IT'S COMING - JOHN BARON MP AND HIS TEAM ARE READY AND WAITING FOR OUR SEPTEMBER VIRTUAL FUN WALK

 John Baron MP: We’re almost at the start line! Join us? 

Our super Fun Walk team members are estimating that over 90 charities and 2,300 supporters will take part in this year’s walk, and are delighted to see all the returning organisations as well as those participating for the first time. The event format allows supporters to complete their sponsored walk anytime during September, with sponsorship forms and guidance available from the Fun Walk team. 

Rani Moorcroft MBE FRSA, Managing Director of Zedgeneration CIC, said:

“We are joining the Fun Walk this year for the first time to raise money to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds become active local and global citizens. Together, tackling issues like climate change, and post pandemic effects on education, employment, health we’ll empower them to succeed.”

John Baron MP and Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees said:

“Many local charities use this as a key funding event for the year, and we have a ‘Bonus Pot’ ready to distribute, courtesy of our wonderful local businesses who have pledged nearly £25,000. They include Brown & Carroll (London), Swan New Homes, Anisha Grange Care Home, Butyl Products, IFE Global Logistics, Leonardo MW, Tunnelcraft, McDonald’s Restaurants Basildon and others.”

 

There is still time for charities, local schools and churches, grass roots sports teams and other community interest groups to participate – they can register at www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk  

A SPECIAL DAY OUT IN HUTTON POPLARS COURTESY OF BBC ESSEX "QUEST" PROGRAMME

Barry,  Sylvia,  Liana  at Hutton Poplars today

 Lots of fun today taking part in BBC Essex Quest programme with new friends Liana and Barry who ended their latest search for today's mystery location in Essex or more specifically, Poplars Hall in Rayleigh Road, Hutton.  

As many regular readers know, this building is one of my favourites, with an interesting history linked to George Lansbury the Member of Parliament who in 1905/6 put forward the idea of building a special residential school for many of the poor young children in his East London constituency of Poplar. Additionally, he wanted to give them a chance of learning a trade and this lovely 100-acre piece of Essex meadow and woodland became the healthy home for thousands of youngsters over the next eighty years. 

In  1982, the school closed and the land has now been turned into housing, but still the central greensward exists and the lovely building used once as a dining hall remains. The actual school building is, these days, the Mid Essex Adult Community College, but in its day the residential school was a model for other similar ventures in England and often brought royalty to visit. Queen Mary travelled to Hutton to take a look for herself in 1918.

It's good the lovely building, once the dining hall, is still used and kept in very good order by Brentwood Borough Council as a reminder of all those children who lived and learnt at this remarkable residential home. 

More information about other interesting places can be found in my latest book  BRENTWOOD IN 50 BUILDINGS published by Amberley Books. 

SOME UPCOMING BOOK SIGNINGS PLUS REPRINTS OF EARLIER TITLES

Every author hopes that each of their newly published books will please their readers who hopefully enjoy the content. It's lovely to receive messages to this effect and I am happy with some of the lovely messages and reviews that have come my way. To work over the last eighteen months has been difficult for all my writerly friends, including me, so how delightful to receive such a super review of my latest title. 

 'I absolutely love this book. For a town that once was billed by the tabloid press as boring, Sylvia Kent shows us in “Brentwood in 50 Buildings” that no way could Brentwood ever be described as such. A real page turner, and thoroughly enjoyable read.  I highly recommend it. Sylvia Kent has the rare talent of bringing the past to life, and “Brentwood in 50 Buildings” is no exception. In this book, not only are we treated to a range of beautiful photos, a detailed map of each building’s location, but the author also provides fascinating background stories on their inhabitants, their entrepreneurial spirit, and details of the architectural changes the buildings have undertaken over the years. Each page builds a wonderful insight into a town, and you tell that the author is a real expert in local history – and has done a great deal of research.

SO MUCH STILL TO COME WITH THIS YEAR'S ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL - JUST TAKE A LOOK?

 Despite the difficulties and challenges of the past eighteen months, still we present more exciting and  entertaining events around the county.  Pop over to the www.essexbookfestival.org.uk  Reaching the parts other festival do not reach!!! 

