Events and Celebrations
‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’, the panto written for Hadstock by Jessamy Corob Cook
Directed by Jill O’Dwyer, produced by Laura Corob Cook, and written by Jessamy Corob Cook, the pantomime ran for three performances in December 2023 and was greatly enjoyed by 180 residents and friends. Profits went to the Village Hall Fund. This post is a gallery of 32 photos from the event, taken by John Lockton.
A Second Evening with Crocky – the video from 15th November 2023
This was the second evening capturing Crocky’s memories of her long life in Hadstock. The focus was on historic houses in the village and her recollections of some of their past residents. About 40 people enjoyed the event and were full of admiration for her long memory of buildings, people and events going back more than 50 years. She spoke without notes for about 45minutes on the back stories of about 15 properties and the audience then raised questions on several buildings not already covered. The meeting was chaired by Richard Dolby of the Hadstock Society.
An Evening with Crocky – a sound podcast from 10th May 2023
Over 50 residents and former residents came to the village hall on the evening of Wednesday 10th May 2023 to hear Crocky’s memories of living and working in Hadstock since the 1950s. Created by the Hadstock Society, this is a sound podcast of her talk. The event was also captured on camera and you can find a video of the same event in the Community archive under ‘Events’ and ‘Hadstock Memories’. The video includes the many images she used to illustrate the talk.
Where is Assandun? – a talk by Richard Dolby
On 6th December 2023, Richard Dolby gave a presentation at the Hadstock Society AGM. This concerned an ongoing Battlefields Trust project which was set up to find the Battle of Assandun fought in 1016 between the English army led by Edmund Ironside and a Danish invasion force led by Cnut. Cnut won and became the King of England for 19 years.
An Evening with Crocky – the video from 10th May 2023
Over 50 residents and former residents came to the village hall on the evening of Wednesday 10th May 2023 to hear Crocky’s memories of living and working in Hadstock since the 1950s. Her talk, including slides, was captured on camera along with many audience questions and contributions.
‘Picnic on the Green’ celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III – the video
This fun event was held during the afternoon of Sunday 7th May 2023. Activities leading up to and during the picnic, were filmed by John Lockton on behalf of the Hadstock Society. This is an edited video which shows the preparatory work, the picnic, the races for both children and adults, the children being entertained by Captain Fantastic, the results of the fancy dress competitions, and the group photo depicting CR captured by a drone flown by Toby and Ben Chandler. Derek Bushell, Peter Wiles and Sue Wiles were the event hosts and Crocky judged the fancy dress competitions. The weather improved during the day and this memorable and successful event ended in warm sunshine. Funding was provided by the Parish Council and Uttlesford District Council.
Video of Hadstock’s street party held on April 29th 2011
This party on the Green was held to celebrate the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Photography and editing by Harry Villiers.
‘Picnic on the Green’ Sunday 7th May 2023 – photo gallery
To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III which took place on Saturday 6th May 2023, the Parish Council organised a picnic the following day on the village green. The event included a fancy dress competition, games, a children’s entertainer, visiting donkeys and free Saffron ice cream. Every child attending received a souvenir water bottle.
A lovely sunny afternoon saw nearly 150 people come to the green. The event was filmed by John Lockton and his stills along with photographs from others are recorded here. The drone picture depicting CR was taken by Toby and Ben Chandler. In the evening, there was a Ceilidh in the Village Hall with dancing to the Lairds Ceilidh Band. Funding was provided by the Parish Council and Uttlesford District Council.
Hadstock Fetes
This is a gallery of nearly 50 images showing past Fete days, commencing in the 1950s. Do you have any photographs you would like to donate to this collection?
Carol Concert with the Hadstock Silver Band, December 2022
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 3rd June 2022
The Jubilee village picnic was held on the Recreation Ground from 1pm-4pm and this is a gallery of photos and images of the event. A lovely sunny day drew over 200 people. Tilly’s Travelling Tearoom was there along with outdoor games and donkey cart rides. The Jubilee banner was created by Sonia Villiers. There was a fancy dress parade for young people and every child resident received a Jubilee mug. Most the photographs were taken by Toby and Ben Chandler.
