The Number 174 Route

Tuesday 21 September 2010

Our kind 175 driver having dropped us off at the 174 stop (I know you will be reading this in the ‘wrong’ order, but we need to keep the record complete!) we took a brief trip on the 174 to get to CEME, where the 174 Route actually begins. (I do hope you’re following this,  but these are the rules!)

 CEME is the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence.  Andrew once gave a lecture there, so had actually travelled the 174 before us. We noted an ancient mini in the car park  but were not sure if it was a project of merely someone’s transport.  There were several 174s waiting, so these was no delay before setting off to Harold Hill at 13.20.



Back along Marsh Way, we came to the decaying outworks of Ford, and then to the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Church, a Nigerian church with pentecostal messages.

We travelled the 175 route past the Lord Denman Pub, named for the Lord Chief Justice who retired here when worn out by public office, apparently.






Turning right into Robinson Road, we became the only bus for a little loop round Rush Green, past signs to Eastbrook Country Park and also Barking and Dagenham College, busy with students.  Rush Green Medical Centre  was advertising a Spiritualist Medium Evening, which seems to indicate a wide interpretation of the remit of the NHS, and soon we were back on the 103 route, heading into Romford and passing Universal Music.



 This time, our third visit to Romford today, we noticed the Police Station, confirming our view that everything in Romford tends to the HUGE.

Raphael Park and Lodge Farm Park,  on opposite sides of the road, meant that there was a very green outlook as we left Romford, and headed to Gidea Park., where we admired the fine plasterwork of Jarvis and Co, Accountants.  Clearly their building is a good deal older than their business.

 We also passed the Pompadours Pub, though whether it was named after a French courtesan or a hair style I have been unable to determine.  Then we headed uphill, for the first time today, up to Harold Hill.  We were surprised to see a ‘beware deer’ sign outside Pyrgo Priory School, though it is not that odd, considering that Pyrgo Park was once a royal hunting ground.  It was here that, in 1542, Henry VIII, met his two daughters and decided to restore them to the line of succession after his son Edward VI.


Along Dagnam Park Drive, we came to what appeared to be two story prefabs.  It seems, however, that they aren’t.  This was an area where many prefabs were built at the end of the Second World War, but most sources suggest that they have all been replaced.

 We reached the end of our route in the residential areas of Dagnam Park Square and 14.20, with little choice but to get onto one of the waiting 174s to return us to the railway at Romford and our journey home.