The Mythical River of Dagenham - the Gores Brook (4K)

[@DagenhamGilly]

John…you Gem…my home town Dagenham, iam going to grab a beer and savour this one ..all the way from Australia.

[@kbjames100]

Marvellous John, I lived in Dagenham from birth until I was 21 years of age. My grandparents lived in the slums in Hackney, and were offered a house in Dagenham in 1924. My mother was born there. both my parents worked for Fords. My mother had given Vallance House lots of stories about growing up and living in Dagenham, and as my mother has passed away I must go and add to the her stories.

[@welchman9390]

May I echo Sean's words. Fantastic way to start the day. John you have the knack of talking to 1000s, but make it personal to each and everyone of your viewers

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks indeed

[@vern1588]

In these trying times your walks are balm to the soul 🙏

[@peterallen2904]

I echo that. If you are feeling a bit low a viewing of one of John Roger’s walk will soon brighten your day. Thank you John.

[@lindamckenna81]

Exactly

[@gaillaffer7579]

Another great walk John, Thank you. You took me back 40 years when you hit Chequers Lane. There used to be a pub at the top by Dagenham Motors. The Chequers. I used to meet my friend there after his shift at the factory. Love love love your channel. There’s some nice walks just to your right between Rainham and Bulphan. It’s hard to believe you basically still in London when surrounded by Rapeseed or sunflowers. Keep walking, I’m there with you.

[@docdism]

Hey John just did this walk this afternoon. Got the 145 from Leytonstone to Asda them followed your video to footpath 47 and down to the Thames. Know one day soon this entire landscape will change again and thank you for being a witness to these times and inspiring us all on these urban pilgrimages.

[@seanjamescameron]

What a way to start the day. Beautiful scenery down by the river there. Wonderful on a blustery evening, walking with a storm lamp. Great.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

So glad you enjoyed it Sean - thanks

[@JohnRogersWalks]

So glad you enjoyed it Sean - thanks

[@TONE11111]

@@JohnRogersWalks Hi John, when at Brightlingsea, don't forget to use the Passenger Ferry taking you across to Point Clear, accessed onto the sandbank spit in the Creek.

[@sianwarwick633]

What a big sky there is there. And so many unknown paths . That is an astounding plan to unearth a river. Great walk . will be happy to see the mug

[@TXMEDRGR]

Your walks are like a soothing therapy session. Thanks for taking us along.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks for that

[@alansindall8396]

Spent half of my childhood behind Barking Power Station throwing stones at bottles floating in the Thames. The other half was spent collecting them. Great vid' John.

[@athoshadjiantoni6403]

Can you do more walks around Barking and Dagenham? This is a interesting Borough.

[@HonestSonics]

Ah, industrial Dagenham. Budget Bladerunner. Thanks for showing us the beauty in unlikely places John

[@robertgarvey5652]

The best thing about the river walk videos is they often take us along the path less travelled, but these places all have a magic of their own.

[@Smartgran]

I lived at 99 Third Avenue Dagenham, from age 5 to 13 and attended Beam CP and Marley Secondary which I believe is long gone. We moved to Benfleet. I think you were possibly on the old Dagenham Dock Road at one point. I had a bike and travelled far and wide. Very nostalgic videos to say I couldn’t wait to escape!

[@PaganPunk]

I moved to Leigh on Sea....from Romford!

[@peterharrison4187]

Fabulous, my wife lived in Dagenham, brought back some old memories. Keep it up.

[@susanmitchell4744]

My Great Grandparents were tenant farmers at Great Porters Farm which backed onto Parsloes House (in Parsloes Park). Both house and farm were pulled down to make way for the estate. My Great aunt would watch the ‘trotters’ in the Parsloes House grounds.

[@adrianvodden8327]

Streams at Porters look to have fed the Gores Brook

[@andrewwestcott3095]

As always, another interesting walk. I grew up around Parsloes park playing ball as wee child, and following your walk all the memories came flooding back, maybe tears and water being closely connected. A great end to the walk was the river arriving at the Thames. An area I will revisit at some point. Love your videos.

