Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall

Ramsden Bellhouse and Ramsden Heath

Ramsden Bellhouse and Ramsden Heath are now two separate villages, but until the first part of the 20th Century they were one village, which stretched from Stock in the north to Nevendon in the south.   The village was centred around the crossroads, where today the war memorial stands in Ramsden Heath.   But confusingly it was known as Ramsden Bellhouse. Here were the Blacksmith’s and the Wheelwright’s shops, while not far off were the Mill, the Parish Workhouse, the Bakehouse and later the school and the shops.   The name Ramsden Heath applied only to an area of heathland to the north of the village.   About 1910 Homesteads Ltd bought Ramsden Bellhouse Farm and built an estate centred around St. Mary’s Church about a mile from the old village.   This became known as Ramsden Bellhouse, and gradually the old village became Ramsden Heath.

There are no great national events in the history of this Essex village.   Pre-history, the present Ramsden Bellhouse was probably underwater, being part of the course of the River Thames, before one of the ice ages re-routed it to its present course.   This accounts for its heavy London clay in the lower areas, while the Heath has a lighter, more sandy soil.   The evidence of a Roman Ramsden is small, but certainly they would have known and come through the area as Roman remains have been found in nearby Wickford, Billericay and Downham.   An empty Roman coffin was found in the Southern part of Ramsden, in Stoney Hills field on Woolshots Farm.

The name, Ramsden Bellhouse, is probably derived from Ravensdene meaning `Little Wooded Valley of the Ravens’.   Early records tell us that it belonged to Godwin and three Freeman before 1066, but in 1086 the Domesday Book says it was in the Hundred of Barstable, and belonged to the Bishop of London and Robert Gernon.   Bellhouse was added in about 1200 when the lands were given to Richard de Belhus.   It is unlikely that he ever lived here, for the family owned lands in Averley and Stanway, the latter being where the main manor house was situated.

The grandson of Richard de Belhus, another Richard, gave part of his Ramsden Estate to Alice, his daughter, on her marriage to Nicholas Barrington.   There were then two manors, Ramsden Belhus and Ramsden Barrington.   We cannot be absolutely sure where either of the manor houses were situated.   It is generally believed that the Belhus Manor was next to St. Mary’s Church on the site of the present `Hall; but as the `Hall’ is Elizabethan it cannot be the original.   The Barringtons certainly owned a large house at the junction of modern Park Road, and the much older Park Lane.   This may well have been the Manor House at one time.   Sadly it disappeared about 1918.   However there is considerable evidence pointing to a large stone mansion with a moat at Ramsden Heath where Short Lane joins Church Road.   This area was known as Cock’s or Cox Green. Mordant, in `The History of the County of Essex’ 1768, states that a chapel stood at Nymph’s Green, adjoining the Mansion Place of the Marquis of Northampton (Ramsden Barrington).   Nymphs or Nymphs Green was an area situated where Short Lane joins Park Lane.   The large stones embedded in the road in the South end of Park Lane are reputed to have come from this site where there was, until quite recently, a moat.

During the 13th Century, one of the earliest Essex Markets was held on Thursdays on the Barrington Estate, which was roughly on the Western side of the village, with the Belhus estate presumably on the Eastern side.   The exact site of the market is unknown.   In 1381 England was subjected to a poll tax of one shilling per head.   This was three times as large as the previous tax, and gave rise to the Peasants’ Revolt.   Rebels marched from nearby Norsey Woods, which was a local rallying point.   We do not know if anyone from Ramsden actually marched, but it was quite likely that they did.   We do know however, that four men from Ramsden Bellhouse and Downham went to the Barrington Estate and destroyed the Manorial Rolls, thus destroying the records used to collect the hated tax.   The next few centuries are uneventful in historical terms, but many facts are locally interesting.   Parts of St. Mary’s Church date back to the 14th and 15th Centuries.   The Church Records now in the Essex Record Office date from 1562. The Rectory was probably sited near Pump Hill but was demolished in 1734.   Thomas Cox, the Rector of Stock, was presented with the living of Ramsden Bellhouse, and from then until 1967 the two parishes shared their Rector.   The Congregational Church at Ramsden Heath and the Peculiars Chapel (now gone) were built in the 19th Century.

