History Society Walk (July 2023) - UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Route of the Stansted & Fairseat History Society Walk in July 2023

On 29th July 2023 a guided history walk was organised by the History Society. The route was from Stansted to Fairseat via Coldharbour and back again after a short break for refreshments in Fairseat Chapel; a rather hilly 4 miles. The group visited graves in St Mary’s churchyard including the Hohlers, Willam Hickson and the Waterlows, WW2 memorials to The One Behind The Church and to Colin Francis, the Saxon earthworks and the Rodney Sheldon memorial bench. In Fairseat we were welcomed to Court House by the Sheldons and to Fairseat Manor by the Nelsons. Forty three people took part, the weather was kind and five year old Oliver Burrowes did a fine job showing everyone various historic photos relating to various events and places on the route.

The following photo gallery contains a selection of images taken during the walk and the section after is an article summarising the talks given, including selected video footage.

Dick Hogbin talks about William and Jane Hickson at their grave in St Mary's churchyard. William was a prominent social reformer in the mid 1850s and lived at Fairseat Manor. He wrote the third verse of the UK National Anthem and "If at first you dont succeed, try, try and try again".
Dick Hogbin talks about William and Jane Hickson at their grave in St Mary's churchyard. William was a prominent social reformer in the mid 1850s and lived at Fairseat Manor. He wrote the third verse of the UK National Anthem and "If at first you dont succeed, try, try and try again".
Dick Hogbin at the Waterlow section of St Mary's churchyard. The prominent graves are of Sir Sydney Waterlow, Agnes Hamilton, the mother of his second wife and Sir Philip Waterlow. They all lived at Trosley Towers. In this photograph John Deacon is doing a good impression of a carved angel.
Dick Hogbin at the Waterlow section of St Mary's churchyard. The prominent graves are of Sir Sydney Waterlow, Agnes Hamilton, the mother of his second wife and Sir Philip Waterlow. They all lived at Trosley Towers. In this photograph John Deacon is doing a good impression of a carved angel.
Sheila Goodworth, Yvonne Tisson, and Mike Goddings leaving St Mary's Churchyard en route to Coldharbour via footpath MR214.
Sheila Goodworth, Yvonne Tisson, and Mike Goddings leaving St Mary's Churchyard en route to Coldharbour via footpath MR214.
Mike Goddings dropping down through Church Field Shaw, the northern tongue of Cox's wood, on footpath MR214.
Mike Goddings dropping down through Church Field Shaw, the northern tongue of Cox's wood, on footpath MR214.
Footpath MR214 through Cox Lands on the way to to the memorial to a Messerschmitt which crashed in World War II - 'The One Behind the Church'.
Footpath MR214 through Cox Lands on the way to to the memorial to a Messerschmitt which crashed in World War II - 'The One Behind the Church'.
John Deacon, Mike Goddings, Oliver Burrowes and Dick Hogbin catching their breath at Coldharbour, the previous home of Colonel A.D. Wintle.
John Deacon, Mike Goddings, Oliver Burrowes and Dick Hogbin catching their breath at Coldharbour, the previous home of Colonel A.D. Wintle.
Saxon earthworks behind Coldharbour, Stansted, Kent
The Saxon earthworks behind Coldharbour. This was possibly built on the site of a Roman signalling post. It can be found on Footpath MR204 about 80 metres NE of the farmhouse.
Tom Sheldon at the memorial bench for his father, Rodney. Oliver showing a photograph of Rodney and Pam Sheldon. The bench is just off Footpath MR204 in a field called Burlish which has a view down the valley to Stansted. This was once a proposed route for the new M20 motorway.
Tom Sheldon at the memorial bench for his father, Rodney. Oliver showing a photograph of Rodney and Pam Sheldon. The bench is just off Footpath MR204 in a field called Burlish which has a view down the valley to Stansted. This was once a proposed route for the new M20 motorway.
Stansted & Fairseat History Society walk in July 2023
The whole group of 43 walkers at Court House in Fairseat.
Tom Sheldon talking to the group about the history of Court House. Long time residents of Fairseat, Lucy Burgess of The Dairy Farm and Jean Rogers of Fairlight Lodge are in blue at the back (Lucy - left, Jean - centre).
Tom Sheldon talking to the group about the history of Court House. Long time residents of Fairseat, Lucy Burgess of The Dairy Farm and Jean Rogers of Fairlight Lodge are in blue at the back (Lucy - left, Jean - centre).
The Woolpack Barn in the grounds of Court House in Fairseat. This was originally a relatively modern agricultural storage barn and was converted in 2019/20 by Greg and Georgie Whitaker. The project was the subject of an episode of Channel 4 TV series 'Grand Designs'.
The Woolpack Barn in the grounds of Court House in Fairseat. This was originally a relatively modern agricultural storage barn and was converted in 2019/20 by Greg and Georgie Whitaker. The project was the subject of an episode of Channel 4 TV series 'Grand Designs'.
In the garden of Fairseat Manor, Fairseat. Nearest the camera Greg Whitaker of Woolpack Barn, Vigo Road, Jack Saunders of Stansted Lodge Farm, Tumblefield Road and Heidi and Dave Wellar of Oakcroft, Labour in Vain Road.
In the garden of Fairseat Manor, Fairseat. Nearest the camera Greg Whitaker of Woolpack Barn, Vigo Road, Jack Saunders of Stansted Lodge Farm, Tumblefield Road and Heidi and Dave Wellar of Oakcroft, Labour in Vain Road.
A well earned refreshment break in Fairseat Chapel.
A well earned refreshment break in Fairseat Chapel.
Frances Hibbens and Moira Green at Fairseat Chapel.
Frances Hibbens and Moira Green at Fairseat Chapel.
From Fairseat to Stansted across Lay Hill field along footpath MR206. Tom Sheldon of Court House, Vigo Road, and Will Peat of Parsons Cottage, Hatham Green Road, at the rear. This was the valley along which the stricken Messersmitt would have flown before crash landing behind Stansted Church in 1940.
From Fairseat to Stansted across Lay Hill field along footpath MR206. Tom Sheldon of Court House, Vigo Road, and Will Peat of Parsons Cottage, Hatham Green Road, at the rear. This was the valley along which the stricken Messersmitt would have flown before crash landing behind Stansted Church in 1940.
Through the barley in Great White Piece field on the way back to Stansted on footpath MR206.
Through the barley in Great White Piece field on the way back to Stansted on footpath MR206.

St Mary’s Churchyard

In the churchyard the group visited the graves of the Hohler family, William and Jane Hickson, and the Waterlow family. A few words were said about Sir Gerald Fitzroy Hohler, Edward Hohler (Fred Hohler’s father) and Sir Gerald’s brother, Frederick and his wife Frances.

Sir Gerald lived at Court Lodge until he died in 1934. He was the son of Henry Holher of Fawkham Manor. He was a lawyer and became MP for Chatham, then Gillingham. He donated the land for the war memorial and also along with his brother commissioned the statue from a prominent sculptor in Budapest. It is notable that his grave has a clear view down to the war memorial. The Court Lodge estate was split up and sold in 1942.

Notes: An article on Court Lodge is available from the ‘Landmarks & Places of Interest’ section which can be found under the ‘Places’ page of the website.  Articles on Sydney Waterlow, William Hickson, and Sir Gerald Holher can be found under the ‘People’ page.

Video footage of Dick Hogbin in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Stansted, relating the remarkable life and history of Agnes Hamilton, the mother of Sir Sydney Waterlow’s second wife, Margaret, is available via the following link: Stansted Churchyard – Waterlow graves

 

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