EssexJOURNAL A REVIEW OF LOCAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY Spring 2008 DID JOHN KAY INVENT THE FLYING-SHUTTLE IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY COLCHESTER? DON SCOTT DISCUSSES

PLUS, THE LONGS OF CORRINGHAM,

INDUSTRIAL HOUSING IN

AND STAN NEWENS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWN

Update From Dr Chris Thornton On The Future Of The Victoria County History Of Essex...

...and News, Obituaries, Book Reviews And Our Very Special EJ 20 Questions Respondent!

Spring 2008 Vol.43 No.1 EssexJOURNAL ISSN-0014-0961 Incorporating Essex Review

he ESSEX JOURNAL is published twice a year under the CONTENTS T management of an Editorial Board consisting of representatives of the Editorial 2 Essex Archaeological and Historical Congress, the Friends of Historic Essex, the Essex Record Office (on behalf of the News 3 Essex County Council) and the Hon. Editor. It is recognised that the statutory duties of the County Council preclude the ERO John Kay and the Fly-Shuttle: 6 from sharing in the financial commitments Colchester’s most famous non-resident? of the consortium. by Don Scott Chairman:Adrian Corder-Birch, [email protected] Hon. Editor: Neil Wiffen, MA, The Longs of Corringham: 10 [email protected] a nineteenth century farming family Hon. Secretary: Maureen Scollan, PhD, by Beryl Dixon [email protected] Hon.Treasurer: Geraldine Willden, MAAT, [email protected] Industrial Housing in Essex 14 The annual subscription of £10.00 should by Tony Crosby, Adam Garwood and Adrian Corder-Birch be sent to:The Hon.Treasurer, 11 Milligans Chase, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8QD The Genesis of Harlow New Town 22 Subscribers who receive a faulty copy or who by Stan Newens do not receive a copy at all should contact: The EJ Distribution Manager, Intercity Print Financial PLC, Obituaries 28 35 St.Augustine Mews, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PF, [email protected] Book Reviews 29 Notes to contributors Contributions are welcome and should be sent in a Word format to the Hon. Editor at the email listed above. General correspondence can either be emailed EJ 20 Questions? 33 or posted to: 30 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 7EF.He is more than happy to discuss any proposed articles as he does not guarantee that unsolicited material will be published. Contributors are requested to limit their articles to 2,500/4,000 words, other than by prior agreement with the Editor. Style notes are available. Disclaimer Items printed in the Essex Journal do not necessarily Cover illustrations: reflect the views of the Hon. Editor or Editorial Background - Extract from MAP/OS/6/1/41 (Reproduced by courtesy of the Essex Record Office); Board. Contributors, on behalf of the Essex Journal, John Kay 1704-80/81 (Reproduced by courtesy of the have made every effort to trace and acknowledge Science & Society Picture Library, Image No. 10419513); ownership of all copyrighted material and to secure Tombstones to the Long family (B. Dixon); permissions.The Editor would like to hear of any The Terrace, Hatfield Peverel (A. Corder-Birch); inadvertent omission in the acknowledgement of Dr Chris Thornton (N. Wiffen); copyright material. Lord John Petre (Lord Petre).

EssexJOURNAL 1 Editorial

hen I wrote my last editorial, indeed it that nothing is was my very first, the members of the cast in stone; W Editorial Board were anticipating, with we, the some trepidation, the launch of the new look Editorial Board, Essex Journal at Ingatestone Hall (An account of the will need to launch written by our treasurer Geraldine Willden respond to well appears on page 3).We hoped that by bringing the founded preparation and laying out of the Journal in-house we suggestions as would make a substantial saving and thereby secure its well as evolving future.Well, I am delighted to report that we have the presentation exceeded our targets as well as recruiting over 120 over time to new subscribers with our special three for two offer. maintain its This fantastic news means that, along with articles in appeal to as hand for our Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009 issues, wide an we can look forward to the future with optimism. audience as Another benefit of rationalising costs is that we are possible. If we able to maintain the annual subscription at £10, a do not produce an interesting and attractive product level at which it has been for almost two decades. that pays its way then there is no point continuing – Gas, electricity, council tax and beer might all the Essex Journal cannot, indeed should not, stagnate increase in price year-on-year-on-year but we at the and thus decline. Most of the feedback received has Essex Journal will continue to provide good value for been positive. Of course, there will always be money! differences of opinion and there will always be room It is a big relief to all of us that the hard work put for this, but on the whole we have had a ‘thumbs up’. in by so many has not been wasted, and that the help, This whole editorial enterprise is one very steep support and encouragement so willingly supplied by learning curve for me.The editing of articles is one so many of our friends can be repaid through the thing but to also get my head round the computer continuation of the Essex Journal. Obviously a very system is another! You’ll be glad to know that I’m big thanks must go to Lord Petre for so very kindly feeling much more at home with it all now and hosting our successful launch party back in October hope to go from strength to strength.The arrival last year, and also for kindly agreeing to the dubious of my daughter Chloe in November hasn’t aided my honour of being our first ‘proper’ respondent to the progress but sometimes, as historians, we must 20 Questions feature on page 33. remember to live for today rather than yesterday. As to the new look, I hope that, on the whole, it meets with approval. I said in my previous editorial Neil

Members of the Editorial Board at the launch of the new look Essex Journal on 26th October at Ingatestone Hall. Left to right: Martin Stuchfield, Stan Newens, Geraldine Willden, Adrian Corder-Birch (seated), Neil Wiffen and Maureen Scollan. (This and two following pictures courtesy of Ian Mason).

EssexJOURNAL 2 News Launch of Essex Journal

ighteen months of hard work culminated in a very enjoyable evening at Ingatestone Hall Eon 26th October 2007 when the new look Essex Journal was launched in the presence of over 60 people; these included County Council officials and representatives from some of the many historical societies in the county.The new style Journal is now produced by desk top publishing under the editorship of Neil Wiffen, and an Editorial Board comprising representatives from the Friends of Historic Essex, the Essex Historical and Archaeological Congress and the Essex Record Office.Thanks to the kindness of Lord Petre the formal business of the evening including his steep learning curve to get to grips took place in the Stone Hall on the ground floor with the desk top publishing programme, writing of Ingatestone Hall. his first book review and his plans for the future. Adrian Corder-Birch, Chairman of the Editorial Afterwards, everyone adjourned to the adjacent Board, introduced the evening which began with a rooms where refreshments were set out. Lots of masterly survey of the current state of Essex history good networking was carried out and friendships by Dr Chris Thornton, County Editor of the were made or renewed. Victoria County History of Essex. Presentations were Copies of the Essex Journal were on sale at the then made by Lord Petre to Mrs Jean Beale and her launch, together with a special three issues for the daughters, Stephanie and Harriet, (pictured below) price of two offer. Many present took advantage in memory of our late editor, Michael Beale and to and thus far over 120 new subscriptions have been Mrs Marie Wolfe who retired as secretary of the received.The future viability of this exciting new Editorial Board after many year devoted service look publication now rests on your continued (pictured above).The final amusing speech was given support. by Neil Wiffen, the new editor, who described some of the events which had led up to the evening, Geraldine Willden

Can You Help? he recent success following the launch of subscribers continue to receive a prompt and the new look Essex Journal has meant that efficient service. Twe have attracted many new subscribers. If you are computer literate, willing to spend a As we are planning to continue to build on this few hours a month on Essex Journal business and are wonderful start by recruiting more subscribers able to attend two or three meetings in Chelmsford we will need some more help. each year then please contact Adrian Corder-Birch The Editorial Board would like, therefore, to at: recruit a membership officer to ensure that our [email protected].

EssexJOURNAL 3 News Victoria County History Update he Victoria County History (VCH) is in the news again and about to enter a new Tchapter in its long and eventful history, so Essex Journal asked its County Editor a few searching questions... Can you remind us about the purpose of the project? Nationally, the VCH seeks to publish a complete history of England through professionally produced authoritative accounts of parishes and local communities based on research in original sources. Each county has a set of volumes providing essential guidance for a wide range of people interested in local history.That’s the short answer. For more information please visit our Dr Herbert Eiden (left) and Dr Chris Thornton (right). website: www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/Essex Regional History any more, but I’m glad to say And how is it financed and that their view isn’t universally held there. Poor administered? Locally, our core funding comes recruitment seems more likely to be a reflection from an annual grant from Essex County Council. of the lack of support to attract students and build These funds are supplemented by grants provided up activity and a reputation.A great many people by the VCH Essex Appeal Fund.The costs of do wish to take their interests in the subject further publication are met centrally by the Institute under professional guidance. of Historical Research, University of London. What are the VCH’s current research So what is happening to the VCH and publication plans? We have two volumes and its staff? For the past eight years the host in hand,Volume XI (covering the NE Essex seaside institution for the project has been the University resorts: Clacton-on-Sea,Walton-on-the-Naze, of Essex, but it has now withdrawn, and from Frinton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, Jaywick, etc.) and 1st June 2008 the project has been administered Volume XII (the same area up to the 19th century, under a new rolling three-year contract between plus some neighbouring parishes such as St. Osyth). Essex County Council and the Institute of Historical Although the volumes have been much delayed the Research, University of London.The part-time material is accumulating and the development of the County Editor and Assistant Editor have now website gives us the opportunity to place our texts transfered from the University of Essex to the in the public domain at an earlier stage. Institute of Historical Research. Can the VCH use volunteer or specialist Where will be VCH be based? Office help? As the core staffing has been reduced, we accommodation is being provided by Essex County already depend on volunteers and some contracted Council at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford. specialists for a great deal of support.There are several How can we contact VCH Essex in volunteer contributors to volume XI and the section future? Our new address is: on the built environment has been prepared by The Victoria County History of Essex, Dr James Bettley.Additionally, the dedicated Essex Record Office,Wharf Road, Chelmsford, volunteers of the Clacton VCH Group have CM2 6YT.Tel:01245 244680 been working on the history of that resort during e-mail: [email protected] WW2 for many years.We are also exploring the use [email protected] of further volunteers and local groups to initiate Does all this mean the VCH staff will work in parts of the county hitherto untouched no longer teach Local History? by the VCH.The key to this will be having enough On the contrary, we’re looking forward to time to construct projects likely to attract further collaborating with ECC Arts and Heritage on external funding. new educational initiatives.As members of staff What else is on the horizon? There are of the new Centre for Local History at the several other projects running which in time will Institute of Historical Research we will be able to support the main VCH publications or produce continue to supervise higher degrees (MPhil, PhD) other outputs themselves.The Clacton VCH Group and anyone interested in studying for a research has continued to expand its research, recently degree is welcome to contact us for an informal chat. covering the WW2 coast defences of Clacton and So as far as you are concerned the this will lead to further displays and publications. subject can still thrive? Some staff at The Essex VCH is also liaising with staff at Essex University believe that people aren’t interested Roehampton University over the production of a in taking degrees or other courses in Local and scholarly edition of the 1671 Hearth Tax for Essex.

EssexJOURNAL 4 News

Can you tell us more about the VCH The Appeal also helps to support other costs of the Essex Appeal Fund? This registered charity project, such as IT equipment, and it maintains an was established in the 1990s when funding from essential reference library for the editors.Thus local government sources for the VCH began to without the Appeal’s additional funding the project decline.As this trend has continued, so the Appeal would be much more difficult to finance. Donations grants have become more important in ensuring the to support the work of the VCH can be sent to: VCH can continue.The Appeal raises money from Mrs Patricia Herrmann, Secretary and Treasurer, other charities, societies and trusts as well as many West Bowers Hall,Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, individual supporters.All donors become members CM9 6RZ. email: [email protected]. of the Appeal with the right to attend and vote at the AGM.The Appeal Fund publishes a newsletter twice How have the VCH staff stayed so sane? a year and holds an annual lecture at the AGM in Well that’s a leading question! We both have busy November.This year it will be given by Carenza family lives which help to keep you in the real world, Lewis of Cambridge University and formerly of and we both enjoy playing football. I really enjoy ‘Time Team’so we are hoping for a good audience! fossil-hunting, and have been successful this year finding part of an ichthyosaur jawbone at What is VCH Essex Appeal Money used Lyme Regis.At about 200 million years old for? The VCH Essex Appeal monies are used to it puts all our VCH troubles into perspective... support the work of the researchers and editors, essentially by enabling them to work longer hours on the project through additional part-time contracts. Chris Thornton, County Editor,VCH Essex. Essex Congress Symposium his event is the most popular on the Essex of the Romans, Saxon,Vikings and Normans. Congress calendar and 2008 was no After coffee, an entirely different and up-to-date Texception. It is always held at Christchurch, talk by Fred Nash,‘World War Two Defences in Chelmsford on alternate years and was started Essex’. He is an expert on twentieth century experimentally in 1987 by Andrew Phillips, defence sites (pillboxes, anti-tank obstacles) that Clayton Lewis and Bob Henrys. One hundred were built throughout Essex during the war. and sixty delegates sat down while County Who can ever, now, walk past a pillbox without Councillor Gerry Knight chaired the meeting. recalling his invigorating talk and slides? John Smith gave the first talk on Smallpox in After an excellent lunch efficiently organised by Essex based on his book The Speckled Monster, Wendy Hibbitt, the afternoon session commenced harrowing in parts but a revelation. Next followed with a talk by Georgina Green who entertained a talk by Richard Shackle who commenced with the us with a full account of ‘The Trading Companies; good news that Essex County Council had acquired Essex connections’. Georgina discussed the extent the historic Cressing Temple barns and followed with to which London merchants bought up land and an account of a group of buildings at Earls Colne estates in Essex once they had made their fortunes. which were timber framed, dating from 1380.After After a cup of tea the day finished in sparkling coffee Andrew Phillips gave a stimulating talk on form with a talk by Jonathan Catton - ‘It Works the computer analysis of poll-books. I have never Both Ways; Essex strikes back’. Here we were forgotten his visual aids of the time - a computer treated to talk about the industries that were keyboard and VDU and a print-out several metres situated along the Thames that supported the war long, draped over a ladder and much of the platform! effort as well as the docks that helped to launch After lunch Past President John Boyes then the troops that took part in D-Day. I do wish commenced with his slides of Essex from the air though, that he had brought his Second World War and after tea we were divided into six groups to re-enactment group to finish the day - maybe discuss further topics. Socially and academically a next time? most rewarding occasion. The Essex Congress Local History Symposium Moving on to 2008, our 11th Symposium has flourished for over 20 years and we must was held on Saturday, 29th March and was ensure it continues; I know that the Congress titled ‘Traders, Raiders and Invaders’. team are already considering a programme The day commenced with an inspiring talk for 2010 as you, the readers, will understand by Dr Jennifer Ward on ‘Pirates, Invaders and a lot of planning is required. I close by Settlers; Essex before 1100’. Jennifer is a good thanking all organisers, past and present, friend to Essex Congress who can be absolutely for their hard work which has given so much relied upon to stimulate our thoughts and set the pleasure. standard for the day, which she did, by discussing the impacts on Essex by the successive ‘invasions’ Dorothy Lockwood

