The Unlost River in East London (4K)

[@geoffdobbin9512]

I live in Chadville Garden adjacent to St Chads park shown near the start of this video. The brook runs at the end of our garden in the park, and is contained in a buried pipe about 12"" in diameter. It often used to flood the park in the winter due to blockages from plant roots. It has now been cleaned out and no longer floods. Thanks for an excellent video of my local area.

[@sirRoyM]

Good morning John. I'm fairly sure that if my memory from the 1950s serves me correctly, the Deco building you mentioned at the start of your vlog was originally part of The Plessey of Ilford company. I remember well having been sent to work in that building during the course of my apprenticeship with Plessey.The Lake in Goodmayes Park was formed as the result of a bomb landing in the park during the war, which created a large crater and blew the roof of the house that I was sleeping in, being my home at that time in Airthrie Road next to the park. Your vlog stired so many childhood memories, I being educated in both Goodmayes and Mayfield schools. As far as I remember the Mayes Brook was above ground for most of it's course at that time. Thanks for the memories.

[@bubbleburst1956]

Yes. I remember the Plessey building. As a kid I lived in the Marks Gate estate and remember playing in the swampy area across the Eastern Avenue which we lovingly called "The Newty"

[@bryannathan8824]

I agree with you Sir Roy, Plessey

[@danieladams9950]

As someone who has spent most of their life in the English North West I am constantly surprised by the variety and often beauty of the landscapes in South East London and Essex that you present. An undiscovered country.

[@toolrestoration]

Ah Sunday evenings just become interesting , thanks John !!

[@ARCHIEBEADLE]

Great film as ever, John. I've lived in Chadwell Heath for 55 years and have tracked the Mayesbrook myself. At the start, after it leaves the park, it crosses Blackbush Avenue - its route noticeable by the unbuild on gap between houses - and then along the border of the Millennium Green (former allotment site, saved from development) - all in culvert. I remember a local telling me that it was unculverted until the early 1960s

[@mhshrimpton]

Definition of optimism : Lost river hunting in the worst drought since 1976. Nice one JR.

[@allanthacker6072]

Really enjoyed this John, spent my very early years paddling in the Mayesbrook close to Barking cemetery, (I’m now 78). Your final shot at River Road caught a glimpse of the completed film studios (Wharf Studios) just 50 yards further down. They used and modernised the large warehouse’s (6) which imported coiled steel for Ford. Wellbeck steel unloaded from ships on the Roding.

[@colinbeaney7230]

Superb info on mayesbrook to cap it all eastbury manor house great

[@GeorgeChoy]

A new video each from you and Jago Hazard on same day, I'm seriously spoiled.

[@grossburger21]

my youngest memory was catching sticklebacks in the mayesbrook with a net and jar.and then going on to catch some tadpoles in the lillypond in mayesbrook park

[@tomgazebobob1503]

Love these times when we experience LOndon. Thanks for these gifts.

[@marty9011]

I am always amazed at the number of parks on London. And now I'm also amazed at how extremely dry they are in a country known for its wet weather !

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Someplace I think I read that London has the most parkland of any major city, and Vienna the most forests.

[@jazzman9042]

Oooh this video takes me back. I used to live in Goodmayes some forty years ago. A lovely area with farmland just a walk away up Barley Lane. All in all a really fine walk my friend. I always expect to be educated and entertained buy your walks and you have not failed me yet. AAA+++

[@AverageJoe2308]

As a denizen of Barking, I really appreciate your walks in our neck of the woods!

[@danyoolripley]

I'm so glad you did this walk, John. I live in Chadwell Heath and visited Mayesbrook Park in March and saw how well they'd "daylighted" the brook and thought how much you'd appreciate it. I love how they've given it a natural meander in the southern section of the park. I hope more of it can come to light in the coming years.

