Davy Down & Stifford Church is the next Essex Society for Archaeology and History: 16 August 2014

Davy Down is an urban riverside park in the Mardyke valley.  There is a 19th century 14 arch brick viaduct which is still in use carrying the c2c line, the highest span is 10 metres.  There is also a Stifford water treatment works, built in the late 1920s.  The diesel engines are no longer required but are still in place, the water being pumped up by an electric motor now and supplies water to around 45,000 people in the surrounding district.  There is wildlife galore in the park, and scrap metal sculptures of the creatures that inhabit the park.  Stifford Church is a 13th century church in the village of North Stifford.  The village and the church are mentioned in the Domesday Book, and a guided tour of the main street, looking at a few old buildings as we go up for refreshments and look around the church.

Members of the Society will be making their visit on Saturday 16 August 2014.