VISITING WATERSTONES - MY FAVOURITE BOOKSTORE IN THE BRENTWOOD HIGH STREET ON THURSDAY

 


It's always a pleasure to visit Waterstones Book Shop in Brentwood High Street, especially at Christmas time.  A gale may have been blowing outside last Saturday evening, but all was warm and happy with super Manager Ross and his staff who arranged a lovely book signing for us all - Ross's mince pies were good, too!

Although all book shops hold a fascination for those of us who can't stop reading, this particular store is special in that I have enjoyed great friendship with Waterstones from the time my first book BRENTWOOD VOICES was published so many years ago.  

Two other great writers were in store to meet and greet readers on Thursday and it was a great pleasure to meet Ian Brown whose beautifully illustrated books for children about Albert (the tortoise) made a splash of colour.  

Another amazing  scribe, Barnaby Walter (B P Walter), a brilliant young novelist was also of huge interest introducing his new book (see below)  and both authors, hopefully, will come to Brentwood Writers' Circle next year to talk about their individual successful writing lives.  Watch this space!!!

LOCAL HISTORY LOVERS ARE LEARNING FROM THE LECTERNS -

 Warley Councillor Jay Laplain and Brentwood historian Margaret Hamilton unveil new lecterns at Brentwood Town Hall. 

Local historians Margaret Hamilton and John Fryer - Brentwood Museum

Six new heritage lecterns have been installed this month outside Brentwood Town Hall, following government funding secured by your Liberal Democrat-led Joint Administration.

Following calls from your hard-working Liberal Democrat councillors, led by Councillor Ben Rigby, funds have been allocated to replace the previous lecterns, which were damaged, worn, and outdated.The old lecterns were installed outside the Town Hall in 2009 as part of a larger heritage scheme to commemorate the borough’s residents who have made significant contributions to the political, scientific, artistic, literary, and sporting heritage. 
The lectern scheme was designed to strengthen a sense of local and national identity, promoting Brentwood's people, buildings and sites which have historical significance. The project was initially commissioned by the then Town Centre Partnership (now the Business Improvement District), which collaborated closely with Brentwood Museum and local historian John Fryer to depict critical historical moments in Brentwood's history from 1100 to 2008.  The new heritage lecterns form part of a programme aligned with Brentwood’s new five-year cultural and creative strategy for the Borough, which highlights the importance of celebrating Brentwood’s cultural heritage and creativity.Each lectern retains much of the original information and illustrations by John Fryer, while incorporating significant events from 2009–2025, including the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay in Brentwood and local celebrations of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
To enhance accessibility and engagement, every lectern now features a brass rubbing plaque, providing a tactile experience for visitors and a fun activity for children. Free brass rubbing sheets and crayons will be available from the Town Hall reception.Councillor Vicky Davies, who is the vice-chair of the Committee responsible for communities, said: “I’m delighted that we have offered our residents, especially schoolchildren, new opportunities to connect with Brentwood’s rich heritage. The original lecterns were well-liked by those passing by and by visitors to the Town Hall, including other civic dignitaries, with many stopping to read and enjoy the information about our Borough’s cultural richness.She added: “We hope the new lecterns will rekindle pride in our community and highlight Brentwood’s unique character and history, from the town centre to our lovely countryside.”

ESSEX IS BRIMMING WITH FESTIVE EVENTS - ENJOYED EVE CALDERBANK'S GATHERING IN BILLERICAY RECENTLY

I really enjoy meeting like-minded folk when I am invited, usually linked to business and writing colleagues and this little meeting last week at Billericay (courtesy of Ambitious Women in Essex)  was rather special. Met a whole host of new clever girls full of energy and creativity.  Roll on to a festive morning on 10 December in Chelmsford City.  

NOVEMBER 14 AND CELEBRATION TIME AT BILLERICAY FOR OUR ANNUAL FUN WALK TEAM

Thanks have been extended to everyone who came along to our fabulous Celebration Evening on Friday, 14 November.  It was a great team effort and so wonderful to see so many local charities and community groups that benefited from this year’s event.

 How wonderful, once again, to meet so many folk who took part earlier in the year and  turned up to be presented with their cheques,certificates and be photographed with us all.  What a delightful bunch!!!

So, 2025 Fun Walk has again been successfull and probably the best in our 23 years that we have experienced - so roll on to our next brilliant fund-raising year ahead. Why not join us in 2026?

The Fun Walk Story

🎉Celebrating 20+ Years of Supporting Essex Charities and Community Groups

What began as a tribute to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 quickly blossomed into something extraordinary. Spearheaded by John Baron CBE and his dedicated team, the very first Fun Walk raised £6,000 for six inspiring charities and community projects. It was more than just a walk—it was a movement in the making.

💖 Year after year, the Fun Walk grew and in 2013 it was time to become a registered charity: The Fun Walk Trust (Charity No. 1151626).

John Baron CBE remains at the helm as Chair of Trustees, rallying support from generous local businesses to build the amazing Bonus Pot—a fundraising multiplier that adds extra magic to every step.