EssexJOURNAL 5 John Kay and the Fly-Shuttle: Colchester’s most famous non-resident? by Don Scott n the past, Essex and thousand years.The widespread single weaver and also doubled East Anglia had a long introduction of cotton from the requirement for the necessary Iassociation with woollen America and India in the thread. Forty years later this led cloth production. Indeed many eighteenth century, combined to the invention of the spinning towns, villages and hamlets were with innovations and inventions jenny with frequent thread completely dependent upon it as of the industrial revolution, and famines. a source of employment and a new desire for lighter textiles, The earliest reference found trade, although little remains to completely changed cloth so far to an Essex connection for remind us of these former times production and led to an John Kay is in the 1848 edition except the many fine churches expansion in its production. of White's Directory of Essex; that were re-built with the profits Manufacture was concentrated ‘Mr. Robt. Kay died in 1728 of the cloth trade. But changes in in factories, or mills, in the leaving his white bay concern at fashions and improvements in midlands and northern areas Coggeshall to his son John who technology brought about an of Britain where sources of water, invented the fly-shuttle in 1738.’3 almost total collapse in local and later steam, power were This is incorrect on two counts cloth production. One invention available.These were all factors as the fly-shuttle was patented by that hastened the end of in the decline of the once Kay in 1733,4 whilst John's father traditionally produced cloth thriving woollen trade of Robert was a yeoman farmer in was the fly-shuttle designed by Essex and East Anglia.2 Bury, who died in John Kay (Plates 1&2), who has It is arguable that the first 1704.5 Bennet Woodcroft, long been supposed to have had significant invention in the writing in 1863, also refers to an association with Colchester, a mechanization of the cloth Kay being involved in a concern claim that has been repeated in a trade was the flying shuttle, or in Colchester,6 whilst the Victoria (Reproduced by courtesy Office, by of the Essex Record (Reproduced I/Mb 90/1/1). major modern academic history fly-shuttle, designed by John Kay. County History of Essex (VCH) of the town.1 This article will The fly-shuttle was a wheeled in 1994 stated that the fly-shuttle, examine biographical and other shuttle travelling upon a wooden ‘was invented by John Kay original sources to establish track inserted between the warp in 1738 when he lived in whether John Kay and his threads on the loom. It was Colchester’.7 Modern famous invention really did operated by a mechanism of biographical publications on have Essex connections, or if wooden hammers and cords Kay himself, however, make the propagation of this ‘fact’ controlled by the weaver using no mention of any association

The Complete English Traveller. The Complete English has been the product of the one hand only to send it from with Colchester. continued recycling of a mistaken one side of the cloth to the The entry for Kay in the statement in earlier printed other as the weaving proceeded. Oxford Dictionary of National material. It enabled the weaver to weave Biography (ODNB)8 states that wider cloth where previously he he was born in 1704 near Bury, , for engraved hidden in a wool was limited by the stretch of his Lancashire, the fifth son of a arms as he threw his shuttle from prosperous farmer who died sheet and escaped side to side, unless two persons three months before John's birth. were used to operate a single He left school at 14 to be Until the beginning of the loom, and left him a free hand apprenticed to a maker of reeds, eighteenth century the cloth for other operations.The devices which keep the threads trade was distributed widely introduction of the fly-shuttle of the warp separate and beat across Britain. It mainly produced thus doubled the output of a up the weft in cloth to give it heavy woollen cloth woven on greater ‘body’, but left manually operated looms, a technology which had hardly changed in five Perspective View of Colchester, in the County of Essex Perspective

EssexJOURNAL 6 John Kay and the Fly-Shuttle after a month believing he had water from mine shafts; he also financial recognition for his learned all he could about the art. used waterpower to operate inventions. However he returned Kay became an independent looms. In 1747 he emigrated to France and died there around inventor and maker of weaving to France partly, at least, because 1780, although the exact date and devices, married young and had of his financial difficulties.The place of death is unknown.At 12 children. He patented several French weaving trade rivaled least two of Kay’s five sons devices from 1730 onwards, the Britain’s and Kay sought help followed his trade and the elder, best known, then described as a from the French government in Robert, made improvements to ‘wheel-shuttle’, in 1733.Trying the fly-shuttle with a ‘drop box’ to exploit his patent during its which held two or more shuttles; limited life (only 14 in those days) each was loaded with a different by licensing permission to use colour thread to allow striped it. However he set his prices or chequered patterns to be too high and became woven. Kay is seen as an involved in expensive inventor of talent litigation for breach of though sadly lacking his patent.At this in business acumen. time entrepreneurs His fly-shuttle was were setting up never modified small factories or after the 1760s but mills for cloth remained in use manufacture in into the twentieth Lancashire and century.The , and entry in the were glad to ODNB warns use the new that many early shuttle although biographies of unwilling to pay Kay are fees to Kay for inaccurate and doing so. His denies that his design was copied family owned a and license fees were woollen ‘factory’ in not paid. Kay went to Colchester.11 law to recover his dues, Mantoux, writing in but the manufacturers French in the 1920s, combined to form ‘The describes Kay as ‘half Shuttle Club’ which weaver, half mechanic’ and employed lawyers to fight the mentions that he first worked cases he brought and Kay was for a Colchester clothier and ruined by his legal costs. It has about 1730 was making combs been suggested that his house in for looms.12 He states that Bury was invaded by a mob in Plate 1. John Kay, 1704-80/81 ‘John Kay could not avoid the 1753 and everything in it (Reproduced by courtesy of the complaint common against all destroyed.9 With the help of two Science & Society Picture Library, inventors, for the Colchester friends he was hidden in a wool- Image No. 10222478). weavers accused him of ‘trying sheet and escaped.10 The ODNB supporting his invention. He was to deprive them of their daily discounts such stories. awarded a pension by the King of bread’’. It seems certain that In addition to inventions France, although this was not Mantoux's source was Woodcroft's related to weaving Kay also always paid. Kay is thought to book, which was published in patented a windmill for raising have returned to Britain several 1863.Arthur Brown, a careful times in the 1750s and 1760s to researcher based in Colchester renew his efforts at getting for many years in the

EssexJOURNAL 7 John Kay and the Fly-Shuttle

Plate 2. A fly-shuttle gear fitted to a loom at Quarry Bank Mill in Styal, . (Author’s photograph by permission of the National Trust). twentieth century, accepts that name who was a watchmaker in source address or date, the other Kay had local connections but Warrington; he seems to have from ‘The Talbot Inn-yard in the quotes no sources for this belief.13 played some part in devising Borough of Southwark’, dated Eighteenth century Colchester weaving machinery and has been 27th November 1765.The letters weavers were not factory or mill mis-described as the inventor concerned Kay’s invention of a workers but wove cloth in their of the fly-shuttle.16 There was new wool-carding machine. In , P. by Morant, (London, 1748). courtesy Office) by of the Essex Record (Reproduced own homes mainly for piece possibly also a family of the same order to spin yarn it is necessary rates. Since the fly-shuttle could name in Coggeshall, a wool town. first to align the strands of wool increase their output there does Enquiries have been made or cotton, and this is best done not appear to be good reason, into the archives of the Royal with a form of wire brush apart from the cost of installing Society of Arts (RSA), founded consisting of short wires folded or modifying looms, why they in 1753 as The Society for the in half and pushed through a should object to Kay's invention Encouragement of Arts, leather backing. Initially such as might have happened in the Manufactures and Commerce. cards were hand-made and often northern districts. Brown states Kay's early inventions pre-date had irregular spacing between that ‘the weavers’ resistance to the RSA’s foundation but by the the wires. Kay's second most machinery and their power to 1760s it was offering gratuities important invention was a prevent its introduction have to inventors of various industrial machine for pricking the leathers been exaggerated’14 although processes and devices, and in 1764 and inserting the wires. It was White asserts that ‘had the was approached by Robert Kay claimed that those machines operatives tolerated the fly-shuttle who had made improvements to could produce cards twelve times when first introduced here by its his father's invention of the fly- as fast as the handmade ones. inventor, Colchester might still shuttle.There are committee Kay declared,‘I flatter myself I The History & Antiquities of Colchester in the County of Essex The History & have enjoyed a large share of the reports of investigations into the have a few at work in great staple manufacture of Great practicality of the new form of perfection.’18 Again, the RSA's , from Britain.’15 The history of John Kay fly-shuttle but no evidence that committee required that the in the cloth industry is an award was ever made for it. practicality of the invention complicated further by the At about the same time the be fully investigated. It was existence of at least one RSA received two letters17 from concluded that ‘Mr. Kay other man of the same John Kay himself, one with no attended and his Engine The North of Colchester Prospect

EssexJOURNAL 8 John Kay and the Fly-Shuttle for cutting, doubling and crook- References 17. H.T.Wood,‘The inventions of ing cardmaker’s wire was pro- 1. J. Cooper, ed., The Victoria County John Kay’, Journal of the Royal duced and worked.’19 Kay was History of Essex, vol. IX, (London, Society of Arts, 60, (1911-12), 1994), p.136. pp.75, 78-79.Wood was at this asked to produce six further cards 2. for testing and was advanced two The main factor, however, was time Secretary of the RSA, he the collapse of the trade in bays had previously been a young guineas for doing so.The second and says due to the wars involv- colleague of Bennet Woodcroft of Kay's letters contains references ing Britain, France and Spain. at the Patent Office. to his earlier ill-treatment by the 3. W.White, History, Gazetteer and 18. Wood, p.80. ‘wool-factres’ [sic]20 as a reason for Directory of the County of Essex, 19. Ibid. pp.80-81. his failure to patent subsequent (Sheffield, 1848), p.70. 20. Ibid. p.82. inventions. Unfortunately there is 4. Patent no 542,‘Machine for 21. The manuscript letters are no mention of further tests, opening and dressing wool, pre-served in the archives of deliberations or rewards in the shuttle for weaving braidcloths, the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, RSA records so this seems to broadbaize, sailcloths and any other cloths, woollen or linen, Manufactures and Commerce, be the last record of John Kay’s granted to John Kay of Bolton where the present author has appearance in Britain and the in our County of Lancashire’, been privileged to see them. only known manuscript 26/05/1733. Copy in British 22. Farnie. documents signed by him.21 Library.Thepatent document gives little detail and no diagram Acknowledgements According to the ODNB Kay Thanks are due to the staff of the did have some successes and of the device in question. 5. D.A. Farnie,‘Kay, John (1704- British Library and to Ms Claire prosperity in France in the last Batley of the RSA Archive decade of his life but at the time 1780/81)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, (Oxford, Department, both of which I have he died, France and Britain were visited in the course of writing this 22 2004), http://www.oxforddnb. at war. com/view/article/15195, article.Also to the National Trust So, it seems clear that the (13/02/2008). at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, who chronology of John Kay’s life is 6. B.Woodcroft, Brief Biographies of permitted me to photograph a fairly well documented and there Inventors Of Machines for the Kay Shuttle in action, and also to is no real direct evidence for an Manufacture of Textile Fabrics, my friend and former colleague Essex connection. Quite where (London,1863), p.2.Woodcroft Mr Andrew Phillips, Colchester's was Professor of Machinery at leading local historian, who first set White found the reference that me on this quest and fully accepts placed Kay in Essex is unknown. University College, London and subsequently became the Head of the conclusion that John Kay is Indeed what is particularly the Patent Office. unlikely to have worked in intriguing is the absence of local 7. Cooper, p.136. Colchester in the 1730s. records and therefore of the 8. Farnie. The Author source of the references to 9. For instance Woodcroft, p.3. Don Scott spent most of his career 10. P.Mantoux, The Industrial Kay working in Colchester or teaching Physics at the Colchester Coggeshall. It appears, simply Revolution in the Eighteenth Century, (London, 1928), p.206. Institute before retiring as an enough, that subsequent Assistant Director in 1986. In historians have just repeated 11. Farnie. 12. Mantoux, p.206. retirement he has followed up statements made in 1848 13. A.F.J. Brown, Essex at Work, 1700- lifetime interests in the history of his without checking their facts 1815, (Chelmsford, 1969), native Colchester and in industrial fully – a salutary lesson for pp.23-24. archaeology and is a Blue Badge all who undertake historical 14. Ibid, p.24. Guide. He is a Fellow (and former research! 15. White, p.70. Regional Secretary) of the Royal 16. Farnie. Society of Arts.

EssexJOURNAL 9 The Longs of Corringham: a nineteenth century farming family by Beryl Dixon hose engaged in Sarah Annie, Herbert Clarance in the Rental in 1870 only agriculture during the and Susanna Emily;1 two to seven...were still on the roll in Tnineteenth century Charlotte2 and her sons Henry 1886 and only Wordley [Lorkins, experienced many extremes, Charles,Wellington Surridge Orsett], Long [Corringham Hall], from the boom years of the wars and George John; one to and Cumbers [Doddinghurst] saw with France at the beginning to Rosetta Baxter, her daughter, in the new century.’6 Given the the bust years of the depression and her family, and one to Sarah’s vicissitudes of nineteenth century at the end.With the luxury of parents. (Fig. 1) These Longs were farming, the Longs’ survival was hindsight we are able to look the children and grandchildren no mean achievement. back and chart how our ancestors of Charles Long of Systod Farm The lands that formed the fared, but it is important to in the parish of Writtle. He first core of their holdings throughout remember that their life choices appears in the records of the nineteenth century are made were made when they were Corringham and in up of three main soil types: unaware of what was to come 1788,3 his wife Elizabeth having London clay, light soil on a bed next. Some, through luck, good recently inherited about 30 acres of gravel and alluvial marsh. judgment or hard work were able in the two parishes from her The light soil lies between the to prosper and continue farming, step-father William Tower.4 alluvial marshland and the clay, while others failed. One such The Longs then continue to with the present day Fobbing family that did survive and appear throughout the nineteenth Road leading into Fobbing High continued to farm throughout and the early part of the road marking the approximate the century was the Long family twentieth century as farmers boundary between the light soil of Corringham.This article will and principal landowners in and the clay.7 The Corringham chronicle their lives and the times Fobbing and Corringham until and Fobbing tithe maps and in which they lived and examine 1933 and finally just in Fobbing awards reveal that the Longs’ land why they prospered. until 1937.5 They began as was 59% arable to 41% pasture Just inside St Mary’s church yeoman farmers and were and meadow, including drained in Corringham is an impressive described by Dr E.J.T. Collins marshland protected by a wall. stained glass window dedicated as ‘rare creatures indeed’ in Most of the arable land was clay by Sarah Elizabeth Long to her .This was because and the rest the lighter valley husband Herbert Clarance, her ‘of the twenty five tenants listed gravel. Clay soils can be very parents Thomas and Elizabeth productive in the right Bunter and his parents Henry conditions, as they do not Anthony and Charlotte Long. dry out as quickly as lighter Just outside the church door Charles Long = Elizabeth Skinner gravelly lands. However, being lies a group of five solid d.1810 d.1812 a heavier soil they do require nineteenth century extra preparation before tombstones (Plate 1): planting; too much rain one to Herbert, Sarah at the wrong time and their children Henry Anthony = Charlotte Curtis plus 2 other sons can lead to water- Thomas Henry, 1781-1846 1787-1880 & 5 daughters logging and an inability to

Henry Charles Herbert Clarance = Sarah Elizabeth Bunter plus 2 other sons 1809-1901 1827-1905 1849-1931 & 1 daughter

