Roaming both sides of Ilford, London 🇬🇧

Welcome to my channel. I'm Roaming Ree.
I'm back in the UK for the summer. I thought I'd visit some of my old stomping grounds.
Next stop the London Borough of Redbridge. Ilford, is it Essex or London ?. Once an area everybody wanted to live in. As a borough it really had everything.
Hit the 'LIKE' button and leave a 'COMMENT'. Don't forget to 'SUBSCRIBE' to my channel, ROAMING REE. As always, all comments, good, bad or ugly are very much appreciated.
Shot : 4k dji pocket creator.
Recorded : 22/07/2024
Temperature : 23°C, warm and sunny.

[@garyrose4768]

Ilford of my youth was a great town, shops , middle class .nice atmosphere. Now a third world enclave.

[@Roamingree]

@garyrose4768 yes it was, sad to see what's once to it.

[@Victor-q9]

​@@Roamingreewhat's the alternative.. multi cultural...we change places for familiarity...

[@Roamingree]

@Done-737 you're right, we all want to belong, it's human nature but it's about getting along with everyone not just one culture becoming dominant. Variety makes life.

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

Dumb arses blame your government, they sold you out

[@IlfordRetro]

A nice little tour of the High Road and Ilford Lane. Some of those classic, middle class stores you remembered from growing up probably include Harrison Gibsons, Wests, Fairheads, John Collier, Ravel, Lilley & Skinner, John Kent, Dunn & Co, Owen Clark, Chiesmans, Burton, C&A, Bodgers, Top Shop, Dolcis, Littlewoods, BHS and of course the recently closed Marks & Spencer. RIP!

[@Roamingree]

Thank you for the comment. Yes I remember most but a real shame so many have gone. Like most places it's a shadow of what ilford use to be 😪

[@IlfordRetro]

@@Roamingree Great channel. You're right that many places have lost their chain stores, their popular independents and their vibe. We long for the reinvention of the British high street.

[@Roamingree]

@IlfordRetro Thank you. For me the High St is dear to my heart. Especially as my family had business in many High St across London in the 80's. I'd love to see the rejuvenation but sadly I don't think we will 😪

[@IlfordRetro]

@@Roamingree Your family has helped shape the commerce in the town centres around London. In relation to the future of them, we live in hope

ilford isn't England anymore..! sad but true.🙃😔

[@Roamingree]

It's a real shame mate. It really was a desirable area, everybody wanted to live as it wasn't too far from London town. Breaks my heart to see what is happening to my beloved London.

[@Wayne-fn1sw]

​@@RoamingreeAgree 💯 Ilford was one of the poshest areas of Essex many Londoner's live there but it's becomed a multicultural hell hole where everyone hates each other.

[@salampakistan3691]

​@@Roamingree Why you do not help and get out of England then

[@Roamingree]

@@salampakistan3691 I've already moved out and hopefully out of the UK very soon.

[@salampakistan3691]

@Roamingree I do not get why people say England not England anymore, America and UK have there China towns and Little Italies but somehow when brown people have alittle area, there is an uproar not England anymore. The muslim population is only 3%. The cities are most likely to be inhabitanted by migrants, the rest of England's is white. If whites only want to see whites move to Iceland or Russia. The Human population growing naturally will result in mixing of population increasing tech sevy world and add the fact the west keeps starting wars so trigger population migration. Stop waring, then less migration simple. Allot of British muslims are actually moving to Pakistan, Malaysia, Dubai etc We are saving to move Madinah as well. Even though we will not get citizenship, but at least a more wholesome environment to live, better safety too... The biggest migrants are indians, they equal to all muslim population combined due to Rushi Sunak agreement with Modi to allow large quota of Indian students and workers ....but the English automatically assume they are muslim but they are hindu and sikh

[@harbzsquadings2277]

ilfords such a craphole now 🤣🤣

[@Roamingree]

@@harbzsquadings2277 I couldn't believe how bad it was, especially around the station. So many beggars

[@Wayne-fn1sw]

Other UK cities and towns have beggars drugs and racism and segregation too not just London it's everywhere

[@AndreaBorman]

I know that area. I lived in Ilford for many years. You should go to Romford. It's a much better area and a very big shopping centre with better shops. Ilford always had shops but Romford was always better for shopping and a nicer area. Romford is still nice and they have even more shops now. You should do a video on Romford.