St. John’s Ramsden Heath, sometimes called the Tin, or Iron Church, dates from 1901 and Ramsden Bellhouse Baptist Church was built in 1927.

The Parish Workhouse, which was near Mill Lane, was sold about 1837 while the Post Mill, from which Mill Lane takes its name, came to a dramatic end.   On 22nd November 1873, at about mid-day, while working, the mill blew down with Mr Richard Hamilton, the Miller still inside. Fortunately he escaped with only bruises, being between two beams, but it was the end of the end of the mill.   A year previously in 1872, the church school was opened almost opposite the mill, and educated the local children for some fifty to sixty years.   It was later converted into two houses, called somewhat wittily `Eton’ and `Harrow; but has now made way for modern development.   There were earlier attempts to `educate the poor’.   In 1808 there were two dame schools, one of ten pupils and one of twenty pupils.   Later that century a Sunday School had twelve boys and fourteen girls, who were taught by the Curate, Reverend Bailey on an annual expenditure of £6 which he paid for out of his own pocket.   In 1926 Ramsden Crays Council School was built, and catered for the Bellhouse and Crays children, while the Ramsden Heath children went to Downham School.

In 1897 Squire Bacon of Ramsden Crays donated the Reading Rooms built next to the village school. This was later moved to Mill Lane behind St John’s church.   In 1931 this became the YMCA Red Triangle Club, and is now the Village Hall.   In the Bellhouse in 1936, Homesteads Ltd gave a plot of land on which was built the Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall – the money being raised by the villagers.   The Railway divides the village now into `up the Heath’ to the North and `down the Bellhouse’ to the South.   The first passenger Great Eastern train went through on January 1st 1889.    A station was promised, but never happened. It is interesting to note that in the census of 1841, Ramsden Bellhouse with 462 residents, had more people than Wickford with 445 residents.   I can only think that the coming of the railway station to Wickford turned it into today’s little town.    I think we are glad the station wasn’t built in Ramsden, for in spite of extensive building in both villages, we proudly believe that we still live in the country.

Isabel C Johnson

This article was first published in “Thoughts on Ramsden – A Brief History of Village Life” Compiled and Edited by Isabel Johnson.
This article appears with her permission.

The `Village Club’ was formed about 1915 with its headquarters in the old Thatched Barn which was part of the Hall Farm Estate, and had been used by Homesteads Ltd. for storage purposes during the building of the Homestead Estate.   This barn is no longer in existence, but stood north of St Mary’s church, access being up the lane on the church side of the road halfway between the church and Orchard Avenue.   Members paid a subscription annually to belong to the Club, which gave them reduced admission fees to dances, socials and whist drives which were the main social events.

About 1926, because of the poor state of repair of the old barn, the need for a more permanent Hall became apparent.   A fund was set up and various money raising events took place over the next ten years.   A ‘Limited Company’ was formed and many local people bought `shares’ or `bricks’.    £400 was raised this way, and a further £500 was borrowed to enable the Village Hall to be built in 1936 by Mr Bert Easton for £900.

It was opened in the middle of May 1936 by Lieutenant Colonel J. Hilder DL MP. Mr Percy Porter was Chairman.   The Hall today is basically as it was built in 1936.

It has of course been re-wired and the toilets have had a face-lift.   Heating was changed to gas from solid fuel and a cooker was added to the kitchen.    In 1960 a sliding door was placed between the kitchen and the library room at the cost of £10.   Many extensions have been planned, and estimates sought.    Part of the war memorial fund was set aside for extension but always the money was needed for repairs.   The Hall was, and still is, run by a Management Committee.    Since 1946 this has consisted of a representative from each section, one from St Mary’s Church, one from the Baptist Church and five public members.   The old minutes show all the perennial problems which exist today – lack of finance – non- . attendance of Section Reps: urgent repairs and estimates that go astray!   In 1946 the Limited Company was wound up and the Club was affiliated to Essex Rural Communities.   Mr Porter and Mr Abbott became Trustees, each putting up £100 to facilitate the change over.    This was repaid the following year from the Memorial Fund.   Homesteads Ltd. handed over the freehold of the site and paid the necessary expenses.    After this the `Club’ became the `Community Centre’ and was registered with the Charity Commissioners.