Charlotte Elizabeth = John Bax Groom Thomas Henry Susan Annie Herbert Clarance Susanna Emily 1870-c.1964 1861-1931 1871-1898 1874-1898 1878-1903 1885-1971

2 children born in Calcutta Fig. 1. The Longs of Corringham; a simplified family tree

EssexJOURNAL 10 The Longs of Corringham

plough.The lighter soils, on the corn led to a glut. In 1813 the increased demand for agricultural other hand, are easier and quicker price of wheat dropped from produce.A new style of to work, but have less ‘body’ and 123s.10d a quarter to 67s.10d.12 cultivation known as can dry out very quickly in dry Though thousands of farmers quit ‘High Farming’ relied on inputs weather leading to smaller yields. in this period Henry prospered, of artificial fertilizers, expensive Such a variety of soil types in the partly because during the thirty land drainage where needed and Long family’s lands helped them years or so of low prices he had the employment of many agricul- to withstand the effects of bad been on the receiving end of tural labourers.Although this led weather or economic downturns. periodic boosts of land and to higher costs, reduced wages, income that came from his the New Poor Law of 1834 and These were a time judicious marriage to Charlotte. tithe commutation following the He was able to mortgage in 1829, 1836 Act lowered other expenses. of slump 1841 and 1842, not to keep Agricultural product prices were solvent but to acquire more land high enough to make even the Charles Long’s tenure in when others were leaving and his less suitable land worth cultivat- Corringham and Fobbing, 1788- largest purchase was Reedham’s ing.This ‘Golden Age’ lasted for 1812, coincided with a period of Farm, Fobbing. By 1846 Henry approximately thirty years until boom in agriculture. Grain prices farmed some 1,415 acres the advent of cheaper imported rocketed because of increasing including land in parishes from produce made prices drop by an demands from an expanding Pitsea to Barking and thus average of 49% in less than London, a series of poor harvests through sheer size kept his twenty years.As much as 80% and the disruption to trade caused enterprises in profit.13 Over 60% of wheat was imported but some by the wars with France. In 1792 of his lands were freehold or poor domestic harvests, in 1879 the average price of wheat was copyhold which carried only for example, meant the grain 43s a quarter; in 1812 it had risen nominal dues to the Lord of the yield halved, and there was to 126s.8 It was Charles’ second Manor. For example as a freehold sometimes hardly anthing to sell son, Henry Anthony, who took tenant of Bush House, 76 acres, even at low prices.16 This over from him in Corringham he paid £1.4s.11d a year and as a agricultural depression lasted and Fobbing; his eldest son, copyholder of Prowdes tenement between, approximately, Charles, inherited Systod in with nine acres and Knight’s 1875-1905 during which time Writtle, the original family Croft with four acres, 8s.9d and many farmers and agricultural home.9 After his parents’ death 2s a year respectively.14 Henry workers quit the land. Not the Henry bought out his siblings’ leased his residence, Corringham Long family however. share of the Corringham and Hall (Plate 2), from the Orsett Fobbing lands.10 He now farmed Estate which was more parts of Byron’s, Brazier’s Hall, economical than building his own Roger’s Croft, Prowdes, Knights, lavish farmhouse.When Henry Sprotts and Brooke’s Croft.To do died in 1846 the inventory which this he used part of an advance of accompanied his will shows that £6,000 that his local heiress wife, his family lived comfortably and Charlotte Curtis (a minor), modestly with just two residential received in 1808 specifically to servants. Leaving enough to buy land in these parishes. In discharge his debts of 1820 Charlotte inherited land £15,008.17s.6d, he still left Plate 1. Three tombstones to the Long and property in , an estate valued in excess of family, St. Mary’s Church, Corringham Stanford-Le-Hope and £30,000. Charlotte received the (Author’s photograph). Corringham, including parts leasehold on Corringham Hall of Roger’s Croft, Sprotts, and an annuity of £400 charged Once more the family was Brook Croft, Prowdes and on the sons’ estates. lucky for inheritance provided Knights which complemented The rest of Henry’s estate was more freehold ownership, acreage Henry’s holdings and she divided between his four sons and and cash injections.The eldest immediately sold the Fox married daughter Rosetta who son, Henry Charles, inherited and Goose in West Thurrock received an equivalent cash sum.15 intestate his brother Wellington for £1,440.10s.When her mother Charlotte and her sons continued Surridge’s estate in 1872. He then died in 1822 Charlotte and her to live at and work from added Suttons and Whitehouse heirs received the income on Corringham Hall.They inherited farms in North and South £4,772.95s invested in 3% stock.11 a thriving concern just as the Benfleet and converted Spriven’s These years were a time of depression was lifting. Continued Hall, now Probus, to freehold. slump when bumper harvests population growth, especially in Henry Charles then shared in and growing imports of Irish towns, in the 1850s led to an 1877 his brother George’s and in

EssexJOURNAL 11 The Longs of Corringham

After all soft fruit, vegetables and milk, had a finite demand and Collins emphasises the problem that periodic gluts of vegetables and milk posed for farmers.24 At face value, Herbert, especially, would have been right to stick with corn.The Driver Report commissioned in 1886 by the new Orsett Hall owner,Thomas Whitmore, to assess his estate’s financial situation described Old Hall, Herbert’s main farm, as ‘of sound character for corn Plate 2. Corringham Hall today. growing’.25 Herbert Long also (Author’s photograph by permission of the present owner). appears to have been using labour 1880 his mother Charlotte’s requesting loans of £200 to pay more efficiently than his brother estates with his youngest brother his Heavy Level Rate; they have Henry. In 1881 he employed one Herbert, their sister Rosetta again an air of desperation about man for every 38.5 acres against receiving equivalent cash sums.17 them.21 In 1894 Henry sold Henry’s one man for every However, although the Orsett two small farms, Suttons and 27 acres, but despite having estate had increased its rents only Whitehouse, which may well fewer workers, Old Hall was still 10-15% between 1820 and the have been caused by continuing described in the Driver Report 1870s, many tenants struggled to cash flow problems. His brother as ‘clean and well farmed by a pay them.18 By 1890 88% of Herbert also rented land but very old tenant of a rare type’. tenants on the Rent Roll in increased his acreage, as recorded Both Longs lived in leased manor 1870 had quit.19 Henry is in census returns, from 330 acres houses: Henry at Corringham recorded in the Driver Report in 1861 to 600 acres in 1871 Hall, Herbert, who had married as the second highest rent payer and 1,000 acres in 1881. aged 41, at Old Hall.They appear on the estate at £655 a year.20 Both Henry and Herbert were to have led modest, respectable He had cash flow problems but probably able to benefit from lives. Henry, in 1881, employed they went a long way back, their heavy expensive clay lands only a cook and a housemaid, before he had even taken over because of the high price wheat Herbert a cook, nursemaid and a Corringham Hall from his was fetching during the 1850s governess, but with five children mother in 1871. He had and 1860s.They could still have to educate this was hardly an borrowed £1,500 from his made a living off their easier to extravagance. brother-in-law,Thomas Baxter, work lighter lands during the as early as 1853 and £2,000 depression years by cutting costs The grand old from his brother George in 1866. and moving away from ‘High By George‘s death in 1877, Farming’ practices. Many farmers farmer of south east the sum was £5,000 but it was were forced to switch to different Essex written off in the latter‘s will. products to survive. In Thurrock, Far from using the money to Mr Spitty of Stanford-le-Hope Henry died in 1901 and his purchase more land, he even sold grew strawberries and obituary refers to him as ‘The some. In 1881 he was farming Mr Ridgewell of Orsett small grand old farmer of South East 900 acres, 50 fewer than in 1871 vegetables and fruit. Many of the Essex...his employees always spoke even though he had inherited Scottish farmers taking over of him as being kind and consid- nearly 300 acres from his failed tenancies turned to erate...an employer who seldom brothers. dairying.22 However no evidence found an occasion to dismiss any One perennial expense was has been found of the Longs of them’ and as still ‘visiting the maintaining the sluice gates and radically changing their formula. London Corn Market to the repairing the sea wall. Henry This would have been in fact last’.26 Herbert inherited Henry’s once received a threat of a fine a reasonable approach for, as depleted but still solvent estate if he did not repair his share of Hunt and Pam have pointed out, in 1901 but he did not continue the sea wall at Oil Mill Farm as others diversified, cereal farming Corringham Hall.27 where a ‘considerable slip’ was production including wheat In 1905 he put his Fobbing in danger of allowing the Levels on medium soils and boulder property into a trust fund for his to flood.To help resolve this he clay, especially if combined surviving children, Charlotte and wrote two letters in 1882 to W.S. with ‘Low Farming’, i.e. low cost, Susanna,28 and died that year still Tomlin,a London corn trader, remained viable and rational.23 leaving £20,000.29 His obituary

EssexJOURNAL 12 The Longs of Corringham referred to him as ‘the principal and soil diversity of the resulting 12. Lord Ernle, p.319. representative of an old and holdings, many of them freehold, 13. ERO, D/DU 762/1&2. respected family’, and along with their modest lifestyles, 14. TCL, MF462 MR19 CR25798. remembered for his close and one suspects their hard work, 15. ERO, D/DU 762/1&2, association with the work of had kept them solvent throughout specifically will of Henry Anthony Long. Corringham Parish Church and agriculture’s difficult times. 16. E.H. Hunt & S.J. Pam, for his gifts to Corringham and The Longs had made some ‘Responding to agricultural 30 Horndon-on-the-Hill churches. very perceptive life choices and depression, 1873-96; managerial Herbert’s sons had pre-deceased wise decisions, which allowed success, entrepreneurial failure?’, him;Thomas died in Los Angeles them to continue farming only Agricultural History Review, 50, II, in 1898, and Herbert in 1903. to fail when willing and able (2002), p.229. In 1910 Charlotte and Susanna heirs ran out. 17. ERO, D/DU 762/1, including were admitted as tenants in will of George John Long. common at the same rents as References 18. Collins, p.64. their grandfather Henry Anthony 1. Daughter Charlotte is buried 19. Ibid, p.43, only 3 of 25 tenants. elsewhere. 20. ERO,T/B 357/1/1-13, had paid but they did not 31 2. Husband Henry Anthony is Microfilm of Documents of continue to farm. Their mother buried at East . Orsett Hall Estate. Sarah, lived on at Old Hall 3. Essex Record Office (ERO), 21. ERO, D/DU 762/1. and died in 1931, but by 1937 Q/RPl 1-52, Land Tax 22. Collins, p.69. widowed Charlotte and her Assesments for Barstable 23. Hunt & Pam, pp.251-252. unmarried sister had sold up.32 Hundred. 24. Collins, p.70. Curiously, despite the Longs’ life 4. The National Archives (TNA), 25. ERO,T/B 357/1/1-13. long association neither of them PROB 11/1073, will of William 26. Grays and Tilbury Gazette, featured in the memoirs of Skinner. 03/08/1901, p.3, obituary of Thurrock historian E.H. Rowley 5. ERO, Q/RPl 1-52 Land Tax; Henry Charles Long. D/CT 141A&B, Fobbing Tithe 27. Public Record Office, Calendar of (1869-1959) except for ‘The Award and Map; D/CT 106A&B Wills and Administrations, Vol. 5, Longs of Corringham were Corringham Tithe Award and Map; p.151, f.1210, copy of will of farmers and landowners.’33 TNA, HO 107/322/9, f.1, 1841; Henry Charles Long. Ironically it seems that it was HO 107/7773, f.262, 1851; 28. D/DU 762/1&2. a lack of heirs who were willing RG 9/1074, f.100, 1861; 29. Public Record Office, Calendar of to continue in agriculture that RG10/1655, f.1, 1871; Wills and Administrations,Vol. 5, ended the Long farming dynasty RG 11/1755, f.1, 1881; p.160, f.1592, probate of will of in the twentieth century rather RG 13/1662, f.82,1901, Herbert Clarance Long. than the economic conditions Corringham Census Returns, 30. Grays & Tilbury Gazette, to which so many of their and, for example, Kelly’s Directory 30/09/1905, p.1, obituary of of Essex, (London, 1902), pp.178 Herbert Clarance Long. contemporaries had succumbed. &182 and Kelly’s Directory of 31. TCL, MF462 MR 19 CR25798. It was ironic as this very lack Essex, (London, 1937), p.231. 32. Grays & Tilbury Gazette, of heirs in the mid-nineteenth 6. E.J.T. Collins, A History of The 24/12/1931, p.3, obituary of century had prevented their lands Orsett Estate, 1743–1914, Sarah Long. from being split up. Herbert (Thurrock, 1978), pp.11&43. 33. TCL Archives Box 4, Their Very had handed on, in 1905, a still 7. H.A. Doubleday & W.Page, eds., Life & Existence; memoirs of prosperous concern just as The Victoria County History of E.H. Rowley. farming was entering another Essex,Vol. I, (London, 1903), Geological Map. Acknowledgements boom period but with the death I should like to thank the staff at the of his sons and his daughters 8. Lord Ernle, English Farming Past and Present, (London, 1912), p.489. Essex Record Office and Grays Central inability to continue farming 9. TNA, PROB 11/1513, will of Library Local History Section for their meant there was no one to carry Charles Long of Stystod, 1810. assistance as well as the owners of on.Their great grandmother 10. Thurrock Central Library (TCL), Corringham Hall for allowing me Elizabeth’s modest inheritance, MF462 MR 19 CR25798 Court to photograph their property. 150 years previously, which had Rolls Manor of Fobbing with The Author provided the family’s initial Stanford, 1673-88, 1749-58; Beryl Dixon moved to Essex to live foothold in Fobbing and Court Books 1653 –1818, and work after gaining a BA (Hons) Corringham was supplemented continued on MR20.Also, ERO, Degree in History at Royal by a further judicious marriage, D/DCX M5, Manorial Records Holloway College, University of Henry Anthony’s, which brought & Deeds Mainly Relating to London in 1962, but it was not until Fobbing, Court Roll, 1653-1910, more land, property and cash to her retirement that she was able to p.120. pursue her interest in local history. the Longs.The bachelorhood of 11. ERO, D/DU 762/1&2 Long She took a Certificate in Local three of his four sons ensured that Family of Corringham Hall; History with Essex University and the lands remained in one branch TNA, PROB 11/1331, will of this article was part of her final of the family whilst the sheer size John Curtis. submission.