As we enter the final furlong of this year’s epic Essex Book Festival, excitement is mounting for our remaining events. Whether that’s an evening with best-selling author Elizabeth Haynes who will be talking about her excellent new novel: ‘You, Me and The Sea’, a haunting love story set on a remote Scottish island, at Witham Library on 24th August. Or debut author Tammye Huf who will be sharing insights into her fascinating interracial love story between a slave woman and an Irish immigrant: ‘A More Perfect Union’ at Halstead Library on 19th August. Then we have multi-award-winning broadcaster Iain Dale urging us all to be kinder to each other at Chelmsford Theatres on 21st August, and Gillian Darley, author of ‘Excellent Essex’ leading us on the last one in our series of In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex to St Peter’s on the Wall Church at Bradwell-on-Sea. The fun continues… Get booking for our inaugural Essex Book Camp Bank Holiday Sunday is going to be exploding with fun at Cressing Temple Barns as we celebrate the end of this year’s Essex Book Festival. Make sure you have your tickets booked for our fabulous array of children’s workshops. Families are in for a treat will our special series of events hosted by Scallywag Press, which focusses on distinctive, amusing and quirky works for little people.   One not to miss is Rob Ramsden’s I Saw A Bee Workshop. https://www.essexbookfestival.org.uk/event/scallywag-press-authors-workshops/   Other workshops include How To Build A Survival Shelter led by British Explorer Belinda Kirk who will be signing copies of her new book ‘Adventure Revolution’ while also awarding certificates to the budding young graduates from the Essex Children’s University. While we are delighted to welcome back festival favourite children’s author Josie Dom who will hosting her very own Animalympics Workshop, along with radio presenter and producer Michelle Durrant who will sharing how to make your own broadcast quality podcast.   That’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Storytelling sessions, samba classes, drop-in family yoga sessions, traditional African drumming workshops, Chinese calligraphy, woodland trails … the list goes on.   Manifesto For Essex Youth Summit We are thrilled to be taking part in this year’s British Science Festival, which is being hosted by Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. Aside from running a series of eco-poetry, acorn planting and zine-making workshops as part of the Festival’s Family Day (11th September), we will be hosting our very first Manifesto for Essex Youth Summit, a unique opportunity for young people (13-19 years) living in Essex to put their questions regarding Climate Change and the Environment to the people who make the decisions in the county. If you know a young person who would like to take part, drop us a line to: hello@essexbookfestival.org.uk Win a Mystery Book!   Here's your chance to win a free Mystery Book, but you'll need to be quick... To win, be the first person to email us with the secret code: " Be Kind " Remember, the early bird catches the book. Email: hello@essexbookfestival.org.uk Essex Book Festival is funded and supported by Arts Council England, University of Essex, Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council, Harlow Council and Thurrock Council

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE ON THEIR 80TH BIRTHDAY

 

The news is getting better as Covid restrictions are  gradually lifted, yet most of us are still observing social distancing, making sure our masks are at the ready when out and about.  Let's hope that after the last eighteen months of lockdown, we can look forward to a healthier, happier autumn. 

The calendar is already filling up with events that we planned so very long ago, but were put on hold. The annual Essex Book Festival has been successfully attended via zoom screens in numerous locations since March, but many readers have managed to meet during August. Already several literary events were enjoyed at libraries in both Brentwood and Billericay recently, with two of the UK’s popular novelists. Claire Fuller and Liz Trenow.

As we are on the topic of books, a much-awaited event will hopefully be held in Brentwood in the coming months. I am pleased that it won't be too long before our members can meet in person to catch up on the progress of members' work and the launch of our rather special Anthology, prepared for the celebration of our Circle's 80th anniversary. 

We offer thanks particularly to our former chairman Patrick Forsyth, current chairman Colin Taylor and members Laura Burkin and Carol Cannavan who organised the collection of the contributions to A CIRCLE OF WORDS which comprise a fascinating 'magical miscellany' of short stories, funny and sad, factual essays, poems all linked to our theme - The Arts which are supported by our friends at Brentwood Arts Council.

We had planned a special lunch to celebrate, but as yet it is a difficult task to fix a firm date. However, as soon as we are able, this will take place and be well advertised.  One thing is sure - during our festivities, we’ll remember Elizabeth Baxter, our founder who started the ball rolling way back in May 1941. At the time, Elizabeth was proprietor of the Brentwood Secretarial Academy. She was also an author who wrote romantic novels and poetry, penning a comprehensive history about her beloved town entitled Brentwood:my Heritage.

