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Sible Hedingham

Sible Hedingham photos (8 available)

Old photo of Sible Hedingham

Sible Hedingham maps (2 available)

Old map of Sible Hedingham

Sible Hedingham books (15 available)

Sible Hedingham memories

Where I grew up.

I lived most of my life in Sible Hedingham, as a family we moved there from London in 1962.  I was just 2 years old at the time. My father Robert Farren, "Bob" as he was best known and my mother Ivy, took over the licence of The White Lion, Church Street.  Growing up I never imagined that I would ever live anywhere but there.  My parents retired after 28 years behind the bar.  
The White Lion can be seen in picture S276003 of Church Street, it is the second building on the right hand side of the photograph. The first building is, or I should say was a General Store.  You could buy just about anything there from linens, ...read more here
Contributed by anne elder

Essex memories

Where I grew up.

I lived most of my life in Sible Hedingham, as a family we moved there from London in 1962.  I was just 2 years old at the time. My father Robert Farren, "Bob" as he was best known and my mother Ivy, took over the licence of The White Lion, Church Street.  Growing up I never imagined that I would ever live anywhere but there.  My parents retired after 28 years behind the bar.  
The White Lion can be seen in picture S276003 of Church Street, it is the second building on the right hand side of the photograph. The first building is, or I should say was a General Store.  You could buy just about anything there from linens, ...read more here
A memory of Sible Hedingham contributed by anne elder

Our wedding

Shalford, St Andrew's Church 1909

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 ...read more here
A memory of Shalford contributed by Anita Watson

Thorogoods in my family tree

Shalford, Braintree Road 1909

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.
A memory of Shalford contributed by Paula Cooke

Extracts From Sible Hedingham & Essex books

Braintree, the Fountain and Church c1955

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.
An extract from from"Braintree Town and City Memories".

Braintree, Public Gardens 1900

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.
An extract from from"Braintree Town and City Memories".

Braintree, Coggeshall Road 1923

Continuing the development of houses along the main Dunmow to Colchester Road, these fine houses, dating from the turn of the 20th century, were also built for the growing middle class. They were known locally as ‘The Villas’. Mr Leonard Alden, who ran a tailor and outfitter’s business, had one of these houses.
An extract from from"Braintree Town and City Memories".

Braintree, Courtauld Road 1923

This road runs between Coggeshall Road and Bradford Street; it replaced the old road, which ran 30 or 40 metres back from the left-hand side of this picture, when Sydney Courtauld built Bocking Place in 1885. Houses started to be built on the right-hand side of the road from the turn of the 20th century, and provided housing for the up-and-coming professional and business people.
An extract from from"Braintree Town and City Memories".

Braintree, South Street 1909

The large weather-boarded buildings on the left are the silk mills of Warner & Sons, who had taken over the business of Walters & Co in 1894. Daniel Walters came to the town in 1822, and these mills were built in 1856. Behind these is another range of buildings constructed in 1869. Both firms produced silk products for the royal family, and Warners have woven velvet for every coronation since that of Edward VII.
An extract from from"Braintree Town and City Memories".