Wartime Years
The wartime years saw the Hall used for other things beside social events.   In the first month of the war it was obliged to close at 10.00 PM each night, but by February 1940 this was changed to 12.00 PM.   In the Hall grounds was Auxiliary Fire Brigade shed, and a dump for scrap metal.    In 1940 and 1941 the Women’s Institute made jam from surplus fruit and blackberries picked by the Girl Guides, which presumably was sold locally to help out with the rations.    Wickford ARP requested that the Hall be available as an Emergency Casualty Clearing Station and a key was given to Dr Campbell for this purpose.    Blackout curtains had to be purchased, and procedures in the event of air-raids were on the agenda of the Management Committee.   Camouflaging the roof was considered, but the idea was rejected.

Meetings were often disrupted by air raids, and in 1940 the support for the Hall was so poor, that it was decided to hand over the Hall for the duration of the war to the Church Army for a services canteen.    A contract was signed giving the Church Army complete control, but allowing the use of the Hall to the Women’s Institute, Library and Comforts Committee.    However by April 1941, owing to insufficient troops locally, and food restrictions, the Church Army paid the rent to the end of the contract, and returned the Hall to the residents.    In the minutes of May 1941 it is reported that the Regimental Welfare Officer thanked the club for welcoming troops and allowing them in free to dances.   This was the only hall locally that gave them this facility.

Further wartime events were:
1941   War Weapons Week:   Procession – Service – Social Events
1942   War Ships Week:          Procession – Service – Social Events
1943   Wings for Victory:          Procession – Service – Social Events
1944   Salute the Soldier:         Procession – Service – Social Events

War Memorial Fund
In 1945 there was an ambitious `Peace Memorial’ plan.   This was to take the form of tennis courts, bowling green, children’s playground, extension to the Hall and a Garden of Remembrance.    In the event the committee was more hopeful than the village itself.   Neighbouring villages asked to help were not interested.   In the end only the Garden of Remembrance materialised and was opened in 1951, the remainder of the money being put towards two hard tennis courts opened on July 28th 1955.   Sadly the Garden of Remembrance became a liability, with various plantings becoming overgrown with weeds, and gardeners being hard to come by.   The Horticultural Society helped out on occasions, but no lasting solution was found, and today it is more a Lawn of Remembrance.    The tennis courts fell into disrepair with the disappearance of the tennis club, and now are used as a car park.

Caretakers etc.
Problems with obtaining cleaners, boiler stokers, and someone to pump the cesspool, appear regularly in the minutes.   In 1941 Mr Read was paid ten shillings a week to stoke the boiler, and two shillings to pump the cesspool. Miss Gower was paid 10d an hour for cleaning.
At one time there was a steward who attended all functions and provided the refreshments on sale.   The kitchen, then called the canteen, was sacred to the steward, who usually resented any intrusion.   In the sixties however, sections began to do their own catering.

Annual Events
The Birthday Party took place in the middle of May, and took the form of a concert party followed by a dance.   In 1957 a special 21st Birthday Party was held.    All those connected with the club for the past 21 years were invited.   I remember it being a wonderful evening.   At one time a club service was held in the church on the day after the Birthday Party.   Each year a charity is chosen and every section is required to raise a contribution for this charity.   A cheque is handed over at the Christmas Bazaar.   In 1952 £171 was raised for the Canvey Distress Fund.   The annual fete appeared after a lapse of many years in 1953.    At first held on August Bank Holiday Monday, it is now usually held at the end of June.   The first Christmas Bazaar was held in December 1945 in aid of the Peace Memorial Fund.    It is now held in November and proceeds go into the running of the Village Hall.
The Remembrance Day service is held in November.   This is a combined service of the Baptist Church and St Mary’s and is attended by the Cub Scouts and Scouts.    A combined carol service is often held in December.   This follows the policy of the early `club’ days when there was much emphasis on co-operation with the other organisations of the village.

Sections
In the early days dances, whist drives and socials were run by Management sub-Committees.   Many societies have been formed as Sections of the Village Hall.    Some have died an early death.   Some have come and gone and come again.

