This day Dec 12th (1776) Judge Nicolas Tindal was born in Chelmsford, where 199 Moulsham Street now stands. Sir Nicolas Conyngham Tindal was a celebrated lawyer who was responsible for the inception of the verdict, ‘Not Guilty by reason of insanity’.

This day December 10th (1955) Reported several angry tenants complained, to Basildon Council after being questioned by the town’s rent collectors as to whether they had television sets in their homes. They were suspicious that ownership of a television would mean a rent rise.

Our August Newsletter is now up on the website to read (and enjoy!). We're all over the map this time with articles about Redbridge, Gants Hill, Goodmayes, Valentines Mansion, Barkingside, and Ilford. ilfordhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/...

This day December 9th (1963) The BEATLES (remember them) performed at the Odeon in Southend-on-Sea. The cost of the police overtime to manage the event was put at £1,200. Image Nicholas Ryan Bringing Essex History to Life

A 1956 'Eastern National' Omnibus & Coach map of Essex. Even today and if the route still operates, it is possible to travel the whole length of the bus route for just £3.00.

This day December 8th (1951) the Mayor of Ilford, Councillor P.V. Fanning, J.P. planted the new Fairlop Oak on the roundabout at Fulwell Cross to commemorate the festival of Britain. www.essex100.com

December 7th (1988) The late Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opened the improved ski slope and village of ‘Beckton Alps’ at Beckton, just off the A13. The village included a ski-lift, a chalet containing changing facilities, a shop and a restaurant. However, now all closed.

The ‘Essex Range Rover Murders’. This day December 6th (1995), three blood-soaked bodies were found in a blue Range Rover on a secluded farm track at Rettendon. Patrick Tate, Craig Rolfe & Anthony Tucker, had been executed & shot in the face with a pump-action shotgun.

Our final meeting of 2025 is this coming Monday 8th December where we will have a talk from Georgina Green about Jane Austen, a quiz, and mince pies! Gloucester Room, Redbridge Central Library in Ilford, 7 for 7:30pm.

This day December 4th (1921) Reported that a Dutch cannon ball from a naval encounter in the River Thames from the Anglo Dutch wars of 1667 was unearthed near Tilbury fort. More on Dutch incursions in Essex in BATTLEFIELD ESSEX bookshops or online.

Once Upon a Time and published this day 4th December (1969). (M&B Standard) Long before Clubcards, & Super Stores with Green Shield Stamps & double Tuesday & Saturday & only 18 shopping days to Christmas. Prices old money too.

Are they related? RAGE BAIT Oxford University Press ‘Word of the Year’. Is it the younger brother, sister or cousin of CLICKBAIT, OR is this just gaslighting? We need to know, or do we? PS. Can it be used for fishing?

Scrapping jury trials for lesser offences? & with Magna Carta mentioned in parliament & media making headlines. For the full story of the Magna Carta www.essex100.com/product/magn... AND a customised talk too. www.essex100.com/talks-events/ Don’t let a good story get in the way of the facts.

University Challenge ‘Essex’ question of the day Which colony in the US did the philanthropist James Oglethorpe found? Answer Georgia. More:- essex100.com/2598/body-sn... But there's more to Oglethorpe than Georgia

Famous Essex Authors (You have Never Heard of) by Dee Gordon Great review by Sylvia Kent in the Village Emporium Available from book shops or online

A 19th century engraving of Barking Abbey as imagined in the year 1500 by Sir Charles Nicholson. Barking Abbey was destroyed by the Vikings in 879 then rebuilt. In 1541 it confiscated then demolished on the orders of Henry VIII. Barking was in Essex until 1965.

NOW AVAILABLE A new book from Dee Gordon with a special feature in the ‘Echo’ FEMALE SMUGGLERS OF THE 19th CENTURY From bookshops or online

The memorial to Warwick Deeping (one of the Famous Essex Authors you have never head of) in St John’s Churchyard, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA. Even more, Essex Authors, (you have never heard of) by Dee Gordon in bookshops or online, essex100.com/product/famo... which includes handy map too!

ARMAGEDDON Into the bowels of the earth Went the six hundred, the chosen few. Into the modern day ARK, A concrete bunker with blast doors new. Extracted from the ESSEX HUNDRED essex100.com/product/the-es

The now closed surveillance tower X1 at Wakering Steps within the new ranges at Foulness. Just beyond is the ‘Broomway’ a walkway - accessible only at low tide. More in ‘Third Choice’ BATTLEFIELD ESSEX Bookshops or online

Poppies on the Pier (ENDS 23/11/2025) with 110,471 poppies 4,872 metres of knitted chain 1,578 kilometers of wool 3,693 donators www.essex100.com

The Battle of Brightlingsea (1995) It was all about sheep. More in BATTLEFIELD ESSEX Bookshops or online essex100.com/product/batt...

Once Upon a Time. Situations Vacant as published in the Southend Standard of 20th November (1974). Work locally (in Barking) IT people look at the salaries. Also the days when there was still a Personnel Officer (assistant) and plenty of work at Fords.

