The Women of Romford Market by Norma Jennings

The new season began with a lively and informative talk on the history of Romford Market from the 13th century to the present day. During the seven centuries of trading the market evolved from essentially a country market selling livestock and crops to the mixed merchandise of fruit and vegetables, flowers, crockery, clothing etc as we know it today.

Norma Jennings spoke of the success of the market due to its ideal situation on the road from Colchester to London and near to the Thames for ferries from Kent. In mediaeval times women did not go to the market unless they were milkmaids, barmaids or prostitutes. Days were set aside for the various livestock; Monday for pigs, Tuesday for fattened calves, Wednesday was the main market day for other livestock and farm produce. In 1831, a certain Thomas Newcombe auctioned his wife for five shillings and sixpence plus another sixpence for the new rope bought by him to tie her to a market post.

During the 19th century factories sprang up and women who were employed for the first time had money of their own. After the main business of the day in the markets, gypsies and pedlars arrived with their wares to sell to the newly independent women of the area. The period from the late 19th century to the First World War was considered to be the heyday of the market with its farm livestock, domestic animals and many memorable characters such as the rope-maker, basket weaver, quack doctor, china seller, etc.

The women of Romford market mentioned by Norma Jennings included Miss Mary Clifton who loved all animals especially horses and hated cruelty to animals. As President of the RSPCA she would inspect the livestock and woebetide any drover found using sticks with nails on the end to prod their pigs and cattle. Amy Foster served at her cake stall wearing a tall cook’s hat and Gertie sold Lancashire cotton and net curtains and was known as ‘Gertie from Lancashire’. Nellie Sims BEM began selling flowers in the market at the age of 15 and married her boss, Harry, the owner of the flower stall. They eventually opened a flower shop in the Quadrant Arcade built in 1935. Nellie received the BEM for her charitable works.

Romford expanded, farmland was sold off for housing and by the 1930s Romford became the shopping centre of the south-east. The livestock market gradually declined and eventually closed in 1958.

Society meeting 14th October

Nelson and Trafalgar by Sherwin Chase

Horatio Nelson was born in 1758 at Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk where his father was the Rector. He had a close relationship with his grandmother who cared for him after his mother died. As a child, he loved sailing and his love of the sea determined his wish have a naval career. On 1st January 1771, at the age of 12, under the patronage of his uncle, Captain Maurice Suckling, he joined the navy as a midshipman. It was quite common at this time for young children to be employed in this way.
Nelson was promoted to Captain at the early age of 21. Napoleon was a constant threat to Britain and fear of invasion was very great. Nelson, in charge of the defence of the Thames, blockaded the river with old warships.
He saw active service for many years and from the wounds of battle the sight of his right eye was impaired and his right arm was amputated. Following his numerous victories at sea, Nelson was rapidly promoted until he was created a Viscount and was then known as Admiral, Lord Nelson. He was a national hero and his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805 was the pinnacle of his achievements which sadly resulted in his death. He is buried in St Paul’s cathedral in London.
Emma Hamilton was the love of Nelson’s life. He met her at Naples, after his victory ay the Battle of the Nile in 1798. It is possible that Emma, during her time in London, may have associated with the Featherstone family of Hassenbrook Hall, Stanford le Hope. She was married to Sir William Hamilton, envoy to the court of the King of Naples.
Many souvenirs and commemorative items such as figures of Nelson, medals, plates etc. and portraits and figures of Emma Hamilton were produced. At the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1905, the people of Essex contributed to a silver replica of Nelson’s column and presented it to HMS Essex. The Doulton factory produced a commemorative jug of Nelson with a black patch over his right eye. He never wore an eye-patch but had a square of cloth sewn into his hat which could be lowered when the bright sun brought discomfort to his injured right eye. Doulton repeated this mistake on more than one occasion.

Society meeting 18th November

Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot by Susan Yates

Members enjoyed an informative lecture commemorating 400 years since the discovery of the gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament.

