, so walking actually takes the same time. It's nice to know a little more about Etloe House - I always see it and try to make a mental note to look it up when I get home, but then forget...

[@rick11960]

Etloe House was the country home of the RC Archbishop of Westminster,Nicholas Wiseman, and later a convent.There is a page about it on Wiki. Mr Rogers is one of the few people that can make a walk through an industrial estate interesting....

[@darrenpeters1566]

50 years' ago (can't believe I'm saying that) Etloe House was a convent. The infant school behind, St Joseph's, was built on land given by the nuns in Etloe house - or so we were told in assembly various times. Then at the end of the school, beyond the wire fence, Dagenham Brook. St joseph's was an eventual feeder into a high school called Cardinal Wiseman in Shernhall St - probably in honour of the person named in the comment above or below.

[@davidhumphrey1558]

Thank you for this John. As I grow older and more aware of myself, I wish this is the kind of thing (London) I saw everyday, But would probably take for granted. Someone out there needs to appreciate this beauty as you do, And wishes hey were there as you are. No mater how exotic or foreign our lives become, Our soul calls to the source of our origin, And our ability to appreciate or own creation is a measure of our ability to celebrate something other than ourselves. Be glad! It was a beautiful day for me to see a walk in your shoes!

[@h.bsfaithfulservant4136]

I shared your joy at seeing the Dagenham Brook John 😊 These lost rivers must be chuffed to bits when they get a visit or a mention from you! I think the lost rivers of London thank you 🙏👏

[@h.bsfaithfulservant4136]

PS… I really loved the music and its placement in this one 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks HB - gives me a lot of pleasure too

[@madincraft4418]

So glad too be outside! Looking forward to a sunny countryside walk.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

me too

[@fintytin5771]

Thank you dear boy for another great video !! - great soothing viewing after a days work !!!!! ❤

[@rachelcaullay172]

Really enjoyed your walk today John. I love seeing the older houses, so rich with history.

[@suemichiels6420]

I remember my dad being an ardent fan of Leyton Orient no matter how well they were doing!

[@seanmurphy5770]

Even though i am a Arsenal supporter,lived in Highbury, remember visiting the Orient ground when was a small boy,they were n the old first divsion then..

[@automaticacidemer]

First time viewer, subscribed 😎

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks- welcome to the channel!

[@greghavers821]

little rivers!! lovely!! thanks for this John!!!!

[@davesnelling3812]

Nice one John, I was stationed at Leyton for ten years 1981, brought back a lot of memories, changed a lot now, thanks matey.

[@jenniferlevine5406]

That was a great adventure John. Thanks so much!

[@robertgarvey5652]

Wow! Blackhorse lane and St James Street has changed a lot in the last 7 years since I last did postal deliveries in those areas.

[@davidshearer8793]

I loved this one John. Not only was it a river walk, it was the picture of the line of shops. What a story there is to be told there. When were the original shops built, or converted from dwellings, what did they sell over the years, when did change hands, and what are they being used for today? What a joy.

[@DonMurrayYT]

Enjoyed the walk John. Etloe House used to be a convent, at least until the 80s. There was also a convent behind St Saviours church, but that went before I was born in the mid 60s.

[@CthulhuInc]

i've resisted the temptation to watch this in the afternoon when it popped up in my feed - no more afternoon naps for me, thank you very much! haha the great soothing nature of your voice is most soporific to my jangled nerves, john - that's one reason why i always have to watch your videos more than once, for i do not want to miss any of the fascinating information your walks provide! love from canada!

[@StupotTaylor]

I live in Bristol now but often find myself caught up in memories of my past life (1991) working at S Gold & Sons Records Ltd in Flempton Road, Leyton. I just had to answer the phone and take orders but it felt like such a big deal to send records, etc, wholesale across the country. Loads of John Wayne movies were always in huge demand and always on back-order (“Would you like to back order?” just became “Backorder?” 😂). It was a beautiful 1950’s building. Maybe older? Now it’s just a big box building. Amazing how things can change in a short space of time. I wonder if anyone else remembers the company? Golds moved to Blackhorse Lane before going bust. 😢

[@robertbarling5601]

Thanks for this great video John, I always remember my dad talking about lleyton Leytonstone and Walthamstow as this was where he grew up, cheers, Bob

[@hermangrobbelaar8439]

I lived in both Ruckholt rd. and Adelaide rd. whilst working in London on a working-holiday visa back in 2000, and have fond memories of walking the streets. It's amazing to hear of the rivers and other historical facts pertaining to Leyton. As South Africans many of us lived in the area, unaware of all there was to learn. Thank you John; your videos serve as a great source of information, but also takes us on a trip down the London memory-lane. Keep it up!