[@Mattrbg]

When you showed the park gates, the posts reminded me somewhat of some gates here in Melbourne. Funnily enough once you showed the name of Hill & Smith of Brierley Hill it made sense as they also made the gates I was thinking of. They’re currently entrance gate ‘D’ at our Royal Botanic Gardens but were originally installed at a (now demolished) 1870s Victorian mansion called ‘Nareeb’.

[@4thEyeVision]

Top walk around my childhood home so thank you John

[@2Sugarbears]

The grass here in Toronto is like shredded wheat biscuits. It crunches when you walk on it. Thanks John, always a pleasure.

[@terryvialls6512]

Really enjoyed this film. Thanks John, I work next to the mayesbrook in the Ford dealership So it was off special interest to me. What a treat thanks again.

[@brianthomson528]

Oh! Stop it John. I'm dying of nostalgia here! You just walked step for step my route ( over the bridge, past Eastbury House ) over sixty years ago. I always had a downer on Mayesbrook Park as we were made to run round its perimeter for cross county's. Since moving back to the area I have fallen back in love with it ( thanks to lockdown). Another great Vid John, keep it up and I'm sure we will cross paths one day. So nearly this time!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That’s wonderful Brian thanks

[@heidgandreiter8438]

@@JohnRogersWalks John, please do not be angry with me or feel afraid, after this. But you realize that with the name of, and a spiritual connection to, a 'heretic' who got a rather negative fate, spiritually and physically, you've always been in a somewhat risky zone. Not even related to my findings, here. I mean, just being in a London road, you're at risk of traffic accidents, and you, yourself, as a public figure, have never been afraid to stick your nose out and speak your mind, correct? Any man, walking through unknown territory, could be seen as an offence to idiots, in any case. I, myself, was in fact slapped in the back of the head by some brat who came running up from behind, and past me, laughing maliciously, last time I visited London and walked down an alley that I wanted to explore; I thank the Gods I only received a hard slap, a humiliation, there (happened during the late '90s). So don't look to me with indignation, please, my friend. Just stay alert, as you always do. Choose your routes intelligently, if you take my point. I ask the ancient Gods to always protect you, and see to that you and your family are safe. Here's a scary read from today's Jutland's-Post (JP, the Danish paper which published the Muhammad Cartoons). I've translated into English: '33-year old man charged with attempted terrorism in Aarhus': 'It is the prosecution's suspicion that it was a terrorist attempt, when a 33-year-old man drove his Mercedes, at high speed, through a busy street in the center of Aarhus in mid-July. It came to light at a hearing in the court in Aarhus on Tuesday morning. The accused and his defender Torben Dyring Kledal were present at the Court in Aarhus via a video link. Here it was established that the 33-year-old man is charged with attempted terrorism and thereby violating Section 114 of the Criminal Code. 'By having tried to expose several people to violence of a dangerous nature. At a speed of no less than 50 km/h. to drive along Frederiksgade St. and drive directly towards several people who had to jump aside to avoid being hit. The accused then turned the car around and drove towards another group that had to jump,' said prosecutor Maria Buus Sørensen. In a press release Chief Police Inspector Klaus Arboe Rasmussen states on Tuesday: 'It is still too early to conclude whether the suspicion of attempted terrorism can be substantiated to such an extent that charges can be brought for attempted violation of Section 114 of the Criminal Code. Based on the specific driving and various other circumstances, we are still investigating the case as a terrorist case, and we have initiated a long series of investigative steps to clarify the circumstances and find out what the motive behind the 33-year-old's actions was.' According to the police, no one was hit in connection with the drive, and the 33-year-old was arrested a few hours later. He has since been detained in surrogate custody in a closed psychiatric hospital ward. During the hearing, the prosecutor requested closed doors instead of the previous double closed doors. According to Prosecutor Maria Buus Sørensen, the investigation is still at an early stage, there is still a risk of influence from the accused, and information will continue to emerge in connection with the investigation, which the public should not be aware of. 'At the same time, I must refer to the nature of the case', said Maria Buus Sørensen The defense objected to the closed doors and called the prosecutor's arguments diffuse. 'There is no evidence that my client can influence the investigation. My client has been in custody for a month. Witnesses have been interviewed, residences have been searched, and data is being collected. To me, we are not in an initial phase, you are there where you have to process data', said defence lawyer Torben Dyring Kledal. Mystery and concrete blocks The case has been surrounded by great mystery. In the days after the risky driving in Frederiksgade, which i.a. is known for many bars and cafes, on 18 July, flower pots and four new concrete blocks were placed in the pedestrian street. However the report from the police at the time was not, that it was a measure as a result of a terrorist attempt. Instead, Chief Police Inspector Klaus Arboe Rasmussen stated to JP Aarhus that the police had only been in dialogue with the municipality after the episode to investigate the possibility of making some speed-reducing measures. The 33-year-old man who sat behind the wheel was produced in a constitutional hearing on 19 July. That interrogation also caused a stir. It took place behind closed doors at the request of the prosecutor, which is highly unusual in a traffic case. In the police's 24-hour report, witnesses to the reckless driving were sought after the episode. The police described, among other things, that several pedestrians had to jump aside, and witnesses at the scene had explained to the police that an older, silver-grey Mercedes B class had suddenly come driving very fast along Frederiksgade in the direction of several groups of people. The 33-year-old man was arrested on the night of Tuesday at 01.53 on 19 July in Herskind. It happened after he had had to call roadside assistance himself. The police made contact with the man at the scene and discovered two large knives in the side pocket by the driver's seat. The man also had a small knife in his jacket pocket. East Jutland Police stated on Tuesday that the constitutional hearing was held behind closed doors at the request of the prosecution, because the police assessed that there were some significant investigative steps that needed to be taken before the charge could be made public. And due to double-closed doors, the East Jutland Police have so far been prevented from commenting on the charges. However, the police are now so far in the investigation that the court, at the request of the prosecution, has today lifted the double-locked doors and thus gives the public an insight into the charge, which amounts to attempted terrorism under Section 114 of the Criminal Code. There are still closed doors in the case (meaning no press allowed), which is why it is limited what East Jutland Police can say about the details of the case (no names are allowed to be mentioned). 'As the case continues behind closed doors in court, it is still extremely limited what we can and will tell in terms of details about our investigation and the arrested person. Our presumption is that he acted on his own, but that is of course one of the things we have to uncover further in our further investigation', says Klaus Arboe Rasmussen. The police further inform that the concrete blocks in Frederiksgade were set up after an initial dialogue between East Jutland Police and PET (Police Intelligence Service) and a subsequent dialogue between East Jutland Police and Aarhus Municipality. The concrete blocks that have been set up in Frederiksgade are a temporary solution, and East Jutland Police are in dialogue with Aarhus Municipality about a more permanent arrangement'.

