finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - Some buildings
http://finchingfield.org.uk/buildings.htm
The Fire Engine House. The horse-drawn fire-engine's big moment came in 1905 when the Green Man Inn burnt down, although, aided by an engine from Wethersfield, the adjacent Guildhall was saved - see the historic days page. The 1990s picture shows the fire engine house is now half the size and the building to the right has gone completely. Dating from the sixteenth century, perhaps earlier, this building may be the oldest in the village. To manage it, helped by his wife, and paid 1 per month. They wer...
finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - Looking down from the church tower
http://finchingfield.org.uk/down.htm
These photos, taken in July 1978, show views of the village from the church tower. Here we are looking down at the centre of the village. The large building, front right, is the Guildhall. It's possible to pick out the pond and greens. The gabled roofs in the distance identify Finchingfield House and Prospect House. Moving round the tower, we're now looking south-eastwards. Page ©2000-2012 Roger Beckwith. Last updated 29th August 2012.
finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - Memories by James Richards
http://finchingfield.org.uk/memories2.htm
The presence of an air base at Wethersfield, just up the road, brought many Americans to Finchingfield. USAF personnel often came with their families, and some lived in the village. James Richards spent some of his childhood in the area in the 1950s. He sent these photos of a Whit Monday Fair on the green, and looks back on his days in England. The Whit Fair has attracted a sizeable crowd and here they are watching dancing on the green. A tub race on the pond and an American visitor spots the camera.
finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - Memories of Arthur Digby
http://finchingfield.org.uk/memories1.htm
The first article on this page was published in an Essex magazine and was written by my late cousin, Arthur Digby. Then come two (added February 2015) taken from a local newspaper which recall the past of a small hamlet called Little London and the staff who worked on a nearby estate, Spains Hall. There's also a clipping from a newspaper dating from 1756 (added June 2015). He could be amused, but we'd been married a mere 24 hours. The dominating church, the chapel, the Fox, the Green Man, the butcher's s...
finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - Early Snow
http://finchingfield.org.uk/snow.htm
During a visit to the village in November 1993 I was surprised to get the opportunity to photograph the village centre after a light fall of snow. In the picture on the left we see the Fox and the Manse, the latter originally the home of the Minister of the chapel which is out of shot to the left. The inhabitants of the pond carry on as usual. Page ©2000-2012 Roger Beckwith. Last updated 29th August 2012.
finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - Around the Pond
http://finchingfield.org.uk/pond.htm
Around the pond buildings. To the right of the "classic view" this foot-bridge crosses the Pant, the stream that runs through the pond. I wonder how many people have stood on it and watched the ducks in the sixty years or so between this photograph and the next. The windmill appears to be in poor condition in the 1930s but looks much better by the 90s. There are some views of it on another page. Around the pond buildings. Page ©2000-2012 Roger Beckwith. Last updated 29th August 2012.
finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - Looking Back
http://finchingfield.org.uk/back.htm
If you walk into the "classic view" seen on the previous page and look back, you'll see the views on this page. The earliest photo dates from the early 1900s. Early 1930s. The brick building in the distance near the centre of this picture is the United Reformed Chapel. Further to the right is The Fox Inn. Another 1950s view shows the old Workhouse again (left foreground). Compare the end wall of the Fox in the two 50s views with the 30s version - several windows have appeared. Looking back around the pond.
finchingfield.org.uk
Finchingfield - The Village
http://finchingfield.org.uk/village.htm
Finchingfield is on the B1052 Braintree to Saffron Walden road, fifty-four miles from London and close to Constable Country. In the time of William the Conqueror it was called Phincingfelda. William gave Finchingfield to one Roger Bigod (his way of rewarding his knights for their services during the invasion). The tiled roofs on most of the buildings in the centre of the village contribute to the harmony of the scene. If you're looking for thatch, left. Try the road that passes the windmill. The poet and...