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BOOK REVIEW PREVIOUS | NEXT | LIST ALL BOOKS Borough of Wanstead and Woodford Official Guide 1958-59 Author: Wanstead and Woodford Borough Co Publisher: The British Publishing Company ISBN: NONE An official guide of the borough of Wanstead and Woodford, detailing the borough as it was in 1958, accompanied by a pull-out street map of Wanstead in that year. I have no idea if this book was published regularly by the council, but it is a wonderful snapshot of Wanstead and Woodford in 1958. The first thing that strikes the reader is the advertisements, mostly form companies that no longer exist, for example Ediwn Fisher Furniture Showrooms in Wanstead High Street. The book starts with who's who in the council at the time, as well as some vital statistics; the population of the borough in 1957 was estimated at 60,970, with a birth rate per thousand of 11.2 and a death rate of 11.85, indicating a slightly decreasing population. There is also some interesting history of both the towns and the borough, incorporated in 1937. The coat of arms of the borough is explained, and the possible meanings and origins of the names places Wanstead and Woodford are examined. A chapter covers life in the borough in 1958, describing social life and public amenities within the borough, and the book contains lists of various facilities in the area at that time; schools, places of worship, libraries, hospitals, health services, council housing and more asides. The book also covers what little industry there was in Wanstead at that time, such as W.H. Collings and Sons, manufacturers of concrete products. For anyone interested in seeing this book, it may be best to try the Redbridge Library service as I can't imagine it being held by any high street or internet booksellers. I found my copy on Ebay, so it may also be worth checking there every so often.