[@Roamingree]

@AndreaBorman I started going Romford when Hollywood's opened, mid-eighties, was abit racist back then. Stopped going once the knife stabbing got out of hand. Romford was also better and still is, for shopping. Definitely will tryt to get over. Thanks for comment

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

@@Roamingreeyou’re chatting balls

[@Roamingree]

@@sharkwaters-xb9kc thanks 😊

[@Tee12343]

Romford is a shit hole full of reform voters !

[@Fab666.]

They got an improvement grant a few years ago, around £50mil. Where it went who knows! Even the shops are ghetto now, That cranbrook rd before the station has 20 estate agents. Ilford has 5 bookies, paddy, coral etc..endless green grocers. And all of the high end chains have moved out. Chicken and kebab shops everywhere. Whoever is in charge of licensing is insane

[@Roamingree]

@@Fab666. The Liebour councillors. So much money is wasted or appropriated should I say. Thanks for the comment

[@mrshacksify]

Ilford has definitely gone down the pan now it use to good ol place i grew up round the corner from nigel benn and his brother on gordon road and me on a junction to Kingston road

[@Roamingree]

@mrshacksify it really was a desirable area, as I said everyone wanted to move to Ilford. Shame what it's become.

[@martine8174]

Grew up Ilford / goodmayes in the 80s to late 90s . Now across in Canada , so appreciate you doing this .

[@Roamingree]

@martine8174 My pleasure, thank you for watching. So glad u made the move. London really has changed and not for the better. The 80's were the best ever

[@martine8174]

@@Roamingree I have pretty good memories of valentines park and Ilford town centre when it had the department stores and pioneer market . Little kid then but I remember it well. Exchange opening was a big deal! An actual mall haha I go back and visit and Wanstead and Walthamstow are decent. Agreed Ilford and goodmayes are not doing well

[@Roamingree]

@martine8174 I was always really fond of Ilford. But far too many changes. I remember it best b4 the Exchange. Haven't been to Wanstead in years. Wonder how much it's changed Went Walthamstow a couple of times recently. Once for the so called Patriots/EDL March. Then to see the market. Pleasantly surprised on both occasions. Walthamstow shows its making a comeback. People came out in force against racism and the market was better than afew years ago. There may be hope for the Stow 😂

[@shanghaichica]

Haven’t been Ilford since around 2002/2003. I remember going there a lot as a kid in the 80’s and 90’s on a Saturday to do shopping with my mum.

[@Roamingree]

@shanghaichica Honestly u ain't missing much. It's gone so far downhill. I don't think it'll return anytime soon 😪

[@rajnirvan3336]

Sad what has changed over the years. 1983 to 85 lived in Goodmayes and my still visit my grandparents house until late 90s. 80s was a great time

[@Roamingree]

@rajnirvan3336 It really was brother. It was hard but we learnt to live as one community.

[@rajnirvan3336]

@@Roamingree I go there occasionally. I've been living in South East London for nearly 40 years now. I remember when moved took time to adjust

[@Roamingree]

@rajnirvan3336 Bro south east London must've been a culture shock. Amazing how area not too far vary so much. Ain't London great 😂

[@rajnirvan3336]

@@Roamingree Well yes it was a massive shock. Especially changing schools too. Was not nice experience either. School I stayed too long there from Primary to Secondary. Was so glad I left June 1994. It was such a toxic environment there too. Bullies and nasty teachers. And was private school. To me they are not proper.

[@Roamingree]

@rajnirvan3336 Ahahahaha south east London, they definitely not proper. I worked with many blokes from around there. U'd never think it was London and it felt strange going there 😂.

[@stephenport4768]

Grew up here baby boy and man Ilford Lane nice to see Wingates Warehouse builders merchants is still going where those people were having a tear up moved away 12 years ago now its a shame how the place has really gone down but I take away and have some brilliant memories as a family me mum dad and younger brother

[@Roamingree]

@stephenport4768 such a shame, Ilford and Barking were a great place to grow up. Thanks for the comment

[@stephenport4768]

@@Roamingree I know I was horn in the old Barking Hospital

[@rizmahd]

I live in Gants Hill, hope u pop over. Sadly it has also changed. A lot of homeless and beggars.