EssexJOURNAL 13 Industrial Housing in Essex by Tony Crosby, Adam Garwood and Adrian Corder-Birch ssex County Council's houses, lock-keepers' cottages. National Context Historic Environment The purpose of this, and all The Industrial Revolution was EBranch is continuing the surveys, was to identify, the era of the development of its commitment to survey quantify and assess the historic large-scale extraction and modern/industrial sites and and architectural significance of processing of minerals, production monuments (as reported in the the surviving sites and structures. of consumer goods and Spring 2000 and Autumn 2001 The information gathered is transportation of raw materials editions of this Journal1) and in used to enhance the Historic and finished products.This 2006 completed its seventeenth Environment Record by expansion of industrial activity such survey.2 Following on from providing detailed records required more labour, but the specific industrial themes such as of each site and structure, a emerging industrial areas did maltings, iron foundries, the comparative assessment of their not necessarily have a sufficient textile industry and breweries, significance and prioritised workforce locally to support this latest survey concentrated recommendations for their future them.Thus, from the late on part of the social structure that management and statutory eighteenth century onwards, supported industry - the housing protection.When a site or struc- housing was required to attract provided by industrialists and ture becomes the subject of and retain the workforce. industrial companies to attract development proposals, an Although some of the required and retain a workforce.The informed response can, new housing was built by survey focused on purpose-built therefore, be made.Through speculative builders for rent or workers' housing, but did not such management strategy and sale and in the twentieth century include houses in which domestic statutory protection, landscapes by Local Authorities (e.g. London out-work took place, such as and structures of significance, County Council built the weavers' cottages, farm or estate and hence the historic and Becontree Estate in Dagenham workers’ housing or housing architectural character of the which housed many workers for associated with transport built to County, can be protected for the Ford car plant in Dagenham), accommodate staff at their place present and future generations the industrialists took some of work, e.g. station-masters' to understand and appreciate. responsibility for this themselves. The motivation for industrialists to provide workers' housing varied and hence so did the Great Yeldham Saffron Walden Sible Hedingham

Langham Parkeston Mistley Halstead Earls Colne Lawford Braintree Colchester Marks Tey Walton Layer de la Haye Silver End Hartford End Tiptree

Hatfield Peverel Langford Roydon Chelmsford Heybridge Thornwood

Waltham Abbey West Hanningfield South Fambridge

Rochford

Map of locations mentioned in the text.

Purfleet EssexJOURNAL 14 Industrial Housing in Essex quality of the houses built. Some factory village at New Earswick, 1. early eighteenth to mid- just built cheap accommodation built in 1901 to designs by nineteenth centuries without basic amenities in order planners Parker and Unwin 2. late nineteenth to early to meet the need in the cheapest (who also worked on the twentieth centuries way possible: back-to-back Garden Cities), is still considered 3. the inter-war and immediate cottages with no gardens, shared the most influential and successful post-war period water supply and external sanitary of the type.This form of housing facilities all close to the smoking commissioned by the industrialist Early eighteenth to factory chimneys are well known thus continued despite the mid-nineteenth centuries and accurate images of the age. number of Acts passed in the The port of Mistley was first Others provided better facilities latter half of the nineteenth developed as a planned industrial born out of a more paternalistic century to permit Local town in the early eighteenth approach to the workforce, Authorities to provide housing century by Richard Rigby wanting to ensure full control of for the working classes. (1690-1730) and included all aspects of their workers' lives. ship-yards, coal-yards, a granary Yet others had a genuine concern Survey findings and two malthouses, as well as for the welfare of their workforce Although Essex was, and quays and wharves. Existing and recognised that a healthy and essentially still is, an agricultural houses were renovated, terraces of content workforce was a loyal and county, it had a rich variety of Georgian houses were built along productive one - it was good for industries, many of which High Street and the Thorne Inn business as well. reflected its agricultural nature. was built in 1724-25. Later in the In the late eighteenth and As a result of the scattered century as the port became busier early nineteenth centuries more population pattern in the county and industry developed, Rigby's enlightened employers such as many of these industries found son (also Richard, 1722-88) built the Strutts at their mill at Belper, it necessary to provide housing an additional terrace of 12 Derbyshire, and Greg at Styal, for their staff and the survey cottages on The Green.These Cheshire, provided higher identified workers' housing houses are all within the standard housing plus other relating to: Conservation Area and are listed facilities - a school, shop and buildings.Also in the eighteenth 1. extractive industries (brick chapels at Styal. By the 1820s, century the London brewer and tile making and cement); Ashworths, cotton spinners of Samuel Whitbread began 2. engineering and foundries; Bolton 'realised the expediency extracting chalk at and in 3. food production (malt, beer of well housed, content operatives 1790 built a terrace of 12 quarry and preserves); in the mills'3 and provided piped workers' cottages (Plate 1), a 4. general manufacturing water, redecoration and book- school and a church at Botany (including shoes, explosive shelves. Saltaire (founded 1850) Pit.The 12 cottages have since and timber products); is generally given the credit as been converted into six dwellings 5. ports and associated industries; the first industrial model village and are listed Grade II. 6. public utilities; where Sir Titus Salt fulfilled his Early in the nineteenth 7. market gardening. dream of an industrial community century the expansion of the away from the heavy atmosphere The survey assessed 54 Royal Gunpowder Works at of Bradford with hygienic living sites/groups of houses, totalling Waltham Abbey, driven by the standards, a church, dining rooms, over 2,250 individual properties requirements of the Napoleonic school room and lecture hall, and associated with 18 different War, led to the provision of new steam laundry. industries. Of these houses, housing adjacent to the works. The development of industrial 123 (5.4%) already have statutory While most of this has now been model villages continued at the protection through listing and end of the nineteenth century. 1,008 (44%) lie within a Port Sunlight, Lever Brothers' designated Conservation Area, self contained model community, although 80% of these are within was established in 1888 with just two planned settlements, terraced cottages and i.e. Silver End and East Tilbury. semi-detached houses all While most of these houses were with gardens and space around built after industrialisation had them. Cadbury's Bournville, become firmly established in begun in 1895, offered similar the county, examples from the living conditions as well as eighteenth and early nineteenth recreational, social and centuries were identified. In fact educational opportunities to its three distinct periods of employees. Rowntree's model development were identified: Plate 1. Hollow Cottages, Purfleet, built in 1790 by Sanuel Whitbread for chalk quarry workers (ECC). EssexJOURNAL 15 Industrial Housing in Essex

as two parallel terraces in 1882. centuries survive adjacent to the According to the censuses these works. Carey & Birch's Steam were occupied by various Plough Works was established in craftsmen such as carpenters, Rochford in c.1870 and they painters, tailors, shoemakers, built a terrace of ten cottages, coachbuilders and a brewer's now known as Russell Terrace labourer.Artisans Dwellings were soon afterwards. In 1898,Thomas built by, and using concrete from Hollick built an engineering Dix, Green & Co. cement makers, factory in South Fambridge along not for staff but as a showcase for with two terraces of workers' their product.The mid nineteenth cottages and a club house. One century also saw the first of over terrace has since been demolished 15 developments associated with and replaced with new housing, Plate 2. The outbuildings associated with brickworks - the terrace of but the other survives. Before Brickfield Cottages at Wintry Park Brick originally ten, but now eight, moving on to the larger & Tile Works, Epping. (A. Corder-Birch). cottages at the Wintry Park Brick engineering companies, there & Tile Works near Epping being are three examples of housing demolished a terrace of three one (Plate 2).At the rear of these that were developed by food workers' cottages, the Engineer's cottages the original weather- and drink manufacturers during office with Clerk of Works' boarded outbuildings which this period to consider. apartments above and the contained coppers and a Thomas Dixon Ridley estab- Chief Clerk's quarters all survive communal bake house survive. lished a brewery at Hartford End within a Conservation Area. in 1842 and it remained a family In 1815,W.Bentall established Late nineteenth to early business on the same site until an iron foundry at Heybridge twentieth centuries 2005. In the late nineteenth on the Chelmer & Blackwater The 1870s appear to be the start century two pairs of semi- Navigation specialising in of the main phase of house detached houses were built in agricultural implements.The construction by industrialists in Mill Lane, while other houses company built eight groups of Essex. Many small developments built within the brewery site have houses over a period of nearly were associated with brick- since been demolished to make 100 years beginning in 1815. makers and engineers who built way for new offices.Around the In this year The Square was built housing close to their works. In turn of the twentieth century two adjacent to the works entrance the case of brick-makers the detached houses were built nearby as a terrace of five two-storey housing was probably also used to for senior staff.The port of red-brick cottages, one of which showcase their products as in the Mistley, whose eighteenth century was used to provide breakfasts for case of William Clover's houses development has already been the foundry workers. (The later of c.1890,The Terrace at Hatfield outlined, became a major centre housing will be described below.) Peverel (Plate 3).W.H.Collier's for the malt industry in the latter The middle part of the Brick & Tile Works at Marks Tey half of the nineteenth century, nineteenth century saw a few is still operational and the five serving the vast barley growing minor developments such as a dwellings they built in the late areas of East Anglia and supplying fine terrace of five cottages built nineteenth and early twentieth London and other major brewing in Saffron Walden by the Gibson family (brewers and bankers) around 1840, which are Grade II listed.A row of three-storey houses (Grade II listed) were constructed in Roydon around the middle of the century, the purpose of which is still to be discovered. It may be that they, like two similar developments in Saffron Walden in the second half of the 1800s, were built for craftsmen and artisans.Alpha Place, Saffron Walden, is a development of 16 three-storey houses built in 1850 as two parallel terraces of eight, while Artisans Dwellings are 16 two-storey concrete houses built Plate 3. The Terrace, Hatfield Peverel, built by William Clover for his brick works staff. (A. Corder-Birch). EssexJOURNAL 16 Industrial Housing in Essex centres via sea and rail links. those known as Trewlands Seven multi-storey malthouses Cottages were named after the incorporating technical farm on which the factory was innovations patented by built. Robert Free and built by Returning to the major Free, Rodwell & Co. were in engineering companies, this operation at the industry's peak. was the period of further A purpose-built company development by Bentalls for its settlement was established in foundry workers at Heybridge. New Mistley to the east of the The eight two-storey cottages at port settlement developed by Well Terrace have a high level of the Rigbys. Here housing was architectural detail reflecting their provided in a number of short status as supervisor-level housing. terraces of two-storey cottages The 12 three-storey houses of Plate 4. Stour Cottages, New Mistley, of varying architectural detail Stock Terrace, however, were built built by Free, Rodwell & Co for (Plate 4) and a school, public for employees with large families, maltings workers. (T. Crosby). house and Methodist chapel with some being set aside for were also built. Robert Free's younger, single employees under central water pump and cistern, own house,The Elms, lay within the supervision of a landlady providing the fresh water for the New Mistley and stood (Plate 5).At the rear on the inhabitants, survives. Bentalls’ final prominently overlooking the property boundaries survive the developments took place just quay, his malthouses and the original single-storey utility/toilet before the First World War and employees' route to and from ranges, now converted to other included Barnfield Cottages, a work and even the children's uses.The Roothings are two terrace of single-storey concrete route to school.These cottages terraces of eight two-up/two- dwellings with outhouses similar all lie within a Conservation Area. down cottages with minimum to Woodfield Cottages (Plate 6), In June 1885 Arthur Charles decorative detail for the basic 20 semi-detached Arts and Crafts Wilkin established the Brittania grade foundry workers. In 1873 style houses built for managerial Fruit Preserving Co. Ltd, renamed Bentalls built Woodfield Cottages, staff in 1912 and Boulton Wilkin & Son Ltd in 1905, on its three parallel terraces of 40 Grade Cottages, a group of four present site in Tiptree. In 1904 II listed concrete cottages.These semi-detached managerial houses. the company began building single-storey cottages were Robert Warner established his cottages designed to be of a high constructed using concrete with foundry in Walton-on-the-Naze standard for workers' housing. a render facing and originally had in 1871-72 and subsequently built The nine pairs of semi-detached flat roofs (they were referred to as five terraces of houses, the first houses in Cherry Chase all had 'Flat Tops') although these were being Broomfield Cottages in gardens planted with cherry trees, eventually replaced with pitched Hall Lane (formerly Foundry while the terrace of ten cottages roofs due to water penetration. Lane). In 1875 a dining known as Damson Gardens were Contemporary paired concrete hall/evening adult education provided with damson trees. out-houses face the cottages on centre designed by T.A. Cressy A pair of semi-detached houses the opposite side of the narrow was built on the southern end were built in Mulberry Way, while shared access roadways and a of this terrace. Further housing was provided in Saville Street and First Avenue. By the middle of the nineteenth century Courtaulds had established three silk manufacturing bases in Essex, at Bocking, Braintree and Halstead. In order to accommodate some of the many staff required to operate these factories, in 1872 they constructed five pairs of semi-detached cottages in Bocking and Factory Terrace adjacent to the weaving sheds of Halstead.This latter development consisted of one terrace of six and another of ten three-storey houses. In 1883, also adjacent to the Halstead site they Plate 5. Stock terrace, Heybridge, built for Bentalls iron foundry workers. (ECC). EssexJOURNAL 17 Industrial Housing in Essex