[@mattsuk]

Great vid, i live on Parsloes park - whenever there's heavy rainfall the river rises up!

[@merendapurplelady8390]

Wow what a beautiful Riverside walk I always enjoy your walks but this is my best beautiful

[@RubbishGimpy]

Excellent. I will visit the Thames end of this walk at some point this week. Years ago I got access via the Barking Riverside side before the Riverside side🤕 begun building. It will add another section of 'The Thames Graffiti Wall' to the Thurrock to Barking route. Now we need to open up public access from Barking Creek to Gallions Reach to fully connect to London. Great stuff. Thanks.

[@williamclarke2020]

The moment I heard, "Dagenham", I immediately thought of the film, "Made in Dagenham" with the beautiful Sally Hawkins in the lead role. She made a film in my home province of Nova Scotia, Canada called, "Maudie". You must see it. It's a beautiful film. While I am no city slicker and prefer the bucolic way of life, I admit you make a visit to London very tempting. I love English history. Your narration makes it seem as if I'm walking alongside. Cheers once again friend from Canada! William

[@CthulhuInc]

Thanks, John - that mug looks great!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks indeed

[@mohammedsalikurrahman6704]

John , you just stepped on my secret place ( Thames bank by the newly build Barking riverside) where I quietly even without knowing myself frequently end up for my soul's vitality. I strongly believe if you do a small walk from the park by the Thames by Woolwich ferry walk up to campus of the University of East London then walk along the waterside till Excel Emirates then after left turning go and pass the road to get into newly build area called Royal Wharf and walk by the Thames again and explore beautiful site of the Thames Barrier Park. I wish to be your guest in this area. Thank you very much.

[@Heinz57ish]

I'm 300 miles away now and haven't been home since 2014 so thanks John for all these trips down memory lane

[@MartinDHayes]

Excellent walk John! And I'm thrilled to see a design for the coffee mug! Cheers from USA!!

[@JohnC2009Edin]

Great walk and talk! Like the mug design

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks John

[@mheuman]

Amazing walk, love these rambles. Thanks, John!!!!

[@michaelmiller641]

To echo your words, Thankyou so much for that video, John. Before the war , my mum and her parents lived on the Becontree estate

[@johncarter-ut1ii]

hi john, i used to play over here as a child, great memories. you would here sky larks all day. thanks.

[@jasonantigua6825]

I remember them clearly! The would nest on the ground in the long grass not far from Gale Street!

[@johncarter-ut1ii]

@@jasonantigua6825 yes thats right mate. thanks.

[@jasonantigua6825]

@@johncarter-ut1ii 👍 Where did you go to school?

[@johncarter-ut1ii]

@@jasonantigua6825 gilbert miles, now called mayfield.

[@jasonantigua6825]

@@johncarter-ut1ii Oh,I never knew it was called that before Mayfield! I went to Erkenwald

[@cdoakley]

Thanks for creating such a positive and enjoyable video about Dagenham, John. I lived in Barking & Dagenham for the first 41 years of my life until I moved to New Zealand in 2012 and have only been back once since then (in 2016). It was so great seeing all the sights in your footage, be they old familiar ones or the new ones featuring the urban developments that have happened in the last decade or so. Keep up the good work, and please make further visits to B&D in future! All the best...

[@ianbrunt2322]

For a (relatively) short walk what a range of landscape / environments you passed through. The closing images of sunset over the river were simply stunning. They would make a superb image over on your Instagram page. PS here's another vote for the mug logo

[@MrInfinitefinality]

Bless you Brother for providing such a lovely distraction .Life is but a dream

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Another delightful river walk from source to Thames confluence. Thank you!

[@marty9011]

Your hidden river walks are so fascinating. And what a magnificent end shot !

