LONG WEEKEND 1st - 4th May MAY 2015
ESSEX
ESSEX
FRIDAY 1st MAY
After a boat trip to last year's event most of us again used public transport to go down to Milton Keynes where we picked up a minibus. Malcom and Andrew had driven a smaller bus down from Ellesmere Port and we all met up at Milton Keynes Central at 12:15 on Friday 1st May.
Our first visit was to Bletchley Park. This is an evolving museum and has grown a lot even in the last two years whilst the latest film The Imitation Game, has added to its popularity. We got an audio tour each and then did our own thing. I had been there before and concentrated on various new areas and exhibitions whist the demonstration of The Bombe proved very popular,
After a good 2.5 hours we reassembled in the car park and set off for Chelmsford. We travelled independently and arrived at The Miami Hotel between 6 and 6.30 pm. After freshening up it was time for dinner and afterwards Tony Crosby, a former AIA Chairman and author of the Guide to IA of Essex gave us a talk on Essex IA. Taking the current county of Essex there is no real heavy industry most being agriculture based but he gave a full account of industries such as Milling, Jam making, Malting, Brewing, small iron foundarys, silk making and brick making (which has gone on since Roman times). He also mentioned transport by road, rail and sea and finished off by mentioning the utilities. Essex has the second greatest number of water towers in England. After a very full day we retired to bed as we leave at 0900 Saturday.
SATURDAY 2nd MAY
After a good breakfast we left promptly and had a fast journey to East Tilbury where we were meeting Tony Crosby, Mike Tabard and other members of the Bata Remininiscences and Resource Centre which is based in the Library. Mike gave us an introductory talk then we split in to two groups. One toured the site and the other looked at the resources. On the tour we saw different styles of houses, the site of the tennis courts and swimming pools, the War Memorial to employees killed in the Second World War. We then went in to the old factory site (now an industrial estate using most of the old buildings) and looked at the factory buildings and a small display in reception. We saw the cinema (now the village hall) and the hotel (or hostel) now shops and offices. At the centre we looked at their display of artefacts and also at some of the old company newspapers which were published weekly.
Lunch was taken in the Ship in old East Tilbury and we then had a short look at Coalhouse Fort - one of Palmerston;s Follies although it did see milkitary use of a kind until well after WWII. Then it was back to Chelmsford and a visit to Sandford Mill Museum where many items not on display in Chelmsford Museum are stored. They are well displayed and we were given a comprehensive tour by Peter Watkins and Geoffrey Lovegrove. we had some free time to browse and finished with a welcome cup of tea.
The two buses then went their own ways looking at various sites in Chelmsford including Moulsham Mill once owned by Marriages and Co. whose modern (ish) Mill we saw later. Moulsham has been restored and now houses various craft type units. We looked at Springfield Basin (now sadly yuppified), the first and second Marconi Factories, Hoffmann's Ball Bearing Works and Crompton's Arc works which produced light's and dynamos. Then it was back to the hotel for a rest before dinner. We then had a talk by Roger Beckett on Thames Barges and the Port of Maldon after which we turned in.
SUNDAY 3rd MAY
Another prompt start at 09:00 saw us meeting Roger again at Maldon where we parked the buses and set off on a walk from Fullbridge to The Hythe following the river as much as possible. We were told about the reasons for the Chelmer Navigation ending at Heybridge although whether it caused any long term damage to the Port of Maldon is debatable. We then looked at some of the barges and the boatyards where they are repaired (and in places both built and scrapped (recycled as the wood was often used in piers!). We reached The Hythe where Roger left us and we went aboard The Pudge where we saw a film about Dunkirk. Pudge was one of the "Little Ships" and is returning to Dunkirk later this month for the 75th Anniversary. We then drove out to The Museum of Power where we had a good look round and a sandwich lunch overseen by young Molly who looked after us brilliantly and was a great advert for Essex Girl!
We then split in to two to visit Beeleigh Mill. This was a combined water and steam mill. The water mill burnt down in 1875 but the steam section, including a Woolf elephant boiler and a beam engine was saved. However the owner abandoned the mill and the engine was left undisturbed (and virtually unknown) for about 120 years before rediscovery and ongoing restoration. We were shown round by James Morgan and his fellow volunteers seeing barge dock, wheel pit, boiler, beam engine and cog wheels. The grain floor is not yet ready for public access.