its increasing continental traffic, a factory and accompanying and in 1879-83 a new quay was workers’ model village on the constructed to the west.This was Essex marshes between Shell named Parkeston Quay in Haven and Holehaven Creeks. honour of the GER chairman This 200 acre site comprised a C.H. Parkes and it opened in main factory manufacturing nitro 1883.At the time of opening it explosives, cordite, smokeless was announced that 'the company sporting powder and black gun- have acquired a large quantity of powder, plus a self contained land and are preparing to build community including shops, a houses for the workforce, so that post office, schools, an institute Parkeston is likely to become an and considerable housing provi- important town in the course of sion. Following the end of the Plate 6. Barnfield Cottages, Heybridge. a few years'.6 However, the first First World War Kynochtown was Early 20th century concrete dwellings houses to be built were a private closed, all buildings demolished built by Bentall’s. (ECC). speculative development to the and the site redeveloped as part of built a pair of semi-detached south of the land acquired by the the Shellhaven oil complex. houses and a terrace of ten GER - six roads of terraced cottages with a dining room housing built between 1883-85. Inter-war and immediate at one end of the terrace.As well The first GER houses were a pair post-war period as providing housing within the of semi-detached houses built in Despite local authorities having existing settlements for the local 1884 in Malins Road and another been enabled to provide housing, workers, Courtaulds also provided such pair (now demolished) in a number of industrialists in the a number of facilities for their Coller Road. In 1890 two rows county continued to find it staff and the community at large.4 of terraces consisting of ten necessary to provide housing for Most of the Courtauld housing houses each were built in the their staff. From 1920 through to lies within Conservation Areas north end of Tyler Street and 1935 Courtaulds built 55 and some are listed buildings. about the same time, two rows company houses in Halstead.The Reuben Hunt, who took of terraces consisting of six houses first were five pairs of semi- over running the agricultural each were built in the north end detached houses in Vicarage engineering business founded of Hamilton Street. In Foster Meadow adjacent to Factory by his father in Earls Colne in Road 40 cottages were built in Terrace and close to the Halstead the first half of the nineteenth two equal phases prior to 1914, weaving sheds, built in 1920. century, provided housing and while at the turn of the century These were followed over the some community facilities within 'Enginemen's Barracks' (aka next 15 years with detached, the village as well as in Great Tey. Hamilton House) was built to semi-detached and terraced This began in 1872 with the house train crews who had to houses on and around construction of a terrace of spend the night in Parkeston Hedingham Road and Colchester 12 very ornate cottages named before returning home with Road.All were built in what Hibernia Cottages in Foundry trains the next day.That there became known as 'Courtauld Lane (Plate 7).These were was not a great need for this Tudor' style, an Arts and Crafts- followed by a further terrace of accommodation was quickly influenced style in a garden ten in a similar style, Belle Vue recognised and Hamilton House suburb setting. Courtaulds also Cottages, in 1876.As the Atlas became a factory by 1913 and is continued to provide facilities for Works developed and required now offices.Various community the whole community within a larger workforce5 so the facilities were provided, but only their main manufacturing towns, construction of housing the recreation ground, schools including the Homes of Rest in continued through the rest of and Railway Club (now Halstead.7 the nineteenth century and up demolished) were provided by Rippers Ltd established a very to 1911, by which time they were the GER, who also provided building semi-detached houses electric power to the town from with an Arts & Crafts influence its own power station on the in a garden suburb style setting quay, which is also now along the Halstead Road. Most demolished. of the Hunt’s housing lies within One major industrial housing the Conservation Area and some development that unfortunately are listed buildings. no longer survives was By the late 1860s the Great Kynochtown. In 1897, Eastern Railway (GER) needed Kynoch Ltd, manufacturers an alternative to Harwich for of high explosives, established Plate 7. Hibernia Cottages, Earls Colne, built in 1872 for the workers at Hunt’s Atlas Iron Works. (T. Crosby). EssexJOURNAL 18 Industrial Housing in Essex extensive joinery works on the 89 remain, two have been west side of the Colne Valley & demolished and two which were Halstead Railway at Sible and bomb damaged during the war Castle Hedingham Station. were re-built.The original During 1920-21 they built landscape of the estates is still 14 wooden bungalows which recognisable. were demolished during the The two developments of 1970s. However, between 1924- major international significance 28 they built 94 semi-detached in Essex were begun during this houses to the north and south inter-war period. Post-war of the works which survive. reconstruction resulted in a vast Plate 8. Cressing Road, Braintree, part of The Land Settlement increase in business for Crittalls, the Clockhouse Way estate developed by Association Ltd (LSA) was the metal window manufacturers Crittalls in 1918. (T. Crosby). founded in 1934, influenced by of Braintree and Witham, who engaged a number of architects the Carnegie UK Trust, with thus required an increase in the who would inevitably design the aim of providing work on workforce.Workers had to be different styles of housing within small holdings for unemployed attracted from other parts of the the context of an overall Garden industrial workers such as miners, country and, hence, when the Suburb plan.The houses also principally from the north of jobs at the new Silver End factory varied in size and configuration England. Existing agricultural were created they were advertised with the result that there are flats, land was divided into plots of all over the country including the terraces, semi-detached and varying sizes with houses and Midlands, the North and Wales, detached houses.This variation in out-buildings, glass houses, but these workers needed size met the needs of the different piggeries and poultry huts. accommodation in an area of status of staff employed at Roads and a central storage severely limited options. Francis Crittalls, with the largest of the and administrative centre were H. Crittall had, in the immediate detached houses (The Manors) established, the latter usually post-war years, instigated the being built for Francis himself based on a pre-existing farm. building of an estate of 65 houses and his family. The plots, and hence the houses, in Braintree, designed by Walter F. Inevitably the Modernist-style were strung out at wide intervals Crittall and C.H.B. Quennell.The housing has attracted most along the frontage of the roads. initial pair built in 1918 was at attention and is one reason Twenty five of these estates were 156 & 158 Cressing Road, and behind Silver End's fame. It was established from Cumberland, when complete all 65 houses criticised at the time it was built, through Leicestershire and formed the Clockhouse Way but has been the main attraction Lincolnshire to Suffolk, with estate and these were amongst the for architectural historians since. two being established in Essex, first flat-roofed, concrete block, The flat roofed, rendered and the Foxash and Yeldham Estates. modular houses in the country painted brick-walled houses are The houses were designed by (Plate 8). He did consider in Broadway, Francis Way and Messrs. Pakington & Enthoven to building superior housing in Silver Street (Plate 9). In addition provide adequate accommodation proximity to the Manor Works 'Wolverton’, 'Le Chateau' and as cheaply as possible according in Braintree, including a 'Craig Angus', the detached to the requirements of the Clockhouse Way extension, houses in Boars Tye Lane, are also Housing Act. Originally mainly but Francis wanted to build a in the Modernist style. Many of semi-detached houses were built, model village similar to those at these houses were designed by but then detached houses were Bourneville and Port Sunlight, Tait & McManus.This style of preferred, although the Foxash rather than the sort of cramped house only accounts for about a Estate only has two detached housing he had seen in the mill third of the total houses at Silver houses out of a total of 90. and coal-mining towns of End, the rest being Neo-Georgian At Yeldham,75 of the houses are Yorkshire. style with pitched slate roofs detached, the other 16 being in Silver End is built on former and brick built. Metal framed pairs of semi-detached houses. farm land mid-way between windows were originally Two-, three- and four-bedroomed Braintree and Witham.As well as incorporated as would be houses were built at set ratios.8 houses, the village was developed expected, and although some have The Ministry of Agriculture took as a self-sufficient community been sympathetically replaced over the LSA estates in 1948 and with village hall, hotel, over the years the village retains these were then sold in 1957-58, departmental store, churches, much of its original style of mainly to the tenants.All but two playing fields and gardens, and layout and house design.The of the original houses on the two farms. Francis wanted to whole village is a Conservation Foxash Estate remain, while of avoid a monotonous feel to the Area and many of the Modernist the original 91 houses at Yeldham housing in the village and hence houses have been listed.

EssexJOURNAL 19 Industrial Housing in Essex

MOD the housing was finally associated with the brickworks, sold off as private housing in the engineering firms and food and 1980s.The development consists drink manufacturers built from of a large number of units built in the mid nineteenth century six groupings on different roads. through to the early twentieth The units range from five-, century are in the red-brick, slate four- and three-bedroomed roofed Victorian style of terraces semi-detached houses to terraces and semi-detached houses. and flats, the different sizes Companies such as Courtaulds reflecting the differing status of and Hunts which developed the employees for whom they housing over a number of years, were built. adopted different architectural Plate 9. Modernist houses in Silver Street, Finally, during the inter-war styles depending upon the part of Crittalls planned industrial period as the public water supply contemporary taste, be it community of Silver End. (ECC). industry developed to meet Victorian style terraced cottages, The second development of the needs of both the rural Edwardian style villas or Arts and significance is that at East Tilbury. communities, whose supply was Crafts-influenced semi-detached Thomas Bata had founded a still primitive, and the growing houses in a garden suburb setting. Czech shoe-making firm in 1900, urban areas, it was found that as The inter-war period saw the and having expanded to England the waterworks were in remote establishment of the two highly decided to build a company locations staff housing was significant industrial housing village adjacent to its factory at needed.The Southend developments in Essex, those at East Tilbury.The design was based Waterworks’ Langford site was Silver End and East Tilbury. on previous such estates in the first to be developed with Crittall had experimented with Czechoslovakia, including the housing in the 1920s. During the a small estate of Modernist style, Czech factory town of Zlin, and 1930s the waterworks at Tiptree, flat-roofed, concrete houses in other European countries.The Langham and Layer-de-la-Haye Braintree in the immediate factory is of a steel-frame and were all established with their post-war period and continued to concrete daylight construction own staff houses. In the post-war use this style at Silver End. Bata’s and towers above the houses built period additional housing was East Tilbury, on the other hand, for the workers.9 Here the major- constructed at Langford, while shows its European roots being ity of houses are in the Modernist staff housing formed part of the predominantly Modernist style style, but some appear to have West Hanningfield scheme in the housing with pitched roofed been demolished.The village also 1950s. housing only being introduced had a hotel (now flats), a farm after the Second World War. (now derelict land), primary Architecture While the water companies also school, playing fields, shops and There is a wide variety in the adopted the Modernist style of a village hall.10 The original architectural styles used in the architecture for their water village lies within a Conservation housing identified for this report, treatment works, especially Area and in common with Silver ranging from the ubiquitous Langham, Layer-de-la-Haye and End includes a number of listed simple red-brick Victorian terrace Tiptree, the associated housing is Modernist houses (Plate 10). to the International Modern a more restrained style similar to The Cold War research and Movement style used at Silver that used by Hunt and Courtauld development of armaments and End and East Tilbury.This variety at this time. propellants stimulated the is a result of a number of factors continued growth of the including: the status of the Conclusions Royal Gunpowder Works at company building the houses; In analysing the development of Waltham Abbey.These led to the other purposes for which they industrial housing in Essex as construction of a discrete housing may have been built (for example outlined above, there seem to be estate for Ministry of Defence as a demonstration of the (MOD) employees by the company’s product); the status Armament Research and of the staff for whom they Development Establishment on were built; and the prevalent the eastern side of the town. architectural styles of the age, This estate provided modern especially considering that this housing across the employee report covers a period of over spectrum from management to 200 years.The eighteenth century trainee levels of staff. Maintained development at Mistley Thorn is and overseen by a Housing in the Georgian vernacular style Association administered by the of architecture.The housing Plate 10. Executive, Modernist houses on Bata’s planned industrial community of EssexJOURNAL 20 East Tilbury. (T. Crosby). Industrial Housing in Essex four different models of develop- leisure, religious and educational 3. G. Darley, Villages of Vision, ment which could be proposed: facilities provided by their (London, 1975), p.65. respective employers. 4. Crosby & Corder-Birch, 1. A few houses built around an Whether individual houses, ‘Courtauld’. isolated industrial site, e.g. terraces or entire planned towns, 5. T. Crosby,‘Rural Engineering: many of the brickworks, small it is clear that these otherwise Hunt’s Atlas Works’, Industrial Archaeology News, 101, (1997). engineering works, Ridley's ordinary buildings make a positive Brewery,Waltham Abbey 6. P.Kay, Essex Railway Heritage, contribution to the historic and (Wivenhoe, 2006). Gunpowder Works and the architectural character of the various waterworks sites; 7. Crosby & Corder-Birch, settlements in which they were ‘Courtauld’. 2. Houses built in an existing built.Through association with 8. ‘The Housing Work of the Land settlement, e.g. some brick- industry which in many cases lies Settlement Association’, Journal of works,Warners, Bentalls, within living memory, industrial the Royal Institute of British Wilkins and Rippers; housing provides a sense of place Architects, 22/11/1937. 3. Developments of housing and to the community and a 9. 'Daylight' refers to the expanses community facilities with resonance with local residents. of glass which made it easier to major impact upon an existing In most instances this housing work on the detailed manufacturing - better and settlement, e.g. Courtauld and remains the only connection to Hunt; cheaper than artificial light! the industry which built them, 10. T. Crosby,‘The Silver End Model 4. The planned industrial and in many cases with the same community, i.e. New Mistley, Village for Crittall Manufacturing industry which shaped the Co Ltd’, Industrial Archaeology Silver End, East Tilbury and historic and economic landscape Review, XX, (1998), pp.69–82. Parkeston. of the county.These houses were built during an important period The Authors Although Essex did not Tony Crosby studied Industrial have the heavy extractive and of industrial growth in Essex and as a group they demonstrate Archaeology at the Ironbridge manufacturing industries typical Institute and since graduating has of the industrial North and not just the lengths to which been involved in five of the thematic Midlands, its original pattern of employers went in order to attract surveys undertaken by ECC, as well scattered rural settlements and a workforce, but highlight issues as undertaking historic building eventual expanding urban centres such a class and status as seen in surveys on industrial sites in did require its industry to attract the hierarchical nature of the . He has published a and retain a workforce that was provision, philanthropy and the number of articles in Industrial not necessarily readily to hand. commitment to innovative design Archaeology and other history and planning.Although a journals. He is Chair of the Friends There is a history of industrial of Great Dunmow Maltings and a housing provision initiated by a reasonable proportion of the housing already enjoys some Council member of the Association wide range of industrial concerns, for Industrial Archaeology. from local traditional industries statutory protection, a large such as small independent number of significant sites remain Adam Garwood started out as a field archaeologist over 20 years ago. brickmakers, to large unprotected. It is hoped that the recommendations of this survey He joined ECC in 1992, working on multi-national manufacturers and directing many archaeological such as Bata Shoes.The findings will address this situation and ensure that this significant built projects throughout the county. By of the survey revealed a diversity 1997 he moved from archaeological of industrial housing provision legacy and landscape can be fieldwork into historic building which survives in Essex from understood and appreciated by surveys and has since completed a across a wide period of time; current and future generations. wide range of projects He currently this reflects a wide range of works as a Historic Buildings Advisor architectural styles, social with the Essex Historic Environment References Record. hierarchies and, through analysis, 1. S. Gould,‘Yesterday's the four distinctive models of Archaeological Heritage in Adrian Corder-Birch is Chairman development.This housing reflects Essex’, Essex Journal, 35, I, (2000), of the Editorial Board of Essex not just a basic provision of pp.7-13 & T. Crosby & Journal and a Past President of Essex shelter but rather a considerable A. Corder-Birch,‘The Courtauld Archaeological and Historical improvement in the standard of Family and the Essex Landscape’, Congress.After 15 years as Chairman housing and facilities for Essex Journal, 36, II, (2001), and Secretary of Halstead and employees and their families. pp.47-54. District Local History Society he is 2. T. Crosby,A. Garwood & now its Patron. He has a particular As well as somewhere to work A. Corder-Birch, Industrial interest in industrial archaeology, and live, many of the resident Housing in Essex: Comparative being a life member of the British workers, particularly those in Survey of Modern/Industrial Sites Archaeological Association and a the larger settlements or model and Monuments, ECC internal member and Hon.Auditor of the villages, benefited from a range of typescript report No 17, 2006. British Brick Society.

