Sunday, March 6, 2016

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.




















20 comments:

  1. These station clocks are wonderful but not great for teaching children how to tell the time. It is nice looking station and I am not sure I would like glass too much. Pity about the rubbish. It happens.

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  2. Hello, wonderful tour. You were able to see a lot of the area on foot. I like the pub and hotel. The cemetery for the service animals is interesting. It is nice to see all these animals were loved. The trash is sad, people should dispose of their trash properly. Happy Monday,enjoy your week ahead!

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  3. The pet cemetery is very touching - these extensions to our human families remain firmly embedded in our memories; how much more so for the handlers of those gallant dogs whose actions saved many lives in past wars.

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  4. you spent a lot of effort on this post. How fascinating that you are on a quest to research the underground stations.
    Cycling through London made me realize what a diffrence there is in the actual distances between stations and the ones below ground.

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  5. Wow! What fantastic photo tour and how exciting to find this magnificent pet cemetery with heroes and heroines ~ Wonderful post and great photography! ~ thanks ~

    Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

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  6. You find the most interesting places on your journeys - a pet cemetery. Not just a destination but enjoying the journey.

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  7. I've never seen a pet cemetery even though I've heard of them. We buried most of our pets near our home, covered with large rocks to keep critters out. That wasn't possible with our beloved cat who lived with us for over twenty years. He was cremated so we could take him to our cabin home where he loved to explore. - Margy

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  8. VERY interesting!!! Like Powell River Brooks, I too have only HEARD of a pet cemetery. This is something I think we should all have....a cemetery for pets.

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  9. I enjoyed the animal cemetery, too. It's nice that some of the service animals are remembered with memorials.

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  10. That's a fascinating place - I didn't realize there were pet cemeteries like this. Our little buddies become family members; I know our two little dogs certainly have.

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  11. It would be very interesting to walk with you in a photowalk. Thanks for visiting my site as well.

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  12. It would be very interesting to walk with you in a photowalk. Thanks for visiting my site as well.

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  13. Andrea is so right, it would be absolutely wonderful to walk with you; you are my role model (if it is possible to have a role model who is years younger than you are.) I just love the bits of interesting history you find pretty much at every stop... but the pet cemetery is certainly one of the oddest and most unique finds.

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  14. Lovely shots. I adore that clock!

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  15. Great shots in and around the station.

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  16. Hi! Your photos are very beautiful. I want to visit your country in a future again.

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  17. I had to hold fire on commenting on these last two posts until I had time to show them to my husband. He grew up in the area and knows all these eplaces well, except for the pet cemetery, which we both found really interesting, especially in view of the histories of those interred there. I recognised some of the buildings too. Apparently my husband used to play football every weekend with one of the band members from the Rubettes! Do you remember them?!

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  18. The pet cemetery is interesting and yes good to see green spaces in the city.

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  19. Ah the Red House, loved that place! I've just caught up with your Redbridge and Wanstead posts. I have really enjoyed this series of seeing how my past is now looking in this day and age. Thank you! xx

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