Looking at past minutes of committee meetings, I can find no time that the Society has been involved in so many projects and all at the same time. We were fortunate to have John Aldridge, formerly Chairman of Essex County Council addressing our AGM. He gave us a well presented account of his experience representing Broomfield, Writtle and the Walthams, as well a the responsibility of being. Council chairman. He is now an Honorary Alderman and serves on the new Essex Shire Hall Trust.
Our autumn programme will start with the Heritage Open Days programme. It has grown from very modest beginnings and is now a high quality experience that can engage children, the parents and grandparents. In short, there is something for everyone. We are commissioned by the City Council to deliver this programme each year. Paul McLean and his team are please to include the programme in this newsletter.
In October, our own Yvonne Lawrence will be delivering a talk on Tudor Chelmsford. November, I will be unveiling the new Essex Shire Hall Trust’s plans for Shire Hall. In December we will hear from David Whitehead. He lives in Backnang, Chelmsford’s twin in Germany and will be talking about Backnang/ David is the Chairman and the son of Councillor Roy Whitehead, former Leader of the City Council and member of the Society. We are grateful to Roy for the accounts audit that he undertakes each for the Society.
Our priorities on issues in the city centre are the construction of a lock that would allow river users to enter development of our waterways. In particular, we work with CRACL, the pressure group seeking the construction of a lock that would allow river users to enter and exit from the City Centre. Dominus, current owners, gave us a presentation on their plans for the redevelopment of the Meadows Centre. Chelmsford Civic Society. Their plans are ambitious and include proposals for buildings. We will monitor progress with the proposals and are arranging future conversations with scheme architects.
The Society was founded back in 1962, to look after the interests of the city centre and other unparished areas. The Society did not want to duplicate the work of Parish Councils. However, that view has become untenable. The Society is now prepared to support Parish Council initiatives when invited to do so. We supported St. May’s Church Broomfield’s ‘Rutherford’ project. We were pleased to be invited to support Suzanne Walker, Executive Officer of the new Chelmsford Garden Community Council on their commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D Day. Alan Pamphilon attended as a Marshall. In April, I was invited by Councillor Roy Whitehead to make a presentation to the Annual Parish Meeting, of the South Hanningfield Parish Council. The topic was Hylands House and Estate.
Malcolm Noble, Chair
Heritage Open Days Returns This September
Heritage Open Days returns between 6th and 15th September, Chelmsford Civic Society are pleased to be co-ordinating the festival for the 10th year. This year the theme is Routes, Connections and Networks. We could not have curated the event without having Marconi events which suit the theme perfectly, we have a walk and a talk created by Alan Pamphilon.
This year due to the popularity of virtual events we have 10 more films and podcasts, these take a great deal of time to create but we are gaining great viewing numbers throughout the festival and afterwards with some great comments, YouTube is a great way to monitor feedback from viewers comments. This year we again had a work experience student to asssit with the filming for a week, Izzy joined us from Boswells school and we ended up filming on the roof of the Quadrant store in Moulsham Street, 3 floors above Moulsham Street and the High Street with Kevin from Chelmsford Star Co-Op who presented the film. We also have our first film from outside of the county and country, from Backnang, as Chelmsford and Backnang are connected being twins we thought we would add a film about a building in Backnag to the list, I have just watched it and it is a nicely created film about Stiftskircheand will hopefully be the first of many films to show Chelmsfordians around Backnang!
Filming on the roof top of Quadrant
We bring back some firm favorites from last year including the photography competition and Springfield Lyons Bronze Age Enclosure Tour and a few from past years including Tours of StaplegroveThe Chelmsford Club.
After the success and feedback from last years Tindal Square day we have set a theme of the 1940s for this years events, we are busy booking choirs to perform along with stalls. It takes place on Saturday 7th September.
We are on the lookout for some volunteers for this years festival for the following events, if you are free and can spare a little time please email paul@ chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk
Springfield Lyons - Stewards - 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th September
Tindal Square Day - People for the stall to hand out brochures etc... - 7th September
Rock Snake - To help with the rock painting event8th and 15th September in Boleyn Gardens
The events were released on Wednesday 17th September and at the time of writing 23rd July we had over 200 bookings and a fully booked event, Chelmsford Dark Witch History Walk. We also have a late comer with no room on the poster (it is on the web site and in the brochure), Galleywood Heritage Centre are hosting an Archives Tour on Friday 5th September.
To book events please visit www.chelmsfordhod. co.uk where you will be able to click the links to the events on Eventbrite.
Alan standing by a tree in Great Baddow which is around 600 years old.
Programme
September
Heritage Open Days, this year the dates are 6th - 15th September, events are live at www. chelmsfordhod.co.uk. All events are free!
