| 23rd December 2019 | Updated the Home Page to report on the AGM, Talk and Social on Thursday, 21st November. |
The Chairman has asked me to bring to your attention details of the Chelmsford Local Plan together with the Danbury Society comments.
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Privacy Policy
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) proposed by the European Commission will strengthen and unify data protection for individuals within the European Union (EU) and comes into effect on 25th May 2018.
Although the GDPR is aimed mainly at large organisations all persons who hold 3rd party data have to comply.
The Danbury Society have prepared a Privacy Policy which can be read or downloaded by clicking below.
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Danbury Society Quiz.
Was held on Saturday, 23th March at the Danbury Sports and Social Centre.
A General Knowledge Quiz by Mike Simmons held in the Dawson Suite.
Danbury Society kicked off the 2019 programme with its first event of the year, a quiz.
All tables were sold for this event which shows its continued popularity. Partly this is due to the
question master Mike Simmons.
This was the third time he has provided the questions to challenge quizzers.
Over £200 was raised for the Society's charitable funds."
First Talk of the Year.
Thursday 25th April at 8pm in the Danbury Sports and Social Centre , Eve's Corner.
Wartime Maldon by Stephen Nunn, local Historian and was held in the Dawson Suite.
Stephen Nunn give a fascinating talk to a large turnout of Members and guests about the impact of the 1939-45 War on the people of Maldon. Its position on the East coast meant the town was right in the frontline of the air war.
Steven Nunn - notice it was still light outside at 8.10pm.
Photos by John Bowen & Norman Bartlett
While it only had one RAF airfield nearby, it was on the route of Luftwaffe bombers heading to and from their targets in the UK. Evidence of the activity overhead is that over 120 aircraft crash sites were located in the area: British, German, American and Canadian.
Steven Nunn mentioning those in the Churchyard.
Stephen also set out the huge number of people who were engaged in full or part time activities as part of the war effort. No fewer that 6 companies of the Home Guard were raised, as well many men for the Auxiliary Fire Service and Specials in the Police Force. The talk was far from a recital of numbers. Stephen told some marvellous human interest stories affecting British, American, German and Italian servicemen.
Sample of the Ration Coupons issued during and after the War.
He sometimes referred to his book Heinkels over Heybridge when telling a few stories which featured in it. That gave a flavour of the unusual events that occurred.
Steven Nunn answering questions after his presentation.
The audience was spellbound. A very worthwhile evening with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.
A pity you may have missed it.
Evening Visit
Thursday, 20th June 7.30pm.
On a lovely evening on 20th June, about 20 Society members and guests gathered in Tesco car park at Maldon.
Our party was under the expert guidance of the man who knows more about the history of Maldon than anyone else, Stephen Nunn.
He led us along the banks of the waterway past the Maldon golf course to the confused watery junction of the rivers
Blackwater, Chelmer and the Langford Cut. We crossed the weir at that point and headed for the ruins of Beeleigh mill.
There, channels were cut to allow barges to load what came from the mill.
Chris, Stephen, Charles and Bob.
Photos by John Deamer
That had been built in 1795, five storeys high, with ten millstones and two water wheels. nbsp; Later a boiler was installed to provide steam for a beam engine that drove 5 more sets of millstones. It was a significant industrial site but it ended when it was destroyed by fire in 1875. Along the lane there had been a row of workers' cottages of which only one remained and was now converted into a modern home.
A bit closer to Beeleigh Abbey had been more dwellings associated with the religious building. nbsp; Now there is little trace of what was once a flourishing hamlet.
Chris, Stephen, Christine and David.
Stephen led us along quiet ways to come out at the top of Cromwell Hill and the end of the tour.
The 47th Annual Art Exhibition.
This was held in the Danbury Sports and Social Centre, Eve's Corner between Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August.
Art Coordinator, Ros Bryant has introducted a number of changes as the result of requested feedback from both the Artists and the visitors.
Typical screen layout which meets you on entry to the Art Show.
Photos by John Bowen
Artists are now permitted to show all of their paintings on one hanging panel.
Another panel laid out with a range of paintings.
A different layout to display this Artist's work.
A superb range of pictures were on display, including this "Constable".