[@Roamingree]

@rizmahd I will but noticed the Odeon and Valentines Pub have been turned into flats 🙄

[@AgeukEastlondon-y1j]

CREATURES FROM ANOTHER PLANET

[@Roamingree]

Definitely I swear aliens and zombies live amongst us 😂

[@michaeljacob3814]

Ilford was posh in the 70s big houses

[@gonagona9943]

You mean it was heaven for white supremacy racism

[@JP-ep1um]

Also, have you been in the ilford Exchange? It has turned into a complete junk selling complex. It used to be so nice to go in there in the 80s and 90s. I couldn't live in East London now. I live now in a very nice area in Birmingham.

[@Roamingree]

@JP-ep1um I haven't bin inside the exchange in years but you're right, 80/90's, it was the place to shop. U definitely made the right move.

[@kamranhashmi1575]

Birmingham is a dangerous city compared to ilford 😊

[@Roamingree]

@@kamranhashmi1575 I've roamed around Birmingham 🤣, not much difference than walking around in parts of East London. Not all parts of Birmingham are dangerous. All major cities have difficult areas.

[@cianog]

@@JP-ep1um Exchange didn't open till 91. The area was nice in the 80s, used to know so many people. Insane how things have changed.

[@shanghaichica]

Ilford Lane looks quite similar to how it did in the early 2000’s.

[@kevin39632]

not THE ilFORD I REMEMBER, don't recognize any of it now.

[@Roamingree]

@kevin39632 so much change, we use to go Barking or Gants Hill Odeon, then ilford Pizza Hut every Sunday. Good simple times

[@JP-ep1um]

@@Roamingree Ooh and do you remember that lovely pizza smell as soon as you open that pizzahut door, they don't do pizza like that no more.

[@JP-ep1um]

@@Roamingree The last movie I watched at Barking was Titantic, showing my age now lol.

[@Roamingree]

@JP-ep1um mate that pizza hut restaurant with the salad bar was the best. So busy, we use to go every week. Definitely none left like that anymore

[@Roamingree]

@@JP-ep1um Ahahahaha Titanic, u young un 🤣🤣🤣

[@Victor-q9]

Not been to Ilford...but absolutely understand it was the west end etc,...its happened to all our high st.

[@Roamingree]

@Done-737 Thanks for the comments. Sadly true, all High Streets, up and down the country have changed and not for the better.

[@nexus6741]

Oh my, Ilford lane what a nightmare getting to and from Barking the place becomes a vehicle park most time with traffic.

[@Roamingree]

@nexus6741 💯 proppa car park. I actually walked it, it was alot quicker, even at my slow pace 😂

[@shanghaichica]

169 0r 179 took an age to get up Ilford lane I remember

[@Roamingree]

@shanghaichica Still does. Now there's yellow boxes on the side roads entering ilford lane in an attempt to get the traffic moving. Can't tell if that works.

[@colinstickland3130]

Room at the top .had many a good lay from that club. Ilford palais. . chat up line your place or mine. Gants hill was a good Israeli area in my time. All taxi drivers

[@Roamingree]

They were great days and The Island, just past Ilford Palais, great days. Gants Hill, the Jewish r slowly moving out but still plenty of black cabs and a massive synagogue and school.

[@5vete]

and Grab a granny nights (over 21s) at the Palais.😃

[@mrshacksify]

Faces / 7-Eleven and the bagel shop in Gants hill back in the day

[@Roamingree]

@mrshacksify surprised 7-eleven closed down, it use to b so busy. Faces was full of footballers and so called celebrities. At least the bagel shop was still there

[@mrshacksify]

​​@@Roamingreelol you mentioned black taxis in your original comment I use to own a cab office called Gants hill cars just on Woodford avenue opposite the chip shop near the roundabout but it was time ago 😂

[@cianog]

Grew up here in the 80s. Very different now

[@Roamingree]

@cianog so true mate. Couldn't believe how downhill it's gone. Breaks my heart 😪

[@Eastender16]

You sound more Cockney than me and I was born in Stratford in 1969 👍

[@Roamingree]

@Eastender16 Ahahahaha thanks mate, I'm 1967, schooling in Newham and worked my whole life in London. When I'm travelling I always get 'where u really from' 😂. Asian with a cockney accent, even in my other languages 😂

[@HappyRareGrooveMan]

People would go to The Room At The Top Ilford Palais, Indoor Market , nice park .

