Blog | The Friends of St Nicholas Church Castle Hedingham

sandyhenry2

Oct 7, 20226 min read

Our journey to Castle Henry

Our journey to retirement in Castle Hedingham. Was it luck, being in the right place at the right time or was it where we were meant to...

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A flood, a birth and secret signs - Memories of a village vicar and his family by Andy Smith

wakeshall21

Aug 16, 20224 min read

A flood, a birth and secret signs - Memories of a village vicar and his family by Andy Smith

Ron Smith moved into the village to take over the Congregational Church (Queen Street) in the spring of 1958 with his pregnant wife...

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simondaw9

Aug 6, 20224 min read

Hickory, Dickory, Dock...

The mouse went up the clock. Possibly, if since 1996, it may have been a dormouse, or at least a Daw-mouse. At the time of writing, I...

92 views1 comment

petercaulf

Aug 2, 20223 min read

A snapshot of working the Castle Hedingham beat – By Peter Caulfield

“Caulfield, get your backside in here now!” When the Chief Inspector at Braintree police station yells, you respond – fast. As it...

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Say it with Flowers ... and the old, leather music bag

martinjcrowther

Jun 7, 20213 min read

Say it with Flowers ... and the old, leather music bag

"Who can estimate the elevating and refining influences and moral value of flowers with all their graceful forms, bewitching shades and...

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Engine buckets, church beer and powder for fleas

martinjcrowther

Mar 24, 20217 min read

Engine buckets, church beer and powder for fleas

A collier drinking beer. Men who cleaned the St Nicholas Church in the mid-19th century were similarly rewarded, as the Churchwarden’s...

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With welcome smiles again we’ll meet and all our social joys renew!

martinjcrowther

Mar 15, 20215 min read

With welcome smiles again we’ll meet and all our social joys renew!

Early 19th century lovers looking at rings in a jeweller’s shop. Copyright Martin Crowther. With welcome smiles again we’ll meet and all...

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Memories of artist Dorothy Rendell… and her unseen paintings of Castle Hedingham

martinjcrowther

Mar 4, 20216 min read

Memories of artist Dorothy Rendell… and her unseen paintings of Castle Hedingham

Dorothy Rendell at St Martin’s School of Art. 1950s self-portrait. © Estate of Dorothy Rendell. Introduction Dorothy Rendell (1923-2018)...

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The Wheel Window - the crowning jewel of St Nicholas Church, Castle Hedingham

martinjcrowther

Mar 3, 20216 min read

The Wheel Window - the crowning jewel of St Nicholas Church, Castle Hedingham

In his latest blog, Martin Crowther, Heritage Engagement Officer with the St Nicholas Church, Castle Hedingham Voices from the Pews...

448 views2 comments

The Visit of Kaleleonalani, Queen of the Sandwich Islands

martinjcrowther

Feb 20, 20217 min read

The Visit of Kaleleonalani, Queen of the Sandwich Islands

Queen Emma. Copyright National Portrait Gallery. A Forgotten royal visit Martin Crowther, Heritage Engagement Officer for the St Nicholas...

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martinjcrowther

Feb 15, 20213 min read

Village Occupations

Hop pickers in the early 19th century. Copyright Martin Crowther. Over the centuries Castle Hedingham has been an important centre for a...

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martinjcrowther

Feb 15, 20212 min read

Voices from the Pews

Welcome to the St Nicholas Church Voices from the Pews virtual exhibition. We hope you enjoy looking round the displays to discover some...

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Hidden for almost 150 years - the Good Earl’s sons revealed

martinjcrowther

Feb 2, 20217 min read

Hidden for almost 150 years - the Good Earl’s sons revealed

Tomb of 15th Earl and his wife Elizabeth. Copyright Michael Anderson/St Nicholas Church. Martin Crowther, Heritage Engagement Officer...

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Twelve Christmas memories of Castle Hedingham (Part Two)

martinjcrowther

Dec 19, 20207 min read

Twelve Christmas memories of Castle Hedingham (Part Two)

We hope you enjoy our second offering of festive memories of Castle Hedingham - uncovered by heritage researchers from the St Nicholas...

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Twelve Christmas memories of Castle Hedingham (Part One)

martinjcrowther

Dec 6, 20205 min read

Twelve Christmas memories of Castle Hedingham (Part One)

We hope you enjoy the first six of 12 festive memories of Castle Hedingham - uncovered by heritage researchers from the St Nicholas...

231 views1 comment

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton - Anti-Slavery Campaigner

martinjcrowther

Oct 24, 20204 min read

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton - Anti-Slavery Campaigner

As part of Black History Month 2020, Martin Crowther, Heritage Engagement Officer explores the life of prominent anti-slavery campaigner...

474 views2 comments