A group of friends who played together as children when they were growing up in a prefab estate have reunited decades later to share stories.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The children celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The six men and women spent their early years living in the estate in Highams Park and last month they made the journey back to their home turf when they visited the estate’s former community hall. 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Some of the friends in fancy dress proudly show off the trophies they won.

The building now houses Humphry’s Café, which opened on April 26 featuring an exhibition of photos showing the history of the area.

And the friends - Chrissy Hopwood, Eddie Norkett, Patricia Gardiner, Mary Hewitt, Rob Rance and Mary Rance – could all spot themselves in the photos.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Patricia Gardiner, pictured as a little girl in the prefab estate.

They lived on the estate from the late 1940s to the early 60s.

The café, which was converted by Highams Park Planning Group, was named after Humphry Repton.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Fun in the snow during one of the winters spent in the prefab estate.

The gardener is considered to be the last great English landscape designer of the eighteenth century and worked on designing Highams Park.