New Year 2025

Can I wish everyone a healthy and happy 2025.  The weather as I start this newsletter is at least as winter should be – cold and sunny.

We have been very sorry to hear about the deaths of three of our former members over the last few weeks and our sympathies go to their families.

RON CASTLE’s mother was born Rebecca Harknett and he was a cousin of Paddy Hutchings. He was a keen family historian and very interested in the Harknett family in Nazeing. Although he lived in Stevenage, he came to our meetings as often as possible and always joined in enthusiastically. He died a few weeks short of his 94th birthday.

SUE AMBRIDGE often hosted meetings at her home in Tatsfield Avenue. She was active in a variety of local groups including as secretary of the Wives’ Group, and only a few weeks ago arranged for Jacky and David to do a presentation there.

JUDITH MARSHALL was a teacher at Nazeing School for many years. She was an associate member of the History Workshop and, although she was unable to attend meetings, took a great interest in our activities and often asked me about them when we met walking our dogs.  

Epping Forest District Museum

The museum are preparing for an exhibition about WW2, which will begin in April.  They would like to include something from every area of Epping Forest, but some towns and villages, such as Nazeing are I’m sure able to provide more than others.  They have asked the Workshop to contribute for various subjects, such as The Home Front, maps, oral testimonies, photos, the rocket, the aerodrome, VE day photos and the Land Army.

David, Jacky and I had a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the museum recently, and if you haven’t visited before please try and do so while the exhibition is on.

Lowewood Museum

The museum’s new exhibition about the horticulture industry in the Borough of Broxbourne will begin at the beginning of February.  It unfortunately doesn’t include Nazeing nurseries, about which I have a wealth of information, but I’m sure it will be very interesting.

They are always looking for volunteers for ‘front of house’.  There is no obligation to do a shift each week, the museum has a lovely atmosphere, and everyone is friendly.

Nazeing Coronation Parade 1953

Jacky has been busy putting the Beating the Bounds video on YouTube, and is planning to put a commentary on it in the future.

You can view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3QZDG6ioBs

She has also taken a couple of stills from the cine film of the Coronation Parade.  These photos show the cubs, guides and scouts.  Please let us know if you recognise anyone.

The Coronation Parade is also on YouTube now,  and the link is

Sue Brindley who lives near the church has recently been in touch with us and is interested in the research we do, and the records we hold.  She has made us aware of a recent issue concerning All Saints’ Church, the ancient church that until relatively recently had an active community taking part in a number of events such as the Flower Festival, tea and cake afternoons in summer, and even (a while back!) musical concerts. These events seem to have disappeared, and with them, awareness of the value of this beautiful church. There are still Nazeing residents who support the Church, notably Brian Starling who does a sterling job, but as there is no longer a Vicar, numbers of people of Upper Nazeing and beyond are very concerned about the condition of the church and surrounding grounds.  The church, sadly seems now rarely used.  Very few weddings are now held in a church, so it seems to just be used for funerals.
There are a number of residents who would like to see events and activities held
in the church and are willing to support such events.  We should all be concerned about the church and its place in the Nazeing community, particularly if you have relatives buried in the churchyard.  

We will update you on any developments, but would be interested to hear your views on this.

I look forward to hearing your comments and views on anything you read in this latest newsletter.

Joy