People

A Second Evening with Crocky – the video from 15th November 2023

A Second Evening with Crocky – the video from 15th November 2023

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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.

‘Picnic on the Green’ Sunday 7th May 2023 – photo gallery

‘Picnic on the Green’ Sunday 7th May 2023 – photo gallery

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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.

Barker Family History

Barker Family History

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This post is a gallery of photographs showing members of the Barker family. The earliest images date to before 1900. The collection was given to the archive by Diane Butler (née Barker). Diane has traced her Hadstock and Ashdon ancestors back from her grandfather Marcus James Barker (1867-1944), also known as ‘Shepherd Barker, to John Barker who was born in the 1700s. Other familiar Hadstock names such as Pearson, Free. Cutter, and Swan feature in her ancestry.

Revd Paula Griffiths publishes a collection of her poems

Revd Paula Griffiths publishes a collection of her poems

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LOCAL POET PRODUCES COLLECTION
“This is the Only Moment” by Rev’d Paula Griffiths
A collection of poems, ‘This is the Only Moment: Poems from a Journey’, was published on 15th July 2022 by local resident The Rev’d Paula Griffiths.
The book of 29 wide-ranging poems includes an appendix giving a very interesting and helpful context in which each of the poems was written.
Paula moved to the Saffron Walden area in 1999 with her husband Roger after years in London, where they were both born, and quickly felt delight in the new space and beauty around them. Many of the poems are rooted in the natural world around Saffron Walden: others reflect events which affected all our lives, beginning with 9/11 and the Iraq War of 2003 and the beginnings of greater awareness of climate change; yet others reflect events in her previous career dealing with cathedral and church buildings – including the commuting experience! All are part of a personal journey, which led to ordination and 12 years of service with the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry. She was Priest at St Botolph’s, Hadstock from 2014-2021, and retired in June 2021 and is now a member of the retired clergy team supporting the churches.
Paula says: “After I retired last summer, I felt I wanted to share this collection of poems with others. Coming to live in a rural setting near Saffron Walden, experiencing the strong sense of community here, and seeing how the countryside changes day by day really helped root me in the wonders of creation as we made new friends here. I hope you too may enjoy them.”
The Rev’d Jeremy Trew, Team Rector, said, “It is a pleasure to work and walk alongside Paula, who has a gift of reflecting on the ordinary as well as the extraordinary, and turning this reflection into verse; sometimes gentle, often poignant.”
All proceeds from the sale of the book will support the churches of the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry. It is printed by E & E Plumridge Ltd, Linton.
Copies of This is the Only Moment: Poems from a Journey, which costs £5, can be obtained from Harts Bookshop, the Tourist Information Office, by prior arrangement from St Mary’s Parish Office (email office@stmaryssaffronwalden.org and phone number 01799 506024), or direct from paula.greatford@btinternet.com.

War Records – the stories behind our WW1 war memorial, by Roger Mance

War Records – the stories behind our WW1 war memorial, by Roger Mance

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Read this fascinating research by Roger Mance into the background stories and family history of 18 men who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-1918 AD. The names of the 18 are to be found on the village war memorial in the south transept of St Botolph’s Church, Hadstock. All were born in Hadstock or had families with a close association to our village. Roger’s account was created as a tribute to the memory, courage and sacrifice of these men and produced as part of the 2020 Millennium celebrations for the Church.