The opening hours were simplified. Doors opened at 10.00 a.m. on each day, and closed at 6.00 p.m. except on Sunday when Buyers and Artists collected their works.
Another nice layout of paintings.
The catalogue with the colourful cover will no longer be available. Instead the details of every painting will be on a card mounted next to the relevant painting. The card will have all the relevant information: the title, the artist, the medium and the price.
Pauline Bowen and Pauline Barnes looking at the painting of Venice which has a red dot to indicate it had been sold.
Besides 360 hung painting many hundreds of Potfolio Paintings were nicely laid out on tables arranged around the walls. Each painting was wrapped in a clear film to protect it with the name of the artist and price. The nice thing about a Portfolio painting is that the purchaser can arrange to provide a frame of the type, colour and size to suite the position the painting will hang in their house.
A small selection from the Portfolio tables.
To cover the cost of mounting the exhibition, there will be an entry fee of one pound per adult visitor but with no charge for any children he or she might bring along.
In pride of place in the centre of the rear wall is the paintings selected from 3 local schools.
Heathcote School on the left, St John's C of E Primary in the centre and Danbury Park on the right.
There was the usual famous Raffle.
Brooke showing her Mother and friends her painting exhibited here.
Photograph shown by kind permission of her Mother.
Over £3,500 worth of local artists' work was sold during the 3 days of the exhibition. There was other income from, for example, a Raffle. After all expenses have been deducted, the Society will probably be able to add over £1,000 to its funds that are devoted to its charitable objects.
Danbury Annual Art Exhibition provides the platform for the most significant social occasion in the village year. Furthermore, any proceeds go to the charitable funds used for Danbury Society's objects: enriching village life, preserving the character of village and surrounding countryside, and supporting village groups.
Thanks to Ros Bryant, the Committee, Helpers and all the Artist who provided such a lovely selection of paintings.
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Danbury - Festival of Flowers.
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist put on a superb Festival of Flowers from 10am on Friday, 6th September to 5pm on Monday, 9th September.
It is well worth a visit - the SatNav address is CM3 4NG. Car parking on The Green is free as is the entrance to the Flower Festival. Donations can be left in a giant glass pot.
The Flower Exibits are to a theme of shows, for example one is "My Fair Lady".
The Danbury Society have sponsored a nice display in memory to Curt Brown who was a Past Chairman for some 25 years. The display is called "Follies".
The display title for Curt Brown's flowers.
Photos by John Bowen
Curt Brown's flower display.
There are, of course, many more lovely flower displays to admire.
Light refreshments are available in the Church Meeting Room opposite the exit from the Church.
Heritage Open Days Season.
These started Friday, 13th and continued until Sunday 22nd September throughtout Essex and the UK.
Locally, Norman Bartlett of the Danbury Society organised events in Danbury.
Looking out for Grave Stories in Danbury.
Sunday 15 September: 15:00.
Sunday 22 September: 15:00.
Danbury is a hilltop village first settled in the Iron Age and named after a Saxon tribe. These 90 minute tours explored in and around Danbury Parish churchyard and inside the Grade 1 listed, 12th century St-John-the-Baptist Church.
We tour started with a brief walk along Church Path to a viewpoint which on a good day reveals the Kentish hills. It showed
why this place drew the early settlers. The story of the Anglo-Saxon earthworks and how they were reused
by the military at different times. We then walked around the churchyard and heard some grave stories as well as
anecdotes of the bombing in 1941. Then they looked inside the historic church with features that
provide more stories of its ancient pews, wooden knights and mysterious tomb.
They then sat down and heard some more tales of the unexpected.
Location: Church Green, Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4NG.
Thanks to Chelmsford City Council for their involvement with Heritage Open Days.
Autumn Talk - Essex a Diocese? Chelmsford a Cathedral Town? How on Earth?
On Thursday 26th September at 8pm at the Danbury Sports and Social Centre, Eve's Corner.
Unfortunately the advertised talk by retired barge skipper Jim Lawrence must be changed as he has been unwell.
Fortunately we have been able to get Tony Tuckwell who spoke to the Society last November when he gave a sparkling talk about New Hall.