[@Roamingree]

@HappyRareGrooveMan You're bringing back too many memories Ilford Palais, then Room At The Top, and finally Yates on Cranbrook Rd 😪

[@HappyRareGrooveMan]

Never went Yates, Tropicanos, Oscars, Ilford Town Hall Froggy , Flappers, Regency Suite, Lyceum. Youth Clubs at the time were Hartley Centre, Litter Eye in Manor Park , and up west was Crackers Le Beat Route,Wag , I think Manor Park had a snooker place nr the traffic lights ,Earl Of Essex ,William The Conquer, think is still there.

[@Roamingree]

@HappyRareGrooveMan I forgot about Oscars. Hartley's gone became flats. Manor Park Snookers, Earl of Essex r gone. Last I knew William the Conquer was still there.

[@koal_bee]

​@HappyRareGrooveMan what about lacy lady's...that was a great place too

[@cianog]

You should visit Wanstead. The other side of Redbridge roundabout. Looks better now than 30 yrs ago.

[@Roamingree]

@cianog I ain't bin Wanstead in a while but I remember it was nice and leafy. The High St was small but posh, with nice shops, pubs, 2 wine bars and an Indian. If u say it's better, I'll have to go see it 😂

[@iconicetiquette4546]

Won a medal at ilford palais dancing back in the day 1978 😊

[@Roamingree]

@iconicetiquette4546 Proppa good ol' days. One of the best ever comments. Love it 😂

[@StennMathis]

Remember my late mom taking me to Bodgers as a kid...You can see why the 80s and even 90s locals moved out, far out..., unfortunately that left room for more grubbys to move in...It looks Grubby because the people are grubby...Go to parts of Guilford, Canterbury, Rural Essex...Sooo many places, the locals give a damn about their neighbourhoods...Even up in the Lake District (been twice), people care about preserving their surroundings...Ethnic towns in the west just, go to sht...quick...That's saying something most wouldn't wanna say...But the evidence you can see on a stroll...globalisation doesn't help either...

[@Roamingree]

@StennMathis sorry to hear about your mum 💔. This is exactly what I've been saying. It's the grubby people moving in regardless of colour or religion. Mentality needs changing but apparently you can't tell people. I think it's time to move out to the countryside. Thanks for the comment.

[@StennMathis]

@@Roamingree I'm working on my own set of videos to change mentalities. Growing up in the east end i went in deep for decades (30 years) into Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, European paganism, humanism...Not to mention being part of many music scenes in the 80s and 90s from Punk rock to drum and bass...Having meditated 3 times a day for the past 4 years only now arriving at my own conclusion on things and people so writing my own Western Sutra for all peoples for the current day which will be harsh where necessary...Forever East end, forever West Ham but yeah, time to tell the world about itself whilst shipping out to the sticks :)

[@Roamingree]

@@StennMathis I agree but the problem now is ppl r so dumb now, there's no talking to let alone educate em. I get it from both sides, always have, as much I as try people can't see the diversion caused by groups from each side. Always East End, West Ham Utd and East Ham forever, regardless of colour. I'd love to read your work.

[@cianog]

@@StennMathis What makes me laugh is the current mp talking up the area. Easy to fool people when everyone from the 80s/90s has gone and knows how it changed.

[@T.Channel]

I call it Beggarsford

[@Roamingree]

@@T.Channel Ahahahaha couldn't have put it better myself.

[@T.Channel]

@@Roamingree lol you know it makes sense

[@RedBull.RedBull]

All East London gone..

[@Roamingree]

@RedBull.RedBull Can't argue with u, shame was a great place to grow up, even with the racism 🤣

[@StennMathis]

Nope, Wanstead is beautiful and mostly peaceful...Many parts of the East end are still decent...East ain't small....South Woodford, Woodford Green...The more villagy bit's of the East End. East end born and raised...However sorry mate, when a neighbourhood becomes too ethnic, it turns into a shthole....I lived in Croydon, heard the same from the older ones who are still there and remember croydon in say the 70s or 80s....That Green Lane is akin to London Road in West Croydon, just pointless being there if your from or resonate with the western world...Romford is going the same way as ilford cause all ilford browns are shipping out there

[@Roamingree]

@StennMathis Wanstead is finished, so many grubby riff-raff hanging around now. Sadly it's spreading out East. You're spot on with Romford, Hornchurch and Harold Wood.

