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the history of Leyton and Leytonstone
from . dot to … dots – with plenty of spaces
Leyton as a community
Around Britain, including south Wales and central Scotland, people had moved to work
in coalmines, heavy industry, ports and commercial offices, new jobs in new places.
Only a minority remained in historic villages that had a lord of the manor and a
village church, a hierarchy which changed slowly or not at all. Surprisingly few
expressions of regret for this change have been recorded. In a village a person
could have few secrets from his or her neighbours or from the vicar or landlord.
In the long housing terraces of Leyton a truly private life was possible. At the
same time, the widely felt need to be part of a strong community had outlets in celebration
of the royal family (a coronation, wedding or jubilee), with street processions and
members of the British armed forces acting as guards of honour. Successes in Empire-