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Marty

[@alisonedwards8810]

Loved this walk John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Alison

[@ianbarnard7682]

What a wonderful walk. The autumn light over the Thames was very special. Thanks

[@keithsbitsandpieces]

Hi John , love watching your videos :) I live in Dartford so if you do Darenth walk love to walk with you maybe and share it with you.. Its a lovely long walk :)

[@lisaholly3846]

Thank you for posting! I always look forward to them. 😊

[@stever1053]

Another enjoyable video John, thanks. Should get some pint glasses to match the mugs, 😁😁.

[@johnhubbard153]

Great Video , John. I grew up just the other side of Parsloes Park and went to school at the then Dagenham County High who’s claim to fame was the late, great Dudley Moore. Now it makes sense why the park used to flood in winter by Ivyhouse Road. Back in the 1970s, Parsloes Park was home to Pink Flamingoes - featured on Robert Elm’s notes and queries. Looking forward to the Mug.

[@adrianpolley6709]

My friend had two labs that absolutely loved it when it flooded, couldn't keep them out of it ! lol

[@DaggeroPlays]

Thank you for the lovely video! It’s quite surreal we have just got home from exploring the same area of Parsloes park after reading about the brook and the redevelopment plans. Was just googling more about it’s history when we discovered this video which to our surprise was uploaded only a few hours ago! We live not 5 minutes away and every week walk around Parsloes or Goresbrook park as well as the Old Dagenham Park and the larger Beam Parklands. We have always wondered if it is possible to follow the brook all the way down through the industrial areas, so it was quite fantastic to actually see the Thames at the end. I always forget how close we really are to it. We definitely plan to take the same route for one of our future walks!

[@owenelsom7700]

Goresbrook Cricket Club was formed in 1981 by school friends who used to enjoy a knockabout in Goresbrook Park. At the time there was already a Dagenham Cricket Club so the name Goresbrook was chosen and from these humble beginnings the club has progressed through much, largely unsung, hard work to have three teams in the highest Essex League. The club is now based at May and Baker in Dagenham East. One more river that can partially be explored in Dagenham is the Wantz.

[@FGCmtg]

Thanks for this! Looking forward to the potential future Brightlingsea video, I used to have relatives that lived there when I was a child.

[@DM-eg4ij]

Thanks John, I was down today but this has brought another smile and your passion when you walk and describe where you are somehow is very lifting! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@janetfinn25]

On a grey wet afternoon what better way to spend some time than watching your film. An almost mystical, magical walk with some bleak urban landscapes but also vital green spaces, ending at the mighty Thames. The end music triggers tears as usual ( I started watching your films in lockdown when my late husband was becoming very ill ). Thank you once again for your enthusiasm and joy in this bleak world. ( Daisy).

[@robbojax2025]

Once again I find you in the unfamiliar in amongst the familiar. I have rarely ventured to the river in this part of London so your walks to the confluences are a joy.

[@LyonMaid]

Footpath 47 was a great bonus leading to a dramatic vista of the Thames. NB: @16:40 Chequers Lane East Side land is currently owned by the City of London corporation and destined to be the future home of the Smithfield, Spitalfields and Billingsgate markets.

[@lizstevenson7801]

Very interesting walk, thank you John. It will be good for all that wildlife when they give nature back to its original way of flowing. 💕🇦🇺

[@touriel8943]

Seeing the outlet into the Thames brought back tearful memories of rural/industrial land of my childhood in Higham Marsh, and my gran's place on Foulness Island. Last year we stopped off for fish & Chips near Heathrow. I was delighted when The Park on the map turned out to be a LORRY park. My family couldn't understand my nostalgia at touring industrial units, but changed their mind when we found a moonlit overgrown picnic area between two housing estates!