The human touch. Traffic control in Tilbury (1928) During construction of a new bridge to the landing stage a policeman signals to his colleague that the road is clear. www.essex100.com

This day November 17th (1944) The formal process of standing down the Home Guard (Dads Army) began. A series of parades followed.The first battalions were formed in May 1940 when the threat of enemy invasion seemed very real.

This day November 16th (1933) a public meeting was to be held. Local government electors were urged to support Purfleet's opposition to Essex County Council proposals to join with Orsett. What goes around comes around. (Grays & Tilbury Gazette)

A dull November day following a very muddy trail along the River Chelmer to the confluence (that’s a nice word) of Rivers Chelmer, Blackwater & navigation, the Langford Cut & halting at Beeleigh Lock. Also an image from 1904. PS. We weren't there then! (Archive image)

This day November 15th (1957) 2,000 picture postcards of more than 7,500 available from ten traders in Southend were ordered to be destroyed by Southend Court on the grounds of obscenity. PC Onions was on the case.

Early solutions to prison overcrowding? The plan of confining offenders in hulks was first adopted in England in 1776. The illustration shows the ‘Warrior’ a convict hulk moored in Woolwich and described as ‘not an altogether an un-picturesque riverside object’. (ILN Feb 1846)

On the edge of Essex at Pardon Mill Flowing outward The River Stort. 1769 – the River Stort opened to navigation flowing into the Lea and the onwards to the Thames Then out to the sea and so all to the ports of the world Sculpture by Angela Godfrey

Reported,'Illustrated London News' November 12th (1864). The Electro-Ballistic Apparatus for measuring the speed of cannon shot. Invented by Major Navez of the Belgian Artillery was tested at the Shoeburyness ranges with great success. Nothing like dressing for the occasion.

This day November 10th (2007) the Trustees of the Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre held a Dracula/Bram Stoker Day to celebrate Purfleet’s links with Bram Stoker, the creator of Dracula. A green Thurrock Heritage Plaque also unveiled at St Stephen’s Church.

For the Eleventh Hour, of the Eleventh day of the Eleventh Month Lest we forget 'In Flanders Fields' youtu.be/WJBu6pO-oBM A poignant video short. Voiced by Scott Ross Phoenix FM

Richard Riche or SIR RICHARD RICH, BARON RICH OF LEEZ The great beneficiary of suppression of the monasteries and the founder of Felted School. The Riche Monument At Holy Cross Church, Felsted

This day November 7th (1921) the first block of houses on the new Becontree estate were erected on Chittys Lane, Barking. Over the next few years the estate became the biggest housing project in the world. Plus the view in 1928

A bit of history. The P&O Ferry ‘Pride of Dover’ awaiting its fate in Tilbury Docks in August 2011. It had been taken out of service and was shortly to towed to Turkey to be scapped. www.essex100.com

Was the Gunpowder plots hatched in Barking? Check out our video short. youtu.be/tSxR-mSO8-A

This Day November 4th (1803) Sir Eliab Harvey of Rolls Park Chigwell, former commander of the largely forgotten Essex Sea Fensibles was appointed Captain of the ‘Temeraire’ and two years later played a prominent part in the Battle of Trafalgar. More in the ESSEX HUNDRED HISTORIES

Too true, what changes?

Nostalgia Day from the 1970s This day November 3rd (1972) C&A opened with great fanfare and then went 28 years later.

This day November 2nd (1918) the Essex Medical Officer of Health, Dr J. C. Thresh, issued the following comments about the ongoing influenza epidemic. ‘The epidemic is very bad, but we have it under control.

This day, November 1st (1878) the City of London Corporation became responsible for Epping Forest following an Act of Parliament in August 1878.

The Unseen Enemy. Lest we forget. This day, October 30th (2021), Canvey Town Council unveiled a plaque in Labworth Memorial Gardens dedicated, and in memory of residents who sadly lost their lives due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This day October 29th 1966, in what was described as Burnham-on-Crouch’s worst ever night of hooliganism, hundreds of rowdies created a reign of terror that drove law abiding citizens off the streets. (report Maldon & Burnham Standard 4/11/1966)

Fed Up in the rain

A simplified map of the English tribal lands in the southern half of England in AD60 at the time of Boudica's (Boadicea) revolt. Boudica was Queen of the Iceni. The Trinovantes lands were centred on Colchester which was the first town destroyed in the revolt. More, www.essex100.com/product/boud...

Scott Ross and Margaret Mills chat about novelist, Elinor Glyn, who lived near Harlow. Her 1907 book – THREE WEEKS – was (allegedly) a favourite of King Edward VII. Listen again, phoenixfm.com/2025/10/22/t... More in Dee Gordon’s ‘Famous Essex Authors’ www.essex100.com/product/famo...

This day 26th October is apparently – Essex Day, otherwise known as St Cedd's Day. Well, well, well........... (Image St Cedd looking out from All Saint's Church Maldon).

Just a week to go. Hadleigh Heritage presents, The Struggle to Build Southend's First Pier. Full details on poster. essex100.com/talks-events/ image John Debenham

This day October 23rd (1976). Traffic in Maldon High Street was brought a standstill when 6 elephants & a camel paraded along the Street and posed outside the Moot Hall. The animals were part of Robert Brothers Circus on their way to join the other acts on the town’s promenade.