[@RedBull.RedBull]

@@Roamingree All Asylum people and illegal migrants claim the word racism.. no surprise in that.. did you arrived in boat?

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

WANSTEAD IS ESSEX ILFORD IS ESSEX PLEASE STFU

[@MrCameroland]

Dirty mess👀🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Roamingree]

@MrCameroland It is compared to what ilford use to be, but that's the whole UK over atm.

[@mrshacksify]

Who remembers Havelock's on corner next door to Macdonalds

[@Roamingree]

@mrshacksify can't believe Havelocks closed down. We use to go most Fridays. Good place until the fights started 😂

[@mrshacksify]

@@Roamingree yes that's right there was a murder taken place there and I think it closed down shortly after

[@Roamingree]

@mrshacksify not surprised they was a murder there. Ppl use to start trouble, get thrown out only to return later tooled up. Most of the nightlife finished in Ilford

[@khalidlatif6200]

ILFORD has gone so down badly, that you are shame to live. Crime gone up, and not enough free parking as it use to have.

[@Roamingree]

@khalidlatif6200 Quite right brother, what was once a very desirable place has sadly gone down the pan.

[@khalidlatif6200]

100 percent right

[@khalidlatif6200]

Correct

[@Roamingree]

@khalidlatif6200 I still have family in Ilford and they say the same thing

[@FHIPrincePeter]

I remember Bodgers in Illford and Illford Town Hall disco's on a Monday night (Interupted due to N. Benn fighting with Locals!). No offense Roaming Ree but I detect a bit of Brummie in your accent , am I right? 😄

[@Roamingree]

@FHIPrincePeter Ahahahaha I remember all then times. Way off the mark mate cockney through n through, Brummie I could take offence but I won't 🤣.

[@johnsmith-ht3sy]

Is Weatherspoon's still there?

[@Roamingree]

It was open afew weeks ago but looked closed yesterday, due to the police cordon.

[@SubashVasudevan]

Dump of an area - junkies galore

[@Roamingree]

Yes has got alot worse especially around the station and York Rd.

[@sjvlogs3662]

KZbin put your video on my feed, so first time watching your video. Great video man. Unfortunately I live in around the area and I can relate to everything you saying! For the last 10-15yrs people have always been saying what a s***hole it is. Not only do people horn for no reason, but they also laugh in your face if you have a flat tyre. It’s the area full of low-class, from all the “cheap” properties, to low-class, drugged up, non-educated people on benefits. Plus, as you mentioned all the betting shops and cheap shops. Imagine all of that concentrated area! Hmm, “divide and conquer” maybe? Surely LA’s are aware of the situation🤔

[@Roamingree]

@sjvlogs3662 Thank you very much, glad u liked the video. It's a real shame what has become of this once great area. I have cousins and friends who live in Ilford who all say it's a s***hole now. It's made worse by greedy council and councillors as recently highlighted in the news.

[@Caspar563]

I remember there used to be some good shops in Ilford Zoo,harrison gibson,zee&co anyone remember Mark Gabel there was another 2 that I used to visit one opposite the town hall all gone even Ilford lane still busy not as bad as East ham hey anyone remember pioneer market?

[@Roamingree]

@Caspar563 Yes, I remember all the shops u mentioned, even the small pioneer market now, the big pioneer point building. The shopping was so good, hence ilford was known as the West End of the East End. It's just cheap shops now. Ilford Lane has grown, whereas East Ham has declined, badly.

[@jedwards4002]

Always liked Ilford and Gants Hill area

[@Roamingree]

@@jedwards4002 going ilford was a treat, shopping, Odean and food. I must b getting old 🤣

[@kamranhashmi1575]

I live in ilford is a great town to live in😊

[@Roamingree]

@@kamranhashmi1575 Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad place to live. It's just changed so much, it use to be a treat going, not anymore.