[@PaganPunk]

I was born and brought up in the next Borough!! The London Borough of Havering ❤️ Spent some great times in Dagenham though....My nan & Grandad lived there before I was born after the war and Worked for May & Bakers

[@shiprapandey43172]

Beautiful landscape and Gores Brook has many historical sights.Holy sacred river tell us many story of past by you..🙂🙌🙏💥💝✍💝💯💢🤳🙋🏻‍♀️👩‍💻🚶‍♀️.Nice walk

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Shipra

[@shiprapandey43172]

@@JohnRogersWalks Thanks 😊 sir ✍🙏🚶‍♀️👩‍💻💢💥💯🤳🙏🙂🙋🏻‍♀️

[@michaelhawkins2292]

Hi John,another nice walk, but once again I’m left with that eternal question of how does that trolley get across rough grass land and into the river knowing that most trolleys can’t manage to negotiate a shop aisle,I would have definitely pulled that ruddy thing out in a fit of rage before it becomes a permanent dam. Thanks for a fine walk.Mike.

[@elizabethhammond5545]

Great mystical walk today! I so look forward to your walks every Sunday.

[@Wayner71]

For once I'm awake when a John video gets posted. This one is as fresh as tomorrow and most welcome.

[@RichAllen3242]

Wow, that takes me back seeing my old school the football pitches I played on and my Grandparents house in the background I’ve spent many many moments of my life in Parsloes Park as well as Mayesbrook Park as I was lucky enough to live between the two of them, and as much as I knew about both of the brooks, I didn’t know it was filled in in Parsloes Park, and the works to bring it back to the surface again, it amazes me how you can live in an area for over 30 years of your life and yet still not know everything there is to know about it, absolutely cracking vlog I loved it, these lost river videos are epic, Keep em coming please John.

[@strider1174]

I lived in the Heathway, often played in Goresbrook Park ,walked through it to go to G|oresbrook school jn all weathers .the brook would often over flow with heavy rain , we would make rafts and float on them , some times falling off and going home soaking wet ,and getting a slap from mum or dad, In the summer holidays my brothers and sisters and our friends would spend all day over there thank you for bringing back happy memories

[@mitchelluk1445]

i actually found jules walks before your channel but i have to say as much as I am a big fan of jules i find myself watching your videos a lot more john, cheers

[@JTTW1455]

A lovely way to pass the time, thank you John.

[@CaroleMora22]

Gorgeous views... I do love learning about the history of places and seeing these waterways and the surrounding environments.

[@nabooster]

'Made the traditional votive offering to the river gods'. Ha ha. Brilliant. Thanks for another wonderful walk John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Tam

[@formdemon]

Really enjoyed this walk John. I need to explore further afield in East London.

[@AMcF54]

Another great walk, John. We love a magical, mystical confluence.

[@lesliegprice6652]

Lovely John , Dagenham River walk , how magical , and wonderful to see the confluence with the Thames at the end , how transformed the whole area is since I knew it in the sixties and seventies , you couldn't get near the shore for the giant ford factories and power station , railway yards and the docks , my uncles and grandfather worked there , boring mindless repetitive work but well paid and my uncle got a ford Anglia at discount , also lots of strikes , will be great to see the Gorse Brook fully revealed , so much history , thank you for revealing the stories , all the best John , see you later ❤️🌈👍

[@brownjim77]

Love watching your walks. I live at islington and you showed me places that I did not know about.i recommended your walks to everyone.very intresting

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Wow, you walked this on the 1st and had it up on the 2nd! With all the captions and everything. Nice.

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Brilliant walk, and lovely mug design!

[@markborgbusuttil7976]

Another great walk. Thanks for sharing.

[@Justificus]

So much fun! I wonder if residents nearby even know of the Gores Brook's existence? Well, thanks to you John - we do - for all of us who thoroughly enjoyed this walk, it's now a special river and still remains free to meander in nature and in our memories.

[@davidneesam2626]

Very enjoyable video John m

[@geoffgeorge3685]

This is an absolute joy thanks John. I'm enjoying learning and loving more about London than I'd ever imagined possible. Cheers.

[@rogermcd9918]

Great as always John, thanks again for your efforts, so interesting

[@whobrewing]

Great walk. Great looking mugs. I look forward to getting rid of some old mugs to make way for those.

