We moved to Basildon in 1952 as part of the new towns initiative. We were one of three houses built in Dencourt Crescent and remained the only three for some time. The gardens weren't fenced, we were surrounde by fields and the roads were barely finished.

My father worked in Rotherhithe, London for Darhams Industries.It moved to Basildon on the new industrial estate in Paycock Road. Darhams Industries was taken over by John Thompsons in the mid/late 50s. It became Clarke Chapman-John Thompson I believe in the early 60s.
My Dad Tom Taylor started there as a sheet metal worker making steel road container tanks. He became foreman and later Factory Manager leaving there in the early 70s.
Darhams Indutries were very family orientated and held wonderful Christmas parties for all the children and had a good social club thatorgansisedc theatre trips.