Redbridge

This is one of those stations I had been looking forward to visiting since I started exploring the Central Line. It is sited next to a very busy roundabout which I have to negotiate on my frequent trips to Manchester. Every time I drive past I wonder why you would want to exit the Underground at that particular spot. So today was my chance to find out.

The station is a listed building being of architectural interest as well as historical importance as home to a munitions factory during WW2. As I mentioned in my previous post the tunnels from Gants Hill to Wanstead stations were used as a factory making aircraft components during the war.

The station was designed by Charles Holden, an architect who designed a number of Underground stations during the 1920s and 30s.

This is the lighting in the ticket hall.

 I like the way Holden has incorporated the roundel into the fencing at the back of the station. The initial design was for a glass tower which would be permanently lit but  post war shortages prevented it being built.

This shows how close the station is to the roundabout

The front entrance to the station.

Across from the station is this large pub and Premier Inn hotel.  Its close proximity to the North Circular (inner London orbital road) and the M11 motorway (useful for Stanstead airport) would make this a convenient stopover for visitors to London. 

A few minutes walk from the station and you are on Roding Lane South with access to Roding Valley Park. It would be a very picturesque green area except for the dumping of rubbish there by morons who can't be bothered to take it to the council dump. Whilst taking the photo I met another walker  who explained the difficulties the council was having to discourage the dumping of rubbish.

I crossed the River Roding and walked on the pathway beside the river as far as the pumping station.

Built in the mid 19th century and recently refurbished, it looks an impressive building by the side of the river. It is no longer in use but the building has been listed. I crossed back across the River and left the Roding Valley park here.

This is Spire Roding Hospital providing private healthcare. In the UK we have the National Health Service which provides free healthcare for all but we also have a number of private healthcare providers for which you will pay handsomely if you want an alternative to the waiting lists of the NHS.. This hospital provides cosmetic and plastic surgery as well as other services.

John, the walker I met earlier suggested I have a look at the PDSA building (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals). Looking at the building it looked very ordinary so I had a quick look around the back.

I saw a sign for a pets' cemetery and went to investigate.

Above the gateway were the words:

They are ever in our thoughts

Love never dies

I realised that this was no ordinary pets' cemetery as it had some very distinguished animals buried here. Ones that had been awarded the Dickin Medal. This medal is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. It was instituted in 1943 by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in WW2. It is awarded to animals that have displayed 'conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while servng or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units'

Here are a few of the gravestones.

There were many other well loved pets in the cemetery

Although it seemed a built up area I came across plenty of green space.

Look at all the mistletoe clumps in the trees.

This primary school built in 1905 still has the school bell in its tower on the roof.
                                                                                    I wonder if they still ring it occasionally

Time to return to Redbridge Underground station via the subway.