Amidst the hustle-bustle of modernity, our nostalgia keeps the past alive and revives the age-old tradition of storytelling in passing on cherished values to the next generation. — Foreword by Goh Chok Tong
In 1914, Tai Seng Village began to grow and flourish. It bore witness to 85 years of history, four generations growing up, and 1,500 families who call it home.
Once Upon A Tai Seng Village carries colourful memories from Tai Seng’s former residents. Compiled into a coffee table book, it narrates personal stories about the kampong spirit and growing up amidst the daily challenges and turbulent changes of a new and emerging nation as witnessed by the remarkable people of Tai Seng Village. This title is sponsored by the Singapore Memory Project as part of the Singapore50 celebrations.
Tai Seng was originally known as Charn Mau Hern, which is lemongrass farm in Teochew. In 1917, the co-author’s grandfather Ang Young Huat invested in a rubber plantation and named it Tai Seng Rubber Factory. It created many jobs and the village flourished. The road and village were named after the factory for its contribution to the community.
In the early years, Tai Seng village was under the administration of Bedok Rural District which had amenities like Ang Clan Association, Pai Chin School (renamed as Hong San School), Hong San Temple, market place and police post.
Criminal activities proliferated in Kampong Tai Seng due to the presence of Chinese secret societies and the large number of poverty-stricken people.
The development of Tai Seng started with the opening of Paya Lebar Airport in 1955 which was relocated to Changi in 1981.
The resettlement of Lorong Tai Seng residents in 1970s changed the face of Tai Seng Lane (Dacheng Lane), and now it has become an industrial zone for many international companies. DHL was the first multinational company to set up its warehouse and office in the Tai Seng Industrial Estate.
Much has changed and today the only surviving memory that still stands at Tai Seng Village is the century-old Hong San temple. But what hasn’t changed is its industrious spirit from which it first got its name.
Good evening Sir/Madam,
I am Giovanni, a Year 2 History student from Nanyang Technological University. The purpose of this email is to enquire about the books/articles and the topic in relation to these books. I am currently researching the history of Lorong Tai Seng and the main scope of my research would be focused primarily on the history of its association with a secret society. May I kindly ask how would I be able to access this book “Once upon a time in Tai Seng” and if you would so kindly have any other book or article suggestions that can help me expound on my research. Once again, many thanks for reading this email. I hope you have a great weekend ahead and hope to hear from your end.
Best Regards,
Giovanni
Hi Giovanni, thanks for your interest in this book. You may able to borrow it through NTU library by inter-library loan (https://libguides.ntu.edu.sg/library-resources-recommendations-and-requests). Please approach your library for assistance.
You may also refer to NewspaperSG (https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/) and oral history interviews (https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/oral_history_interviews/) to get more historical information. Hope this helps!
Hi, I would like to contact the author. I have a question on the estate next to Tai Seng called Tai Keng.
Hi Keng Ann,
Sorry but we’re not in contact with the author. The book is published by Hemispheres Foundation, as part of a collaborative initiative lead by the Ministry of Communication and Information and facilitated by the National Library Board. You may wish to write to any of them and seek their advice.
Alternatively, we came across this FB page posted by the author: https://www.facebook.com/Once-Upon-Tai-Seng-1374980546142713/. You might wish to try contacting the author via this option.