EssexJOURNAL 21 The Genesis of Harlow New Town by Stan Newens arlow New Town, which with their own industries to promoted the idea of planned now has a population provide employment.Trustees new towns as an alternative Hof 80,000, celebrated the would borrow money to acquire to unchecked urban sprawl. 60th anniversary of its designation land on behalf of the community In 1940, a Royal Commission on 25th March 2007. Building to be created, which would on the Distribution of the completely new ‘modern’ towns eventually become the landowner. Industrial Population under to remedy many social ills So convinced was he of his idea Sir Montague Barlow reported was first suggested in the late that he publicized it by publishing in favour of planning for the nineteenth century, and thus two influential books as well as decentralisation of population prefigured Harlow’s existence by forming, in 1902, the Garden and industry from the larger many years; even then Harlow City Association.2 After a great cities.5 In 1943, the Ministry was not the first ‘new town’ to deal of hard work mobilising of Town & Country Planning be built. Before any work started, support, the First Garden City was established to plan the though, many debates were had Ltd. came into existence on reconstruction of Britain in the regarding the benefits and 1st September 1903. It acquired post-war period. In the same year, problems that building on the site would bring. However, with the heightened need for new housing to replace that destroyed during the Second World War the go-ahead was given for the development of Harlow, one among several new post-war towns. Now that Harlow is entering its seventh decade it is well worth reviewing the background to its development and the place it holds in the county of Essex. The idea of building new towns – or garden cities, as they were initially called – was the brainchild of Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928), a social reformer Plate 1. Sir Frederick Gibberd, Master Planner, (left), and Ted Woodland, who was inspired by reading Chairman of Netteswell Parish Council in 1947, recalling in October 1980, Edward Bellamy’s utopian socialist the campaign in favour of Harlow New Town novel, Looking Backward.1 In this, (Reproduced by courtesy of the Museum of Harlow). the narrator of the story wakes 3,822 acres at Letchworth in Professor Patrick Abercrombie up more than a century after Hertfordshire and embarked on was appointed to prepare the going to sleep in a very unequal the construction of Letchworth Greater London Plan of 1944 world and finds himself in an Garden City.3 In 1920, Howard on behalf of the Standing ideal society. Howard committed succeeded in launching the Conference on London Regional himself to working to achieve construction of a second town Planning.6 This proposed ten sites this, despite having only a limited at Welwyn Garden City, also for the building of satellite towns income as a self-taught shorthand in Hertfordshire.4 round London, including Harlow, writer. He decided that human Between 1918-39 concern Ongar and Margaretting in Essex. beings were physically and began to grow more generally A research group under William morally degraded as a result of about uncontrolled city growth Holford, which included living in overcrowded and and its consequences. In 1935, Frederick Gibberd, an architect unhealthy conditions in large this led the London County planner, (Plate 1) was set up by cities, and became convinced that Council to initiate the idea of a the new Ministry to evaluate they needed access to nature and green belt round the metropolis, each of these. the countryside to lead healthy which became law by the The election of a Labour and fulfilling lives.To remedy Green Belt Act of 1938. government in the 1945 General this, he proposed the building The Town & Country Planning Election led to the appointment of new towns of a limited size, Association, successor to the of Lewis Silkin, who had chaired surrounded by a rural green belt, Garden City Association, the Town Planning Committee

EssexJOURNAL 22 The Genesis of Harlow New Town of the London County Council at which a challenge to its legality and three miles north to south. 1940-45, as Minister of Town by Eric Blain for the HDA was It consisted of five long and and Country Planning. He was turned down. Bill Fisher, another narrow country parishes – naturally very sympathetic to the of Leah Manning’s supporters, Harlow, Latton, Netteswell and idea of new towns and appointed presented a petition in favour of Great and Little Parndon, which Lord Reith – known for his role the new town.After an appeal ran parallel to each other, from in creating the BBC – to chair against a favourable decision the River Stort in the north a New Towns Committee. was withdrawn, Harlow was to the ridge of high ground Its report formed the basis for designated as a new town on extending from Hastingwood to the New Towns Bill, which was 25th March 1947. It was one of Rye Hill in the south (Map 1). introduced in Parliament in the first four to be designated, the Although the ancient parish April 1946 and speedily passed. others being Stevenage, Crawley of Harlow had been the site of a Leah Manning, the recently- and Hemel Hempstead.8 But for medieval market, granted in 1281, elected Labour MP for the the manifestation of local support, and had a past stretching back Epping constituency, which then the proposals for a new town at through Roman, Iron Age, included ,Waltham Harlow could have foundered, Bronze Age and Neolithic times, Abbey, Epping, Harlow and a as they did at the other Essex as evidenced by its ancient temple number of surrounding villages, sites, Ongar and Margaretting. site and a prehistoric village, it used the Parliamentary debate to Basildon, which was designated had declined as a centre of trade support the case for a new town as an Essex new town a couple and no longer had a market day. at Harlow: of years later, like Harlow relied Outside of Old Harlow (Map 2), on a strong group of supporters the population was sparse and in the constituency which I led by Billericay Council Clerk, lived in scattered village hamlets, represent, I hope – indeed I Alma Hatt, and senior councillors isolated farms and cottages, almost pray – we shall have at who countered the opposition.9 generally surrounded by fields one end a new town…The Even before Harlow’s and woods. Industries had existed alternatives which face the designation, Lewis Silkin sent in the area in the past – cloth, country-planners of today are for Frederick Gibberd, who pottery, malt production and, either to build on green belts and had served on the New Towns most recently, marine engineer- beautiful open spaces or build Research Group set up by his ing. However, the last of these, 7 new towns. Ministry, to ask him to prepare represented by Kirkaldys of Burnt The proposals for a new town a Master Plan in co-operation Mill, closed down in 1930. were, however, not universally with an Advisory Committee – Craftsmen, retailers and service welcomed in the locality. a shadow Harlow Development providers in the area catered only The Harlow Defence Association Corporation (HDC) – which met for local needs. Harlow was, 10 (HDA), chaired by Leonard in London. The area chosen for however, linked to London by Radbourne, a local farmer, was development was a 6,000 acre road, rail and the Stort formed and a campaign launched rectangle of land measuring some Navigation, which gave rise to oppose the plan.This was, four miles from east to west to a small number of jobs and however, countered by a group of Leah Manning’s supporters Little Parndon who believed that the project would be of benefit both to existing residents and to those in Latton desperate need of housing after six years of war.Ted Woodlands (Plate 1), who had been elected Netteswell Harlow to the Chair of Netteswell Parish Council on a Labour platform, helped to launch a petition in favour of a new town and sent in a list of signatories to the Minister. He followed this up Great with an invitation to Lewis Silkin Parndon to visit Harlow and, on 30th October 1946, a meeting N was organised which the Minister addressed.A public enquiry was opened at the Drill Hall in Harlow in December 1946, Map 1. The Ancient Parishes of Harlow New Town. (Based on ERO, The Parishes of Essex, Chelmsford, 1999). EssexJOURNAL 23 The Genesis of Harlow New Town

building a Stort defining the northern and new town.13 the Rye Hill ridge the southern Once the boundary.Within the area, town had been Frederick Gibberd decided to designated, preserve the valleys as green HDC was wedges and create neighbour- established on hoods between them.The aim an official basis was of ensuring that every to implement resident had countryside and all the decision amenities within walking which was distance.The main industrial area beyond the to provide jobs was sited along capacity of any the railway, close to the northern Map 2. Harlow Old Town, c.1873. existing local boundary delineated by the (Extract from MAP/OS/6/1/41, reproduced authority in the River Stort.The final plan was for by courtesy of the Essex Record Office). area. Sir Ernest a population of 60,000 but this enabled others to commute to Gowers, Senior was increased to 80,000 in 1952. work elsewhere.11 Most of the Commissioner for London during The Corporation originally land was owned by the Arkwright the war, became Chairman; Eric earmarked Mark Hall mansion, family, descended from Richard Adams, who had been the Town previously owned by the Arkwright (1732-92) inventor of Clerk for Islington, became Arkwrights in Latton parish, as the Water Frame and pioneer of General Manager; and Ben Hyde its headquarters but, sadly, this cotton spinning in factories, Harvey, the Borough Treasurer for was destroyed by fire in 1947.The whose fortune had enabled his Leyton, was appointed Chief HQ therefore went to Terlings, descendants to become Financial Officer.The latter over the Hertfordshire border, landed gentry.12 succeeded Eric Adams as General until a housing office was built at Statutory education was Manager.All three have been The Stow and other accommoda- provided mainly in all-age commemorated by the use of tion at the Town Centre (The Anglican schools at Churchgate their names to designate new High) much later. Land for Street, Harlow Common, town buildings or an area. Other building was acquired from the William Martin and key officers appointed to the Arkwright family and others, Great Parndon, or at Fawbert & HDC were Victor Hamnett with the Mark Hall area, Latton, Barnard’s (Undenominational) (Executive Architect), Ron being bought for about £80 per School, Old Harlow, open to all Jacques (Chief Solicitor) and acre.The first dwellings erected religions from its foundation in Cliff Jackman (Housing Officer). were four prefabs in Hart Road, 1836. Higher education was Marjorie Green was appointed Old Harlow, in January 1949 available at Harlow College, Social Development & Liaison (Plate 2). Soon afterwards, the Old Harlow, for fee payers and Officer but, after her marriage Corporation obtained approval a minority of scholarship boys, to Will Soper, a local farmer, for 98 dwellings at Chippingfield, while a few of the girls were sent she was succeeded by Len White, Old Harlow, though progress was to the Herts. & Essex School at founder of a settlement for the slow and only 50 had been built Bishop’s Stortford. Most pupils poor in Camberwell. Len White by 1950. Houses were allocated left school at 14 to work as became one of the best known for rent to those who took up approved employment in the manual workers – some on HDC officers.14 He and his wife, town, and incoming employers farms – or, in the case of girls, a Molly, were active in many fields were promised accommodation proportion went into service. until their deaths in 1998 for staff who moved to Harlow. Whilst Harlow and the and 2007 respectively. Frederick surrounding parishes supported a Gibberd’s predominantly rural community appointment that had traditionally looked to as Architect its landowners, clergy, farmers, Planner15 with traders and other substantial the task of citizens for leadership, by preparing the 1945 change was in the air. Master Plan16 The election of that year returned was confirmed. a Labour MP,Leah Manning, and This was a number of Labour candidates to shaped by the the various parish councils.This geography of the provided the basis for the local designated area support given to the concept of with the River Plate 2. Handing over the keys to the first New Town tenants, Mr Satchell and Mr Mealing, Old Road, 4th August, 1949 JOURNAL Essex 24 (Reproduced by courtesy of the Museum of Harlow). The Genesis of Harlow New Town

Since the most rapidly expanding building, the development of industry was building in the factories, offices, shopping centres, initial years, most of the houses in schools, churches, community Chippingfield, and in Mark Hall centres, health centres and other North, which was the first amenities proceeded according to neighbourhood development, the Master Plan.When Ben Hyde went to building workers. Harvey took over as General Mark Hall North was built in Manager of the HDC, he was 1950 and included the first tower particularly anxious to attract block erected in post-war Britain. high technology firms to Harlow, Named The Lawn, it was opened with the result that a large by Hugh Dalton, who had proportion of graduates and succeeded Lewis Silkin as highly skilled operatives were Minister of Town & Country drawn to the town. Key Glass, Planning, in May 1951. later United Glass, was practically Development then moved to the only large employer which Mark Hall South 1951-53 and provided jobs for previously then to Netteswell. Harold unskilled labour.This had an Macmillan, who took over as important influence on the Minister when the Conservatives character of migration into were returned to power in 1951, Harlow.The new residents were aimed to boost the national rate often sophisticated people who of house building to 300,000 per demanded high standards and Map 3. Potter Street, c.1873. (Extract annum. He insisted on putting an provision of a comprehensive from MAP/OS/6/1/41, extra 1,000 houses into the range of community and leisure reproduced by courtesy of the Harlow programme in 1954, services.17 In the early years of Essex Record Office). which were developed at Potter the new town, public services Don Anderson managed to secure Street at the cost of lowering were the responsibility of Epping agreement that these Harlow design standards. Rural District Council (ERDC), schools would be the first to be In 1955-57, the builders of which Harlow was part, converted.18 Latton Bush, moved to Little Parndon and Essex County Council (ECC) Stewards, Passmores, Burnt Mill Spring Hills, Canons Gate and and certain other authorities. and St. Mark’s Comprehensive Ashtree Field took shape.The The HDC was required to Schools followed later. Nearly Bush Fair area was developed in co-operate with these.The 30 primary schools were also the years 1955-62. In the 1960s, demand for improvements was established, plus Harlow College the concentration was on the reflected in the election of several of Further Education, which southern side of the town and at outspoken local Labour subsequently became a tertiary Great Parndon. Most of the representatives.Alf Brown and college. For the provision of accommodation took the form of Pat Fox-Edwards (later Lady medical services, a demand was houses with gardens and there Gibberd) were elected to ERDC voiced for the building of health were few blocks of flats.This was and, at a later stage, Bill Fisher centres.A temporary medical very popular. In the later period, and Don Anderson to the ECC. centre was established in the however, the HDC experimented In 1955, Harlow was separated Mark Hall neighbourhood until with development of high density from Epping and became two semi-detached houses in areas like Bishopsfield and an Urban District Council. The Chantry could be adapted Charters Cross. Later, Fernhill, This returned a Labour majority for the purpose: Haygarth House. Clarkhill and Honeyhill were and Alf Brown became its first Dr Stephen Taylor,19 the former built on similar principles Chairman. Labour MP for Barnet, became and proved to be a failure. Education was a service in the driving force behind Consequently, they were which there was a strong demand this demand, following his redeveloped some years later. for improvement.This was met by appointment to the Corporation In 1972, Katherines and Sumners the building of new secondary Board. He managed to persuade were built on the western edge schools, the first of which was the Nuffield Trust to finance of the town, but further Mark Hall, opened in 1954. the building of health centres expansion at Tylers Cross, Netteswell followed, and then in Harlow, and the new town Roydon, was rejected by the Brays Grove.The original plan became a pioneer nationally in Minister at the time, Peter Shore. was for these to be bilaterals, this provision. Dr Taylor (later After completing building but in May 1958 Labour won Lord Taylor of Harlow) was also operations, the HDC was wound the ECC on a programme of behind the establishment of the up in 1980. introducing comprehensive Industrial Health Service in Hand-in-hand with house schools and County Councillor Harlow, at Edinburgh House

EssexJOURNAL 25 The Genesis of Harlow New Town

(now Stephen Taylor House) wide range of activities, including Later still, a museum was opened and another centre.This was voluntary organisation meetings, at Passmores House, a listed another pioneering achievement social and educational events, building, and a cycle museum for Harlow.Another of his and dramatic performances. in the former stable block at projects was the establishment of Other community centres also Mark Hall, as the result of a University of Newfoundland flourished. Sport was a great HUDC initiatives. Frederick campus in an adapted malting off priority for the HDC, which Gibberd and his second wife, Market Street in Old Harlow. allocated large areas for playing previously Pat Fox Edwards, He was, in addition, the fields, a golf club at Canons created the Gibberd Garden, an originator of the idea of calling Brook, a rugby ground, a sports outstanding public attraction all new public houses in the town centre, and various other facilities. which eventually passed to a trust after Essex moths and butterflies. Harlow Urban District Council after his death, and still flourishes. A campaign also developed (HUDC), later Harlow District The sporting, cultural, social Council) built a swimming pool and charitable undertakings and gave full support to the that came into being with the development of sport, the arts development of the new town and youth activity. Play areas and were created as the result of the play barns were provided for separate, co-operative and the young and organised sometimes competitive input entertainment for other age of HDC, HUDC, ECC and the groups.Water facilities were activity of vocal and dedicated developed at the Moorhen groups of Harlow people.The (Plate 3); a town park was created. churches, the political parties, Harlow Football Club was the Employers’ Group, the trade formed in 1879, long before unions, sports clubs, Harlow the new town began,21 but a very Council for Voluntary Service large number of new teams were and others all made important Plate 3. The Water Gardens and the formed to take advantage of the contributions. Success in creating Town Hall, Harlow Town Centre, in the numerous playing fields. services and facilities during the early days; clean, crisp, modernity. The town also became a formative stages stimulated and (Reproduced by courtesy of the centre for drama, with groups like motivated community efforts. Museum of Harlow). the Moot House Players, Prentice Harlow’s image as a successful to press for Harlow to have its Players and Netteswell Players.22 new town attracted new residents own hospital instead of being Music flourished, with the and hosts of visitors.Amid so dependent on St. Margaret’s at formation of the Alberni String much that was new, however, Epping and the Herts. & Essex Quartet, visits by Sir Robert and efforts were made to preserve at Bishop’s Stortford.The HDC Lady Meyer, well-known patrons Harlow’s historic heritage. allocated 30 acres to provide of music, and the establishment of Many traditional buildings were for this and, in 1966, Princess the Harlow Chorus, Harlow Band preserved, although there were Alexandra came to open Harlow’s and Netteswell Youth Band. some regrettable losses. Much own hospital, which was named Music and the teaching of of the original road structure after her. Shopping was provided musical instruments were survived in the cycle tracks. according to plan by constructing promoted in Harlow schools. Field names, as well as the names four neighbourhood shopping A film, The Pied Pipers of Harlow, of outstanding personalities were centres at Old Harlow,The Stow, was made and attracted national used to designate housing and Bush Fair and Staple Tye, plus attention.23 The Harlow Ballet public areas.Archaeological and local shopping centres.The town School was established by historic research was encouraged centre, which had once been Leo Kersley and his wife to reveal more about Harlow’s suggested for Old Harlow, was Janet Sinclair.24 In 1953, past. established in the middle of the Frederick Gibberd, Eric Adams, When HDC was wound up development to accommodate Pat Fox-Edwards, Sir Philip in 1980, the idea that the new large stores, specialist shops, a Hendy (Director of the National town assets as a whole should market, offices and the Town Hall. Gallery), and Maurice Ash formed be transferred to Harlow District Community centres were created the Harlow Arts Trust, which Council, in accord with the in every neighbourhood. commissioned ’s ideals of the pioneers of garden At The Stow, in Mark Hall, sculpture,The Family Group, and cities, was not given serious the former St. Mary-at-Latton sited a rich selection of sculptures consideration by the then Labour Vicarage, built in 1840, was throughout the town.25 Government – although adapted for this purpose. Campaigns were run to build a resolutions had been passed at Under a very dedicated warden, theatre and a cycle track which conferences and a working party Sewell Harris,20 it provided for a were, in due course, successful. had reported in favour of this