‘Remembering: what’s the point of the past?’ by Revd Paula Griffiths
Held in St Botolph’s Church on September 15th 2016, Revd Paula Griffiths presented her views and led an interactive discussion with the attendees.
Saxons at the Hadstock Fete, June 2016
Regia Anglorum visited the Hadstock Fete in June 2016 as a forerunner to the Battle Reenactment Celebrations later in the year. The visit proved very successful and provided an opportunity for all ages to experience Saxon Life.
A Fete day with a difference – camel racing
In 1976, the Fete Committee hired camels from Chipperfields and put on races in the recreation ground. Some residents still talk about the camels arriving by lorry in Hadstock. Money raised went towards the £50,000 St Botolph’s restoration fund. Read the press cutting.
Riot in Hadstock…….in 1795
Read this sworn statement by a baker from Linton who was delivering loaves to Hadstock but was confronted by around 40 villagers complaining about the price.
Hadstock fete, June 2012
The Green on Fete Day, June 2012
Hadstock’s defibrillator installed in the BT phone box, May 2012
Parish Council clerk, Marisa Baltrock and chairman Hamish McIlwrick with the village’s new defibrillator in front of the BT phone box near the green. The idea came from resident Kerry Boxall.
‘Remembering: what’s the point of the past?’ by Revd Paula Griffiths
Held in St Botolph’s Church on September 15th 2016, Revd Paula Griffiths presented her views and led an interactive discussion with the attendees.
Parish Boundary Walk, May 2021
On Rogation Sunday, May 23rd 2021, and organised and led by Gill Butterworth, a group of Hadstock residents ‘beat the bounds’ and walked 7.5 miles round the Parish boundary as part of the 1020-2020 Millennium celebrations. Starting on Linton Road near the zoo, the group walked anticlockwise, had a lunch break in Nunn Wood, and finished in the Grip at Linton.
Parochial Church Council (PCC) retirements, 21st March 2017
Patricia Croxton-Smith (known to us all as Crocky) was Fabric Officer for the church for 40 years, and worked tirelessly to see it through many phases of essential building repairs from the 1960s on. She stepped down from this post at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 21 March 2017, when Rick Albrow took her place. Robin Betser was churchwarden for 8 years and also stepped down at that meeting. Members of the congregation, the Friends of St Botolph and the Hadstock Society joined together to thank them and celebrate their achievements. Left to right: Irene Stapleton, Robin Betser, the Revd Paula Griffiths, Crocky, Hamish McIlwrick, Tony Handley and Malcolm Seward.
1020-2020 Millennium Service and Sermon, 18th October 2020
The Revd Paula Griffiths, Priest at Hadstock, led the service and gave the sermon on 18th October 2020 to celebrate the Millennium of the consecration of St Botolph’s Church. Due to restrictions caused by the prevailing Covid 19 pandemic, the congregation was limited to 30, each person spaced 2 metres apart, except for family groups. Singing was not possible.
St Botolph’s church is thought by many experts to be the minster built by King Cnut to commemorate all the dead on both sides of the Battle of Assandun in 1016 fought between the English and the Danes.
Saffron Walden Museum Exhibition and Activity Display at the Re-enactment, October 2016
During the summer children had engaged in activities at the Saffron Walden Museum relating to the Battle of Assandun. They created banners which were on display in the Museum Marquee at the Ashdon re-enactment event in September. A small display of Saxon artefacts added to the interest.
BBC Essex comes to Hadstock, April 2021
On 25th April 2021, Liana Bridges and Barry Lewis from BBC Radio Essex came to St Botolph’s for a live broadcast as part of their Essex Quest programme. The team has to solve 3 cryptic clues with audience help, each of which leads them to a specific Essex destination, not more than 15 miles away.
Choral Evensong for St Botolph’s Day, 19th June, 2016
As part of the activities to commemorate the Millennium of the Battle of Assandun, evensong was sung by the choir of St Mary’s Saffron Walden. The choir was led by their Director of Music, Oli King, and Jeremy Allan played the organ.