SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM

A history and lifestyle journal www.swwj.co.uk

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Answers People – a new name but the same great service

As family and friends know, I am researching a new book about history.  This is my tenth project of this type and I am out and about, interviewing, collecting stories and images. I needed some population figures and called on my old friends - THE ANSWERS PEOPLE, based at Essex Libraries, Chelmsford. 

The service allows residents to submit any question on any topic by telephone, using an online enquiry form or via live chat. Specially trained library staff endeavour to seek the most trusted and reliable sources of information online and they have access to specialist, authoritative sources of information beyond what’s available on the internet. Unlike using a search engine which may provide hundreds of different results, The Answers People will give you one definitive answer.  Great!

Furthermore, the different channels offered for asking questions (telephone, web chat and an online form) make it ideal to access on the move, from home, from the workplace or in the library. For more information visit www.answerspeople.info where you can chat online (24 hour service), fill in an enquiry form free of charge or telephone 0845 603 7628 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0845 603 7628 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting (call charges apply).   Love it!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Sylvia Kent: THE DE ROUGEMONT MANOR IS THE BEST LARGE HOTEL IN ESSEX

Sylvia Kent: THE DE ROUGEMONT MANOR IS THE BEST LARGE HOTEL IN ESSEX

Saturday, December 28, 2013

THE DE ROUGEMONT MANOR IS THE BEST LARGE HOTEL IN ESSEX

Just some of the staff who looked after the Heseltine house and farms - circa 1910


Modern day De Rougemont Manor at Great Warley - the best in Essex

 

“Gold dust” was the comment from a local historian when I showed her just one of dozens of diaries belonging to the late Mrs Emily Heseltine who lived in Great Warley at Goldings, now the De Rougemont Manor Hotel.  Emily was the wife of Mr Evelyn Heseltine, the wealthy stockbroker who came to live in Great Warley in 1875.  The diaries detailed the day-to-day world of one of Brentwood’s leading families covering the turn of the 20th century through to the 1920s. We glean glimpses of how the aristocracy of the day celebrated Christmas.
With the news that the De Rougemont Manor has recently been awarded the prestigious Best Large Hotel in Essex, a visit there is three-fold.  Excellent food and ambience and a pictorial history of old Brentwood.  www.derougemontmanor.co.uk
www.derougemontmanor.co.uk

 

Friday, December 06, 2013

CHRISTMAS PAST IN ESSEX BY ELIZABETH WALLACE

CHRISTMAS PAST IN ESSEX

Once again Elizabeth Wallace's superb book is selling well in town.  Christmas Past in Essex is fascinating. The author describes the life and times of the people in the county at this special time of the year. She outlines the life of the rich and the poor and how they celebrated. Many of the folk migrated to Essex from the London area and, of course, they brought with them their distinctive customs and traditions that are still used at Christmas-time.


Christmas Past in Essex offers the reader an extraordinary historical glimpse into lives of the people of Essex. From the little girl who fondly recalls her Christmases in an orphanage to jack Bartlett, the Billericay postman who diligently delivered the post and then returned home to fall asleep over his Christmas dinner. There are scores of wonderful stories and excellent photographs, many of which have never before been published.

As Elizabeth collected the wonderful memories and treasured photographs, she was mindful of the responsibility placed in her hands. To this end, she recorded the memoirs verbatim, and was therefore able to keep the individual’s voice and essence. There are more than 60 fascinating photographs, original artwork from Essex artists and over one hundred intriguing stories, customs and traditions contained in Christmas Past in Essex.

Elizabeth hopes that readers will enjoy the stories and photographs contained in Christmas Past in Essex and in doing so will rekindle pleasant memories of their own Christmases that will be handed down to future generations.
Publisher: Tempus Publishing ISBN-13: 978-0752444635
£9.99

Monday, December 02, 2013

BUSINESS BISCOTTI IN BRENTWOOD'S MARYGREEN MANOR TOMORROW 3 DECEMBER

Ages since Lorna and Wendy and friends gathered at Marygreen Manor in Brentwood for a summer Business Biscotti.  Tomorrow, of course, is going to be a little chilly, but a warm welcome is always present for these popular networking events.  We hope to be there for the start at 09.15 and should all be back to our offices by 11.30am.  The Biscotti team is looking for ambassadors for Brentwood, so do come along and enjoy a coffee with everyone. For more details contact Richard Pond who is hoping to open up more groups across Essex. If you are thinking about getting involved contact Richard Pond on 07702 843434.