[@kamranhashmi1575]

@Roamingree I know been living in ilford for over 35yrs,I have seen it change over the years,not for the better,but I would still say it a great place to live

[@Roamingree]

@@kamranhashmi1575 can't disagree with you brother.

[@MalcolmJames-sg3zg]

good video ,

[@Roamingree]

@@MalcolmJames-sg3zg Thank you

[@stevenwest3555]

New subscriber 🎉

[@TheIvanMilky]

First time I went Ilford I thought id just stepped on the set of children of men

[@Roamingree]

@TheIvanMilky I know what u mean, the funny thing is the film was made in 2005, I think and set in 2027. We ain't exactly far off on how society has dropped.

[@deniseg-hill1730]

More like Pakistan and Bangladesh

[@Roamingree]

@@deniseg-hill1730 it really is 😪, I always ask what has happened to my beloved London.

[@Tee12343]

TBF at least you don't see them sitting about in the town centre drinking cheap Cider like you see the patriots doing in Romford, Dagenham.

[@tr1pl741]

Lived in Ilford for over 45 years. Ive seen the changes over the years. There has been no beneficial developments for the area just a steady decline, a rise in crime and a high rise in homeless beggars.The only developments ive seen are a staggering number of flats and nothing for our future generations such as youth clubs and sports centres. They demolished the multi car park near the bus garage but i bet that will be more flats. All our branded shops are gone M&S, Wilko,Debenhams etc. There are so many betting shops and pound shops. The GOV have no interest in our Borough, why is that i wonder. The standards are abysmal.

[@Roamingree]

@tr1pl741 Excellent comment and I whole heartedly agree. It seems like the councillors/government r only interested in themselves, not the area. Flats galore with no investment into infrastructure. Area has steadily declined and I now fear for my grandchildren's future.

[@tr1pl741]

@@Roamingree Exactly brother Thanks for your uploads. Liked and Subbed🤜🏾 The source of the problem is always higher up and not the people living in the Boroughs. It's a shame.

[@Roamingree]

@@tr1pl741 Thanks for the comment and subs bruva

[@stop75403]

How parts of London have changed.

[@Roamingree]

Sadly not for the better

[@DavidRodriguez-x1h]

Witting Forks

[@demonmonsterdave]

There's a white man at @16:45

[@Roamingree]

@demonmonsterdave Ahahahaha I think you may find he's Romanian, technically white european. Thanks for the comment and chuckle 🤣

[@AbdulsCycles]

That's a great walk around London. Beautiful scenery all the way. Thank you so much for bringing us along. I really enjoyed it.

[@Roamingree]

Thank you for your comment sir. My pleasure

[@liberte.3.6.9]

Beautiful scenery???? It's a sh.. hole

[@Roamingree]

@@liberte.3.6.9each to their own mate. I suppose irony may be wasted on you 🤣

[@dealwithit207]

When was it great ....the 1800s ? 😂

[@Roamingree]

It's got worse since 90's coz of corruption from our so called government. We have become a soft touch, scared to talk about anything serious.

[@colinstickland3130]

Got a ticket there. Set sat nav couldnt find my way woodgrange cementary on my last visit . In a bus lane. Never paid it. Spanish registration and owner dead.

[@Roamingree]

Ahahahaha they don't normally sent tickets abroad coz no one pays.

[@colinstickland3130]

@@Roamingree exactly my thoughts. .Dartford tunnel. ? No took booth. M6 50 limit for so many miles. Daughter was driving. 74mph on my sat nav all the way to Preston .not forgetting I went past Stratford into a pay zone thing. But hey the car is registered to a dead man. Only found out when I took car to test station . 2400 something euros . No I never paid.

[@Roamingree]

@@colinstickland3130 Love it 😀

[@brijendrasahye]

I used to go to Ilford Library prior to going to university back in 1990.I am glad I live in Singapore..It was very affluent at that time.Obviously,UK is a third world country now.First world is becoming third world and third world is becoming first world.All the billionnaires are also leaving the UK ,there is no major investment or innovative industry like USA ,China and even India. All the global giants (corporations) are owned by USA,Korea and China .UK is known for widespread corruption,colonialism ,hooliganism,vandalism,alcoholism,racism and hatred for others.All the universities in UK have more than 50% of their applicants from overseas because it’s a revenue generating business .