EssexJOURNAL 26 The Genesis of Harlow New Town course of action.26 The major Despite this, however, and W.R.Powell, ed., A History of industrial and commercial assets, the fact that the town inevitably the County of Essex, vol.VIII, in accordance with the policy ceased to be a centre of dynamic (London, 1983), pp.131-158, adopted in other new towns change and settled down to a 187-195, 206-227. upon completion, were conveyed more routine existence, the 12. R.S. Fitton, The Arkwrights, (Manchester, 1984), Chapter IX. to the New Towns Commission manner in which it was planned 13. Bill & Newens, pp.48-54. (now English Partnerships). and built has had a dominating 14. Gibberd et al. pp.18-27. Harlow District Council received effect on the character of 15. ibid. pp.26-27 only the housing assets and some West Essex.The creation of a 16. F.Gibberd, Harlow New Town; shopping areas.The result was that new town, on garden city A Plan, (Harlow, 1952). the very considerable returns on principles, with a population 17. For an account of the building New Town Commission owned of some 80,000 people is a development, see Gibberd et al. property – at first in rents and development of great significance. 18. Essex County Council Education later in sales – went to the Although the question of Committee, Education in Essex, Treasury. Harlow District regeneration and further 1956-1960, (Chelmsford, 1960), Council, meanwhile, was not expansion are current issues, pp.42-43 and Education in Essex, 1964-1973, (Chelmsford, 1974), left with adequate means of the record of the growth of the pp.37-38. generating the funding required present community, the interplay 19. See Who Was Who, 1897-1998, in the long-run to maintain and between the various authorities (London, 1999) and Gibberd et ultimately regenerate its large and the people and the policy al. pp.60-61. housing stock and other of conserving original features 20. B. Jones, ed., Three Lives; priorities.The contrast with the alongside newer developments Autobiographies of Sewell Harris, situation in Letchworth, the first represents an important chapter Margaret Horwell and Jane Saxby, garden city, in this respect, drives in the history of the locality. (London, 1983); The Sewell Harris home the reason why Ebenezer Trust, (leaflet produced by the Howard and his co-thinkers References Sewell Harris Memorial Trust, n.d.). 1. E. Bellamy, Looking Backward, wanted the community to own 21. C. Barrett, The History of Harlow 2000-1887, (New York,1889). their town.The New Towns Town Football Club, (Bishop’s 2. E. Howard, Tomorrow: a Peaceful Commission, furthermore, was Stortford, 1998). Path to Real Reform, (London, not primarily concerned, as 22. P.M.S. Hopkins, The Long and the 1898) & Garden Cities of HDC had been, with the Short and the Tall, (Harlow, 1983), Tomorrow, (London, 1902). pp.7-76. realisation of the original 3. For an account of the develop- 23. ibid. pp.80-100. objectives of providing ment of Letchworth Garden City 24. ibid. pp.54-55, 65, 75-76. employment for residents. see C.B. Purdom, The Letchworth 25. ibid. pp.179-185 & Harlow Art It raised rents and readily Experiment, (Letchworth, 1963). Trust, Sculpture in Harlow, accepted the conversion of 4. For an account of the develop- (Harlow, 1973). industrial property to commercial ment of Welwyn Garden City see 26. Eastern Regional Labour Party A. Eserin, Welwyn Garden City, purposes which offered a better Working Party, The Future of New (Chalford, 1995). return to the Treasury.The and Expanded Towns, (Ipswich, 5. Royal Commission on the industrial estates became sites 1972). for large retail organisations Distribution of the Industrial Population, Report, (London, and warehousing. Harlow’s 1940). Acknowledgements manufacturing industry shrank 6. P.Abercrombie, Greater London With thanks to David Devine within 20 years of the Plan 1944, (London, 1945). of Harlow Museums Service and Corporation’s wind-up to a 7. Hansard, 5th July 1946. Jackie Storey of Harlow Civic fraction of its previous 8. R. Bill & S. Newens, Leah Society. importance and the problem of Manning, (Harlow, 1991), pp.59- providing the means of 62. maintaining and enhancing 9. P.Lewis, Basildon, (Chichester, The Author standards became more and more 1991), pp.48-50. Stan Newens is a former MP apparent. Some facilities, such as 10. For some of the background for Harlow and MEP for the Town Centre cinema, have information and an account of Central London.An author of the early involvement of Sir numerous articles and books, been closed. Passmores House Frederick Gibberd, see ceased to be a museum, the cycle he chairs Harlow Civic Society, F.Gibberd, B.H. Harvey, L.White, the Gibberd Garden Trust, and museum was converted as the et al., Harlow:The Story of a New town museum and the cycle Town, (Stevenage, 1980). Labour Heritage, and is President collection was partly dispersed. 11. For the general history of of Waltham Abbey Historical Cuts in local government expen- Harlow, see J.L. Fisher, Harlow Society. He is completing a diture have resulted in other New Town, (Harlow, 1951), three-year term as President of serious reductions in services L.H. Bateman, ed., The History the Essex Society for Archaeology provided in earlier days. of Harlow, (Harlow, 1969) & & History.

EssexJOURNAL 27 Obituaries Professor Geoffrey Hayward Martin, CBE (1928-2007) eoffrey Martin’s remarkably wide-ranging Chancery Lane. In 1985 scholarship was illuminated by his prevalent he led the first official Gwit, which made his intelligence readily delegation of British available among his colleagues, his students and his archivists to China, and friends. He was born in 1928 and his home town, the next year he was Janet of Mrs Martin) (Photo courtesy Colchester, provided him with an excellent education appointed CBE. In 1988 in its Royal Grammar School. He repaid his town he turned to biographies amply, not least with The Story of Colchester from for the Oxford Dictionary of Roman Times to the Present Day, first published in 1959 National Biography, writing by Benham. It is one of the most memorably readable no fewer than 51. of town histories, a subject he made generally his. Geoffrey’s eyesight In the preface of Geoffrey’s calendar of The Ipswich barred him from military Recognizance Rolls, 1294-1327, (Suffolk Records service, and he was Society, 1973) he noted that he began his own anyway only seventeen studies in Ipswich ‘at the suggestion of the late when the war ended in 1945: but as someone K.B. McFarlane in 1950’. Bruce McFarlane was whose first book, Assault Division, described the my tutor at Magdalen, Oxford, who encouraged landing I’d taken part in on Sword Beach early on my own interest in Suffolk’s history.These were the 6th June 1944, and who for years regularly reviewed circumstances in which Geoffrey and I resolved to war histories for the Post, I was often found the Suffolk Records Society instead of trying ashamed to find that he was more familiar with to continue for Suffolk the two rather stereotyped World War II that I was. Indeed on his retirement, ponderous volumes of the Victoria County History when he was appointed to a Research Chair at published back in 1907 and 1911.The unfailing Essex University, he taught the story of that war to regular annual production of the Suffolk Records the great inspiration of his students. Society’s volumes seems to justify our decision: I was proud to be his best man on his marriage indeed it is further supported by the successful to Janet Hamer in Oxford in 1953. She and their founding in 1979 of the Suffolk Charters series, daughter Sophie were a wonderful mainstay as he principally at the insistance of the late lamented put up a truly heroic fight against multiple myeloma. R Allen Brown. How deeply he must be missed by Janet and their In 30 years at Leicester, Geoffrey rose to be four children, as indeed he is by all his friends. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and in 1982 boldly switched to become Keeper of the Public Records in Norman Scarfe

Percy Arthur Lawrence Bamberger (1910-2008)

ercy Bamberger, affectionately known to his his research and writing skills. In his younger days he friends as ‘Bam’, had a full and active life held a position with a national newspaper and this Phaving achieved the great age of 97. He was experience was of significant benefit to the History a well known and much respected Vice President of Society. He shared the view that local history must Halstead and District Local History Society. Bam was be recorded before it is lost and he worked very hard also a staunch member of the Workers Educational to achieve this. He was a key member of the History Association (WEA) for over 70 years and held Society, which became a prolific publisher of books. regional, county and local positions.Through the When in his 90’s he researched the history of WEA he was well known over a wide area and Halstead Public Gardens for Braintree District following a meeting of the Halstead Branch in 1976 Council and Halstead Town Council, and also helped a decision was made to form the Halstead and the Town Council with historical information for its District Local History Society. Bam was a founder Town Guides. member and elected as a Committee Member and He took an active interest in the Brewery Chapel as Vice-Chairman. He was also Newsletter Editor Museum and carried out much practical work for many years and during this time he researched (see Essex Journal, 25, III, (1990), p. 71). He was a and contributed many articles, which in themselves Past President of Halstead and District Local History recorded valuable aspects of local history as well as Society and was still a Vice-President at his death. writing four local history books: A Pictorial History He was a staunch supporter of the History Society of Halstead and District, Discover Halstead, Halstead in and regularly attended meetings until the last couple Old Picture Postcards and Dedham Days. of years.With his passing the Society has lost one of Discover Halstead is now in its third edition, which its most conscientious and hard working members. Bam revised when in his 91st year.The success of Discover Halstead and his other books is a tribute to Adrian Corder-Birch.

EssexJOURNAL 28 Book Reviews Richard Morris, Merchants, Medicine this and other estates were bequeathed to his And Trafalgar; the history of the daughters and their descendents and thus, with no surviving sons, the Harvey name disappears. Harvey family, The Alderton Press, 2007, However the story does not end there because pp.xii & 235. ISBN 139781905269075. the author continues this fascinating family history £17-99. with the lives of the six daughters and their Available from: The Alderton Press, 6 High Gables, descendents almost to the present day.Therefore Loughton, Essex, IG10 4EZ. Cheques made payable the overall family history covers a period of to ‘Loughton & District Historical Society’ some 400 years. There is much to interest Essex historians as The Harvey family members of the family married into other well lived in Essex for known Essex families.They were Governors of 200 years, initially Chigwell School and held parochial positions such at Hempstead where as surveyor of the highways.As a family history they were buried and it is well written, informative and readable. It is later at Rolls Park, well balanced and includes the flaws as well as the Chigwell which highlights of this illustrious family. For the art became their principal historian there is extensive information about the home. Some of them numerous family portraits and other pictures were prominent in associated with them including artists, provenance, our national history. location and other detail. The majority of The book is well illustrated with about forty historians know that excellent illustrations, many of them in colour. Dr.William Harvey There are three detailed family trees in one of the of Hempstead three very helpful appendices; the others recording discovered the monumental inscriptions at Hempstead. Finally the circulation of book contains a very comprehensive index extending blood and that to no less than thirteen pages and many useful Admiral Sir Eliab Harvey was a distinguished references.This hardback should be an essential contemporary of Nelson, but this book highlights addition to the library of every historian. other members who also achieved distinction in I commend it to you. parliament, the law and the army. Some became Members of Parliament, Deputy Lieutenants, Adrian Corder-Birch. Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace for Essex. Those of us who are familiar with the author’s Pat Francis, Borough Over The Border; interests will not be surprised to learn that four members of the Harvey family were Verderers of life in West Ham, 1895-1915, Waltham Forest, whilst two were Lieutenants of East London History Society, 2007, the Forest. Inevitably the book includes information pp.vi & 223. ISBN 9760950625881. £8-40. upon their duties associated with the Forest. Available from: [email protected] There is still considerable interest in Trafalgar, the ships and those who took part particularly since If it is true both that ‘the past is another country’ and the bi-centenary three years ago.The book contains that ‘until you know where you have come from, you new and previously unpublished material about are not safe to travel’ then this book should be in the Eliab Harvey’s role at Trafalgar when he commanded hands of anyone going to work in the present day the Temeraire. Of special interest to this reviewer London Borough of Newham. Pat Francis, herself a was the brief reference to Captain (later Admiral) product of Plaistow, the hinge between the Borough’s George Fowke (of Sible Hedingham) who captained northern middle class parts of Forest Gate and the the Temeraire in Harvey’s absence a few months southern Dockside areas of Canning Town, Custom before Trafalgar. It is a pity that four years later, House and Silvertown, has produced a marvellously following such distinguished service, Harvey faced vibrant yet detailed account of the formative years a court-martial, but he continued to receive honours of this part of London-over-the –Border.West Ham, for his service.The publication of this book is well north of the Thames and east of the Lea was the timed and is essential reading for all historians heart of the massive population growth of south west interested in Trafalgar and the Napoleonic Wars. Essex during the second half of the nineteenth Quite apart from the Harvey family itself, the century. Divorce from Essex and County Borough book also includes much valuable information about status did not come until 1889, and between 1881 their ownership of various estates and properties in and 1904 residents rose from 129,000 to 289,000. Essex and elsewhere with interesting descriptions of The twenty years covered by the book sees the Rolls Park.After the death of Eliab Harvey in 1830 slow acceptance by mercantile London of the

