MR SUNSHINE (WILLIAM WILLETT) DOES IT AGAIN!

I know that I've written about this topic before in this 16th year of my blogging journey, but at this time of year, just couldn't resist scribbling a few words about William Willett who was responsible for this twice-yearly change to most of us in England tediously fiddling about with our clocks and IT equipment.  

So, in March and October, we go through the frustration of altering all the clocks and machines in the house to conform with correct timing. Who do we blame for this domestic routine?  Why, the late William Willett, an Englishman, born in Farnham, Surrey and obviously, a 'thinker'. William lived for most of his life in Chistlehurst, Kent where, it is said, after riding his horse in woods near his home early one summer morning, noticed how many curtains and blinds were still not drawn. This was where the idea for 'daylight saving' occurred to him.  This was not the first time that the idea of adapting to daylight hours had been mooted, however. It was common practice in the ancient world. Even Benjamin Franklin had written a play in 1784, resulting in resurrecting the idea. Although Franklin's facetious suggestion was simply that people should get up earlier in summer, he has been erroneously attributed as the inventor of Daylight Saving Time, while Willett is often ignored. Modern DST was first proposed by the New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson, who was also credited with the idea. 

Using his own money, in 1907 William published a pamphlet "The Waste of Daylight". In it, he proposed that the clocks should be advanced by 80 minutes in four incremental steps during April and reversed the same way during September. The evenings would then remain light for longer, increasing daylight recreation time and also saving £2.5 million in lighting costs. He suggested that the clocks should be advanced by 20 minutes at a time at 2 am on successive Sundays in April and be retarded in September.

William Willett is remembered in Petts Wood by a memorial sundial, which is always set on DST(Daylight Saving Time)

By 1908, Willett had managed to gain the support of Robert Pearce, a Member of Parliament, who tried, unsuccessfully to get the idea passed into law.  By 1914, at the start of the Great War, the issue became important because of the need to save coal. Germany had already introduced the scheme in that country when the bill was finally passed in Britain on 17 May 1916 and the clocks were advanced by an hour on the following Sunday, 21 May, enacted as a wartime production-boosting device under the Defence of the Realm Act.  Many other countries adopted the law.

Poor old William Willett did not live to see daylight saving adopted, as he died, aged 58 in the wave of influenza in 1915. He is commemorated in Petts Wood by a  memorial sundial, set permanently to daylight saving time.

The Daylight Inn in Petts Wood, is named in his honour, a road is named after him in the vicinity - Willett Way and there still exists the Willett Recreation Ground. The great man's former home in Bromley, is marked with a blue plaque and his grave can be found at St Nicholas' churchyard in Chistlehurst, although a memorial to his family stands in the churchyard at St Wulfran's Church, Ovingdean, Brighton, Sussex.

  

FASCINATING NEWS REGARDING THE 1921 CENSUS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ISSUE  WELCOME NEWS FOR ALL FAMILY HISTORY ENTHUSIASTS 1921 Census online publication date announced today. 

Today we learn that the 1921 Census for England and Wales will be published online by Findmypast on 6 January 2022.

Taken between two world wars, during a period of economic turmoil and at a time when women had just won the right to vote, the 1921 Census will provide some fascinating insights about society and how it has evolved over the past 100 years.

In preparation for the online publication, a team of hundreds of Findmypast conservators, technicians and transcribers have worked for almost three years to complete the invaluable task of getting the census ready. It is the largest project ever completed by The National Archives and Findmypast, consisting of more than 30,000 bound volumes of original documents stored on 1.6 linear kilometres of shelving.

You can find out more about what to expect from the 1921 Census of England and Wales by visiting www.findmypast.co.uk/1921-census.

Neil Curtis, Chief Operating Officer at The National Archives, said: ‘Census releases are keenly anticipated and create a period of collective curiosity about the past, generating a national moment of reflection.

‘The 1921 Census will offer us a glimpse into the lives of individuals and communities between the wars, recovering from a great influenza pandemic, and embarking on a new era where everyday rights and roles were changing.

‘What makes the 1921 Census even more vital is that it will be the last census release for England and Wales for 30 years, with the 1931 Census lost in a fire and the 1941 Census never taken.

‘As home to more than 1,000 years of history, The National Archives is delighted to be working with Findmypast to open up this unique collection to the world.’

Tamsin Todd, CEO of Findmypast said: ‘It has been a great honour for Findmypast to work alongside The National Archives as its commercial partner to reveal the extraordinary stories captured by 1921 Census of England and Wales.

‘I am incredibly proud of our Findmypast team who have worked with passion and dedication for thousands of hours to conserve, scan, and transcribe 38 million historical records from 30,000 volumes of delicate original documents.  As a result of their diligent work, when the Census is opened for the very first-time next year, family historians around the world will be able to meaningfully search the Census to reveal where and how their ancestors lived and worked 100 years ago.’