[@Roamingree]

@brijendrasahye You sir are spot on with your comment. The UK has shown its true face of corruption and colonialism. We were very good at hiding it. I've never heard of so many ppl wanting to leave the UK, mainly those with good jobs. I don't blame them. Singapore, lucky you, what an awesome place. Ilford library were great for study. I use to go late 80's, remember when it opened.

[@AngelaVlahos]

hello.

[@Roamingree]

@@AngelaVlahos Good morning

[@vjamesg100]

I knew Ilford as a child. It is now the third world.

[@Roamingree]

@vjamesg100 Honestly mate, I've seen better towns and cities in some so called third world country. Definitely better, more friendly and compassion people.

[@klopptomisticfreeworld8742]

The 1st and 2nd generation migrants came here for a better life and wanted to live a quiet reserved life, this new generation of migrants just want to come to milk the benefits and don’t seem interested in adding anything to the society and when those types of people grow continuously in numbers sooner or later the area is completely gone like we’ve seen in many areas and it’s definitely got worse. Still some nice parts of Romford for example but it’s heading the same way very different to when I first moved in 12 years ago. The future for these surrounding areas is bleak with beggars, drunks, shop lifters and drug addicts.

[@Roamingree]

@klopptomisticfreeworld8742 Couldn't agree with u more. I'm all for refugees and immigration but we need to allow this through a faster legal process. We have become a soft touch. With these governments, it's easy to pay out benefits.

[@AlickXaviera]

48931 Nola Lights

[@HappyRareGrooveMan]

After the late 70s Ilford become a shit hole same as East Ham , was once a lovely area.

[@Roamingree]

@HappyRareGrooveMan East Ham was good till the 80's and Ilford and Barking till the 90's. I can't believe how downhill they have gone. Breaks my heart everytime I go back 😪.

[@cianog]

Ilford was fine till the early to mid 90s. But more and more people moved away and you started to get homeless people, something I'd never seen before.

[@fjtpersian6566]

​@Roamingree Romford is heading the same way .I remember Ilford was a very middle class area .

[@Roamingree]

@fjtpersian6566 can't disagree with u mate.

[@Roamingree]

@cianog I never seen so many homeless in Ilford, the begging around the station is unreal

[@renkapicja]

Ilford not what it once it was, indians took over like eastham and looks like india now sadly..

[@Roamingree]

@renkapicja What I was really surprised about is that ilford lane, Manor Park and green street almost looked identical. Definitely not the London I grew up in 😪

[@t5jerry]

i suppose you could play "spot the white man" to pass the time, but you won`t see many...............................

[@Roamingree]

@t5jerry Ahahahaha all eastern europeans, no wonder the local moved out 😂😂😂

[@brijendrasahye]

Look at the evil past of your forefathers ,they are here because your extremely evil forefathers went to loot,plunder,massacre and destroy their countries.This is all Karma.

[@SpudsF42]

The difference between then & now, one word, immigrants.

[@Roamingree]

@SpudsF42 mate there's always bin some sort of immigration. The problem is corruption by the ones in charge.

[@gonagona9943]

Ilford mini india

[@Roamingree]

@@gonagona9943 Can't disagree with u there.

[@hanifmallu9104]

All negative comments are made by people who we know are in denial with the reality, You can think what you like, DON'T COME TO ILFORD stay under that rock

[@Roamingree]

@hanifmallu9104 Although ilford has changed, it's still has many good points.

[@grbbbc]

True words of a coloniser, one day the colonists will be pushed back to where they came from.

[@rosequincey2835]

Go yo Eastham it's even worse

[@Roamingree]

@rosequincey2835 Spent most my life in East Ham. And you're right Ilford WAS way better 🤣

[@fastpace386]

Where do you live now? You were asking some Sikhs what the Roma Gypsies were saying...😥🙄. They are certainly making economic use of every square metre!!

[@Roamingree]

@fastpace386 Staying other side of Clayhall atm. Bro they definitely weren't Sikhs, I'm sure they understood but coz I was recording they didn't say anything.