EssexJOURNAL 29 Book Reviews

struggles to live of the newly urban poor on which to his 1996 Essex Airfields in the Second World War, their wealth was built. it is a very welcome addition to the history of Francis says ‘This work is an attempt to obtain aviation in Essex.Whilst it is titled as covering a glimpse into the minds of people living and 1900-1939, the first chapter discusses the very working in West Ham between 1895 and 1915, first ‘aeronauts’ of the late eighteenth and early in part through the songs they sang and listened nineteenth century.A further twelve chapters then to, and the poetry they recited, paying particular complete the story up to the outbreak of war in attention to the appearance, or non appearance, 1939. of references to imperialism and to the countryside’. It is the history of early flight that I found most Whilst acknowledging the importance of the fascinating. How many know that the first descent Curwen Press (based in Plaistow) for popular from the sky on to Essex was that by Jean-Pierre music, and the undoubted insight lyrics give us Blanchard in 1785 when his balloon landed at into the mindset of their listeners, nonetheless for Laindon Hills? Our first recorded Essex flyer this distinctly unmusical reviewer, my heart sank. was George Rush of Elsenham Hall, who I need not have worried. Francis has integrated that achieved the amazing altitude, in his balloon, material into a more sombre narrative using this of 27,146 feet in 1838! One generally thinks interpretive tool judiciously alongside copious local of the twentieth century as the era of flight so research setting the social and political evolution of it is surprising, and refreshing, to read of these the Borough in the wider context of English and very early steps to flying. Empire history of the time. The first tentative experiments with powered It is a wonderfully vivid and colourful flights are equally as engaging. Initially they took account with the key MPs Will Thorne and place with kites before moving towards purpose- Charles Masterman at the heart of a cast of designed craft. Not only are the aircraft interesting local figures including Arnold Hills of the but it is the personalities that stand out: the American Thames Ironworks, Minnie Baldock of the showman Samuel Franklin Cody or Horatio Phillips ILP,Passmore Edwards and the Curwen family. of Southminster whose ‘aircraft’ had 200 small wings If I have one small ‘beef’ it would be the desire and is said to have ‘resembled Venetian blinds’ (p.17). to hear more of religious influences beyond the It is suggested that it flew at St. Lawrence Hill three standpoint of Christian Socialism represented so months before the Wright brothers in America. well by Father William in Balaam Street (still the What a claim for Essex if it had been the case! base for the Anglican Franciscans locally), and the There is a colourful roll-call of characters on hand reactionary paternalism of some of the established to continue the race for the skies: Noel Pemberton church as shown by the Rev. Baumgarten, vicar Billing,Alliot Verdon Roe (founder of Avros of of St Gabriel Canning Town. Lancaster bomber fame), John Moore-Brabazon, José To be left wanting more after over 200 pages is Weiss and, not least, Bentfield ‘Benny’ Hucks, to name testimony to a great read and an important one, as but a few. Dagenham and South Fambridge loom West Ham today lies in the shadow of global capital large with these early pioneers, both seemingly less in Canary Wharf and is about to be remade for the than suitable for powered flight but, anyway, events Olympic Games. Once again the local people need soon moved away from them. a voice as good as this that shows their trials and Later chapters cover the First World War, mainly delights with the aids and the barriers to human home defence against Zeppelin and Gotha attacks, flourishing. before moving on to 1920s and 30s, Michael Fox looking at both civilian and mili- Graham Smith, Essex And Its Race For tary aspects.Along The Skies, 1900-1939, Countryside the way we are Books, 2007, pp.224. ISBN 9781846740541. treated to Pups and Camels, Siskins and £10-99. Gladiators and Available for Essex Journal readers from the publishers at the special price of £8.99. Please print your name, Moths of all kinds address and the title of the book clearly on a sheet of paper before we get to and send it to: Countryside Books (EJ Offer), the first Hurricanes 2 Highfield Avenue, Newbury, RG14 5DS. and Spitfires of the Cheques made payable to ‘Countryside Books’. immediate pre-war years. Although I’m familiar with aviation between Obviously in a 1939-45 I have to admit to not knowing too much review of this about what came before but thanks to Graham Smith length I cannot I now have no excuses.A companion, indeed prequel, do justice to every SPECIAL OFFER EssexJOURNAL 30 Book Reviews aspect of the book but I can convicted of treason, after he lived in Germany, say that I enjoyed it immensely. It has a good collaborated with the Nazis in broadcasting radio selection of illustrations, although not all have propaganda and passed on information he had gained credits for those who might wish to pursue them from British prisoners of war.Although subsequently further, and an adequate bibliography and index. sentenced to death in 1945, the sentence was A useful map has approximately 30 locations commuted to life imprisonment and Purdy served associated with links to early aviation and which for nine years and only died in 1982. are mentioned in the text. I thoroughly recommend The book is well presented and readable, with it especially at the reduced rate that Essex Journal a location map, good photographs and source readers can purchase it at.And, let’s face it, any story references at the end of each chapter. that includes an attempt to fly a Venetian blind just has to be read! Maureen Scollan

Neil Wiffen C. Given-Wilson, general editor, The Parliament Rolls of Medieval Linda Rhodes & Kathryn Abnett, England, 1275-1504 (16 volume set), Foul Deeds & Suspicious Deaths In Boydell & Brewer, 2005, Barking, Dagenham And Chadwell Heath, ISBN 978184381617. £1,950. Wharncliffe Books, 2007, pp.191. ISBN 9781845630348, £12-99. The Rolls of Parliament contain the official records of the meetings of the English parliament from the The popularity of historical 'real crime' stories reign of Edward I (1272–1307) to the reign of seems to be undiminished, and this 'foul deeds Henry VII (1485–1509).The series covers the ten and suspicious deaths' series now has a second reigns of this period in which parliaments were held. Essex volume - the first covers Colchester. The rolls have been published in 16 volumes; the Deeds from urban Essex have been investigated parliaments of the reign of Edward I occupy two by two authors whose account of the unsolved volumes, for example. murder of Police Constable George Clark in 1846 The volumes include an introduction to every at Dagenham won the Crime Writers' Association parliament known to have been held by an English Gold Dagger Non-Fiction Award in 2006. king (or in his name) between 1275 and 1504, A chronological approach is used, and the first whether or not the roll for that parliament has of the twenty one chapters includes accounts of some survived.Where appropriate, appendices of of the men and women who were burnt at the stake supplementary material are provided. Information for witchcraft, or for refusing to revert to Roman about each parliament is included, derived from Catholicism when Mary Tudor came to the throne sources other than the actual roll.Where there is in 1553. Some of the exploits of Dick Turpin evidence of business carried out at the parliament (born in Hempstead) and his brutal gang of from chancery, exchequer and other sources then robbers are also included. this is noted. Much of this supplementary material At the other end of the time scale we learn about consists of petitions to parliament.1 the exploits of Alfred Roome, alias the ' Kid,' The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England were who was involved in a violent battle with the published for the first time in 2005.There are Flying Squad in 1948 after he and his gang had stolen three versions, as follows: diamonds and gold bullion from London Airport. 1. a CD-ROM version, published by Scholarly Eventually arrested and imprisoned for ten years, Digital Editions in May 2005; Roome returned to his wife and family in 1955. 2. a subscription-access internet version, published He made their lives a misery, before attacking his by Scholarly Digital Editions in July 2005; wife's employer with an axe and fatally poisoning 3. a print version, published by Boydell & Brewer himself. in August 2005. Other chapters detail a variety of 'foul deeds'. They range from the appalling treatment of The Internet version will incorporate any apprentices in the Barking fishing fleet, a major subsequent amendments, but amendments to both explosion in the boiler house of Hewett's engineering printed and CD-ROM versions will be published works, and the Ajax armanents factory disaster in in an accompanying website.This may mean that 1917 where 17 of the 120 women employed the versions will diverge slightly and it will become there were burnt beyond recognition in a massive necessary to cite references to a particular version explosion.A chapter entitled 'The Colditz Rat' accurately. gives an account of Walter Purdy, born in Barking The Essex Record Office (ERO) has purchased and a member of the British Union of Fascists. the sixteen printed volumes and the CD-ROM, Purdy was one of only four British citizens to be so continuing to maintain its very comprehensive

EssexJOURNAL 31 Book Reviews

collection of published state papers.The purchase just retired, after 11 years, as Archdeacon of West Ham. has been aided by a grant of £750 from the Friends Currently he lives in Colchester as well as spending as of Historic Essex towards the purchase, enabling much time as possible in Lyon. the ERO to purchase the CD-ROM version also. Dr Maureen Scollan is Secretary of the Essex Journal as As a bonus, the CD-ROM contains a representative well as Chairman of the Friends of Historic Essex. She was selection of images of selected documents from awarded her PhD in 2007 for a thesis on parish constables all reigns. For further information about visiting in early nineteenth century Essex, and is currently the ERO to access this wonderful resource please expanding some aspects of that work. telephone, 01245 244644, or email, [email protected]. Neil Wiffen is honorary editor of the Essex Journal. The scholarship of the seven editors involved is assured and masterly, including the late Professor Geoffrey Martin who edited part of the reign of Richrd II, (1377-79).The splendid production of the INGATESTONE HALL printed volumes is immediately evident. However, the capture of the full text of the series onto a 16th century mansion, single, user-friendly CD-ROM for the first time set in 11 acres of grounds, in such publications presents a major step forward. containing Petre family furniture Accessibility is improved hugely.The search facility and memorabilia linked to the CD-ROM is easy to use being simple, conventional and intuitive. Searching key words over the full period of these rolls is straightforward; tea room gift shop alternatively, a search may be limited to a particular plants for sale free parking reign.The results of a search are listed with some accompanying text to hint at the context. By comparison, the handling of the full printed 2008 SEASON version may be expected to be far less convenient! The House and Gardens are open Medieval England comes alive from the petitions, 1.00-6.00pm on proceedings and judgments which are recorded; the SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS plea of the commoners of Inglewood Forest for the & BANK HOLIDAYS return of their right to gather dead wood and turf; from 22 March to 28 September plus Inglewood inhabitants again requesting recompense (1 to 31 August ONLY) for the destruction of the local Forest; a request for WEDNESDAY, special measures to restrain students of Oxford THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS University from taking ‘both by day and by night, fallow deer, hares and rabbits, and they threaten to ADMISSION assault and kill the wardens, foresters and parkers, Adults £4.00 and their servants and deputies’; the nuns and sisters Pensioners & Students £3.50 of the hospital of Buckland petitioning for the Children (5-16) £2.00 restoration of the right to three cart loads of wood Under 5s FREE from the King’s park of Perton, the practice having For parties of 16 or more, the above prices are been interrupted in the aftermath of the battle of reduced by 50p per head Evesham; the inhabitants of Cockermouth seeking No dogs (except guide dogs) pontage in order to repair their bridge; revocation PICNIC AREA in Car Park Meadow of the possession of Bobbingworth manor etcetera. The fascinating stuff of medieval life is at your GUIDED TOURS for groups, by prior arrangement fingertips! ONLY, are available at other times. Robert Brooks SCHOOL PARTY VISITS are similarly available Your Book Reviewers are: outside normal opening hours.Visits generally last Dr Robert Brooks is a retired research scientist whose from 10.00am-2.30pm and cost £4 per head (£100 special interest is in remote sensing of the environment. minimum). His historical pursuits include the ancient woodland of Essex. He is the founder of his local history society, Programme of other events: details from the Estate the High Country History Group, in rural Essex. Office. Adrian Corder-Birch is chairman of the Essex Journal HALL LANE, INGATESTONE, ESSEX CM4 9NR Editorial Board. See page 21 for further details. Telephone:01277 353010 Fax: 01245 248979 Michael Fox has a long association with ‘Essex in London’ having been brought up in Barking. He has also

EssexJOURNAL 32 EJ 20 Questions? Lord Petre

John Petre, the 18th 8. My earliest memory is... It is difficult to Baron Petre of Writtle, distinguish true memories of one’s own from those Essex, JP, MA, was born based on the evidence of anecdote and old at Windsor in 1942. He photographs, but probably either watching from the was educated at Eton end of our lane troop convoys making their way and Trinity College, south (presumably soon after D-Day) or my first (Photograph courtesy of Lord Petre) banana! Oxford, before moving to London to work in 9. What is your favourite song/piece of theatrical management, music and why? My taste is eclectic (not to say ultimately as General pretty low-brow) and current favourites change by the week. I guess it would be something from the Manager of the jazz repertoire of the period 1930-1965. Hampstead Theatre. He returned to Essex in the early 1970s in order, after two years at Writtle 10. If you could travel back in time which event would you change? Out of pure Agricultural College, to work with his father on the self-interest, the outcome of the Jacobite Uprisings estate that his family have owned since the of 1715 or 1745. According to surviving sixteenth century. He now manages this in correspondence, my family gave not inconsiderable collaboration with his son, Dominic. In 2002 John financial support to the exiled Stuart court at was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the County and, St. Germain and, had they regained the throne, we as such, has since accumulated a substantial had reason to believe we would be duly rewarded - portfolio of mainly formal posts in a wide variety of an earldom at least! organisations throughout the county. He has been 11. Which 4 people from the past would you married to Marcia for 42 years and they have one invite to dinner? I feel that most of the really great surviving son, a daughter, and three grandchildren. figures would actually make rather poor dinner 1. What is your favourite historical period? companions and so it would be artists and writers For professional reasons I have to say Tudor. Each rather than politicians, warriors or heroes. Shall we year, we hold a series of Tudor re-enactments for say Cicero,Voltaire, Oscar Wilde and, to avoid an all- school children at Ingatestone Hall which are firmly male company, Dorothy Parker. based on recorded facts. 12. What is your favourite food? Italian. 2. Tell us what Essex means to you? Quite 13. The history book I am currently reading simply, home. I do believe that one of the reasons that is... The Lord-Lieutenants and their Deputies by Miles this county is poorly perceived is that, because it is so Jebb - I suppose you could say, required reading. diverse, it is almost impossible to characterise. 14. What is your favourite quote from 3. What historical mystery would you most history? ‘Hegel remarks somewhere that history like to know? The disappearance of the dinosaurs. tends to repeat itself. He forgot to add the first time 4. My favourite history book is... The Catholic as tragedy, the second time as farce.’ - Karl Marx. Families by Mark Bence-Jones, which is great fun. It 15. Favourite historical film? Does Monty Python is a gossipy account of the fortunes of the English and the Holy Grail count? Catholic gentry families since the end of the 16. What is your favourite building in Essex? eighteenth century. In view of the serial inter- Without wracking my brains,Waltham Abbey Church marriage among recusant families most of those springs to mind. mentioned are, one way or another, my cousins! 17. What past event would you like to have seen? The building of the Great Pyramids. It remains ‘Sometimes I sits and thinks difficult to believe it was achieved by muscle power alone. Perhaps it was aliens after all! and sometimes I just sits!’ 18. How would you like to be remembered? In the words of Douglas Adams,‘Most harmless.’ 5. What is your favourite place in Essex? As a 19. Who inspires you to read or write or former Trustee of the place, I have a great affection research history? Difficult to identify individuals for the Marks Hall Estate at Coggeshall. I also look but I have fond memories of Brian Rees, my history forward to opportunities to visit Harwich. teacher at school, and, of course, Gus Edwards.They 6. How do you relax? I think it is the caption to were both very strong on history being about human an old Punch cartoon - ‘Sometimes I sits and thinks nature as much as great events. and sometimes I just sits!’ 20. Most memorable historical date? On the 7. What are you researching at the moment? assumption that this means the date most difficult to It does not really merit the description of ‘research’ forget rather than the significance of the event it but the ordering and tabulation of all the scraps of marks, it must be either ‘In fourteen hundred and information about the family genealogy is a task I ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue’ or have set myself. ‘George III said, with a smile,“1760 yards in a mile”’

EssexJOURNAL 33 Help to support the Essex Record Office

by joining the Friends of Historic Essex

You will: l Have the opportunity to be involved in special projects in the Record Office, such as helping to preserve some of the vital raw materials of Essex history. l Receive regular newsletters and free copies of ‘Update’, the Record Office bulletin of accessions. l Receive a discount on Essex Record Office publications. l Meet other people with historical interests at occasional talks and seminars especially geared towards new researchers, and at other special events.

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