A LITTLE NOSTALGIC TASTE OF ESSEX CHRISTMAS FROM THE PAST AND A PEEK AT ESSEX LIFE'S CURRENT LEADING FEATURE. READ ON!

 As an author with a fascination for the past, I thoroughly enjoyed researching this Christmas project for the Essex Life Magazine team.  Over the last thirty years, I've seen my essays and photographs published in this journal, once known as The Essex Countryside and numerous others.  How lucky we are to live in such a lovely part of England, despite the often disparaging remarks we receive in national press.

Within my twelve published books and press columns linked primarily to the county, I've enjoyed studying historical aspects of Essex. At this time of year, editors and broadcasters often ask me to write about the people and, more importantly, the buildings with which I've had strong associations and in some instances, have actually worked. 

Let's look at the hospitals, workhouses and schools that were set up over the last century and still hold memories for folk (many of them expats) who seem to enjoy a peek at the past. 

Check out my latest book BRENTWOOD IN 50 BUILDINGS  published by Amberley and available from Amazon and all popular bookstores. 

Brentwood's magnificent Cathedral in Ingrave Road.

Here we have Queen Mary overseeing some of the youngsters who lived at Hutton Poplars Residential School, way back in 1919.  This amazing School was the brainchild of the Member of Parliament in Hackney and Poplar, George Lansbury (grandfather of one of my favourite filmstars, Angela). Most of the buildings that housed the children from 1906 onward, when the school opened, were taken down in the 1980s, to make way for an estate, but the famous old dining hall has remained and is beautifully restored today. This lovely building can be hired via Brentwood Borough Council. 

Poplars Hall, Rayleigh Road, Hutton holds wonderful memories