Essex Parish Registers now Indexed

News from Essex Record Office: Parish Registers now indexed.  http://www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/time-for-an-index-essex-record-office-in-partnership-with-ancestry-com/

Essex Archaeology In The News

Essex Archaeology in the news.  The Prittlewell Price re-identified: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-48203883

Victoria County History Appeal

Victoria County History of Essex Trust 

President The Lord Petre KCVO JP MA Chaim/air, Geoffrey Hare OBE 

Please reply to the Chairman: Geoffrey Hare OBE 15 Colvin Close, Lexden Colchester, Essex CO3 4BS email: geoffrey.hare28   @  gmall.com 

Dear Supporter 

15 November 2018 

I am writing to update you on the progress of our publication programme and, more particularly, concerning the deteriorating state of our financial position. This is, therefore, both a letter of information and a plea for help to ensure the future of the VCH in Essex. In regard to the programme, Part 1 of Volume XII (St Osyth to the Naze. North-East Essex Coastal Parishes) is with the printer for publication during 2019; Part 2 (the Sokens: Kirby-le-Soken, Thorpe-le-Soken and Walton-le-Soken) is completed and ready to join the queue for publication of many 'Red Books' in train from other counties. The completed and reviewed 'Short', Nineteenth-Century Harwich, Dovercourt and Parkeston is also in the press. From the perspective of VCH Essex, the years since the 2011 Appeal which launched this sequence of publications have been extremely productive. To have produced the highly-praised Volume XI on the North-East Essex Seaside Resorts of Clacton, Walton and Frinton, the two parts of Volume XII, the Shorts for Newport and Harwich, plus substantial progress on a Southend Short, is remarkable. That this has been achieved within the reduced time allowed to our Editors, is a tribute to their dedication and to that of the volunteers. 

The next Red Book, Volume XIII, will be a complete history of the internationally important Essex town, port and resort of Harwich and Dovercourt, from Prehistory, through the Middle Ages, to the 20th century. Most of the work on the 19th century has been completed and the Editors are currently researching the Medieval and Tudor periods. It is, therefore, very appropriate that we should once again invite you to join us at Harwich. For your diary, please note that the Annual General Meeting of the VCH Essex Trust will be held on Saturday, 27th April 2019 at the 1912 Centre, Cow Dune, Harwich, commencing at 2pm, and we hope that many of you will be able to join us there. Full details will be sent to you in March.  But! We are approaching a major crisis in that we now have only a few months of funding remaining. Subscriptions from our loyal supporters have diminished and we must now seek more substantial resources by launching a new Appeal at. the forthcoming AGM. 

Grant applications and a proposal to the Heritage Lottery Fund are already being prepared to support elements of Volume XIII on Harwich. This is truly a make-or-break time for VCH Essex and we ask our supporters not only for personal help but to assist in more widely publicising the cause of VCH Essex and its unique, irreplaceable programme for the study of the history of our county. 

sincerely 

Geoffrey Hare

Registered Charity No. 1038801 

Blackmore. Poppy Trail and Display. Floral Tributes etc

The congregation of the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore, has mounted a poppy trail and display in its churchyard attracting several visitors to reflect and remember the end of the First World War a century ago.  A Poppy Trail leads the visitor to the graves of five people: four associated with the First World War, and one associated with the Second World War. There is War Poetry and a 'Here but Not Here' figure where visitors are asked to consider what life was like when one in five men who went to war never returned. The Poppy Trail and Display can be seen and experienced in daylight hours until 21 November 2018.

From Thursday 8 November to Tuesday 13 November, the church interior will host a number of floral tributes on First World War themes.  Donations are in aid of the Royal British Legion.  At each hour the church is open from Thursday to Saturday, the bells will be rung / tolled and on Sunday the congregation will participate in 'Battles Over' by chiming the bells at 12.30pm and 7pm.

Below are some photographs.  Do come and see.

Harlow New Town commemorates 127 men who died in First World War.