The following is a rough list of sections and one time sections.
1917*        Women’s Institute (Now named Ramsden Ladies Club)
1939          Indoor Sports – closed 1961 due to damage done
1939*         Badminton – closed and re-started in 1946
1939          Debating and Lecture Society
1939          Tap and Toe Dancing for Children
Oct. 42*     Horticultural Club – 50 members enrolled
Sept. 43    Civic Section – 13 members
March 45   Church Guild
June 45      Tennis Section reformed.   In 1920’s the Tennis Club had grass courts behind the `Wee Cabin’ (opposite the Recreation Ground).    Later there were grass courts at the Village Hall.   Hard courts were laid down in 1956.   £220 came from a Ministry of Education grant, £223 from the Memorial Fund, and £250 from a loan from the National Playing Fields Association.   The tennis courts were opened July 28th 1956.
Oct. 45        Dramatic Section – many excellent shows and pantomimes were performed
Oct. 48        Workers Educational Association – class in Economics
1950           Woolshots Club – closed 1952
1954           Aero Club – model aeroplanes
1955           Handicrafts Section
1957*          Cub Scouts began to use the Hall
1957           Youth Club – one of many started with high hopes, and closed usually because of damage.   In October 1961 there was a request to re-open the youth club.    The request was refused on the grounds of “members being unmanageable and doing considerable wanton damage”.
1957           Ramsden Bellhouse Travellers Association
1958*         Scouts began to use the Hall
1960           Old Tyme and Modern Dancing Section
1960           Darby and Joan
1961*         Dog Training Club
1963          Keep Fit Medau

* indicates those still in existence

Downham School
Starting on September 15th 1956, the Community Centre was used as part of Downham School.   This was probably quite a financial help to the Hall as the Education Authorities not only paid rent, but paid towards a new boiler and had their own caretaker.   There was however inevitably friction between the two caretakers and between the Education Authorities and the Management Committee.    Each blamed the other for the “state of the Hall”, “dirty toilets” and the “unhygienic kitchen” : However they managed to live with each other until June 24th 1964 when the new Downham School was built at Ramsden Heath.

Village Magazine
The club originally had a section printed in the Church Magazine, but this was not a free publication and had an ever diminishing circulation.   The first Village Magazine came out in September 1961 and was delivered free to every house.   It went out of circulation in the 1980’s due to lack of support from some of the Sections combined with the inability to get it printed until after most events had taken place.
In 1990, the Village Magazine in its present form started to drop through our letter boxes once more.
This account is based on the minutes of meetings up until 1964 and some memories of older residents.

Isabel C Johnson

This article was first published in “Thoughts on Ramsden – A Brief History of Village Life” Compiled and Edited by Isabel Johnson.
This article appears with her permission.

The earliest written reference to the church occurs in 1281, the lands of the village were recorded as being
owned by the Bishop of London in 1066, and this would tend to support the case for the existence of a church here at that time.

The present church building is the result of many restorations and alterations over the years but fortunately the result has been one of simple charm, in sympathy with its primary purpose.  The oldest parts of the present structure are timber.   The tower is a fine example of an Essex timber belfry, it has been dated as late as medieval, about 15th Century, and most of the original structural timbers still exist, as does the carved West Door.  These towers are unique to the southern part of Essex.

The Belfry was originally open to the church with a gallery over where the organ now stands. The separating west wall was added in the late 18th Century.   The Belfry houses three bells which replaced pre-reformation bells and were cast by William Land in 1615, William Lambert in 1638 and Richard Phelps in 1711, the latter being recast in 1929.

The Nave roof structure is a good example of a King Post construction, with the main timbers being 15th Century.   The north wall of the Nave was rebuilt and reduced in thickness to its present 3’6″ and two new windows inserted in 1879.   The excess stone from the wall was used to re-face the southern wall which had earlier been rebuilt in brick, thus making a more pleasing appearance.   During the rebuilding of the north wall, a stoup, or piscina was discovered adjacent to where a previously blocked up north door had been.
The stoup is thought to be from Edward III time, was placed in the new north wall in approximately its earlier position (Fig. 1).   The Nave was re-floored and re-benched at the same time.