We then separated going to Maldon Station where the former station is now offices but is brilliantly maintained and virtually unchanged. We also saw part of the old ironworks - now a series of shops and a gym. We then moved on to Heybridge Basin where we sat outside for a drink and admired the locks and the preserved sailing barge Thalassa. Our final stop was Wickham Bishops where ther was a wooden viaduct (trestle bridge) on the Maldon - Witham branch line. Although the line closed nearly 50 years ago they have miraculously survived and are now the last remaining wooden viaducts in England and are a listed ancient monument.
We then returned to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. This was followed by our famous quiz - an evening of hilarity and invention and congratualtions go to the winner, John Hewitt.
MONDAY 4th MAY
Our last night was followed by a hearty breakfast and setting off for home. However - this was not the end as Malcolm had treats in store for us en route. We left on time and headed for Aythorpe Roding where there is the largest post mill in Essex. It was in very good condition with the fantail greased and moveable. It used to be owned by Essex County Council but is now in provate hands. Malcolm spoke to the owner and got permission to visit. He then mentioned casually that he had 23 friends with him! We still got permission. We spent 10-15 minutes admiring the outside and photographing it.
We then moved on to Chipping Ongar and the headquarters of the Epping and Ongar preserved railway. We did not have time to take a train ride but did look round the 1865 station and bought various books. We then went on the M11 and M25 to Waltham Abbey where we had 3 hours at the Royal Gunpowder Mills.
We all did our own thing but there were a lot of re-enactment groups there as well as the preserved buildings. It was VE Day Celebration Weekend and I did get the feeling they were somewhat overwhelmed with visitors. However 6 of us got a land train ride round the site which was 50 minutes long and was excellent. We then left at 14:00 prompt and, sods law, had an excellent run to Milton Keynes. The rest of the party got the train an hour early. Renee and I took the bus back then got a taxi to the station where we caught the 16:41 to Chester.
Hover over images for captions.
After a boat trip to last year's event most of us again used public transport to go down to Milton Keynes where we picked up a minibus. Malcom and Andrew had driven a smaller bus down from Ellesmere Port and we all met up at Milton Keynes Central at 12:15 on Friday 1st May.
Our first visit was to Bletchley Park. This is an evolving museum and has grown a lot even in the last two years whilst the latest film The Imitation Game, has added to its popularity. We got an audio tour each and then did our own thing. I had been there before and concentrated on various new areas and exhibitions whist the demonstration of The Bombe proved very popular,
After a good 2.5 hours we reassembled in the car park and set off for Chelmsford. We travelled independently and arrived at The Miami Hotel between 6 and 6.30 pm. After freshening up it was time for dinner and afterwards Tony Crosby, a former AIA Chairman and author of the Guide to IA of Essex gave us a talk on Essex IA. Taking the current county of Essex there is no real heavy industry most being agriculture based but he gave a full account of industries such as Milling, Jam making, Malting, Brewing, small iron foundarys, silk making and brick making (which has gone on since Roman times). He also mentioned transport by road, rail and sea and finished off by mentioning the utilities. Essex has the second greatest number of water towers in England. After a very full day we retired to bed as we leave at 0900 Saturday.
SATURDAY 2nd MAY
After a good breakfast we left promptly and had a fast journey to East Tilbury where we were meeting Tony Crosby, Mike Tabard and other members of the Bata Remininiscences and Resource Centre which is based in the Library. Mike gave us an introductory talk then we split in to two groups. One toured the site and the other looked at the resources. On the tour we saw different styles of houses, the site of the tennis courts and swimming pools, the War Memorial to employees killed in the Second World War. We then went in to the old factory site (now an industrial estate using most of the old buildings) and looked at the factory buildings and a small display in reception. We saw the cinema (now the village hall) and the hotel (or hostel) now shops and offices. At the centre we looked at their display of artefacts and also at some of the old company newspapers which were published weekly.