[@heidgandreiter8438]

@@JohnRogersWalks Hi John, message from Odin at Oliver the Egoist on YT, the movie 'Penda's Fen', you need to see the comments, massive EVP! Thank you, a great movie. The Völve

[@garysharpe4660]

Fantastic and entertainning.Londoner living in Thailand 😊😊😊

[@alansindall8396]

Interesting Gary. As a lad I was always in Mayesbrook Park. Dagenham County High (later NELP) at one end and Matchstick Island at the southern section. Remember the Italian Gardens? Anyway, I am also living in Thailand. North East near the Laos border.

[@AliBees]

I’ve never lived in or around London but I’m fascinated by your vlogs showing the hidden history, rivers and architecture. It must have been heartbreaking to see the land so parched.

[@philburdett]

Fabulous, love the lost river walks...

[@EdEditz]

It's always a good day when I can start it with one of your videos John. Excellent!!

[@daveparker1757]

John - good to see another great walk in areas where I grew up - I lived above a cafe in the parade of shops in Goodmayes & in 1971 worked for a year as a kitchen porter at Barking Hospital (having failed my A levels) & walked to work in Upney Lane via your route thru the parks in Goodmayes. Earlier in my life I lived close to Eastbrook House & even then was amazed that this house was surrounded by post WW1 homes for heroes. Another film that encourages me to visit my roots - thanks again!!

