Great Notley, Essex

Rayne in 1950/1960

I was born in Rayne and in the 1950s.I have fond memories of being able to play various sports in the road at School Road with my brother Peter and friend Richard Dodd, gaining a few more players as word got around! We used to mark the Tennis Court on the road with chalk and played many games, sometimes having to... [more]

My early years

I lived in Cressing Road, went to Chapel Hill Primary School and then to Braintree County High School. I left there in 1952 when my father was transferred by Crittall Metal Windows, to Dunedin, New Zealand. I remember the 750th Anniversary celebrations in 1949 and had always said I would like to return for the 800th Anniversary, but I couldn't make... [more]

Braintree County High School

I own a picture of the students of BCHS taken in 1947.  Such a view has many many names and connections. There is the headmaster Dr. Cordingly [he of the famous stick]. Here is the vicar Hartley Brook's daughter. My old girl friend Shirley, and members of my class including Billy Cranfield, Ron Whittaker, David Woodward, Valerie O'Neill and a crowd... [more]

Mill House Felsted

Does anyone remember Jack and Barbara Mahon who lived at Mill House, and had a small pig farm for a very short time, c 1934 to 1936?

Felsted, my village

I was born & bred in Felsted, living in the area until 1965 when I emigrated to New Zealand. These photographs of Felsted Mill remind me of the many hours spent on the wall below the water wheel race, fishing for roach and chub, and walking our girlfriends down by the river. The Felsted school with church in background, reminds me... [more]

Felstead Mill 1891

In the 1891 and 1901 one of my ancestors, George Mott, was a miller at Felstead Mill. He had 3 daughters and 1 son.  His wife Althea died in 1898.  Perhaps she played the piano, and is the ghost!! George later married Naomi Boreham, who had been a cook at the mill.

Living at the Mill

My father bought the mill in the 1960s and we moved in 1976 to South Africa. During the years living at the mill we all have plenty of memories spent living there. The most memorable was the first time we encounted the ghost of the mill. My mother called my two brothers and sister and myself into the hallway and demanded... [more]

Ghosts at the mill

I lived in the mill from 1978 to 1982 with my parents, brother and sister. I was only five when I left but I have memories of seeing a lady and man both dressed in very old fashioned clothes around the mill pond. and nobody ever saw them except me. I'm sure they were looking after me and making sure I... [more]