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the history of Leyton and Leytonstone
from . dot to … dots – with plenty of spaces
the later Victorian and Edwardian times 1890 to 1919
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-building were celebrated. The period up to the First World War saw patriotism at its most pervasive.