[@robbojax2025]

I have said before that the joy of your river walks is seeing places I would not ordinarily visit. I live in Chadwell Heath and there were still bits that I have never seen.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That's brilliant RobboJax - many thanks

[@ianmaddams9577]

Amazing that there was so much of the river you could see. I had a lovely stroll around Hampstead cemetery yesterday afternoon. Lovely walk as usual John 👍🏻

[@ceejay8037]

Your commentary is never less than fascinating but you always allow the landscapes and the architecture to have the final word.

[@lizstevenson7801]

What a lovely walk John, thank you. The architecture of the houses and buildings was so nice, a change from high rises in some areas. Love all the history too. 💕🇦🇺

[@janetsherwood7210]

Thank you for this lovely walk. Always informative & enjoyable. 🌿🌾🌳

[@johncarter-ut1ii]

nice one john thank you. mayfield school was called gilbert miles when i went there in the seventies.

[@RoxanneLaWinSTABBY]

The ‘Brierly Hill’ mentioned as the source of the gates at 12:33 is an area of the Black Country in the West Midlands, heavily industrialised in the 1800s, including ironwork such as this gate. I’m from near there so it was nice to see some local iron in use. I usually see it only on manhole covers! Anyway: pint of my comment was that it got me thinking of why it’s called Brierley Hill, I instantly thought, maybe it was Briar’s Lea by a hill, belonging to a landowner Briar. But I was thinking too deep. It’s named after the Briar Roses that grew there c.1700s. You’ve got me thinking too deep about place names, John!

[@RoxanneLaWinSTABBY]

It’s pronounced like the rose too.

[@RoxanneLaWinSTABBY]

I’d love to see John walking the Black Country, especially with his love of industrial buildings. So many of the ‘original’ buildings from the 1800s industry are still in place, if not in use. There’s so many stages of identity to the area, the Industrial Age being the latest and remaining identity in 2022.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Wonderful Roxanne thanks for sharing that info and train of thought

[@howdymartin6258]

John Rogers - a force for good

[@ralphwinter6421]

Nice one John, enjoyable walk - Cheers mate..

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Another winner. I love the scale of the neighborhood architecture.

[@brandondean8060]

And it's officially Sunday!! Let's crack on. 👍🏾🤠

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hope you enjoy it Brandon!

[@brandondean8060]

@@JohnRogersWalks always do. You do great work John.

[@karengill8234]

Super walk with lots of information. Many thanks to you John. ……..

[@tonybubb3853]

Thanks for fulfilling my wish that you walk the Mayesbrook. It was warching this that I realised that Goodmayes is named for it, my father was born there and I probably passed through it weekly for some 18 years without the penny dropping

[@Heinz57ish]

you are not alone - I'd never connected the name Goodmayes with Mayesbrook either or even linked those to Mayfield School!

[@johnspillman5403]

Hi John thanks for the nostalgic walk, I was born in upney hospital, and live in Sheringham Drive just off mayesbrook Park and remembered going stickleback fishing in the park in one of lake and when to school which is just behind the park and doing a cross country around the park thanks again

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Brilliant thanks for sharing that John

[@wetfishman1066]

'The Edge' was born there too

[@vermeerofdelftscotlandwalk3294]

Great walk. Very interesting history. 👍

[@johngeorge3619]

My Nan lived in Lambourne Road, right next to Upney, and I was born in Barking Hospital on Upney Lane. Before I came to Australia in 1974 spent many weekends, Sundays and then a few months there when I first started work, living in 114 Lambourne.. Mayesbrook Park was a place to visit after Sunday lunch, and I caught the Underground from Upney across London to Shepherds Bush every workday or a few months in 1972. And saw Stray at the Roundhouse. A walk of memories.