Also, in two special guest blogs published today, our partners at Findmypast talk to us about the work involved in digitising and conserving the census records, in preparation for its release. 

We’re also pleased to unveil some new resources that look ahead to the launch of the census. Listen now to a special episode of our popular On The Record podcast, Counting down to the 1921 Census.

In addition we are running two family history webinars in November, in which our experts look at the most popular 19th and 20th century sources and offer their tips and advice on preparing for the 1921 Census release. These run on 13 November (Researching your family history: 20th century sources) and 27 November (Researching your family history: 1837-1911).

OCTOBER BOOK CLUB ON PHOENIX98fm - BRENTWOOD STUDIO

 

BOOK CLUB OCTOBER – with Sylvia Kent & Farzana Hakim

Although we are still not able to relax easily without our masks in this part of Essex, particularly with regard to social gatherings and public transport, we thank Phoenix98fm's popular presenter Michelle Ward for continuing to interview (virtually) so many talented authors in her morning programmes over the last twenty months.  

Each author is unique and has generously contributed their time to Book Club (in its tenth year) giving us glimpses of their new titles. 

Our latest author is the talented writer, Farzana Hakim, who yesterday outlined her latest book Sweethearts of Ilford Lane. We talked about her love of writing, her role as editor for Thursday Connectors which is a page in Pen To Print’s Write On! magazine and so much more.

“What motivates me most these days is the need to have my voice heard. I want to write about topics which women like me want to read about like women like them.  I want to bring diversity and colour in books and because my debut novel, Sweethearts of Ilford Lane, was appreciated for its bravery in tackling ‘taboo’ for women in my community, I am all the more determined to keep going with storylines which will cause gasps and emotional roller coasters”

The book already has rave reviews on Amazon and is also available at all good bookshops. 

INTERVIEW 

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Excerpt from Sweethearts of Ilford Lane

The next few minutes the only sounds which could be heard in Hassan’s living room were the noises of transgression and dishonour being committed by none other than us two seventeen year old, clueless teenagers, who’d forgotten everything ever taught to them.

 We had lost our way. Everything about that moment was wrong. The whole night was evil and corrupt. It was stupid and if I could take back time, believe me that night I would have stayed in my own room, fast asleep. Safe and chaste.

  Not only the religious rules, we bypassed our culture, the values and norms which we had grown up learning and following. We crossed all the barriers set by family, set by etiquette and set by God.

  We broke them all.

  By letting Hassan near me, I was breaking my promise to Habib and Uncle and Aunty. I was committing the worst sin of all.

  I was dishonouring my family.

  But I swear I wouldn’t have let anybody blame Hassan for any of this because it was me who went to him. It was me who allowed him to suck all the morals out of me. I allowed him to strip all the layers of dignity and modesty which I’d proudly worn until then.

  That night I was allowing Hassan to rip each bit of cloth away from my guarded self, revealing only my shame, my nudity, and my obsession for him.

  I regret that night. It wasn’t meant to happen.

  But it did.

YET ANOTHER WONDERFUL FUN WALK VIRTUAL EVENT FOR 2021 - CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO TOOK PART

 

Chris Brewster with her wonderful greyhound Ray ready to take part

                FUN WALK PRESS RELEASE

 October 20th 2021 Fun Walk Virtual Event On-Track to Raise Thousands for Charities.

The annual Fun Walk took place again as a virtual event this September with a record number of supporters walking to raise money for their local charities and community groups. Over 90 organisations registered for the 2021 Fun Walk with an estimated two thousand participants taking part. Teams completed their walk in and around Essex as well as further afield, and many shared photos of their event. 

The Fun Walk, organised by Basildon, Billericay and Wickford CVS on behalf of local MP John Baron, is normally held at Barleylands Farm but was changed to a virtual event last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Last year the walk raised £103,000 bringing the total raised since the event began in 2002 to over £1.2 Million. 

John Baron MP, Chair of The Fun Walk Trustees, said “The foundation of the Fun Walk’s success is the generous support given to the Bonus Pot by local businesses, which is then added to the amount raised by the charities and good causes. 

This year’s business sponsors include Brown & Carroll, Swan Housing Association, Tunnelcraft, Anisha Grange Care Home, Butyl Products Group, Leonardo MW, IFE Global Logistics, McDonald’s Restaurants Basildon and others. We thank them all for their generous community spirit.”

OUR MAYFLOWER MORRIS MEN: AFTER LOCKDOWN

It's been a pleasure to learn news of how so many of our local organisations and their members have coped with the challenging problems they have experienced over the last eighteen months. So, it's good to hear optimistic news from Julian Whybra, Squire of our popular Mayflower Morris Men.