When the Second World War began, Elizabeth had been a keen member of the famous Society of Women Journalists and enjoyed travelling to her monthly meetings held at the venerable London Stationers’ Hall, but within a year, the Hall had been bombed, so that area was quarantined. Elizabeth missed the company of her fellow members and thoughts turned to starting her own writing club in Brentwood. She paid sixpence to the Brentwood Gazette who printed an advertisement announcing that she was inviting aspiring writers to meet at her home. Six people responded, gathering in her parlour, including several older ladies and a couple of young soldiers from nearby Warley Barracks. Brentwood Writers’ Circle was born! Eventually, they met at the Old House in Chelmsford Road and other venues until moving to our present host The Bardswell Social Club in Brentwood.

Initially, influential friends including Vera Brittain and Brian Flynn were on committee. Other distinguished authors attended. Margery Allingham, Ursula Bloom, Evelyn Anthony and other luminaries visited Brentwood, often lunching at the White Hart and Lion & Lamb. In later years, we welcomed Douglas Adams, Michael Holroyd, Lena Kennedy and  Ronald Blythe CBE who became our president during the 1970s. In later years, we have entertained authors such as Colin Dexter, Simon Brett, Jurgen Wolff, Martina Cole and other well-known writers. 

Sadly, 1963, in Elizabeth developed a debilitating illness, becoming a long-term patient in Highwood Hospital. She continued writing books which were published. 

One visitor during1972 was a young journalist Gyles Brandreth who wrote an article for Woman magazine entitled “The most Romantic Person I know”. He commented: “Miss Baxter was a delightful character with a truly romantic spirit – she was my kind of heroine.” Elizabeth died in 1974 but is not forgotten.

Our Circle is now ready to welcome new members Details are in our website and a little more historical background information is included in our member David Worsfold's recent video. 

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/p/cbb8629d-6125-414e-af40-192f94a31479/.   

OUR LATEST JOURNAL FROM THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS

 Bumper summer Journal edited by Barbara Field-Holmes  just off the press and issued number as 100. This doesn't mean that our newsletter (known earlier as The Woman Writer) has only been in existence from the millenium - a mere 20 years - after all, our Society has been operating for more than 127 years and has gone through many changes - yet still we are the oldest (and best) continuing writing organisation on the web. Our 100th edition contains so much interesting and useful information, not only for our members, but for the many friends and colleagues in the world of writing.

Let's take a glance at our earlier newsletters, including this number one which was edited by Doreen Friend who performed sterling work in spring of millennium year 2000. That wonderful English director Bryan Forbes came to talk to us several times, along with numerous other luminaries of the film and writing world, and we invariably showcased them on the front page of our earlier periodicals. 

Here is an image of one of our even earlier newsletters we called The Woman Journalist.

Around one hundred years ago - just after World War One - our Society was pleased to use a little paid  advertising to help finance our publishing needs (and indeed the paper on which our newsletters were printed) as this resource was extremely scarce at the time. 

REPRISING SOME OF MY EARLIER ARTICLES WITHIN THIS, MY 1,400TH BLOGSPOT FEATURE

 With several more Olympic game events every four years since this blogpost was published here, with kind permission of Newsquest Essex, these periods in 2008 and 2012 - both special times for many people around the world are memorable. A global television audience of four billion witnessed the start of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and even more for the 2012 event. 

Many of us won’t forget the magnificent four-hour choreographed spectacle of fireworks, dancers, musicians, singers that represented thousands of years of Chinese history. Was it a coincidence that the date - 080808 was designated as the start of the Olympics? We know the Chinese consider number eight to be lucky. From dawn on Friday, radio presenters of the mighty BBC World Service, our own BBC Essex and the smallest radio stations around Britain focused on this fact. In many Essex town - at eight minutes past 8 o’clock on Friday morning, a cacophony of cheers, car-horns and bells reinforced the significance of the date. Closer to home, Billericay folk will recall a more personal date-related event.

    

Billericay School opened its doors in 1938 - the last year of peace before World War Two began. A silver key, handed by the then Headteacher, Mr P G White to Admiral Sir Vernon Haggard, opened the doors of the school, completed a year earlier. Over the years, thousands of pupils have been educated there under the guidance of hundreds of teachers. This year sees another anniversary. 