[@dorothylubbe2822]

As a South African totally enraptured with London & the UK countryside you carry me along so many interesting stunning areas I shall never be able to see nor know. With the added huge plus of lovely interesting bits of info. Thank you.

[@barneykennett9282]

Absolutely fantastic...👍.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Barney

[@barneykennett9282]

@@JohnRogersWalks Thank you.

[@Heinz57ish]

The row of shops is Green Lane. In the opposite direction is Goodmayes Primary School and in the Summer we would go to that park for our Sports Days and to play Rounders. We had a great childhood there in the 70's.

[@vivjones2395]

I lived Chadwell heath until I was 5, we used to frequent the Dagenham Roundhouse where we saw Status Quo, Arthur Briwn , Faust, pink fairies, Vinegar Joe.....and that's the ones I can remember...I now live in Cornwall with a fine set of Rivers we love watching your walks

[@williamrobinson7435]

Absolutely right about these culverts.. They may look a bit gaunt, but they do mark the points at which these lost rivers get found again! Another fascinating video, thanks so much John!

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Admire that you can walk in this heat! Thank you, so interesting ☺️

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Stopping for a pint is always a good thing! Love the walk.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Timothy

[@terryblack2219]

I felt for you John having to double back but what a fantastic walk, these hidden river walks are so magical Thank you

[@andrewbowyer7237]

Thank you for another very interesting walk.

[@estherdoyle8175]

Thank you so much John. It's too hot to wibble about outside - well it is for me - but seeing the lovely water you bring us to cools us down. Another beautiful piece of work

[@JTTW1455]

You really seemed focused on following that river! We saw a lot, thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I really enjoyed this walk

[@athoshadjiantoni6403]

Another east London walks with all with great history.

[@Tom_J23]

Very relaxing video just before going to sleep. Thank you very much !!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much for watching Tom

[@davidshearer8793]

Thank you John - love these river walks.

[@davetubervid]

Thanks for another wonderful, visionary journey, John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Dave

[@bakerloobadboy]

Utterly brilliant

[@TXMEDRGR]

Another great walk. Thanks for sharing.

[@jenniferlevine5406]

And it was a cracking walk! Thanks so much for your wonderful video.

[@Pierlover]

That building at the beginning was Plessey's. An aunt of mine worked there during the war.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Douglas - that’ll have some good stories and their factory in the Central Line tunnels around Redbridge

[@markames3688]

Great stuff and that first building was amazing. Thanks!

[@Micktyb]

Excellent thanks excellent parks and buildings 👏👏👍

[@davidparkinson9143]

Enjoyed that John, cheers.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers David

[@janebaker966]

I've got to say it - another lovely film. I love how you walk through a suburban area,like the places most of us live,and instead of going....." there's not much to see round here,it's just ordinary 1930s suburban houses lived in by dull people" (NOT my opinion but something you come across a lot),no,you invoke the past,you tell us,you spellbind us with a story,like a wizard,and the past rises before our eyes. It's magic. You'd enjoy tracing hidden rivers in Bristol,we've got half a dozen. The idea of doing that has always appealed to me - but not enough to actually DO IT. I recently stayed at Twickenham for a few days and I loved it. What a great place. There was loads more there than I even thought of. A lovely riverside walk. 3 big old houses with parkland of which I'd only heard of one. And of course I visited the Eel Pie Island museum which is fab and would be great value at twice the price. Also I discovered the River Crane. I expect you've done a video on it.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thank you so much Jane. Somebody did send me an article on lost rivers in Bristol and it’s on my list. The River Crane does pop up in a couple of videos but not as the sole focus

[@gparry42]

Lovely walk John, thankyou!

[@michaelkiehn9254]

Great video John! Have a great week!

[@maureenswallow3054]

Most enjoyable and interesting, Bill.

[@paulhutchins6019]

Another great walk John. Many thanks 🙂

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Paul

[@LauraAgustinNA]

I love your far-east walks best, in part because most Londoners wouldn't consider going to those places or have no idea they exist. But also because you seem to belong there.

