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25
SECTION I.—NATURAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF
THE DISTRICT.
1. Physical Features and General Character of the
District.—The surface is gently undulating, flatter in the
southern portions, rising to a higher elevation in the northern
parts. Ilford is situated on the London clay, but this only comes
to the surface as a narrow strip running almost due east and west
through the middle of the district. In addition, there is a large
patch to the north-west, as exemplified in the names of Clayhall
and Claybury.
There is a large area of brick-earth lying roughly in the
angle between the junction of the Romford Road with the Ilford
Lane, extending down the Romford Road as far as St. Mary's
Church, and down Ilford Lane nearly to Uphall Farm.
The rest of the subsoil is gravel.
Ilford is one of the largest Urban Districts in the County of
Essex, the population being concentrated in the south-western
portion of the district, while the remaining larger portion is still
rural. A large proportion of the inhabitants earn their living in
London, which is only seven miles distant. There are a few industries:—(1)
Photographic works, (2) imitation leather works,
(3) manufacturing chemists, (4) electric battery makers, (5)
nautical instrument makers, (6) engineers, (7) vulcanizing and
wireless instrument works.