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Highams Park lies on the Greenwich Meridian, about ten miles from St Paul's Cathedral, and three quarters of a mile from the North Circular Road. Finding it on a map, however, is not easy. The location of the old hamlet of Hale End is even more elusive, but the many local residents who contributed to this book have never been in any doubt that they live in a vital community with an identity of its own. This eminently readable and well illustrated book is written by an author whose research included interviews with many of those residents.

Early settlers came to the Great Forest of Waltham and, from the Tudor period to the Victorian era, the beautiful surroundings of the forest around Hale End, and its proximity to the City, appealed to Lord Mayors of London and wealthy merchant bankers. Epping Forest and the lake attracted day trippers, who came by rail from London to Hale End station, but the new urban village of Highams Park did not begin to develop until the beginning of the 20th century, when a plastics factory, which supplied the world with ping-pong balls, was established there. Until then, only large houses for wealthier commuters had been needed because cheap workmen's tickets to Liverpool Street were not available from Hale End station. Suddenly, however, shops, schools and affordable houses were built for factory workers and City clerks. Journalists and printers took advantage of trains into London, which ran throughout the night. A lively community had been created.

Fascinating people have always lived in the area, from Haldan in Saxon times to the designers of the Airship R101 and Concorde in more recent years. They are all revealed here, in this splendid and attractive book. The author's research led her to Hecham Manor and records relating to the later manors of Higham Bensted and Salisbury Hall in Essex. Charmingly written and presented, this book will appeal to residents and social historians alike.