Street names in Forest Gate record a wealth of English history: literary figures, politicians and many others. Some roads bear the names of royal residencies or great houses. Still others record place names across the UK. A few recall more ancient local topographical features.

Forest Gate itself derives its name from a gate leading into Epping Forest, erected to prevent cattle straying from the Forest into the High Road. It was located close to the Eagle & Child public House. It never was a toll gate, and was demolished along with the keepers' cottage, in 1881. (A 'forest' is a royal hunting reserve, it will, of course, contain trees; any standing timber should more properly be referred to as a 'wood' or 'woodland').

The list is not exhaustive but it does give an indication of the breadth of street-naming as housing estates were developed in the 19^th and early 20^th Century. Sometimes a plot of land would be bought and houses built on it - the developer simply naming roads after their own place of origin.

 Literary Figures.

CHAUCER - Geoffrey, "the father of English poetry" and author who held various post under the King (1340?-1400).

COLERIDGE, Samuel Taylor, poet, philosopher and critic (1772-1834).

DUNBAR, William, Scottish poet "unrivalled in Scotland" and Franciscan Friar (c1460-c1520).

GOWER, probably John, poet and contemporary of Chaucer (c1325-1408).

HORACE, Quintus Horatius Flaccus. Roman poet and author of satires and letters (65-8 BC).

SKELTON, John, English poet of Diss, Norfolk (c1460-1529).

Statesmen and Politicians.

Jubilee exhibition of the Electricity Department of West Ham Council.

West Ham's Electricity Department had a small fleet of neat battery-powered, eco-friendly, vans.

London's main drainage system passes through Newham.