Essex Journal. Autumn 2016. (Vol. 51. No. 2)

Following the absorption of the Essex Archaeological and Historical Congress into the Essex Society for Archaeology and History, the latter became owner of the title of the Essex Journal, and the Essex Review. So it is with pleasure that we announce, if belatedly, the content of the latest edition.

Editorial ... 47

Essex Archaeological and Historical Congress ... 48

News from the Essex Record Office ... 49

Hervey Benham Charitable Trust: the living legacy ... 50

The Origins and Early History of Southend: Ken Crowe ... 51

Thomas Hooker at Chelmsford, Essex, 1625-1631: Robert Charles Anderson ... 62

'The great progress of the place in modern times': the Chelmsford Planning Survey and the High Chelmer Development, 1945-73: James Bettley ... 72

Obituary, William Landels Wild (1936-2016) ... 85

Book Reviews ... 86

EJ 20 Questions? Robert Charles Anderson ... 90

Newsletter (Winter 2016)

Many members of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History will have today, Christmas Eve, received more holiday reading: Newsletter #180 (Winter 2016).  It has been quite a year for the Society with the absorption of the Essex Congress and a new website in preparation to be launched early in 2017. Items in this edition include:

- From the President

- Anniversaries

- The Morant Dinner and the Morant Lecture: about Revd. Philip Morant

- Reprint of the Letter to Members of Congress

- The Planning System

- DIY in the Seventeenth Century

- Looking to the future of a self-financing Essex Record Office

- Harlow Roman Temple Digitisation Project

- Nathaniel Salmon (1675-1742)

- Archaeology in the Dark

- Galant Glenway

- Expenses of Heybridge Captain in 1622

- The Fambridge Ferry over the Crouch

- An Excavated Basket Weaver in Bradwell-on-Sea

- Zeppelins' Centenary Commemoration

- St Osyth Planning Application Update

- What was John Booth's Source?

- The Society Archives: An Online Presence

- New Books of Essex Interest

- Readers Letters

- Book Reviews

- Christmas Publisher Offers

Historic Environment: Response from Castle Point Borough Council

Regeneration & Neighbourhoods 

Castle Point Borough Council Council Offices, 

Kiln Road, Thundersley, Benfleet, Essex SS7 1TF  

Adrian Corder-Birch, D.L. 

President 

The Essex Society for Archaeology & History  

Date: 16th December 2016 

Dear Mr Corder-Birch, 

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT 

Thank you for your further letter of 11th November 2016 regarding the planning process and historic environment in Castle Point. I am pleased to learn that you acknowledge that there are effective procedures in place to consider historic environment issues. 

May I also reassure you that planning records relating to the historic environment are published and readily available and that planning officers are also able to call on specialist advice in appropriate cases, as and when necessary. 

Thank you for your continued interest in the historic environment of the Borough. 

Yours sincerely,  

Steve Rogers 

Head of Regeneration & Neighbourhoods 

Essex Record Office Self financing? A Response from the Leader of Essex County Council

Essex County Council 

Leader's Office 

PO Box 11, 

County Hall 

Chelmsford Essex CM1 1LX 

Mr A. Corder Birch 

President, Essex Society for Archaeology and History 

1 December 2016

Dear Adrian 

RE: ESSEX RECORD OFFICE 

Thank you for your letter regarding the financial challenges facing Essex Record Office (ERO). Let me say at the outset how much I value the interest of the ESAH on this issue and indeed the contribution you make across the County. 

At Essex County Council we remain determined to provide the best value for money to our tax payers. This means the provision of outstanding services within ever tighter cost constraints. I am sure you appreciate that the public sector is having to operate in an increasingly challenging financial climate and is having to make difficult choices as to how limited funding is used. Non tax revenue is increasingly important in balancing the equation and it does seem right that customers should pay for services where they can afford to do so. 

Accordingly, we are looking at many aspects of our operations to assess what revenue may reasonably be earned. ERO provide a wide range of services which are valued by those who consume them. It is entirely reasonable that we should set the goal of attracting revenues which fully cover the marginal cost of those services. But let us be clear — this will only be sustainable if we are providing services which are attractive to as many people as possible and which meet their needs. Achievement of a break even position purely through diminution of service will be at odds to our value for money criteria. 

You ask a series of detailed questions about income and costs. Our officers are currently developing the business plans which will enable the achievement of our aims over the coming years. The current trading deficit, even ignoring the cost of the building is approaching £0.5m. Please be assured that we will not ask our staff to perform the impossible; the eventual business plan will need to be realistic and they will be supported in their efforts. 

I wish you well for your council meeting in January. While we would not wish to publish detailed business plans, once they are developed (which will be towards the end of this financial year) I know that the Portfolio Holder for Heritage Culture & Arts, Cllr John Spence and/or our senior officers will be happy to meet with you and talk matters through. 

Kind regards. 

Yours sincerely 

Councillor David Finch 

Leader of the Council