Pleased to take a short time out from the office to read a tribute to Alfred Edgar Seymour who was killed in 1917 and remembered on the Old Harlow War Memorial. He was one of 127 in the now Harlow New Town area to be commemorated in film. I will voice-over the place where his parents lived: Bury Road. One man will be remembered daily commencing 11 November. https://www.harlow.gov.uk/sites/harlow-cms/files/files/documents/files/WW1%20Booklet%202018%20FINAL.pdf

'We Will Remember'. Toot Hill Village Hall. Thursday 22 November 2018 8pm

The High Country History Group commemorates the centenary of the end of the First World War with a talk to be given by Martyn Lockwood, its Chairman, entitled 'We Will Remember' at Toot Hill Village Hall at 8pm on Thursday 22 November 2018.  Admission £3 (Members £2) includes wine and mince pies. 

Remembering the end of the First World War. Essex Record Office. Saturday 10 November 2018. 12.00-3.30pm

Great Waltham War Memorial Website Launched

Please visit the new website about the men from Great Waltham and surrounding areas who died in World War One and are remembered on the War Memorial. This is an ongoing project and anyone with further information are welcome to comment on the website.

Taken from Facebook.

'Remembrance 100' Community Commemoration. Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. 1-21 November 2018

Remembrance 100 – Blackmore, Hook End and Wyatts Green

In August of 2017 parishioner Jenny Dodd suggested that we mark 100 Years since the Armistice by covering the porch of St Laurence Church, Blackmore, with knitted poppies made by members of the community in Blackmore, Hook End and Wyatts Green. She was hopeful that people would knit a few each and if we were lucky we would get around 1500 or maybe even 2000!

Remembrance Sunday still seems to resonate with the majority of people and the project has evolved. It has captured the imagination, not only of local people and groups, but also people from Spain, Canada and New Zealand who have been knitting poppies for this significant event.

From the 1^st of November until the 21^st over 6250 knitted poppies along with a further 1000 poppies made from plastic bottle bottoms will be displayed on the church and in the churchyard. A ‘Poppy Trail’, around areas of the churchyard, will evoke emotion as people journey around a moving and informative experience. Along the trail there will be information points with facts and background material relating to the First World War, the British Legion and the significance of the poppy along with moving poems both old and new. The trail will visit the graves of local people who died in, or as a result of, the war. The final two stops on the trail will allow people to reflect on the scale and enormity of the sacrifice made by millions of service people worldwide and those of the local community.

From the 8^th November until the 13^th, floral tributes sponsored by local people, groups and businesses will be on display inside the church. Created by local people, these will pay tribute to individuals, and depict scenes and aspects of the war.

On the 9^th of November at 7.30 in the evening a talk ‘For King & Country: Blackmore during the First World War’ will be given in St Laurence church.

There will also be an act of remembrance at Our sister church, St. Peter & St. Paul’s Stondon Massey on Saturday 10^th November at 5:30pm which will be a chance to reflect on the 100 years since the armistice with music, poetry and art.

 

All events are free but any donations will be given to the Royal British Legion.

Our key aims for this Remembrance 100 event are to remember those who have given their lives in the first world war and all subsequent wars, to highlight the works of the British Legion and raise money for their continued work and to help everyone to understand the enormity of the sacrifices made and continue to be made to preserve our way of life today.

The scale of the cost of human life in the First World War is astounding. Coupled with those who suffered life changing injuries and the suffering of the families, friends and indeed sometimes whole communities this is something that we should all remember and reflect upon. Wars have not ceased and these sufferings continue. Our service men and women risk their lives on a daily basis often in peace keeping roles in other countries. We owe them and all who have served before them a great debt for our freedom and the way of life we enjoy in our country.

There is no cost to remember. The price has already been paid. At the going down of sun and in the morning we will remember them.

Essex Society for Family History. Open Day. Galleywood Heritage Centre. 20 October 2018

The Essex Society for Archaeology and History will be at the ESFH Open Day at Galleywood tomorrow.  Information here: https://www.esfh.org.uk/events/ESFH%20Open%20Day%20at%20Galleywood%20Heritage%20Centre-449.html

History Talk in All Saints' Church, Doddinghurst, on Remembrance Sunday

As I am sure you are all aware, Sunday, November 11^th, 2018, will be 100 years to the day since the end of the First World War.