[@grandmasterbeats9732]

Thanks John as my family as you know live here in Gants Hill

[@garym0630]

Love watching your videos John. Youre a legend mate!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Gary - very kind of you

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Pretty impressive drought conditions, especially so close to a river.

[@mickeythompson9537]

Agreed - what a beautiful building at the beginning! One of my favourites in similar style was the Adhesive Specialities factory in Ladywell... now demolished, but plenty of photos online. Enjoyed this walk lots!

[@glynolley2867]

Hi john enjoyed your walk brought back memories I did some work on the trees in in eastbury manor when I worked for the London of Barking and Dagenham back in the 70s

[@clivelangham435]

Thank you. Enjoyed this as always.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for watching Clive

[@stever1053]

Had to go in the pub Heidi, because I was looking for a river. Heard it all now John,🤣🤣. I'll make a note of it.

[@shiprapandey43172]

This Sunday was very good for us .Your Walk through beautiful landscapes such as Mayes brook ❤,St. Chad Park and small ponds and swimming birds was very beautiful. MAYFIELD School was memorable.It was very interesting to see school 🏫 because it was a very happy day of my childhood 😀..and your shaking hand and say hello to a boy.it was memorable and lovable 💖✍👩‍💻🙏And yes I also saw some different countries peoples.I think England 🇬🇧 is friendly to others also .

[@ashleysgaze]

An interesting area of London, John. Great exploration of the Mayes Brook and other sites. Cheers!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Ashley

[@daveconyard8946]

Nice One John, Keep Safe

[@colinsaunderson6682]

just love chilling to ur vids ..i am there wiv u

[@MeTheRob]

3:55 Penda's Fen - a strange and haunting drama. I recommend it highly, if you can find it. A long way from East London, but it's funny how random viewing can produce clusters. Without meaning to, I have seen in the last couple of days a lot of stuff about Mercia, Offa, Penda etc. from Neil Oliver, Bettany Hughes et al.

[@janebaker966]

It's not a coincidence,it's synchronicity,also Gods Plan (to me at least). It is odd though when you learn a new word then said word occurs several times in things you're reading. I mean obscure words.

[@biddylisduff]

Thanks John, love how you bring out the history of places often considered "bland" /"dull" by those who actually don't try hard enough. This edge of London, formerly Essex has a lot of ancient Manorial estates, many of the buildings now lost. Formerly productive Agricultural land has been swallowed up for development over last century or more, though there are pockets remaining. I do get fed up with people who think of Essex as all Shopping Malls and housing estates. Try seeking out the lanes with massive Pollard Oaks between Rainham and Upminster, Berwick Manor. Bretons Manor, Rainham. Rainham Hall and the Norman Church in the village. There are still former Farmhouses in Dagenham, eg near Eastbrook Nature Reserve and "Woodlands", now a Registry Office, past Central Park. My Great Grandad lived in a Thatched house in Oxlow Lane, many cottages occupied by Farm labourers back in the day. Sadly working farms that were profitable up till the 1970's/80's have become Vehicle Parks, Lorry workshops and whatever else. Thanks for appreciating the area near my neck of the woods!

[@Jpkjr52]

Thanks again John In Chicago

[@kkimmings4920]

Great watch, i use to live off of Grove rd , Mill haven close in the 80's when working in London brings the memories flooding back, the Harvester you stopped off at , was the Greyhound pub at one time, and up the road from the pub was Magris garage owned by the boxer Charlie Magri from memory

[@alexthomson7465]

You very often walk past place where I have worked over the years. I worked at a printers that was in the back of the woodcraft building. Also the morrissey connection deepens... The video for his song Dagenham Dave was filmed in Rush Green. He even goes in the Railway Tavern! Brilliant vid once again! 🍻

[@Mr223P]

Right near the last view of the brook on river road it runs behind a small group of three turnings plonked in the middle of that industrial area right where the brook meets the Roding. One of those houses on Waverley Gdns has a blue plaque as it’s where Bobby Moore grew up. Fantastic walk as ever over the borough I grew up in and the wider area I know so well. Cheers!