Lunch was taken in the Ship in old East Tilbury and we then had a short look at Coalhouse Fort - one of Palmerston;s Follies although it did see milkitary use of a kind until well after WWII. Then it was back to Chelmsford and a visit to Sandford Mill Museum where many items not on display in Chelmsford Museum are stored. They are well displayed and we were given a comprehensive tour by Peter Watkins and Geoffrey Lovegrove. we had some free time to browse and finished with a welcome cup of tea.
The two buses then went their own ways looking at various sites in Chelmsford including Moulsham Mill once owned by Marriages and Co. whose modern (ish) Mill we saw later. Moulsham has been restored and now houses various craft type units. We looked at Springfield Basin (now sadly yuppified), the first and second Marconi Factories, Hoffmann's Ball Bearing Works and Crompton's Arc works which produced light's and dynamos. Then it was back to the hotel for a rest before dinner. We then had a talk by Roger Beckett on Thames Barges and the Port of Maldon after which we turned in.
SUNDAY 3rd MAY
Another prompt start at 09:00 saw us meeting Roger again at Maldon where we parked the buses and set off on a walk from Fullbridge to The Hythe following the river as much as possible. We were told about the reasons for the Chelmer Navigation ending at Heybridge although whether it caused any long term damage to the Port of Maldon is debatable. We then looked at some of the barges and the boatyards where they are repaired (and in places both built and scrapped (recycled as the wood was often used in piers!). We reached The Hythe where Roger left us and we went aboard The Pudge where we saw a film about Dunkirk. Pudge was one of the "Little Ships" and is returning to Dunkirk later this month for the 75th Anniversary. We then drove out to The Museum of Power where we had a good look round and a sandwich lunch overseen by young Molly who looked after us brilliantly and was a great advert for Essex Girl!
We then split in to two to visit Beeleigh Mill. This was a combined water and steam mill. The water mill burnt down in 1875 but the steam section, including a Woolf elephant boiler and a beam engine was saved. However the owner abandoned the mill and the engine was left undisturbed (and virtually unknown) for about 120 years before rediscovery and ongoing restoration. We were shown round by James Morgan and his fellow volunteers seeing barge dock, wheel pit, boiler, beam engine and cog wheels. The grain floor is not yet ready for public access.
We then separated going to Maldon Station where the former station is now offices but is brilliantly maintained and virtually unchanged. We also saw part of the old ironworks - now a series of shops and a gym. We then moved on to Heybridge Basin where we sat outside for a drink and admired the locks and the preserved sailing barge Thalassa. Our final stop was Wickham Bishops where ther was a wooden viaduct (trestle bridge) on the Maldon - Witham branch line. Although the line closed nearly 50 years ago they have miraculously survived and are now the last remaining wooden viaducts in England and are a listed ancient monument.
We then returned to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. This was followed by our famous quiz - an evening of hilarity and invention and congratualtions go to the winner, John Hewitt.
MONDAY 4th MAY
Our last night was followed by a hearty breakfast and setting off for home. However - this was not the end as Malcolm had treats in store for us en route. We left on time and headed for Aythorpe Roding where there is the largest post mill in Essex. It was in very good condition with the fantail greased and moveable. It used to be owned by Essex County Council but is now in provate hands. Malcolm spoke to the owner and got permission to visit. He then mentioned casually that he had 23 friends with him! We still got permission. We spent 10-15 minutes admiring the outside and photographing it.
We then moved on to Chipping Ongar and the headquarters of the Epping and Ongar preserved railway. We did not have time to take a train ride but did look round the 1865 station and bought various books. We then went on the M11 and M25 to Waltham Abbey where we had 3 hours at the Royal Gunpowder Mills.
We all did our own thing but there were a lot of re-enactment groups there as well as the preserved buildings. It was VE Day Celebration Weekend and I did get the feeling they were somewhat overwhelmed with visitors. However 6 of us got a land train ride round the site which was 50 minutes long and was excellent. We then left at 14:00 prompt and, sods law, had an excellent run to Milton Keynes. The rest of the party got the train an hour early. Renee and I took the bus back then got a taxi to the station where we caught the 16:41 to Chester.
Hover over images for captions.
