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.

 

GREAT TO HEAR FATIMA WHITBREAD'S RADIO PROGRAMME MADE BY THE BBC WORLD SERVICE THIS MORNING. BUY HER NEW BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS???

 Regular readers will  know I have already mentioned some of the famous folk I have met living around the world, who were kind enough to be interviewed for my books and articles, some thirty years ago). I tend to keep in touch with them and they have popped back into my journalist life over a lifetime. 

Recently, one such is the super Olympic champion athlete Fatima Whitbread, whose memoir My Bright Shining Star is currently a best-seller. Signed copies can be found in numerous Essex-based book stores such as Waterstones and WH Smith (now T G Jones) particularly in Brentwood, Essex, England, although I think the other Brentwoods around the world have an interest! 

Supersonic Fatima is included within my current project of how I met and interviewed so many illustrious folk, many of whom are included in past book presentations with more being added as life unfolds.   

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR FABULOUS FUN WALK PARTICIPANTS

The month of September is like no other when it comes to Fund-raising Fun Walks, Since 2002, our fabulous team has been joining together annually raising money for the charities and local community groups that participated this year. 

Just a few of some of our fabulous fun raisers - more to come!

Thousands United Across Essex for the Spectacular 2025 Fun Walk

A Massive Turnout, Powerful Fundraising, and Unforgettable Moments Set the Stage for a Grand Celebration in November

Energy, colour, and compassion lit up Essex this September as thousands of walkers, supporters, and volunteers came together for the 2025 Fun Walk — one of the most inspiring community fundraising events of the year.

From Brentwood to Basildon and beyond, the annual Fun Walk once again proved to be a powerful force for good, uniting over 80 local charities and community groups with a shared purpose: to raise vital funds and uplift the causes that make a difference across Essex.

A Sea of Support and Smiles

This year’s event saw an explosion of creativity, with walkers donning themed costumes, waving charity banners, and bringing incredible energy to their walk routes. The event has produced many stunning photos, capturing families walking to support charities that care for their loved ones, to school groups and sports clubs walking for their futures. These images have been shared through the Fun Walk’s digital platforms, highlighting the breadth and heart of the event.

Countdown to the Celebration Evening – and the Bonus Pot Reveal

Excitement is already building for the 2025 Celebration Evening, set to take place this November, where participating groups will be honoured for their efforts, stories will be shared, and the community will come together once again – this time to celebrate what has been achieved.

A major highlight of the evening will be the announcement of this year’s Bonus Pot – a special fund contributed by generous local businesses and sponsors, designed to significantly boost the funds raised by every group involved. The total amount is under wraps for now – but expectations are high.

A Message from the Fun Walk Team

“This year’s Fun Walk has been absolutely phenomenal,” said John Baron, Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees. “Each year we’re inspired and humbled by the passion and dedication of our community – and 2025 has met all of our expectations. We are so proud of every single walker and supporter who helped make this such a success. Now, we look forward to the Celebration Evening to reflect, recognise, and reveal the Bonus Pot!”

“We remain deeply grateful to our Bonus Pot sponsors for their outstanding commitment to the community. This year, our valued sponsors include Greater Anglia, Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing Association, Equi Ltd, One Footstep (Human Kind Café, Billericay), Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft, c2c Rail, Mr Barrie Stone

BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE MEMBERS CELEBRATED YET ANOTHER ANNUAL WRITERS' DAY

 

What a great day to welcome so many new faces at Brentwood Writers' Circle to meet and listen to American novelist Caroline Lawrence based in London, who presented a fabulous day outlining just some of her bestselling books.

Excellent photography from Ian Davidson of Brentwood, one of our new friends and a well-known photo-journalist. 

DAME JILLY COOPER - SUCH SAD NEWS OF A SUPER NOVELIST WHO PASSED AWAY ON MONDAY LAST

So very sad to hear of the passing of  novelist Jilly Cooper, our lovely friend of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.  She enjoyed attending some of our functions in the past and was always so cheerful and funny. We have some great memories and photos of this great lady.

HOPING TO SEE YOU ALL ON SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER AT BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE'S SPECIAL ANNUAL WRITING DAY