Susan Yates, Chairman of the Society, began with the interesting thought that, “Guy Fawkes is remembered every year throughout England and yet he achieved nothing!” From this premise Susan explained the origin of the enmity between the Protestants and the Roman Catholics starting with Henry VIII’s desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. The Pope’s refusal led to the break from Rome, the dissolution of the monasteries and the foundation of the Protestant Church of England. Henry’s heir, Mary Tudor, a staunch Catholic, persecuted the Protestants; Elizabeth I reinstated the Protestant religion and after her death James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots, came to the English throne as James I. Although married to a Catholic he continued the Protestant faith in England.

There were many restrictions on Catholics and fines were levied if they did not attend the Protestant church, or have their children baptised into the Church of England. The mass could not be celebrated in public. Catholic priests caught saying the mass in private houses could be thrown into prison and tried for treason. This led to ‘priest holes’ being built into houses where priests might hide for several days until the danger of discovery was passed. This was the atmosphere which bred the Gunpowder Plot.

The plotters were Sir Robert Catesby, Thomas Wintour, Robert Wintour, John Grant, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright, Robert Keyes, Ambrose Rookwood, Francis Tresham, Thomas Bates, Sir Everard Digby and Guy Fawkes.

Catesby and his group were not poor or underprivileged. They were well educated, well to do young gentlemen. Guy Fawkes had served abroad in the Spanish Army and held a post of command when the Spanish took Calais in 1596 under Philip II of Spain. This was probably the period when Guy Fawkes became used to working with gunpowder. On Guy Fawkes return to England he joined the plotters, who had received no support from King Philip of Spain, as they had hoped. Robert Catesby’s plan was to blow up King James and his family, the peers of the realm, the bishops etc. at the state opening of Parliament.

An outbreak of the plague delayed the opening of Parliament until 5th November, 1605 and in the meantime a cellar/undercroft under the Parliament building became available to rent. Although this seemed like good fortune to the plotters, it may be that Sir Robert Cecil the Earl of Salisbury, who had a very efficient spy network, was aware of the plot and this was a ploy to enable him know exactly where the conspirators were operating.

Restrictions had been relaxed on the availability of gunpowder after the cessation of the war with Spain. 36 barrels of gunpowder, approximately 1 metric tonne (18 cwt) were placed in the cellar. It was agreed that Guy Fawkes, because of his experience with gunpowder, would light the slow fuse which would allow him to escape before the explosion. Guy Fawkes hid in the cellar on the 4th November to await the morning.

In the early hours of November 5th, on the instructions of Lord Salisbury, Sir Thomas Knevett J. P. for Westminster led a group of Yeomen of the Guard to search the cellars of the palace of Westminster and found “a very tall and desperate fellow” hiding with the gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was taken to the Tower of London with the gunpowder. He was tortured, enduring excruciating agony on the rack, and eventually named some of his fellow conspirators. Catesby and the rest of the plotters met at Holbeche House, Staffordshire. Some died resisting arrest, the others, including Guy Fawkes, were hung, drawn and quartered.

Remember, remember the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why Gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.

Such was James I relief at escaping assassination he declared 5th November to be known as Guy Fawkes night and effigies of Guy Fawkes were to be burnt on bonfires to celebrate the King and Parliament’s escape.

Society meeting 9th December

The Christmas Meeting and Party 2005

The theme this year was ‘The Forties’ to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II. Music from the period set the scene and several members of the committee dressed in RAF, WAAF and WREN costumes plus two in civilian dress - a Spiv, and a forties housewife who contributed a cake to the buffet made from a wartime recipe. The appetising spread, which included homemade ‘wartime’ biscuits as well as the cake, was supplied by members; the wine and soft drinks by the Society.

Ken Levy, Publicity Officer of Coalhouse Fort, and a committee member of the Society, set up a display of items, military and civilian, from the Fort’s museum. These included weapons, gas masks for babies, children and adults, ration books and posters of the period. Ken gave an interesting talk on the various guns etc. Several members brought along wartime memorabilia including medals. Another member spoke about the rare books from the period that he had contributed to the display.

