Shalford, Braintree Road 1909

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

Great-great-grandfather William Clark, born Weathersfield 1804

Our great-great-grandfather was born in Weathersfield in 1804. He married Sussannah, born 1797, also from Wethersfield. They had five children, all born in Wethersfield, one being Walter Clark who was our mother's grandfather. They were living at 8 Ottleys Lane, Weathersfield in 1851. The children were Eliza Clark, born 1834, living at 6 Hudson Hills and working as a Straw Plaiter on the 1871 Census; Hannah, born 1835, living at Gravesham Farm,  Toppesfield on the 1861 Census; Andrew, born 1839; George, born 1841; Walter, born 1843. In 1867 Walter married Elizabeth Jane Thwaites in Maidstone, Kent.

I realise these are not memories of Wethersfield - at least not my memories of Wethersfield - but thought it might be of interest to someone.

One day we intend to come to Weathersfield to see if any of these places still exist, we did pass through a couple of days ago but it was late evening and we did not have time to stop, but it would be interestng to know if the church of St Mary Magdalene is still there.

Childhood memories great bardfield 1969

My late parents were the landlord and landlady of the Vine public house. I was just coming into teenage years. Friends came from the base who lived in the village. The pub itself was refurbished in that year, meaning all 3 bars were revamped. Although the pub was being worked on, it was always busy, with the local USAF from Wethersfield using it. In the summer of 1969 we even had a July 4th celebration. Just up the road, was Maggie's Tea Rooms, and next door was Bardfields first antique shop, owned and run by wendy and colin. the year was of course 1969.

The main customers, of whom only one I can recall who used the vine, were characters like London George, a 'gentleman of the road', in the 'public bar', where the juke box was, and of course the dartboard, which drew in his friends and was where they met every evening.

The saloon bar is all remodernised as one sees it now 40 years on, but then maybe you would find the bar itself busy with USAF off-duty personnel who were propping up the bar, they mostly drank pints of Double Diamond ale or Harp lager. Most looked forward in going home to the USA, but some ended  up being sent straight on to Vietnam.

As for myself, I was invited to join the Bardfield players that year, and to join in the annual panto held at the village hall, which was 'Mother Goose'. Bardfield always was a family community orientated place.

Finally, when my parents left the Vine, their last night was very emotional one, and the local regulars who used the pub all gave my parents a highly emotional farewell.

I have no photos to prove any of this, as my parents are both now deceased and all photos were lost when my elder brother sorted their effects, but memories one can ever forget. Long may Great Bardfield never change.