IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Cornwall Close, BARKING, IG11 9JF

Running along the western edge of Mayesbrook Park.

Some sort of work in the park has required a temporary bridge for heavy vehicles to be built over the top of the permanent bridge across the Mayes Brook.

Taken on a very wet day, this view looks along The Drive, past the junction on the right with Oakley Avenue.

A view from Stratton Drive. The blue banners are for the Barking Skyride that was taking place the same day.

Mayesbrook Park was first opened in 1934 during the growth of the Becontree Estate and was formed by enclosing land that was previously open countryside. The two lakes were created when gravel was extracted for use in building the Estate. The lakes are known locally as 'Matchstick Island' and more formally, if uninspiringly, as North Lake and South Lake. The park was originally designed by the Landscape Architect Thomas Mawson but his plans were never fully realised as the Second World War intervened. Construction stopped and the park was used for temporary army accommodation. In 2011 the park was significantly altered by widening the Mayes Brook, which followed the western edge of the park, and moving it to meander through the park. This is the Mayes Brook where it follows its previous course. It is further upstream where it has been changed. This view looks downstream near the entrance from The Drive. The Mayes Brook eventually flows into the River Roding.

Looking south-southwest.

This is quite an impressive building for a junior school. It is also pleasing and rare nowadays to see a school without high security fencing round it. The access ramp with its yellow handrails has obviously been added later.

Mayesbrook Park was first opened in 1934 during the growth of the Becontree Estate and was formed by enclosing land that was previously open countryside. The two lakes were created when gravel was extracted for use in building the Estate. The lakes are known locally as 'Matchstick Island' and more formally, if uninspiringly, as North Lake and South Lake. The park was originally designed by the Landscape Architect Thomas Mawson but his plans were never fully realised as the Second World War intervened. Construction stopped and the park was used for temporary army accommodation. In 2011 the park was significantly altered by widening the Mayes Brook, which followed the western edge of the park, and moving it to meander through the park. Its course is on this side of the houses in the distance.

The pond and another nearby were probably gravel diggings of the 1930s, which were soon annexed to the existing Mayesbrook Park to the north.