[@janetsherwood7210]

Happy for the walk with you Mr. John Rogers. Love seeing anywhere you lead in London. Like to dream I could be seeing old sights, land, even brooks or trees my not so distance ancestors may have trodden! Thank you for each walk. Blessing from Tennessee! Take care. Looking forward to next video.🌷🌿🌳

[@Slycockney]

Lovely walk John, thank you for dragging us along. One thing to take away from this walk is to never incur the wrath of the beer gods!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Reaper - I've been very careful to properly honour the beer gods since this walk

[@Slycockney]

@@JohnRogersWalks I imagine you would need a good few pints to redeem yourself.

[@barneykennett9282]

Superb John...👍.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Barney

[@chriscaughey1103]

I miss your videos!! I live in the States and would love to see more walks!

[@helenfawcett9685]

So many memories for me in this walk! Thank you for this :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Helen

[@anthonystrelitz6768]

John, greetings from Shrewsbury. I love your videos of Walthamstow as I was born and grew up there and went to scouts in Leyton. The two cottages you pictured were where my school friend lived and I used to knock for him every morning to go to school. It’s great that they are still there given all the regeneration in the area. Keep up the good work.

[@russellsprout2223]

Thanks for letting us tag along again, John. Fantastic walk as always. Atb.

[@john80c]

A useful superpower would be Xray vision so we could see what lies beneath the cities. London has so much to fascinate beneath what look like ordinary streets of houses and industrial buildings, An excellent video thank you John

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

That brought back some happy memories of watching Essex CCC at Leyton cricket ground. Cheers Kev

[@The3Kosmos3]

Every walk is a good walk - couldn't agree more!

[@petewebb6952]

Great video thanks. Makes us smile. I used to be able to tell London boroughs apart from how they pruned their Plane trees (on roads and streets). Look at the beautiful tree work in wealthy Kensington and Chelsea compared with, the lopping in, say, Hackney or Walthamstow.

[@lisaravalos9644]

Thank you, John! You are helping me recover from Covid. Thank goodness for you.

[@biddylisduff]

Thanks John, I always like seeing the Edwardian terraces of Leyton but equally the older cottages and occasional gracious buildings like Etloe House. I don't know all of the sidestreets here, but lived/ worked in the area for many, many years. So many new high rise developments, but I tend to focus on the little details of the past in your walks. Ornate railings, ornamented windows and porches. Just opposite me there was a brook running in my Mum's living memory, heading for "Ford Lane" .. Now buried, but when they built new houses around 15 years ago, I saw the foundation "pits" filling with water. Lined with heavy duty plastic and who knows the future? Thanks for the tour.

[@robbojax2025]

"The walk has its own narrative". So true.

[@MsSteve70]

John, that's my house on Claude Rd in yer opening shots! I can see my bedroom window on the right🤣. One day we'll bump into each other i'm sure. Marvellous video as always.

[@MF-fg3cg]

Essex used to play county cricket at laytonstone. With some famous Essex cricketers starting there. I think Graham gooch and John leaver among others

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It's in the video M F - the ground is very close to where Graham Gooch went to school at Norlington Road

[@malcolmburns832]

​@@JohnRogersWalks and Graham Gooch also attended George Tomlinson Primary school. But it was a separate infant's and Juniors in those days 😊

[@jamesjohnmoss8130]

As always great film. I find it hard seeing how much the area continues to change. Great stuff, keep up the great work, and thank you.

[@MarcoVisconti]

This one was special. Thank you John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Marco - so glad you enjoyed it

[@ianmaddams9577]

That has to be one of the last coin operated pay phones in a London borough. Will soon be in a museum soon if it’s not stolen 🫢 great walk John 👍🏻

[@lesliegprice6652]

After a difficult and challenging couple of weeks your video John is so relaxing and healing and it's lovely to see this area of East London again, thank you for venturing out in such inclement weather , Blessings 💕

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A delightful perambulation, keeping alive the old 'derive' spirit! Thank you!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks Malcolm

[@RubbishGimpy]

Echoes of Rogers Rambles. The day you filmed this I visited the John Soane museum then took in some of you're previous Lincolns Inn Bloomsbury walk. Oddly despite Lincolns Inn and Grays Inn both having the word 'In' in them they are very hard to actually access.

[@robertcollins1583]

Great video again, John. Right next to my flat at the end as well down by the Dagenham Brook, what an honour :)!