👣📋 Thanks to the team of volunteers, much of the admin for holding a sponsored walk is provided to participating groups, allowing them to focus on what matters most: raising sponsorship money and enjoying their walks. And it’s not just for registered charities—any community-minded cause, once approved, is welcome! From schools and churches to grassroots community groups, the Fun Walk is open to all.

🌍🏡 In 2020, facing the challenges of COVID-19, the Trust didn’t miss a beat. The event transformed into a virtual format, empowering supporters to walk wherever and whenever they could. It was a hit—and the flexibility and inclusivity of the virtual format continues to this day.

💥Last year, walkers and sponsors came together in record-breaking form—raising £100,953.41, including a dazzling 30% bonus from the Fun Walk Bonus Pot. This total pushed the amount raised by the Fun Walk since 2022 to a phenominal £1,635,000, benefitting hundreds of local charities and projects over the years.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Our current Trustees are John Baron CBE, Sandra Bastow, Christine Brewster, Sylvia Kent, and Professor Michael Almond—and they continue to steer this cherished organisation with passion and pride.

 

LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR ANNUAL FUN WALK PRESENTATION EVENING - FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2025

 

This, of course, is a memory of last year's Fun Walk Presentation evening in Billericay, our 23rd year and still our fabulous charity group is growing and succeeding in raising money for our local charities. Here we see John Baron CBE with our  trustees all ready to meet this year's successful walking teams in celebration of a wonderful year. Watch this space!!!

CALLING ALL WRITERS (AND READERS, OF COURSE) TO VISIT BILLERICAY LIBRARY TOMORROW (8th NOVEMBER)

Are you overflowing with ideas for writing your first book, story, essay or article?  Need a little help? Perhaps you are a little unsure about starting your book?  How to begin? 

This is a reminder that Colin Taylor's special event is for you!!!

Why not join former chair of Brentwood Writers’ Circle and a popular, experienced author and storyteller, Colin Taylor who is happy to meet you at his second writing session held at Billericay Library, 143 High Street, CM12 9AB on Saturday 8 November at 2pm-4.00pm. Refreshments provided. 

Colin's published books make fascinating reading for adults and children and his knowledge, ideas and writerly enthusiasm are huge. Check out his website at: www.colintaylortales.

GHOSTIES AND GHOULIES AT CHELMSFORD'S SHIRE HALL WITH SOME OF OUR FABULOUS ESSEX WITCHES

 

   WITCHCRAFT MANIA

Two of our leading Chelmsford witch advocates at their pop up event in Shire Hall. Find out more? 

Squadrons of skeletons and gangs of ghouls will take to the streets as youngsters come knocking on doors calling for ‘largesse’ or sweets accompanied by the odd shriek or cackle. All part of the fun nowadays; however, our history books covering the 16th century, indicate no mirth in even the slightest association with witchcraft and the Devil. Arrest, torture and even execution could have resulted. And Chelmsford Assizes were pivotal to this whole sorry witch craze.

Here we see the long list of poor Essex women branded as witches

Read my earlier book Folklore of Essex which outlines how witchcraft has always been with us, entwined within our Essex hist ory. . Many ordinary towns around Chelmsford were coloured by twin preoccupations of fear and superstition in the 17th century and the upsurge of witchcraft mania came when Henry VIII, who, mindful, of the Biblical command "Though shalt not suffer a witch to live" seems to have taken it literally. When Elizabeth l became queen after the death of half-sister Mary, her Parliament promulgated the new witchcraft legislation in 1563.

During that year, Londoners experienced a particularly pestiferous bout of plague. Seeking cures from the famous Essex "white witches", they came over the then border at Bow Bridge to seek the curative balms prepared by the Essex ‘wise women’. Very soon, however, these same women were accused of being in league with the Devil and his Black Arts, particularly if they owned a cat.

On a hot day in July 1566, most of the population of Chelmsford jostled for vantage points from which to view the first witchcraft trial. Three women from Hatfield Peverel, Elizabeth Francis, Agnes Waterhouse and her daughter Joan were on trial. On an elevated platform sat the inquiry board consisting of the Attorney General, Sir Gilbert Gerard and a judge of the Queen’s Bench, Sir John Southcote among other luminaries. The Assize Clerk wrote on a sheet of vellum "The Examination of Certain Witches at Chelmsford in the County of Essex before the Queen’s Majesty’s Judges this 27th day of July, being the second day of the Trial, Anno 1566."

This being the first notable witch trial since the passing of the Witchcraft Act, its importance was evident having brought such illustrious parliamentary judiciary to Chelmsford. Of the three women in the dock, two were dismissed, but the poor, 64-year-old Mistress Waterhouse was hanged in full view of Chelmsford’s citizens. Many more were to follow her fate over the next 150 years – a dreadful indictment in our county history.
With All Hallows’ Eve all around us and supplies of witches’ hats and devils’ fangs in preparation for the Chelmsford Trick or Treat perambulations. The increasingly popular Hallowe’en craze, borrowed from America, may mean lots of fun - or annoyance - depending on your age, disposition or viewpoint.