The Chancel was rebuilt in 1812 after having fallen down for the third time, probably due to undermining of the foundations by the repeated practice of burials inside the church.  The Chancel was rebuilt on new foundations outside the original but in the same alignment and retaining the previous roof structure.  This has resulted in the Chancel being wider than the Nave on the inside, but due to the much thicker walls of the Nave, maintains a traditional appearance outside.  The apparent misalignment of the Nave to the Chancel is not an unusual feature in the layout of medieval churches.  The inclination of the Chancel to the left of the Nave represents the inclination of the head of Christ on the cross which is traditionally depicted to the left whilst the Nave is taken to represent the body of Christ.  This configuration is known as a weeping aisle (Fig. 2).   The roof beams of the Chancel are of a similar period to the Nave with the exception of the eastern one which was added when the Chancel was rebuilt in 1812.   Prior to this, the Chancel had a flat ceiling with only the central beam exposed and which is carved on the underside for decoration.

The East Window is a Mary window, in honour of the church’s dedication and depicts the Annunciation, Nativity and Presentation.   This window was given by the late Reverend E. P. Gibson in 1892 in memory of his father-in-law, and patron of the church, the late Hattill Foll, J.P.

The Porch was restored in 1932 and again in 1958 but the main timbers are 14th Century.

The Font is of traditional octagonal design, and has a 19th Century bowl on a much earlier stem and base which are the inverted originals.   The font cover is a modern replacement (1975) and has ironwork in the shape of a lotus flower on its top.

The Royal Coat of Arms and Funeral Hatchment On the west wall is the Coat of Arms for George II and dated 1742.  The adjacent Funeral Hatchment was restored in 1953 and is the Arms of the ‘Unwin’ family, and probably that of the son of the Reverend William Unwin who was rector of the church 1769 – 1786.

The Chest is a very interesting old iron-bound, stone-lined one.  The lid is in two parts for ease of handling and had four locks (Fig. 3).   It is dated about 1685 and was used to hold the church records.  These records are now held in the Essex Records Office in Chelmsford.

The Churchyard was extended to the rear in 1913 and again in 1950.  The original boundary can be seen by the change in ground levels.   The custom for churchyards to be re-used for burials over and over again is responsible for the gradual rise in ground levels.  It is estimated that probably in excess of 5,000 burials have taken place here over the centuries.

Len Ferris

The human impetus for starting the church in 1926 came from two people: Charles Gosling, of ‘Deodar’, Church Road, who had been running a flourishing Sunday School started in an old railway carriage in 1921; and Rev W White, chairman of the Extension Committee of the Essex Baptist Association and resident of Leigh-on-Sea.    They were brought together by the Rev Frank James of Peckham.

After Gospel services started, the church was formally constituted in June 1926 with about 40 members, and met in the village Social Hall (a thatched barn).    Soon however, the firm of Homesteads Ltd, which was doing the building in the village, gave a piece of land at the corner of Orchard Avenue as a site.    By scrimping and saving, and by borrowing from the Baptist Building Fund, the members had the church building erected by Mr Foreman of Ramsden Heath.    The foundation stones were laid on 30 April 1927, the chief guest being Mr H. W Looker MP, and the opening ceremony took place on 16 July 1927.

Prominent among the first members were Mr & Mrs Gosling, Mr & Mrs Christmas, Mr & Mrs Gilliam and Mr & Mrs Snutch. Afterwards the numbers of members started to decline, but in spite of this the BBF loan was paid off a year early, and the heating and lighting systems up-graded (to gas!).   The Sunday School continued, with Mr Astell of `Beulah; Church Road, taking over from Mr Gosling as Superintendent in 1935.   There was a strong Girls’ Life Brigade contingent in the 1930s: Miss Snutch became the lieutenant in 1935, succeeding Miss Disbrow and Mrs Christmas.   Others who joined the church around that time were the Bedinghams, and the Gimsons (of `Helena’, Church Road).   From the church’s beginning Rev White acted as the moderator, but he was very involved in establishing other churches, and so began the long list of lay­preachers.   Amongst the earliest were Mr H. E. Wood of Hutton Manor, John Herald of Shenfield and H. C. Iles of Southend.   The church’s treasurer from 1926 to 1940 was Mr Gosling, and the first secretary Mr T H. Harvey, of `Cray’s View’, Homestead Road, although he was soon followed by Mr C. P. Currell who served from 1928 to 1941.   Mr T H. Ingle­Scott of Billericay became part-time Minister in 1936, having been the Sunday School Superintendent for two years.