It’s more than fifty years since Arthur Lingard arrived as headteacher, piloting the school through initiation into comprehensive education. He was determined to show that Billericay was not only one of the first large comprehensives in Essex, but the best, 

Mr Lingard welcomed the media at every opportunity to ensure that the school was also one of the best-known. At least twelve of his appointed staff went on to headships locally and nationally. Mr Lingard retired in 1991, to be replaced by Robert Goodier who took the school from management by the LEA to being self-governing. It has since grown and prospered under the supervision of Mrs Susan Hammond. Although not on Olympian scale, the Billericay School staged its own spectacular event in August 1988. Pupils and school staff downed chalk and pens to flock outside to do their own bit of choreographing to create this remarkable panorama marking the conclusion of F Block Building. This £1.5 million Business Studies, Craft, Design and Technology building was then state-of-the-art. The occasion also celebrated the early anniversary of the school’s twenty-first birthday since becoming a Comprehensive. Ron Case, that intrepid Evening Echo photographer, took this fascinating photograph from a helicopter hovering over the school. 

The event, organised by Steven Bownes, Head of PE was also filmed by John Walker, Head of Media Studies, making this the first Billericay School video. I was allowed to use this photograph in one of my earlier books and still receive emails from old pupils and their families. 

OUR ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL CONTINUES WITH EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTY

Despite the pandemic, our super EBF  team, led by Festival Director Ros Green, has presented numerous online events from this year's start in June. Happily, during the last month of July, we were able to return to physical in-person events.

There's still time to pick up our  programme to learn about tickets which are still available for upcoming talks and programmes over the next month.

Last Wednesday at Brentwood Library we celebrated a special evening with Claire Fuller, whose latest book Unsettled Ground featured on the Woman's Prize for Fiction longlist.  It was a personal pleasure to meet Claire and learn a little about how she goes about writing her fabulous books, which BBC 4's Book Club listeners have also enjoyed. There's so much more to come.

Visit: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Comment from Rob and Claire from Arts Programme

Loved talking to Claire Fuller on The Arts Programme recently. You can hear her interview about half way in here https://www.phoenixfm.com/2021/08/02/arts-programme-80/ A great insight into a fabulous writer.

OLD ENGLISH CUSTOMS - TODAY 1 AUGUST WE ARE CELEBRATING LAMMAS

FOLKLORE MEMORIES

The first day of August  was – and still in some countries - is ‘Lammas Day.’  To town dwellers, this means little, but to farmers, particularly in centuries past, Lammas-tidewas one of the most important times of the year.

Seeds sown in spring are the link between hope and fulfilment for the farmer, and because of the importance of good harvests for the very existence of human life, superstition invariably governed every aspect of the agricultural year.  As the year proceeds and the sun enters its old age – the golden months of autumn - the warmth of summer lingers a little longer. The ripening grains are followed by the eagerly anticipated fruits and vegetables.  This is the perfect time to give thanks to the earth for its bounty and beauty, 

 Old beliefs and superstition about country lore, taboos and rituals are deeply embodied in subconscious farming folk memory; origins often forgotten, but they still linger as part of the collective wisdom of agricultural communities. Traditionally, Lammas Day signalled the start of the harvest season, the time when the first crops were gathered.  In many countries, a similar tradition took place at this time. On the

Jewish spring holiday of Hag Habikurim (first fruits), also known as Shauvuot, farmers brought the first sheaves to the priest as a thanksgiving offering to God.  With grain stores running low, the start of a successful harvest season was eagerly anticipated.

Throughout much of Europe, Lammastide was also a traditional time of year for craft festivals and still is today in many British communities.  The medieval guilds would create elaborate displays of their wares, decorating their shops and themselves in bright colours and ribbons, marching in parades and performing ceremonial plays and dances for the entranced onlookers. In America, the small town or country fair echoes the Lammas tradition.  Their agricultural competitions and midway games resemble the ancient European festivals at which people gathered to pay homage to the land and the fruits of their labour. 

With the advent of Christianity in Britain, pagan rituals were officially replaced by church services or masses in which the first harvested grains were milled and baked into loaves of bread, taken to church, blessed and then offered as thanksgiving to God.  Lammas Day itself was a Christian holy day in Britain from Saxon until medieval times.  Bread from the first harvest was blessed in a church ceremony known as the “loaf mass”.  It was then shared among the congregation, as a symbol of communal thanks for a successful harvest.  “Lammas” derives from the Old English ‘half loaf’, and ‘maesse’ meaning a feast.