[@RichAllen3242]

Hi John, I’m a massive fan of your channel but I do love these particular videos you’ve made in Mayesbrook Park and Parsloes Park I used to live in Rugby Road which is the road in-between both parks, so nice to see them on video I don’t get chance to go back there much these days but it will always be home no matter where I’m living, incidentally the Roundhouse pub used to be my local, they also had the snooker club back in the day and that was where the bands used to play like Queen, the Stones had some very big bands play there back in their early days…. Anyway I’m rambling on a bit now, keep em coming buddy. 👍🏻

[@StarWarsJay]

I haven’t watched your videos for months. No idea why. Going to catch up on all of them today.

[@RobTaverner]

Interesting that the park gates are from Brierley Hill which is in my neck of the woods in Birmingham. Pinched this from their own web page. Hill and Smith, Brierley Hill, was established by Edward Hill and Henry Smith in 1824 and was known as Hill's Ironworks. Hill and Smith is famous for supplying many miles of fencing for Queen Victoria, Ornamental Gates and parapet railing for the Royal House of Siam; work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge; the Royal Dockyard at Simonstown; South Africa, and gates at Hong Kong market and the European Club, Shanghai.

[@luxford60]

I used to know someone from Brierley Hill, and she was adamant that it was not Birmingham.

[@RobTaverner]

@@luxford60 I said in my neck of the woods. It is the Black Country. Not a million miles away from me in Brum. 😉

[@christown2827]

It looked like the Rootes building in Maidstone, Kent but with the tall bit in the middle rather than at the front of the building. This is currently being turned into apartments.

[@RubbishGimpy]

The one in this video has seen better days. In parts the concrete is crumbling and it looks run-down. It looks like a lost modernist building that deserves saving and being listed. I don't know the date of the building or if its 1930s or more recent 1970s.

[@michaelmiller641]

another good one John!

[@stephenoliver1437]

Just watched another of your latest video walk always very entertaining they should be on tv really? S.

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

Just about to go to sleep, and this pops up. Can I wait til tomorrow to watch it now? Hmmm, not sure I have the willpower!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It’s a good one Steve - that’s all I’ll say

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

@@JohnRogersWalks You were indeed right there John! Loved this, a magical mixture of river, architecture, stories and a first for me - I followed your walk on the map as you did it. Thoroughly enjoyed this one thank you.

[@andycooke6231]

I used to go to Eastbury manor where Barking camera club met (and maybe still does), a regular visitor was Terrance Donavan who gave talks and judged our efforts, he was a local boy.

[@leviwilliams4090]

Hill & Smith makers of iron products founded 1824 in Brierley hill West mid still trading .They made iron fencing comissioned by Queen Victoria 1860 !As always loved the walk !

[@davidfennessey2727]

Great video lived in Goodmayes all my live until a year ago 54 years the brook court building at 21.42 was the labour exchange (dole office ) up until the 1990 ‘s

[@heidismit5261]

Too good to watch on my phone. I have something to look forward to. In the scorching heat I cycled through serious industrial estates. Oil refineries harbours, container handling etc. On a sunday these places are beautiful. You would have liked it I am sure. Have a wonderful week and thank you for yet again, a great walk.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that sounds amazing Heidi - thanks for sharing that image. Hope you enjoy the video when you get a chance to watch

[@bacca2finchi7-39]

I live in Henley Gardens and in very old maps it shows the stream ends in our garden which explains why our garden is constantly damp

[@lisaholly3846]

I just saw you posted a new video! Yay!

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

That manor house is a gem! According to their info on the National Trust website, they provide learning spaces for a range of teachers (Heidi would approve) and have a friends group helping with upkeep. Given that spotless facade, those Friends of Eastbury Manor do a great job.