The Second World War naturally affected the church: Mr Currell moved to be nearer his work at Murex, and Mr Ingle-Scott was called up by the Admiralty.    At the same time, the Lord brought important people to the church: Mr & Mrs C. R. Dormer who were bombed out of West Ham came to live at `Gulistan; Church Road, and Mr A. E. White and his family moved into `The Nest’ in Glebe Road.   Mrs Dormer was the Sunday School Superintendent from 1941 to 1954.

Mr White became the church’s leader, and by the time he retired in 1936, he had been secretary, treasurer and Sunday School Superintendent.    In the 1940s and ’50s, numbers attending the church seem to have been very low.   Few formal church meetings were held, money was scarce and the premises became rather delapidated, but the church kept going.

In 1963, Mr A. E. Bennett of Brentwood came and took over Mr White’s roles, and by 1967 he was the part-time pastor.   The church was re-formed in 1965 with 7 members, and improvements to the premises were begun: electricity was installed in 1965, but it took another seven years to get mains drainage.    Pastor Bennett was full of zeal for the Lord and would visit local residents with the magazines which he himself printed, as he was a master-printer by trade.    There were young people’s ‘squashes” film shows, a junior Christian Endeavour, and women’s meetings. Pastor Bennett acquired a secondhand Wernick hut, and in 1969 this was opened by Mrs Grace Overing, a Life-Elder of the church, as the Emmanuel Hall and it is still in constant use.

During the second half of his pastorate, Mr Bennett encouraged the Wickford Friendship Club for the Disabled to attend the church, and services were very well attended.    However, as his retirement approached he explored various ways in which the work of the church could be continued, there being no obvious successor.    The youth work was active, but by then attendances at services were declining and the congregation ageing.

At the end of 1975, Pastor Bennett retired and Rev Anthony Noles, the pastor of Billericay Baptist Church, agreed to act as Moderator.    With the support of a retired minister, Rev A. J. Roberts, and members of the Perry Street fellowship, the church survived the next few difficult years.    There was also great blessing from a succession of young pastors training for the ministry at Spurgeon’s College: John Russell, Paul Jackson, Jim McVicar, Richard Palmer and Philip Wright. A retired couple, Joan and Walter Perry, became the first full-time (lay) pastors in the mid-1980s.

A full-scale Mission was carried out in 1991 under Philip Wright’s pastorate, and when Philip came to the end of his training the fellowship was led to call the Rev John Hopper to the pastorate (1993-).   Under his leadership and God’s direction, the church aims to continue as it has done from the beginning: to proclaim the Gospel to those round about, and to give a warm Christian welcome to all who step inside the doors.

Derek Greasley

This article was first published in “Thoughts on Ramsden – A Brief History of Village Life” Compiled and Edited by Isabel Johnson.

Ramsden Crays Council School was opened on September 6 1926, with 130 children in four classes.   Before this, Crays Hill children went to Crays Hill Church of England School, which stood near the Church Hall, and Ramsden Bellhouse children went to the Church of England School in Ramsden Heath, which stood on the south side of Heath Road, between Park Lane and Mill Lane.   This school building was converted into two houses called, rather wittily, `Eton’ and `Harrow’.   These have now gone.    Some Ramsden Bellhouse children went to a small private school run by Miss Benson.

Mr Herbert Charles Bear was the first Headmaster.   His detailed writings in the Log Book show him as a most dedicated man, who made the school his life’s work.    His pride and enthusiasm for the school comes out in every page.   I remember him well.   He was Head of a Rural School, and he made us deeply aware of our environment, instilling in most of us a love of nature and the countryside, and a knowledge of the hard work involved with agriculture.   He was Headmaster for twenty-six years, and saw many changes, not only in his school, but in the world of education.

