Shalford, Essex

Thorogoods in my family tree

This is not a memory as such, however I have been researching my husband's family tree. When speaking to elderly family members I have found that his grandmother's family, the Thorogoods, come from Shalford. I would like to know if there are any Thorogoods still in Shalford. We can't wait to find out more about your village and discover my husband's roots.

Rotten End

My parents had a weekend cottage at Rotten End in the 1950s, and I remember walking a footpath to Shalford regularly.
Can anybody tell me if this footpath still exists, or anything about it at all?

many thanks
Ros Stayne

Our wedding

I am originally from St. Helens, Lancashire, and met my husband, Roy, at Burtonwood AFB where I worked. He was stationed at Wethersfield but came on occasion to Burtonwood. When I moved south to be married, I had to live in the neighbourhood for three weeks for the bans to be called out, and my husband's NCOIC was friendly with a lady who lived in the houses directly across from the church. Her name was Ada Stebbing. She took me in for those three weeks and I was married from her house in St. Andrews church. She managed to convince the local retired minister, Harry Jordan, to get permission from the bishop to come out of retirement to marry us. We were told that the first minister was recorded in 1335. I have some nice wedding photos with the church.

Dunmow, Thaxted and Finchingfield Photographic Memories

The cottages on the right were almshouses. They are gone now. The white house just past them is known as the Penthouse - a name connected with the fact that the village pound (or `pent`) for stray cattle once stood here. In the street, the nanny is pushing a pram of an unusual penny-farthing design.

Braintree Town and City Memories

Prior to 1935, all that would have been seen from in front of the church would have been the top of the church spire. In the foreground would have been a collection of dilapidated shops, and a large wooden maltings out of shot to the right. In 1935 the buildings, including the maltings, were demolished as part of a road improvement scheme.

Braintree Town and City Memories

One of the features of the gardens is the way in which the visitor is met with different views and layouts, from open spaces to densely planted areas, or along wide pathways with narrow winding pathways off to the sides.