[@oneinsixcom]

Lived all my life in Ilford. I avoid best I could. Homeless shelters and soup kitchens in Ilford are a magnet. And I help out at one of these.

[@Roamingree]

@oneinsixcom it's amazing how quick Ilford has changed. Never had a problem with homelessness, begging or soup kitchens in the area but this is becoming a problem in most London Boroughs. Thanks for helping out

[@MrTMrT007]

Why would you make this video which falls into the wrong hands?.

[@Roamingree]

@MrTMrT007 Brother I'm bin honest, this is happening in front of us. We should all demand better rather than shy away or turn a blind eye to it.

[@TB.....]

If you want to holiday in Pakistan but can't afford it. Get on a bus to Ilford. Take photos then show your friends and family. It's cheating but it saves on plane tickets.

[@Roamingree]

@TB..... Ahahahaha brilliant comment mate, but I could suggest afew more places, not too far away 😂

[@TB.....]

@@Roamingree 😀👍

[@daviddone7383]

Dont any english people live in england anymore

[@deano_bites]

My opinion Ilford was way better back in the 1980s and 1990s it had every shop you could think of and loved the hindu and sikh families all my friends are from there well they was but lately just a dump in my opinion the fancy shops have all left and now it's now run down shops barbers, vapes, way to many take away shops, betting shops. beauty shops clothes shops way to many and yes generic Muslim cash and carry super markets the council have built way to many blocks to go with it flats the crime has risen a lot in those areas bit it seems the police don't want to investigate it because it's to much trouble and by the way most of them barber shops are money laundering syndicates

[@Roamingree]

I agree it was way better back then. The shopping has become cheap but not the property. Two things were evident for me. Too many Indians, newly in the country. Too many Romanies. Hanging around drinking. I heard about the Turkish barber syndicates but do you ever see a quiet one. Most I pass are always packed. I shall try to be abit more observant next time.

[@cianog]

Alot of Sikhs left. I remember them being the most visible in the late 80s.

[@Roamingree]

@cianog yes definitely fewer Singhs, they have just moved up the road to SevenKings, Goodmayes and Chigwell.

[@ShuggsComicsandStatues]

An absolute Shit Hole now unfortunately

[@Roamingree]

@ShuggsComicsandStatues True that. So many beggers around the station.

[@oneinsixcom]

At least it lives up to it's name.

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

Mate ITS ESSEX

[@Roamingree]

No changed to become LONDON Borough of Redbridge in 65, boundary lines changed.

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

@@Roamingree MATEY I USED TO LIVE IN ILFORD ALL MY LETTERS SAID ESSEX. I WAS BORN IN 1983. IG STANDS FOR INGATESTONE WTF U TALKING ABOUT. EAST LONDON POSTCODES BEGIN WITH E

[@Roamingree]

@sharkwaters-xb9kc Ahahahaha let me explain really slowly, hopefully u'll get it. The post office don't make the rules, a thing called the government makes all the rules. The boundaries were changed way b4 your time. Whatever you're led to believe it's not Essex anymore. What borough is Ilford in ?. Go research for yourself. Hopefully some learning has taking place.

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

@@Roamingree NO LEARNING HAS TAKEN PLACE BECAUSE NO TEACHING HAS BEEN DONE. ALL EAST LONDON POSTCODES BEGIN WITH E NOT RM OR IG. IT SAYS THE LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING, does that mean that UPMINSTER is in LONDON? Wtf you on about

[@Roamingree]

@sharkwaters-xb9kc U just answered your own question, or can't u see that. Upminster is a suburban town in EAST LONDON, England, within the LONDON Borough of Havering. Go educate yourself b4 trying 2 b clever. Your boring me now.

[@WillRoberts-sd6yy]

Durrr in da war pale I was in 3 world wars plus I’m a doctor 👩‍⚕️ I’m in London 🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽shitting like a cammel

[@Roamingree]

🫡😂😂😂

[@AgeukEastlondon-y1j]

ILFORD IS NOT EUROPEAN ANYMORE .

[@Roamingree]

Never been European, but the area has become really rundown.

[@brijendrasahye]

Nothing is European apart from racism,corruption,alcoholism,colonialism and plundering other countries to make themselves rich.No wonder Europe has fallen and never to get back up.USA ,China and others will lead the world.Go to hell.