[@janinetregelles8518]

Thanks

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks Janine

[@GeorgeChoy]

Can't wait for the barking riverside video

[@worshipthenephilim]

I love your Lost River walks, and wow what a glorious conclusion to this one! Can't wait to buy a mug, too ;-)

[@Slycockney]

Thank you John for yet another brilliant walk. I look forward to seeing you on the next one, wherever that may be.....

[@davewalker5706]

Another great walk John. I’d like to do the path by the riverside development to the estuary but looking on Google maps I can’t see any place anywhere near to park. Look forward to your Canvey walk, done it many times myself, one of my favourite photography locations.

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

Here it is! Looks like it's gonna be well worth the wait, and it turns out to be an old stomping ground of mine. Diving in! Thanks John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hope you enjoyed it Steve

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

@@JohnRogersWalks It's rather spooky. In the shot where you say "Down through that housing estate" I had a pivotal part of my life in those flats. I also want to say, that your editing skills are remarkable John, you have a lightness of touch, and how you assemble the video, your commentary and the music is truly wonderful. Evocative I think is the right word.

[@RajSinghKhalsa]

One of the best river walks videos so far, thanks John 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Raj

[@kevincross9206]

Nice peaceful ending to the walk John 👍🏻

[@rachelcaullay172]

A lovely peaceful walk. Thank you John. 👍

[@briancox4339]

Fantastic video I used to bird watch down on this stretch of the Thames a few years back must get back down there soon thanks for sharing John Rogers another great film .

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Oh yeah - I am in on the mug! Great design. But, of course the walk was amazing. So glad to hear the river is being restored.

[@davidshearer8793]

Oh Wow! I love your river walks.

[@bax545]

Hello John,. This was a really enjoyable video. the selection of music was fitting. I love. the music you play.

[@rachelrahman8984]

I am so grateful for your videos. I am, at present, writing the story of a cunning hags journey, in mid 1800s from Essex to the Isle of dogs, in search of her husband, stolen by means of siren song from Yarmouth. There's not an awful lot to go on but I think Gores Brook would be a natural path to follow to The Thames 🙏 Thank you so much.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Sounds like a fantastic story Rachel

[@jamescorr9383]

Another fantastic video. Have you considered the Prittle Brooke out to Rochford (nice pubs in the village) hits loads of historical spots yet it's overlooked.

[@patgibson5564]

Love watching your walks .Especially in this area .I was brought up opposite the Main gates of Maesbrook park

[@DianeD862]

You need to visit Liverpool we have wonderful parks and Green spaces.Beautiful Liverpool.❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lilasphotosandvideos43]

An interesting walk, thanks for showing 👏👏👏

[@richardgeorge8612]

thank you so much for this presentation John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Richard

[@robertbarling5601]

Thank you for that charming video John. Although I didn't live in Dagenham my grandparents and many of my aunts and uncles did so I have many memories of Dagenham and recognised most of the places in the video. You mentioned Brightlingsea, my sister lives there and whenever I visit her we go down to the seafront. Next time you are there you could pop into the yacht club for a pint-you don't have to be a member. I will definitely buy a mug when available, cheers, Bob.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Bob - hope to get out there this month

[@Tom_J23]

Thanks for video John!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Tom

[@clivelangham435]

Thank you so much for this.

[@jarekweckwerth1390]

This was very atmospheric, thank you!

[@ianwarner2457]

Great stuff, John! I'm a big fan of these edgeland walks through peculiar post-industrial landscapes. I'm looking forward to reading Iain Sinclair's 'Dining on Stones': hadn't come across that one yet. Your walks are always inspiring!

[@john80c]

Fascinating video John. The two parks were lovely and well cared for but then the sad part that the iconic Ford Dagenham was no more.

[@mattkirby4292]

Grew up in Oxlow lane near the Heathway, lived in Dorset for many years now but so cool to see my old stomping ground! Nice one for that John 🙏

[@marsha1963]

So wonderful to hear that a brook is going to be brought back to life and giving something back to nature.

[@gmdhargreaves]

Recently joined you, loving you videos and passion