At 10.15 there will a Service of Remembrance in the church, followed by two minutes silence round the War Memorial at 11 o’clock and in the afternoon there will be a talk about how the war affected the people in and around Doddinghurst. Of course, the village was a much smaller place then, even though the parish included what is now Fox Hatch. Between 1911 and 2011 the population increased from 371 to 2,832. For those 371 men, women and children there was much hardship between 1914 and 1918 and I have unearthed stories about individuals which are truly heart breaking. There are 10 names inscribed on the War Memorial, some of which are also inscribed on the Blackmore War Memorial, as they lived on the parish border or their families were involved in both villages.  Many more returned from the front. How had their lives changed? And what about the families who were left behind? What was life like for them?

It is important that we remember and recognise the great sacrifices made by our forebears. I do hope you will be able to come to ‘Bombs and Brothers, Raids and Rationing’. There will be a slide show to illustrate and enhance the talk.  It takes place in the church at 2.30 and tea and homemade cake will be served afterwards in Priest House, right next to the War Memorial. The cost is £4, payable at the door, and all proceeds will go towards the upkeep of our ancient village church.

Blackmore: Centenary Commemoration to include History Talk

For King and Country: Blackmore during the First World War

Sunday 11 November 2018 will be a significant day in the life of this country because it marks 100 years since the end of the First World War.  At 11 o’clock that day millions of people will pause, stand around local War Memorials, to remember the cessation of hostilities in which over 888,000 lives were lost.

Blackmore is commemorating the weekend with a remarkable and moving tribute by covering the exterior of the church and the path leading from the Lych Gate with thousands of poppies.  Something like 4000 poppies form the commemoration, which have been handmade by many volunteers.

The Church Flower Guild will also be providing a beautifully themed Flower Festival.  

Also in preparation is a talk about the life and times of the people of Blackmore during the First World War.  The talk will be held on Friday 9 November.  It will be free, followed by tea and coffee.  There is will a retiring collection.

The Church will be open to view the Remembrance Displays from Thursday 8 November to Tuesday 13 November. Times daily 10.30am – 4pm except Sunday, 12.30 - 4.00pm, and Tuesday 10.30am – 12.30pm.

The Remembrance Sunday service will begin, as usual, at 10.45am at the War Memorial continuing at The Priory Church of St Laurence after the observance of two minutes’ silence.

In commemoration of the centenary of the end of the First World War

For King and Country: Blackmore during the First World War

The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore

Friday 9 November

7.30pm

A talk by local historian Andrew Smith

which will include photos and extracts from diaries, letters etc.

11 November 2018: The Centenary of the end of the First World War

Sunday 11 November 2018 marks the centenary of the end of the First World War.  It is a significant event in this country's history.  As local historians how will you be marking and commemorating this event where you live?  Do please contact us so that we can publicise your event.

Essex Local History Meetings: August to December 2018

Essex Local History Societies’ Meetings (August to December, 2018)

Thursday, 16^th August

Clacton and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Pier Avenue Baptist Church, Clacton-on-Sea.

Vic Miller, “A green coat and a furry hat”: The Ladies of the WVS.

Wednesday, 5^th September

South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society. 8 p.m. Champions Manor Hall, 94 Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers.

Lord Petre, The History of the Petre Family.

Thursday, 6^th September

Hedingham Heritage Society.  7.45 p.m. The Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham.

Richard Humphries, East Anglia and the Silk Industry.

Monday, 10^th September

Billericay Archaeological and Historical Society. 8 p.m. Venue?

Louise Reed, Fanny Kemble actress/anti-slave campaigner

Stebbing Local history Society. 8 p.m. Village Hall, Stebbing.

Claire Willetts, The History of Crittalls.

Tuesday, 11^th September.

Halstead and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Baptist Church, Hedingham Road.

Richard Thomas, “The Royal Gunpowder Mills”.

Wednesday, 12^th September

Elsenham Village History Society. 8 p.m. Elsenham Memorial Hall.