A quiz has become a feature of the Christmas party and this year all the questions related to the wartime; several were specific to Thurrock. It was won by Mrs Ormston who received chocolates and the recently published book, Thurrock in the Thirties by Terry Carney, a Thurrock Museum publication.

The raffle was very popular and included many generous donations of prizes from the members. A display of photographs of the Society’s various activities over the last few years brought back happy memories of outings, 50th Anniversary Dinner, the launch of the web site and attendance at local events such as Horndon Feast and Fair and the Orsett Show.

Although the uniforms and displays were reminders of the sacrifice of so many during the war, the evening was a celebration of the end of hostilities rounded off with a chorus of I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.

Society Meeting 20th January

Tudor Royalty in Essex by Peter Lawrence

More than a hundred members and visitors crowded into the hall to hear Peter Lawrence’s talk on Tudor royalty in Essex. He began with a general outline of the period declaring that Essex is rich in history and that many Tudor mansions were built during the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Waltham Abbey was a very important venue where Henry planned the dissolution of the monasteries after his break from Rome. Henry enjoyed hunting in the forests around the area and also watching the hunt. Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, which still exists at Epping Forest, was actually built by Henry VIII in 1543 as a tower from which to view the chase when up to 200 deer a day were slain. The hunting lodge has been restored and finished as it would have looked in Tudor times i.e. there are no black beams on the outside. These were a Victorian invention. Other buildings in Essex have been given this authentic look such as the Guildhall at Thaxted.

The wealthy landowners had the resources to build fine houses in elaborate styles to entertain their royal guests, particularly Elizabeth who enjoyed transporting a large entourage from one stately home to another. It was necessary to import artisans from abroad with the expertise to provide the ornate finish to the houses. Sir Henry Marney, Lord Privy Seal, introduced skilled Italian craftsmen and French artisans to build Layer Marney Tower, C 1520, a magnificent gatehouse several stories higher than the gatehouse at Hampton Court and finished with ornate terra cotta decoration. The mansion was never completed because, after his death, the estate was divided between his daughters and their husbands there being no male heir. A church, built at the same period, has a canopied tomb to commemorate Sir Henry Marney.

Peter Lawrence covered many more fine buildings such as Boreham Hall, Barking Abbey, Leighs Priory, Ingatestone Hall which all had royal connections. He also included Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Tilbury and her famous speech in 1588 rallying the troops at the time of the Spanish Armada’s threat to England.

Society Meeting 24th February, 2006

Prisoners of the Tower By Brian D’Arcy

Brian D’Arcy introduced himself as a “teller of tales” who had spent many years absorbing the history of the Tower of London first as a Beefeater and then as the Curator of the Crown Jewels. He had enthralled tourists and school parties with stories of imprisonment, torture and executions. Now retired, he relates his story to clubs and societies.

He gave a fascinating account of the executions that had taken place on Tower Hill. The Tudor and Stuart eras were particularly dangerous times for those in high places who had fallen out of favour, found guilty of treason or of committing adultery. Queens such as Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard and poor Lady Jane Grey, aged 17, all fell under the axe. Sir Thomas More, Archbishop Laud, Sir Walter Raleigh, who was a prisoner in the Tower for 12 years, faced the same dreadful end. We heard of the bizarre story of the Duke of Monmouth whose execution took 5 strokes of the axe then his head was sewn back on in order to have his portrait painted. Guy Fawkes, captured after the gunpowder plot, was tortured on the rack in the lower chamber of the White tower and later hung, drawn and quartered.

The Tower continued to be used for prisoners in modern times. Rudolf Hess was taken there for interrogation and 3 spies were shot within the precincts during World War II.

Even the Kray twins spent a short time there after they were picked up having gone absent without leave during their National Service.

The avian flu scare is causing concern for the Raven Master because, according to legend, the Monarchy will collapse if the resident ravens leave the Tower so he has the responsibility to see that the birds remain healthy and the tradition lives on.

At 10 pm each night the Ceremony of the Keys ensures that the Tower is securely locked and, as our speaker says, silence falls on the saddest place on earth.

