Blackmore: Markets and Fairs

British History Online has published a Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs down to 1516. Under the section dedicated to Essex there are local entries for Blackmore ( http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40415#dskey-c3) and Ingatestone and Writtle (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40415&startPage=2 )

Area: Ordnance Survey Maps 1881

British History Online has published old Ordnance Survey Maps online. To view a 1:10860 map originally published in 1881 for Essex go to: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/map.aspx?compid=55117
For the Blackmore Area Local History region see:
Blackmore (southern portion of parish – Hook End, Wyatts Green - and south west to include Shenfield, Doddinghurst, Stondon Massey (south)): http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?sheetid=3287&compid=55117
Blackmore (northern end of parish – the ancient village – and north west to include High Ongar, Norton Mandeville, Stondon Massey (north), Willingale)
South east of Blackmore (to include Fryerning, Ingatestone, Mountnessing) http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?sheetid=3288&compid=55117
North east of Blackmore (to include Highwood, Writtle): http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?sheetid=3280&compid=55117

Stondon Massey: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (4)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For the neighbouring parish of:
Stondon Massey
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15686
Worthies: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15687
Manor: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15688
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15689
Roman Catholicism: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15690
Protestant Nonconformity: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15691
Parish Government and Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15692
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15693
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15694

Shellow Bowells: Church Now House Near Willingale

A recent visitor to the blackmorehistory site typed ‘church now house near Willingale’. The place he was looking for was Shellow Bowells (pronounced ‘bowls’) which is a small hamlet to the north of Willingale. Its church, once dedicated to St Peter, “was rebuilt in brick in 1754” (according to the Little Guide. Essex. 1909) but was deconsecrated and is now a house. For a picture of the building follow the link to History House: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexs07.html

Harlow: Ancient & Modern (10)

Churchgate Street, to the east of the New Town, forms part of Old Harlow. It is a delightful area. A lovely place for lunch is the early sixteenth century timber-framed building, the Queen’s Head, with its long jettied front. The fireplace in the public bar is worth a look.

For a list of past publicans and other photographs of the street and pub go to: http://londonpublichouse.com/essexpubs/Harlow/qhead.shtml
Beer in the evening has the following: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/26/26062/Queens_Head_Inn/Harlow

Norton Mandeville: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (3)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For the neighbouring parish of:
Norton Mandeville
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15619
Manor: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15620
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15621
Nonconformity: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15622
Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15623
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15624
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15625

Area: Francis Frith Collection

Francis Frith has published photographs since 1860. The site contains copies of photographs and maps – all available to purchase – as well as memories contributed by the public.

Blackmore: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/England/Essex/Blackmore

Doddinghurst: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/doddinghurst/

Fryerning: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/England/Essex/Fryerning

High Ongar: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/high+ongar/high+ongar.htm

Ingatestone: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/Ingatestone

Mountnessing: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/Mountnessing

Norton Mandeville: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/norton+mandeville/norton+mandeville.htm

Shenfield: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/Shenfield

Stondon Massey: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/stondon+massey/stondon+massey.htm

Willingale: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/willingale

Writtle: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/writtle

Area: Wikipedia website

Wikipedia is an online encyclopaedia. It is written collaboratively by volunteers from all over the world and anyone can edit it. The links to pages for each parish in Blackmore Area Local History are given below. The content varies very much with the contributions made to the site.

Blackmore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmore

Doddinghurst: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doddinghurst

Fryerning: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fryerning

High Ongar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Ongar

Ingatestone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingatestone

Mountnessing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountnessing

Norton Mandeville: No article

Shenfield: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenfield

Stondon Massey: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stondon_Massey

Willingale: No article

Writtle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writtle

Area: History House website

History House, subtitled ‘a dip into Essex history’ is the brainchild of Keldon, whose work on our local heritage is similar to the aims of ‘Blackmore Area Local History’. History House covers the whole of the county and is an enormous undertaking.

“History House seeks to provide free information on the history of Essex and to help you research your family history. The entire White's Directory of Essex 1848 has been transcribed and I am currently working on the Post Office Directory 1874. It is hoped that other directories will follow. History House is researched and written by Phil George (Keldon)”.

Blackmore: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexb17.html

Doddinghurst: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexd04.html

Fryerning: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexf14.html

High Ongar: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexh25.html

Ingatestone: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexi01.html

Mountnessing: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexm18.html

Norton Mandeville: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexn01.html

Shenfield: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexs08.html

Stondon Massey: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexs32.html

Willingale.
Willingale Doe: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexw27.html
Willingale Spain: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexw28.html

Writtle:
Writtle: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexw38.html
Highwood: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexh27.html

History House’s featured village is nearby Kelvedon Hatch: http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/kelvedonhatch/index.html

Harlow: Ancient & Modern (9)

‘Contrapuntal Forms’ by Barbara Hepworth (1903 – 1975) is a Grade II listed structure, sited in Glebelands. The sculptor lived in St Ives during the latter part of her life where her house is now a museum, with the Cornish town and her garden full of her work.

