Hadstock Memories
50 years of the Hadstock Society
This is a summary of the achievements of the Hadstock Society since its formation in 1972. It is also a look back at significant happenings in Hadstock village and Parish over the last 50 years. Written by Richard Dolby in 2022, it describes the main planning issues faced by the village in the 1970s/80s, the history and archaeological projects which have been undertaken through the last 5 decades, and, since 2019, the increasing use of the computers to capture, analyse and illustrate community events, along with the social and landscape history of Hadstock.
Children’s Writing Competition
‘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.
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.
View from back of Goldacre in the 1950s, once the Queen’s Head pub
‘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.
Morris men on the Green
‘ Landscape history of Hadstock Parish 1777-2020, Part 4: Houses and the Built Environment’, by Richard Dolby and Pat Croxton-Smith
This is a new addition to the series of illustrated online publications on the history of Hadstock Parish. Part 4 focuses on the built environment, and beginning with buildings seen in the Chapman and André map of 1777, housing development in Hadstock and Bowsers over the last 240 years is presented and explained. The information was derived from seven published maps. ‘Lost ‘ buildings are highlighted and population changes explained.
‘ Landscape history of Hadstock Parish 1777-2020, Part 2: Field Systems. Fields and Ownership’ by Richard Dolby and Rick Albrow (pdf)
This is Part 2 of a series of illustrations and notes which looks at the landscape history of Hadstock Parish over the last 250 years. It examines the major changes in field systems, fields and ownership caused by the Hadstock Inclosure Act of 1801, the arrival of the railway in 1865 and the USAAF airfield in 1942. It concludes with the 2020 field landscape and field ownership.
50 years of the Hadstock Society
In December 2022, the Hadstock Society held its 50th AGM. In this article, Richard Dolby looks back at the formation of the Society in 1972 and reviews its main achievements and activities over 5 decades.
Environment in Danger – a 1981 video portrait of Hadstock
In 1979, a BAA proposal to build a new terminal at Stansted Airport and expand passenger numbers to 15 million a year saw concerted action throughout Essex to oppose the planning application. A film, directed by Donald Stewart, was produced by the Hadstock Society which set out to show how the character and social life of those villages under the proposed flight path and stacking areas was potentially threatened.
The Society ran several events to finance the production, and various aerial shots were taken using a helicopter, courtesy of the Vesty family. The film was accepted and presented as evidence in the Public Inquiry which was held in Quendon in June 1982. The Inspector, Graham Eyre, commended the film and later it won the Essex Chronicle Award of the Essex Amenity Societies.
However, the Inquiry approved the BAA planning application in 1983 accepting a big increase in passenger numbers but turned down the need for a second runway. The new terminal was opened in 1991. Although the planning result was not the outcome wanted or expected in Hadstock, the film captures village life here 40 years ago in a charming and delightful way.
30 Glimpses of Hadstock, 1900-2021
This sequence of photographs was compiled by Lorna Mufty and Richard Dolby to illustrate life in Hadstock over the past 120 years.
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.
Reg Wood looks back at village life in Hadstock in 1947
At the time of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, Reg Wood looks back to 1947 and explains how life, facilities and services in Hadstock over the next 30 years had improved out of all recognition.
Hadstock Histories – Episode 1
This is the first of three podcasts in which young Hadstock residents reflect on their experience of living in a small rural village and learn about previous village life from interviews with four long-time residents. The podcasts are narrated by Dylan Abbiss and Tabby Hannam, who carried out the interviews along with Freddie Doel. Transcribing was by Poppy and Lil Woods, scripts by Lil Woods and the series produced by Saul Woods.
Hadstock Histories – Episode 2
This is the second of three podcasts in which young Hadstock residents reflect on their experience of living in a small rural village and learn about previous village life from interviews with four long-time residents. This episode deals with work, class and culture.
Hadstock Histories – Episode 3
This is last of three podcasts in which young Hadstock residents reflect on their experience of living in a small rural village and learn about previous village life from interviews with four long-time residents. This episode is concerned with community spirit.
Memories of veterinary life in Hadstock by Crocky
Crocky worked with Dr Jock Dawson at the White House and recalls her work with dairy cows and other related happenings.
Memories of Reg Wood
Transcribed from tape in 1997 by Patricia Croxton-Smith, this is a wonderful and detailed look at Hadstock places and people in the previous 60 years.