[@eastendswede8501]

Thanks for this John. Always nice to see Walthamstow and I attended South Grove primary school in the 80's, I have not been around there to see if it was still a school or knocked down and replaced. Love from the south of Sweden. 👍

[@richieixtar5849]

Always nice to see bits of town I never really knew, Thanks again John, very interesting.

[@petercasey6938]

We used to live on Lea Bridge Rd near the junction with Manor Rd & our basement/cellar always flooded in heavy rain. I always wonder which local stream was responsible for it.

[@yiannapullen6311]

Spent many a pleasant day watching county cricket at Leyton. Keith Fletcher, Stuart Turner, a superb all-rounder, and my absolute favourite, the West Indian Keith Boyce, what cricketer he was. Essex was never very successful back then as a team but nevertheless they had some really good individuals. Happy Days!

[@Britaininformation]

Thanks for sharing this video! We enjoy our London walks

[@roscowoodward6037]

Dearest smiler..2nd video of my area I've grown up in of you looking for the brook. My St. Saviours church school built in the late sixties,behind the church, has the Tudor private white and black houses to the end. My school has the brook I think you're looking for, that runs parallel to lea bridge rd right through to coopermill lane and beyond.... My secondary school was Beaconsfield in coppermill land corner of Edwards rd. St. James park is where if I remember correctly is where a body of water flows but not sure if it's connected but most likely is. I absolutely appreciate your walks especially seeing how much has changed in E10 & E17..

[@marty9011]

All these lost rivers... a pleasant walk.

[@icatz]

Thank you for taking me on walks around my old home. Many areas different, some the same. ❤️🏏🎸

[@martaorduna7857]

Watching,learning,enjoying!Thank you from Buenos Aires! 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for watching all the way in Buenos Aires

[@superjohnnygamble6328]

​@@JohnRogersWalksHello John I'm a massive fan of your channel, I know that Argentina is not on your radar but I'm sure there must be good walks in Buenos Aires plus Ushuaia considered The World's most Southerly City.

[@galaxy98765]

I love your videos ..... and that music! It puts me into a hypnotic-like trance. Thank you.

[@luxford60]

Lovely video. I was at the Orient game that day, probably the closest I've been to you while you were filming.

[@jassman1]

Mini Holland has killed all the pleasure of working around that area. It is Such a shame. pre 2018 it was all easy to access the local streets to work around and made work so much easier. I could remember so much of it. Now days it has totally changed with all the newer structures and blocked streets etc etc. I really enjoyed this video as it reminded me of great people ,and the greatness of enjoying local scenery.

[@Christinegardiner8117]

Born in 1950, I lived in Canterbury Road, E.10 until the age of 15. Went to Canterbury Road Primary School (later, Barclay Junior), then Connaught Secondary Modern in Leytonstone. Spent many lovely long walks with our dog in the Forest nearby, accessed from James Lane, then across to the Hollow Pond and Wanstead Flats. Caught the 38a bus at Bakers Arms to The Royal Forest Hotel In Chingford and rode, extensively, in the Forest around Chingford for many years. My brother, older than me, also attended the same Primary School and went on to Leyton County High School for Boys (now, I believe, Leyton 6th Form College?). Remember watching cricket at the Leyton Pavilion, with my family and Dad supported Leyton Orient, when they played at home. Swam in Leyton Baths (it was also a Slipper Baths - beautiful Art Deco architecture) and bought a 4d bag of hot chips from the fish shop, over the road, to eat on the way home. Saturday morning pictures at the Cinema nearby and, later, pop concerts at the Granada, Walthamstow. Bearmans in Leytonstone was a beautiful store, where my mother insisted on buying her nylons and I was taken to see Father Christmas, when I was young. Hoe Street Market for Cough Candy and Hot Chestnuts. I’m so very nostalgic about my old home town. Does anyone remember St. Paul’s Church and the Rev. Sego? Woods General Store on the junction of James Lane or Hughes Grocery Store in Essex Road? Also had our green grocery delivered by a Mr. White and his horse (Sam) and cart. Dickie Bird ice lollies were the best and the baker delivered bread, etc., in a huge wicker basket. The Milkman was, I think, from Higham’s Dairy? Idyllic days. John, the Edwardian terraced houses, around the area I lived, were built on land formerly owned by the Barclay family. I’d love to find out more about it, if ever you feel it would be of interest to others. Love, love, love your walks. Thank you. Chris.

[@Virginia3443]

Thanks John. I just LOVE your walks around London. Suburbs are especially interesting to me. As an Australian, visited for some time decades ago., Never lost my interest in London. Also really enjoy your choice of music, a haunting part of the experience.