High Ongar: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (2)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For the neighbouring parish:
High Ongar
Introduction: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15638
Manors: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15639
Church: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15640
Non Conformity: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15641
Parish Government and Poor Relief: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15642
Schools: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15643
Charities: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15644

Harlow: Ancient & Modern (8)

Marks Hall was a fine mansion in the former parish of Latton. All that remains now is the former kitchen garden and stable block, now used as the ‘Museum of Harlow’ For information on the Museum go to
http://www.harlow.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=7116. The picture shows the parterre garden on the site.

Area: Victoria County History - Ongar Hundred (1)

British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk) has published Volume IV of the ‘Victoria County History’ (VCH) of Essex which concentrates on the Hundred of Ongar. It was edited by W R [Ray] Powell (1920 – 2008). Volume IV was first published in 1956.

The Ongar Hundred comprises 26 parishes, generally to the north and west of Blackmore. (Blackmore lies within the ancient Chelmsford Hundred which has not, to date, been the subject of a survey by the project). Neighbouring villages covered by VCH are High Ongar, Norton Mandeville and Stondon Massey.

For an overview of the volume go to: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=53

A description of Ongar Hundred: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15527

Other items of interest are:
Medieval Tax Assessments: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15722
Hearth Tax Assessments (1662, 1670, 1674): http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15723
Bishop Compton’s Census of 1676: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15724

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - February 2009

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.

End of an era for local pub?

The Cuckoo, formerly The Thatcher’s Arms, Radley Green, closed last month, perhaps forever. Greene King, who took over the Ridleys chain of public houses in 2005 – and closed the Hartford End Brewery - is selling the place which in all probability will become a private house. It’s a shame that another lovely proper country pub has closed but a reflection of changing times. As someone who has never probably stepped inside a pub once said, “the sustainability of the public house is diminishing”. For a history of licensees at The Cuckoo follow to this link …
http://londonpublichouse.com/essexpubs/Roxwell/thatcher.shtml
... and memories of darts matches held there and in the local area.
http://www.patrickchaplin.com/Ingatestone.htm

The Campaign for Real Ale is doing their bit to support the local. In the Epping Guardian it cited three pubs in need of support: The Forresters Arms, High Ongar; the Sixteen String Jack over at Theydon Bois; and The Moletrap, Tawney Common, Stapleford Tawney. The latter is a good, honest, old-fashioned pub in the country serving excellent home-made food. It is really worth searching out, but be warned the landlord takes cash only (no cheques or credit cards). Follow link for more information on the CAMRA article: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/4070651.DISTRICT__Pubs_fighting_back_against_crisis/

Perhaps a future item for the blog will be to cover some favourite locals, a photograph and a pint – all in the name of research of course!!

1911 Census

Local and family historians have no doubt been subscribing to http://www.1911census.co.uk/ hosted by ‘Find My Past’. The Essex census is available to view, as indeed are all counties in England to the south of Yorkshire. The census was taken on Sunday 2 April 1911. I have found new information about my family. Have you?

There is also a blog for the site giving information on the rollout of material, bugs in the system, and other information about the project. Go to: http://blog.1911census.co.uk/.

The BBC News item on the census release can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7826521.stm

Music by William Byrd

A recording of music by William Byrd, written when he lived at Stondon Massey. Follow link: http://www.musicalcriticism.com/recordings/cd-byrd-hodie-0109.shtml

Folklore Relaunch

Sylvia Kent is a local writer. Her book ‘Folklore in Essex’ has been reprinted. For more information go to: http://sylviakent.blogspot.com/2009/01/folklore-of-essex.html

Caught on Camera

Mountnessing Windmill: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garysmith70/3086922807/

Walks – with a bit of history mentioned

A circular walk from High Ongar via Willingale (“Matt’s walks”): http://www.matfrygbr.co.uk/willingale_walk.html

Overview of Essex

Hutchybee makes a rather self-deprecating comment at the end of an essay in which he extols ‘The Joys of Es-sex’. It provides an overview to the county which some will find interesting. Follow the link to this discussion board: http://www.morningstarr.co.uk/forum/general-discussion/18360-joys-es-sex.html

Afternoon Teas In The Summer

Blackmore, High Beech and Stanford Rivers churches all feature on entry encouraging cyclists to come and savour tea and cake in the summer. Follow link: http://stibasa.blogspot.com/2009/01/bike-ride-and-afternoon-tea.html

Victorian Farm

Don’t miss this series going out on BBC Two. Very interesting.

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html or look at the news entry for 1 January 2009.