1930

The Basildon Operatic Society founded as St. Mary's Athletics Club by Langdon Hills choirmaster "Pop" Holland. The society later became the Laindon and District Amateur Operatic Society, before changing to their present name some years ago. Original rehearsals and performances were held at Langdon Hills primary school.

9 May

(Irene) Joan (Marion) Sims, 09/05/1930 - 28/06/2001, born at Station House, Laindon. The popular actress of Stage, Screen and T.V. was the only child of the station master and lived at Station House until 1952 by which time her acting career, (which had included "Langdon Players" productions), was well established. She appeared in over 70 films and is perhaps best remembered as a regular member of the 'Carry On' team, appearing in 24 of the 30 films made between 1958-1992.

1 August

The Laindon Recorder newspaper first published. This popular weekly local paper continued through to the 1950s when it became the Basildon Recorder. It was once owned by Essex Publishing Company of Wanstead but is now part of 'Echo Newspapers' and called 'Basildon and Wickford Recorder'. In the 1950s it was available every Wednesday, changing to Friday following the merger with the Basildon Standard, and remains so today being available either at selected outlets or delivered free to households in the district.

1931

26 April

Population Census for Basildon district; 12,968.

8 August

Laindon Baptist Church in High Road, Langdon Hills, opening ceremony held. The church was originally on the opposite side of High Road at the end of some shops in Nightingale Parade. There is a stone on the front exterior wall inscribed with the words: To The Glory Of God This Stone Was Laid By Rev. T.W. Shepherd On Behalf Of The Church May 25th 1931.

27 October

Mr. Victor Raikes (later Sir) elected Conservative MP for the Essex South Eastern constituency - including Basildon. Conservative's win General Election.

1932

Land at Westley Heights, Langdon Hills is purchased by Essex County Council for use as open space. Further acquisitions included Hall Wood in 1933, parts of One Tree Hill in 1934, Great Sutton Wood and Old Hill in 1944 and Coombe Wood in 1955. In 1973 much of these areas were declared Country Parks.

27 February

All Saints' Church Hall in Timberlog Lane (now Clay Hill Road), Vange opened by the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr. Henry Albert Wilson. The local MP, Victor Raikes and the Lord Bishop had laid the foundation stones on December 12th, 1931. St. Paul's Mission Church were later to use part of the hall.

1933

Markhams Chase Infant & Junior School opens. The first Headmistress Janet Duke spent 31 years in charge before retiring in 1964. The School was later re-named Janet Duke in honour & recognition of all her years of service.

The London bound up platform at Laindon Railway Station was converted to an island to allow trains to 'wait'. A third line passing loop was installed to serve the new platform 1, which in 1957 became the main platform for London bound trains with the former up main becoming reversible.

1934

Tudor style building at Pitsea Broadway completed. Designed by local dairy farmer Harold George Howard and occupied since the 1930s by Lloyds (now Lloyds TSB) bank.

1 April

The Billericay Urban District Council, formally the Billericay Rural District Council constituted.

1935

9 September

Craylands Senior Council School opened. The school, situated in Timberlog Lane (later renamed Craylands), Nevendon, opened as separate schools for boys and girls, only becoming mixed in 1949. From 1949 to 1968 - when the school merged with Fryerns Grammar & Technical to become Fryerns Comprehensive - the school was called Craylands County Secondary School. The school closed in 1999 though the original building is still standing.

14 November

Mr. Victor Raikes (later Sir) re-elected Conservative MP for the Essex South Eastern constituency. Majority 970. Conversative's win General Election.

1936

The A127 London - Southend Arterial Road transition from single to duel carriageway reaches completion.

A small Sub-Post Office and general stores opens in Worthing Road, Laindon. The owners, Frederick and Annie Rogers run the shop until the 1960s. The shop and this part of Worthing Road are now lost to the Presidents housing estate constructed in the 1980s.

1937

A Police Station at Pitsea opened.

1938

1939

3 September

The United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany following the German invasion of Poland on 1st September. The war, known as World War II or the Second World War, lasted through to 1945. The Basildon area, with its close proximity to London, was often on the receiving end of a whole range of incendiary bombs as the Germans, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, sought to overcome Great Britain. A total blackout was in force, and later as war intensified, Parish Invasion Committees were formed and a German Prisoner of War (POW) camp (No. 266) opened in Langdon Hills around 1943 on a field at the top of Dry Street.