[@patjackson8649]

Perfect timing for a walk video to wind down after a busy Monday. Thanks, John. Btw as we walk home each day past our little urban brook, the Truro, which flows into the Assiniboine, I think of the little lost streams which used to feed it - swallowed up by Winnipeg development, as in any big city. Thanks for another great walk

[@wibblewabblewoo6249]

Goodness me I miss the standard, gigged there many many times. Would be awesome to see it come back to life as a music venue again, there isn’t enough live music in London anymore sadly.

[@Mistydazzle]

Love this, thank you, John! Earthquakes in London?! I had to investigate further - surprisingly, there were 2, in quick succession, in Feb & March, 1750 that really jostled the city, including liquifying some soils into quagmire. I wonder if this is was changed stream courses?

[@myralatham189]

Great to see video of East End of London. I was brought up in the S. W. London. I have so rarely visited the East End and live now many miles away. My father was brought up in Winchester Road, Winston House, if you happen to film that way would be amazing.

[@JTTW1455]

It was worth it to see that stretch of water, thanks for the walk!

[@mheuman]

Thank you, John. Delightful walk, as usual.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mary

[@danieladams9950]

Tonnes of fascinating stuff packed into 20 minutes.

[@davidbenstead5112]

I was brought up in Francis Road from 1954 to 1980 and therefore familiar with so many of your walks. I love these videos as they bring back so many memories for both myself family and friends. I now live in Woodbridge but sometimes take my dog for a walk in the Loughton area of Epping Forest. It's the only true forest in East Anglia I think? When I do providing there is time I take a drive down to Waltham forest for a look around but sadly its becoming a bit of a 'anti motorist' place these days. especially with the Mayor Kahn's latest ULEZ scheme. I guess you probably do not own a car? Thank you anyhow.

[@dismith73]

Love all your walks

[@Tom_J23]

Great video! Thanks John for Yr work!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks Tom

[@touriel8943]

9:54 to the bottom right of that puddle, it looks like a strange creature running. I thought it was wind blown rubbish at first, but it seems to shuffle. This area is always linked in my memories with The Family bike club. Many lived in Leytonstone, and the bombed out areas of Bow, which were still derelict in the late 70's.

[@touriel8943]

13:40 it's amazing the trees can get enough water to their roots

[@williamrobinson7435]

Great to have this to watch after a long day! I always feel, about watercourses in an urban environment, be they natural or human made, under or above ground or indeed a combination of the above, that they constitute something akin to another dimension, one we're aware of, so very close and yet one we cannot see or even truly know.. All this and I haven't even started in on the nightcap yet!! That house you spotted, 1760 was it? The white stucco with crenellations.. Reminds me a lot of one in E. Yorkshire, close (ish) to the east coast, at one end of a Roman road which I think is called The Beeford Straight. Could be the same architect.. Thanks for resisting the beer, I know exactly what you mean about it sapping the will somewhat! Nice one John. 🌟👍

[@midnightteapot5633]

This might have been my neck of the woods had we not left when I was an infant and finished up on the other side of the world. Used to live in those funny old flats at the end of Hermon Hill. Also stayed for a while in Walthamstow opposite the Connaught.

[@mungmungie]

04:58 Royal Mail? Much attention is paid to red letter boxes, but is this a relay box, perhaps? I have noticed that watching these walks has gradually altered the way I see things as I walk. More and more often, I catch myself staring down a street, and not immediately understanding why I'm staring. There are so many watercoures where I live, and many are not charted, nor are they even named--but they are still detectable. It's become a kind of perceptual game, looking for the rivers and streams that once cross-crossed the street grid imposed on the landscape.

[@другПараферналия]

It's not explicable why videos like this or my own walking tours most of the time make me think that all good days gone and lost in the past. Streets full of life, hope, growth and thoughts on the future are somewhere else but not here anymore.

[@Ricimer671]

12 years of Tory rule will do that.

[@James-ds5zq]

@@Ricimer671 there’s that but labour wouldn’t do any better.

[@BaronMichaelDeBlone1066]

@@James-ds5zq Certainly not in their current form at least. If I am not mistaken, Khan is a labour man along with the majority of the Assembly.

[@rosieHolliday5887]

I like the artwork on the buildings in this video xx

[@n.p.s9408]

Great Video as always John. Thankyou

[@gwangjuboy1]

Leaving the house with no certainty as to where I'll end up certainly resonates with me! Most of the time the route is pre-determined due to commitments, but on those days I am free I could end up 15 miles away in a quaint pub anonymously supping a nice beer. Nothing beats it!