Terry Ward, “Station to Station”: A look at the Cambridge Main Line to Bishop’s Stortford.

Thursday, 13^th September

Rayleigh Town Museum. 7.30pm

David Williams, Slavery and the City.

Wednesday, 19^th September

Leyton and Leytonstone Local History Society. 7.45 p.m. St John’s Church, corner of Leyton High Road and Church Lane.

Neil Houghton, Competitive Church Buildings, the Anglican Church.

Thursday, 20^th September

Clacton and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Pier Avenue Baptist Church, Clacton-on-Sea.

Simon Gallup, “Unknown Constable Country”.

Halstead and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Baptist Church, Hedingham Road.

Nick Sign, Servants in Suffolk Country Houses c.1700 to c.1900.

Newport Local History Group. 8 p.m. Church House, Newport

Peter Minton, Bulmer Bricklands.

Friday, 21^st September

Waltham Abbey Historical Society. 8 p.m. Baptist Church, Paradise Road, Waltham Abbey.

Helen Gibson, The Templars and their barns: Cressing Temple.

Wednesday, 26^th September

Saffron Walden Historical Society. 7.45 p.m. Friends’ Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden.

Andrew Everett, An Early Railway Station Architect – the Life, Times and Works of Sancton Wood 1814-1886.

Saturday, 29^th September

Historical Association (Essex branch). 2.30 p.m. Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford.

Vic Gray, Building Utopia in Purleigh; the rise and fall of a late-Victorian dream.

Tuesday, 2^nd October

Jaywick Local History Society. 7 p.m. Golf Green Hall

Simon Gallup, Lavenham, Dedham and the cloth trade.

Wednesday, 3^rd October.

South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society. 8 p.m. Champions Manor Hall, 94 Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers.

Charlotte Harding, Braintree silk-making and the families who worked at Warner Textiles

Monday, 8^th October

Billericay Archaeological and Historical Society. 8 p.m. Venue ?

Gary Egerton, The History of Colchester

Thursday, 11^th October

Rayleigh Town Museum. 7.30pm

Ted Woodgate, Rayleigh Rural Radicalism in the nineteenth-century.

Tuesday, 16^th October

Fordham Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. (?) in the Village Hall

Wendy Shepherd, ‘Women your country needs you’.

Wednesday, 17^th October.

Leyton and Leytonstone Local History Society. 7.45 p.m. St Mary’s parish church hall, Lindley Road.

Carol Harris, Safety and Numbers.

Thursday, 18^th October

Chingford Historical Society. 7.30 p.m. St Peter and St Paul Church, Chingford Green.

Neil Houghton, Gunpowder Paper and Leather: the Story of Chingford and Walthamstow Water Mills.

Clacton and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Pier Avenue Baptist Church, Clacton-on-Sea.

Norman Jacobs, “Nora Timmens”

Halstead and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Baptist Church, Hedingham Road.

Phil Lyons, The Wild West goes East.

Newport Local History Group. 8 p.m. Church House, Newport

Mark Bills, Gainsborough House, Sudbury.

Friday, 19^th October

Waltham Abbey Historical Society. 8 p.m. Baptist Church, Paradise Road, Waltham Abbey.

David Stevenson, The Road to 11^th November, 1918: How the First World War was ended.

Wednesday, 24^th October

Saffron Walden Historical Society. 7.45 p.m. Friends’ Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden.

Malcolm White, Saffron Walden 1945-2000.

Saturday, 27^th October

Historical Association (Essex branch). 2.30 p.m. Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford.

Catherine Fletcher, The Divorce of Henry VIII: an untold story from inside the Vatican.

Wednesday, 7^th November

South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society. 8 p.m. Champions Manor Hall, 94 Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers.

Roger Johnson, ‘The Murder at Moat Farm’.

Monday, 12^th November

Billericay Archaeological and Historical Society. 8 p.m. Venue ?

Steve Newman, Metal Detecting. Part 2.

Stebbing Local history Society. 8 p.m. Village Hall, Stebbing.

Peter Layzell, The Essex Regiment in the First World War.