Julian says:

'Now that many of the Covid restrictions have been lifted, Billericay’s Morris side has begun to perform again.  After an absence of 18 months we’re a little rusty but we’re starting to practise again in St. Mary Magdalen in the High Street every Thursday at 8 p.m.  We’re always on the lookout for new musicians (accordion, anglo-concertina, violin, even pipe and tabor players), whether experienced or not, and we’ll help you learn the rich and ancient canon of English Morris-dance tunes. 

This is also the ideal time for anyone who fancies learning the dances to join.  The dances are rich in symbolism and beautiful to perform.  Like most things, Morris is easy to learn at the outset (even for those with two left feet) and you should be able to perform about 8-10 dances in your first year.  It is certainly a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, keeping fit and maintaining an English tradition.  In days gone by it was an honour to be chosen to dance: for us it’s still a privilege.

Morris in Billericay goes back to at least 1575 when one of the

dancers, Geoffrey Cole, appeared in a church court for ‘conduct unbecoming’.  Our conduct has improved greatly since.  There’s no subscription and tuition is free.  All you need are two hankies (we provide the stick – you’ll get plenty of that).'

If you’d like to be a part of our town’s tradition, contact the following at :

bagman@mayflowermorris.com  

www.mayflowermorris.com  

A NICE EARLY START TO CHRISTMAS BY SIGNING SOME OF MY EARLIEST BOOKS TODAY + NEWEST TITLE

 

BILLERICAY'S SPECIAL CENTENARY DAY ORGANISED BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

 

Saturday's exhibition at the new Chantry Centre in Billericay, brought together a great number of residents to meet exhibitors and experience what life must have been like for ordinary people of the town during the First World War.

Cllr Jim Devlin & Town Crier James Shrubb

This nostalgic event brought so many of our friends from members of the Billericay Branch of the Royal British Legion, the Tenth Essex Living History Group, the Essex Branch of the Western Front Association, Billericay History Archive and the superb Model Aircraft of the Great War (all created by Ken Wisdom, member of the Western Front Association). And, of course my own Billericay Archive Group.

The talented Ken Wisdom

This special day continued with a moving church service at nearby St Mary Magdalen Church, following the laying of wreaths at the town's war memorial in remembrance of our fallen. 

CURRENTLY READING... PLAYING THE CARDS - COURTESY OF SWWJ MEMBER CECILIA PYKE

CECILIA'S LATEST BOOK - PLAYING THE CARDS - RELEASED 2021

To some onlookers, a happy family may seem lovingly close. We think we know all about them; but what is hidden below that exterior? It’s believed that every family conceals a secret. The catalyst for the unburdening of such secrets often lies just beneath that delicate marital surface. Beautiful, young Janey and husband Craig have everything; they’re regarded as the perfect pair; childhood sweethearts, married four years ago and now proud parents of toddler Ben.

This gripping  novel is unusual - set around the millennium. Workaholic Craig’s high-powered position in a top City insurance company often takes him around Europe. This means that he can’t spend as much time with his family as Janey wishes, although she is materially compensated by her beautiful, spacious countryside home and unlimited credit cards.                                

The author, Cecilia Pyke is a long-standing member of London-based SWWJ and their former Council member who writes historical and fictional books, magazine features and stories. She is also a valued member of Brentwood Writers' Circle. For more details, visit Waterstones and other leading bookstores. (ISBN: 978-1-80031-423-8) 

TODAY IS THE 75TH BIRTHDAY OF WOMAN'S HOUR - IT BEGAN ON 7 OCTOBER 1946

To mark the 75th birthday of Woman's Hour on Radio 4's daily 10.00am programme, here are a few reminders (courtesy of the BBC) to give you a flavour of what women were listening to at home in 1946. 

The first edition of Woman's Hour aired on 7 October 1946, presented by Alan Ivimey. The Radio Times said he was a specialist "in writing for and talking to women." However from the early days the programme responded to the concerns of its audience, and so Woman's Hour tracked and reflected the tremendous changes in the lives of women since the end of the War.

One of the most important women at the BBC, Elise Sprott MBE  (1885-1961), joined the Corporation in 1926. Fortunately for me and members of the SWWJ, she became our chairman and president in later years. Elise was hardworking for both the BBC as their publicity envoy travelling worldwide to seek women responsible for producing material suitable for national radio. She was also one of the leading lights of our organisation and we owe her a great debt for the work she carried on in our famous society. 

By the 1940s, radio had become a vital part of our lives since the introduction of wireless telegraphy resulting in the recognition of the 'Father of Radio' Guglielmo Marconi and his work at Chelmsford (Essex) more than a century ago.  Watch this space for news of a fabulous new book soon to be published dedicated to the life of this notable character.