[@keithprater310]

Worth the wait.entertaining and informative.stay safe.

[@Marabout75]

Hey John, top draw walks, info, history as ever...but had to comment as you mentioned Leyton Orient, League Division 2 CHAMPIONS 👑❤😁

[@ruthbrierley1798]

Lived in Leyton as a student in the mid 90s. Many happy nights spent in The Three Blackbirds. I think that's gone now.

[@mozdickson]

Leyton Buzzards' single '19 & Mad' - still in my top 10 punk choons circa 1978 11:50 to 12:13 John, this is what I most enjoy, cheers.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Me too - I love shooting and editing those sequences. Need to do it more

[@COBBETT1215]

Another great walk John. Always nice to visit my old home town. Much has changed, much hasn't. By way of digression, I've just obtained a very recently published book of poetry by Ruth Wiggins called, "The Lost Book of Barkynge". It's a marvellous attempt to evoke time and place by weaving poetry and history together, and is dedicated to evoking the lives and voices of the Abbesses, nuns and local women of Barking Abbey throughout it's 900 hear history. You may well have come across it already because I feel sure it might interest you.

[@christineduke6096]

Hello John,my mum lived in Skeltons Lane Leyton all 94 years of her life & i could tell you some interesting things.Her house looked over the park where Brooks Farm is,not sure if the name changed.The name Skelton Lane is named after the Vet who was a the top of the road.Elephants were kept there when the Circus was in town.Also a Blacksmiths was in the corner! Etc Etc. Thought you might be interested to hear some more. Best wishes Christine Duke.

[@daveconyard8946]

Thank You John Keep safe .

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Dave

[@TXMEDRGR]

Are the maps you reference online? Thanks for the wonderful video.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Absolutely- links in the description

[@4thEyeVision]

Wow what a walk i would just get lost in Layton nowdays it all looks so different now Thanks John

[@TracyPicabia]

Oooh. Really felt this one. i lived in West Green Rd, N15 for 12 years (1982-93) and never ventured any further east than once accidentally finding myself at Tottenham Hale. With Seven Sisters tube station on my doorstep, always drawn inwards by London's centripetal attractions, so never discovered the pleasure of the Walthamstow Wetlands or beyond. But hey, in my 20s, usually high and not a walker.

[@leslielutz6140]

Love your walks and talks . .

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Leslie

[@dfrankpgh]

As you are going on this walk on a Monday, albeit on a bank holiday, it made think about the impact of time on the psychogeography of a place. We get a glimpse of many places you visit usually on a Sunday afternoon but what is the feel and pulse of a place on a different day/time? If you took a walk on a Tuesday morning or Friday at 5pm, how would it be the same, how would it be different? We often explore "place" with you but I'd be interested in exploring the impact of time on a place as well.

[@DCHTID247]

GREAT VIDEO.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks DC

[@edenjs1503]

I live in Spain and a new neighbour mentioned he worked (backstage staff) for a number of years in West End theater 15- 20 or so years ago, which reminded me of you as you've mentioned similar in previous videos. Also, he lived in Leyton during that period, so after watching this weeks walk, I'll be recommending he gives this a watch. I like it when the dots connect up so to speak. + Great vid as always John 👍

[@stevenspraggs4953]

thanks john very enjoyable episode steve

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Steve

[@GeorgeChoy]

Thanks John, you've cheered me up

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that's great to hear George

[@ashleysgaze]

Nice walk, John! ❤

[@jassman1]

A great little Sausage factory on Marsh Lane. 👌

[@dambrooks7578]

Already I am in awe of commitment to the walk 🏏 edit Is the Wilmot Road anything related to John Wilmot...

[@DagenhamGilly]

A New John Rogers video...all is right in the world again.

[@mokumhammer]

I think there was a 'wireworks' factory in &/or around Marconi road, though I don't believe it was called Marconi road then. Just a thought John, ever thought of getting in any water diviners in - to investigate river flows? As ever, thoroughly enjoyed the film. Thank you

[@ralphwinter6421]

Thanks John, nice local walk...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Ralph

[@grahampratchett8207]

Usual Great Walk. Silly Question John. Just picking the Dagenham Brook. But other Rivers. Where do most rivers start and end. I live very close to the River Penn. I've always been brought where there were rivers or streams. I was brought up by The Golbourne. So there was the Grand Union Canal. Then near The Edgware Road. So close to the Regents Canal. Just wondered where they start and end. Or do they start as a 'Puddle'