Thursday, 15^th November

Clacton and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Pier Avenue Baptist Church, Clacton-on-Sea.

Francis Boardman, “Suffragettes: a Media War”.

Halstead and District Local History Society. 7.30 p.m. Baptist Church, Hedingham Road.

David Austin, The Vikings.

Friday, 16^th November

Waltham Abbey Historical Society. 8 p.m. Baptist Church, Paradise Road, Waltham Abbey.

James Lewis, The Great Stink and a Little Bit more.

Tuesday, 20^th November

Takeley Local History Society. 6 p.m. Roseacres Primary School.

Bob Ogley, The Great Storm of 1987.

Wednesday, 21^st November

Leyton and Leytonstone Local History Society. 7.45 p.m. Leyton 6^th Form College (Room HE4), Essex Road, Leyton.

David Boote, The Home Front in Leyton and Leytonstone 1939-1945.

Thursday, 22^nd November

Newport Local History Group. 8 p.m. Church House, Newport

Ken Worpole, We are not afraid of the Future: Communitarian settlements in Essex 1880-2018.

Wednesday, 28^th November

Saffron Walden Historical Society. 7.45 p.m. Friends’ Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden.

Clare Mulley, The Women who flew for Hitler.

Saturday, 1^st December

Historical Association (Essex branch). 2.30 p.m. Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford.

Joanna Story, Treasures from the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Monday, 10^th December

Billericay Archaeological and Historical Society. 8 p.m. Venue?

Anita Maria Sackett, Victorian Christmas – Pagan Origins.

Thursday, 13^th December

Chingford Historical Society. 7.30 p.m. St Peter and St Paul Church, Chingford Green.

Morna Daniels, The Origins of Fairy Tales.

With thanks to Christopher Thompson for preparing this list.

Archaeological Excavations at Barking Abbey. Public Open Day. Saturday 16 June. 11am-3pm

Save The Willingale Treasure. Epping Forest District Museum crowdfunding to buy Medieval Gold Ring

Save the Willingale Treasure!

Epping Forest District Museum has launched an appeal to save a medieval gold ring found in the parish of Willingale before the item goes on sale on the open market.

It is the first medieval gem set ring to be found in the district, and the first known finger-ring to be discovered in the parish of Willingale. The decoration is of an extremely high standard and, to the best of our knowledge, unique.

In total £11,500 is needed to acquire the ring and purchase a secure display case to house it, ensuring the ring  can be on free public display for generations to come. The campaign has already received support from the ACE/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and SHARE Museums East and Epping Forest District Museum has committed funding from its reserves leaving £3000 to be raised.

If the target’s reached the ring will go on public display in the museum’s newly renovated Core gallery, saving it for current and future residents to enjoy. The museum would also ensure the long term preservation of the ring making it widely available to the public through free exhibitions, inclusion in the school education programme, public talks as well as the ring being made available for loan and research.

If the funding is not raised, the ring may be sold on the open market and possibly leave the UK permanently.

About the ring

Recently unearthed by a metal detectorist the ring is thought to date from c.1200-1399 based on stylistic similarities with other rings of this date. The method of manufacture is typical of the period, but is a particularly fine example of application and techniques.

This very well preserved example of a medieval sapphire set finger ring would have been worn by a wealthy medieval nobleman. The maker of this item is unknown – there are no identification marks.  However the craftsmanship of the piece demonstrates great skill and technical ability, from which it is possible to infer that the goldsmith responsible was highly accomplished in their craft.

Jewellery at this time was increasingly used to signify rank, especially after the passing of the 1363 Acts of Apparel, which restricted the wearing of jewellery, especially that containing precious metal or gemstones to the highest and wealthiest social classes.

Goldsmiths were always highly regarded, but as gold became more easily available, and people wealthier, trade flourished and they prospered during the 14^th Century.  This ring would allow this topic to be explored in more detail than the museum’s current collections allow.

Gemstones were thought to possess magical and medicinal powers in the medieval period - sapphires supposedly protecting chastity and uncovering deception, in addition to treating eye-ailments and hysteria, providing another area of investigation that would be enabled by the acquisition of this ring.