Society Meeting 17th March, 2006

Thurrock and London by Terry Carney

The Society’s lecture in March was given by Terry Carney, recently of Thurrock Museum, who set out to show that Thurrock had more in common with the London than with the bulk of Essex. His illustrated talk began with a general outline of the landscape from the Neolithic age through to Roman and Anglo Saxon periods up to the mediaeval age. The Bishops of London owned land in Little Thurrock and the earthworks known as Bishop Bonner’s palace at Orsett are probably the remains of a country residence or hunting lodge. Many of those who prospered in London settled in Thurrock. In the Tudor period, John Barrett, who built the original Belhus at Aveley in 1520, was a successful London lawyer. Richard Saltonstall whose magnificent memorial can be seen in South Ockendon church, was Lord Mayor of London in 1588. In the 17th century, Edward Barrett of Belhus, Lord Newburgh, persued a political career in London travelling from Aveley by coach. Others famous in their time were William Palmer, founder of Palmer’s school, the Theobalds, London bankers, built Stifford Lodge, Daniel Defoe, pamphleteer and novelist had a brickworks at Tilbury, Richard Baker, merchant and rope maker built Orsett Hall and founded the Orsett estate. The London merchants who built grand houses were not embarrassed by their commercial activities and trade. Only the Barrett-Lennards of Belhus were nobility.

Other aspects demonstrating Thurrock’s links with the capital were Tilbury and Coalhouse forts built to defend London, the various industries such as chalk extraction, brick making and market gardening. For centuries the roads were notoriously bad and the only alternative was to travel by river but the coming of the railway in Victorian times improved access to London and brought crowds from London to Purfleet pleasure gardens and to watch prize-fighting on the marshes. Also in the mid 19th century training ships were moored off Purfleet to teach problem boys and orphans from London basic and naval skills preparing them for a career in the navy. In 1910 advertisements of where to live around London promoted the Homesteads at Stanford and Plotlands at Laindon. The Belhus estate at South Ockendon was built after WWII to house East Londoners bombed out in the blitz. So the links continue as a large proportion of Thurrock residents continue to head for London for work and recreation.

Society AGM 28th April, 2006

 The meeting began with an illustrated talk on the Mardyke River Valley Project presented by Tracey Robinson, Manager of the MRVP, and Amy Felus, Community Education Officer.  They outlined the purpose of the project which offers opportunities for all in its leisure, educational and wildlife conservation activities.  They provide a Heritage Trail, guided walks, cycle rides, etc. and encourage school visits to engender an interest in the wildlife that abounds along the Mardyke stream e.g. water voles, kingfishers and various flora.  There are footpaths along the Mardyke from Bulphan passing Orsett Fen, Stifford Bridge, Davy Down and on to South Ockendon and Aveley.  The river ends at the Thames at Purfleet.  More information can be found at www.thameschase.org.uk  

 The business of the AGM began with the Chairman’s report on the activities of the past year followed by the election of Officers for the coming year.  These are: Chairman, Susan Yates; Vice Chair, Derek Austin; Secretary, Maggie Smith; Treasurer Julia Harding. Eileen Suckling, who retired as Secretary and Treasure last year, and Jean Matthews were made Honorary Members in recognition of their long service and membership of the Society.  It was agreed to increase the subscriptions to cover the increase in expenses, particularly the cost of hiring the hall.  From September the subscriptions will be: Adult £7.50, Student £4.00, 16 years old and under, Free. Visitors, £2 per meeting.  

The meeting concluded with a Power Point demonstration ‘ The Society on the Superhighway’ by John Matthews.  This was to enable those members who do not have access to the internet to view our web site and to foster interest in contributing items on local history to add to the information already available.

Summer outings

Since the AGM, a full coach of members and friends enjoyed an excursion to Hampton Court which included a guided tour of the historical Tudor building.  During the summer the society will be represented at various local events such as Horndon Feast and Fair, the Party in the Park, the Orsett Show and the Essex Local History Fair at Braintree.  A coach trip to Windsor is arranged for September.