This time the former Headmaster of KEGS will talk on another intriguing aspect of Chelmsford's ascent from small, lowly market town of the past to the City of today. This time he will present the intreging title of :- Essex a Diocese? Chelmsford a Cathedral Town? How on Earth? You will have to attend to fine out what he is going to say!
After the talk tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.
Danbury Society's Annual General Meeting.
Thursday 21st November at the Danbury Sports and Social Centre , Eve's Corner.
Danbury Society AGM 2019. The Danbury Society's activities for 2019 ended with the Annual General Meeting, an Illustrated Talk and a Social with the Commiittee Members and Ordinary Members.
The AGM took about 20 minutes.
The AGM Top Table.
Photo by John Bowen
After the AGM Norman Bartlett presented an illustrated Talk entitled "The Artist and Designers from Great Bardfield".
The map Norman showed to indicate the area the Artist Group operated from - Great Bardfield.
This was very detailed and covered those Artists who came together from 1930s through to the 1960s - Englishness of the Great Bardfield Group.
He showed quite a few examples of the sort of work they produced.
An example of one of the posters the group produced - to earn money to live from.
Edward Bawden's design for a film poster.
An example of one of the paintings produced by the group which Norman thought was good.
Eric Ravilious's 'Chalk Paths'.
The Question and Answer session was followed by the Social Evening with
light snacks, wine, soft drinks and conversation.
The Cheddar Cheese was lovely.
The evening finished at 10.30pm when everybody had to venture out into the cold air.
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Aims of The Danbury Society
To involve the residents of Danbury in interests and
pursuits to enrich village life.
To ensure that changes in the Village are undertaken with sensitivity
to the character of Danbury.
To protect the natural beauty of the local landscape and to promote
its maintenance and care.
To Work for the preservation and protection of buildings and features
of interest in Danbury.
To promote the general charitable benefit of the inhabitants of
the Danbury area by provision of such financial and/or material
benefit as the Trustees for the time being shall determine.
The Danbury Society supports the Village
As part of its Charitable Objects, the Danbury Society makes grants to village activities and organisations of all kinds. Since its formation in 1967, the Society has donated many thousands of pounds ranging from improvements at Eves Corner, refurbishing the Village Hall, restoration of the Grade 1 listed Parish Church to helping out with youth organisations.
The Danbury Society publish a Newsletter every 4 months. This is available to paid-up Members
Contact Information
The Danbury Society Web Site Address is:-
http://www.danburysociety.org.uk
The following links "Open in a New Page" - use the top right (X) to close the New Page to return to this Web Site.
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St John's Parish Church.
Visit the Church Web Site for more details:-
http://www.stjohnbaptistdanbury.org.uk/
The Danbury Society supports The Parish Council.
Visit the Parish Council's new Web Site for more
details:-
http://www.danbury-essex.gov.uk/
Danbury Palace Babies Contact Information
Telephone Marie Polley on 01245 356276
or Caroline Lambert on 01245 224661
Click here to link to Danbury Park Babies Web Site
The Danbury Society Blog
The Chairman of The Danbury Society, Norman Bartlett, is running a Blog
on Danbury village matters. He tries to cover events and incidents that are
relevant to the objects of Danbury Society.
Have a look for yourself at: -
http://danburysociety.blogspot.com/
You can add comments of your own to what Norman has written by clicking on the 'comment' link at the foot of each blog.
Note, this is a Server based site and therefore not a "www" (World Wide Web site).
Joining The Danbury Society
If you live in Danbury, please support The
Danbury Society by joining. It is only £2.00 per
household per year or £3.00 if we cannot deliver
your Newsletter on foot. See clickable link below: -
To contact the Membership Secretary: -
Chandra Pyne.
Telephone -- 01245 223766
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To see the Danbury Society Statistics starting 2015 enter /stats/ after the Web Address viz
http://danburysociety.org.uk/stats/ You can Click on this Link if you wish.
Cursor down to see many interesting items about the Web Site.
The Web Site was started by John Bowen in 2000 and recorded over 12,000 hits by 2009 when the counter went wrong.
Another 9,000 Hits were recorded until 2015 when the Counter played up again.
Copyright (c) John Bowen 2019