About Epping Forest District Museum

Epping Forest District Museum’s remit is to tell the human history of the Epping Forest District and is the only museum in the district that covers archaeology and social history acting as the archaeological depository for the area.

The museum holds a significant medieval collection, which is related to or was excavated from the Abbey of Waltham, including a 12^th Century bible. Other secular examples of medieval precious metal at the museum are coin hoards; this would balance our interpretation, demonstrating the aesthetic appeal of gold and its more obvious financial uses. 

The collection also includes some costume accessories; this would be a valued addition to show jewellery of the medieval period, and the changes of fashion in precious metals and gem-cutting.

The ring will serve as a resource for the museum’s education programme, showing the themes of metalworking including: development of decorative styles and manufacturing techniques; wealth, power and status; craft guilds and companies; and fashion.

This will serve to spark interest in new areas of history and attract new audiences to the museum as well as giving the museum the opportunity to engage with colleagues and institutions on regional and national levels, increasing the profile of the district and the service.

To make a donation towards Epping Forest District Museum’s campaign please visit www.spacehive.com/willingaletreasure

If you would like to know more about our campaign please get in touch with the team at the museum on museum@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or 01992 716882.

Epping Forest District Museum

39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1EL

Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm

Twitter: @EFDMuseum  Facebook: facebook.com/EFDMuseum

Church Open: St Mary's Church, Woodham Ferrers

The Essex Society for Archaeology and History has received this note from the treasurer of St Mary's Church, Woodham Ferrers, giving details of church opening aside of Services.

"As your group has previously visited us, this is just to let you know that once again St Mary’s Church, Woodham Ferrers, CM3 8RN  will be open for visitors from 2.00 pm until 5.00 pm on the first Sunday of each month during the summer which this year will be 5 May, 3 June, 1 July, 5 August and 2 September.  Refreshments will be available.  We also continue to open the church from 10.00 am until 12.00 noon each Tuesday morning.  

"If you wish to bring a large party at any other time, please contact Sharon Hutton-Mayson our Churchwarden on maysons  [at]   talktalk.net and she can arrange to open up our overflow car park if required.  Anyone with mobility problems can be driven right up to the church door.

"We also have the Essex Police Choir performing in concert in the church on Saturday, 7 July 2018 from 7.30pm until 10.00pm."

ESSEX POLICE CHOIR

IN CONCERT

AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH

WOODHAM FERRERS CM3 5RF

JULY 7^th 2018

7.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.

TICKETS £10 UNDER 12’S £5

INCLUDES HOMEMADE INTERVAL REFRESHMENTS

FOR TICKETS CONTACT SHARON

01245 328480/07773 644326

Fundraising for Friends of St. Mary’s Church Woodham Ferrers

www.stmaryschurchwoodhamferrers.org.uk

History Around Essex: January 2018

Local History Societies' events in Essex in January, 2018

Thursday, 11th January. Loughton and District Historical Society. Methodist Church, Loughton High Road at 8 p.m.

Bryn Elliott, Lippetts Hill Camp in War and Peace.

Saturday, 13th January. Historical Association (Essex branch). Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford at 2.30 p.m.

Dr David L.Smith, Oliver Cromwell: Hero or Villain?

Wednesday, 17th January. Leyton and Leytonstone Local History Society. Leyton Sixth Form College, Essex Road, Leyton at 7.45 p.m.

Les Capon, From an Alderman's House to a slum.

Thursday, 18th January. Halstead Local History Society. Baptist Church, Hedingham Road, Halstead at 7.30 p.m.

Annual General Meeting

Friday, 19th January. Thurrock History Society. Adult Community College, Richmond Road, Grays at 8 p.m.

Susan Yates, Essex Curiosities.

Wednesday, 24th January. Saffron Walden History Society. Friends' Meeting House, 71 High Street, Saffron Walden at 7.45 p.m.

Hilary Walker, Living in Saffron Walden in the Eighteenth Century. Part 2.

With thanks to Christopher Thompson, ESAH member for this information.