To celebrate Christmas, this week we are dedicating our nostalgia round-up to the festive period in Romford over the years.
From bright decorations and parties to Christmas Eve panic-buying, these photos capture just some of the magic of Christmas in the town.
Stretching as far back as 1910, the moments here show festivities as they would have looked in the past - but perhaps they are not so different from today.
Photos of Christmas in Romford over the years
Christmas at Romford Infirmary - c. 1910
This photo captures Christmas on the children's ward at the Romford Infirmary in around 1910, where Queen's Hospital now is.
The children and staff are stood in front of a huge Christmas tree, with decorations above including Union Jack flags.
Mawney Road School's Christmas party - 1943
Children at Mawney Road School - many of whom had lost their homes during air raids in the war - were thrown a Christmas party in 1943, captured in this photo.
According to an extract from the Romford Times in January 1944, Miss Van Dyke is dressed up as Father Christmas, while the Mayor of Romford Charles Edward Smart is also in the photo - having arranged the party using £25 from the Lord Mayor's fund.
READ MORE: A photographic look back at Romford in the 1990s
Christmas Eve shopping in Market Place - 1982
Last-minute shoppers were caught on camera in this 1982 photo of Market Place, taken on Christmas Eve by Kenneth Ruthven.
The photograph looks towards High Street, with the town's Christmas tree visible in the background and Keddies independent department store on the left.
Christmas decorations at Romford's libraries - 2001 and 2013
These two photos capture the colourful and creative decorations at two of Romford's libraries at Christmas time.
The first shows Harold Wood Library in 2001 - taken just after the library closed for Christmas - while the second shows a busy snow scene and grotto in Harold Hill Library in 2013.
Share