October 15th @ 7pm -Tudor Chelmsford
At Patch in Grays Yard
£5 non members/ £3 members - email info@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book
October 22nd @ 7pm - The Sometimes Secret History of Chelmsford Prison
Meet outside The Old Court Theatre
£5 non members/ £3 members - email info@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book
TBC November Malcolm Noble on the Shire Hall.
£5 non members/ £3 members - email info@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book
December 6th @ 7pm - Christmas with Backnang
The Chelmsford Club
David Whitehead and Sabrina Moser are visiting from Chelmsford’s twin - Backnang, they will tell us all about Backnang and bring some German treats. Bar will also be available. £5 non members/ FREE for members - email info@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book
Volfest
We helped celebrate VolFest in Chelmsford High Street on Thurday 6th June by having a civic society stall. We interacted with just over 100 people thoughout the day, thanks to Paul, Pam, Alan, Judy and Angela for volunteering to manage the stall. There was a lot of interest in future events and we gined two new members. Vicky Ford and Marie Goldman came along, Stephen Robinson also talked to Alan and the new Mayor Janette Potter and Deputy Mayor visited each stall. We would be keen to be involved again next year.
D-Day by Alan Pamphilon
The 80th D Day celebrations in Chelmsford were centred on the Chelmsford Garden Community and the Civic Society was proud to be able to help with the organisation of this event which was almost a year in the planning. The event proved very popular and the free tickets were all allocated within 24 hours of the publication. On the night, the new Mayor Janette Potter attended and was treated to superb live music and a well performed march past by the local Army and Air Cadets. Before the lighting of the beacon, all those that attended were treated to an unannounced high level fly past by a lone Spitfire.
Blue Plaques by Alan Pamphilon
Members of the Civic Society have been busy with raising the profile on local plaques in Chelmsford.
A video has now been completed on the subject which will be released during Heritage Open Days and work is progressing on the material for a definitive list of commemorative plaques in the Chelmsford area. Extensive research has also taken place on some important forgotten contributors to local history and this has resulted in three new applications being made to English Heritage the results of these should be known by November.
Echoes of History
We have again booked a stall for Echoes of History on the 10th August. Here is their press release, it is well worth a visit.
This year sees the return of the Essex HMVA, annual show at Rettendon Memorial Gardens, a 20 acre scenic gardens featuring memorials in tribute to our armed and emergency services and the conflicts they have been part of.
The event attracts historic military vehicles from push bikes to heavy trucks and armoured vehicles across all eras. Many of these vehicles will be taking part in the spectacular and renowned arena vehicle parade in addition to battle re-enactments and displays, we also have a fantastic line up of classic cars.
There’s an amazing turn out of living history displays with over 30 groups and displays depicting military life from many periods and nationalities. The historical re-enactors go to massive lengths to represent living history as accurately and authentically as possible and are always happy to answer your questions or demonstrate equipment so don’t be afraid to ask! This is a fantastic opportunity to see how the soldiers of different nationalities and time periods lived and to get close to the weapons, equipment and atmosphere of the time.
There’s so much more for the kids to get involved in, as well as all the stuff to watch, see and explore, What better way is there for the younger
generation to learn about our history than to hear about it from those who made it - our wonderful veterans that are always happy to tell their own story. Back by popular demand will be our wonderful live ‘wartime’ entertainment in our huge marquee all day, including music and a 40s fashion show and much more including collectors stalls and and bar.
Where else would you be able to get up close and personal to your past?
Children go Free! Tickets for 2024 are priced at £15 for adults £13 concessions and early bird discounts via our website for either Saturday or Sunday, free for children under 15! Free Parking!
The EssexHMVA is a registered charity dedicated to the awareness, preservation and restoration of our military heritage and keeping alive the memory of those who served.
www.essexhmva.co.uk
Review of Tiptree Jam Talk by Judy Gillies
Never was the term “Preserving our Heritage“ more apt. Nick Wickenden’s recent presentation to the society on the History of Tiptree Jam was literally jam-packed with archive photos and posters of work on the land and in the factory of this renowned family firm and its roots in Essex .
He guided us through the early years and the coming of the railway link to London and beyond. Fascinating details about supplying James Bond’s favourite “Little Scarlet” strawberries for the recent state banquet were shared, as were some astonishing statistics on the daily number of tiny jars
Welcome
produced.
Together with Scott Goodfellow, MD, Nick outlined the current challenges facing the company particularly with regard to escalating fuel costs and the necessity to close the tearoom at Writtle.
We were each sent home clutching a little jar of something delicious. Altogether a most enjoyable, entertaining and fruitful evening.
Best of luck to Wilkin’s with its the bid to retain the Royal Warrant!
We would also like to welcome Judy (writer of the above review) to our committee, Judy is going to focus on the managing of our monthly events (and reviews after this fantastic one!)