In 1926, the local Squire of Crays Hill, Mr Bacon and his wife, were Managers, as was Reverend Trousdale, the Rector of Crays Hill. Mr Harvey and Mr and Mrs Dovey of Ramsden Bellhouse, were also among the early Managers.   The Attendance Officer, Mr Wheatley, paid weekly visits to the school, and the School Nurse came to inspect the heads.    She usually found quite a few that were `verminous’.   Contagious illnesses played havoc with the attendance figures, diphtheria, mumps, measles, chicken pox, scarlet fever, impetigo, scabies, and influenza got frequent mentions in the Log Book.   There were nine cases of whooping cough in June 1929, and an epidemic of measles closed the school for a month in 1930, when half the school was absent with this disease.   In February 1935, 17 cases of whooping cough are reported, and in the next year there were four cases of diphtheria, followed by 72 cases of measles.   I personally tend to look back on my school days in the 1930’s through rose coloured spectacles, forgetting how much children suffered at that time from diseases now controlled by vaccination and immunisation.   One must not forget either the sad pleas sent from class to class asking for out-grown shoes for children unable to afford them.   The Log Book reports in 1938 that three boys received new boots from the `After Care Fund’.   Patriotism played a large part in our school life.   Within a month of the school opening a National Savings Group was started, and during the War, special efforts were made for War Weapons and other special weeks to reach a target.   The War Weapons weekly target of £100-0-0 was more than doubled -£252-15-0 was saved that week.

In the early years of the School, Trafalgar Day was observed, but the two main days when our love of country was fostered were Empire Day, and Armistice Day.    The former was celebrated by a pageant in the morning, followed sometimes by a holiday in the afternoon.   Armistice Day was always very solemn.   Mr Bear explained to the top classes the horrors that war could bring.   He fought in the 1914 – 18 War, and had received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, so he knew what he was talking about.    We always observed the two minutes silence at 11 ‘o’clock, and usually the afternoon was a holiday.   I wonder sometimes if we should have remembered those days so clearly if they had not been followed by a holiday.   Royal Weddings and Funerals were marked, as were Jubilees and Coronations, with suitable books given to each child to mark the occasion.    On October 20 1926, the School Library was started, not by the Education Authority, but by `staff and scholars’ who brought books to school.   A further example of helping themselves was the Gardening Class which began in November 1926, with the boys providing their own tools.   Tools were however provided in March the following year.

The Gardens played a great part in the life of the older boys, and it was a crime punishable by one stroke of the cane to walk, or worse still, play on the gardens.    Prizes were given each year to the boys with the best plots.   In October 1929, Class One heard their first `wireless programme’ called `Rural Survey; and in August 1933 Dr Keen of Roehampstead Experimental Station, who gave the wireless talks, came to visit the school in connection with them.   There were regular inspections by a Horticultural Lecturer who gave very good reports on the Rural Science taught in the school.   When in 1937 the senior pupils were transferred to Billericay School, the Rural Science was deleted from the curriculum.   The final report of the RS Lecturer praises the work done by the school, combining geography with Rural Science, and hoped that the New School (Billericay) would carry on promoting the Rural Science interest.   Billericay School has to this day a very active Rural Science department.

In the early days of the school most children went home to dinner, and in consequence the dinner `hour’ was from 12 noon – 2 pm, to allow those with long distances to get home and back to school.   I had a mile and a half journey to school, but often came home to dinner during the summer months.   During the winter, we ate our sandwiches in the classroom, and some children had Horlicks Malted Milk at 3d a week made by the Headmaster.   School milk at 1/2d for ‘1/3pt started in October 1934, and became free in 1941.   Hot school meals were started in 1942, coming from Billericay Senior School.   In 1944 work on the School Kitchen began, the first dining assistant was Mrs Bashford, and in July 1945 the School Kitchen was opened.   At the end of the first week, Mr Bear pronounced School Meals as a “huge success”.

Christmases were always times for plays and parties.   These have become, in present times, major events attended by parents, but in the early days they were small affairs, (less nerve-racking for the Staff!) with a bag of `sweets, oranges, apples etc.’ for each child from the Staff and Managers.   In a Rural School much absenteeism is due to the weather.   Heavy snow fall, flooding in Oak Road, and stormy conditions appear frequently in the winter months of the Log Book.   Sometimes the bad weather closed the School.    There are a few cases of truancy noted in the Punishment Book, all dealt with quickly by several strokes of the cane.   This appeared to be very effective, and no names appear more than once for this offence.

Another annual event was the Scripture Exam.   A local Minister would visit each class, listen to the hymn singing, recitation of the Ten Commandments etc., and question the class of their knowledge of the Bible.   Prizes were awarded to the best pupils in each class, and the rest of the day was a holiday.    As there were no facilities for Woodwork and Domestic Science at the school, the older boys and girls were taken in Mr Harvey’s lorry to classes at Wickford (domestic science) and Billericay (woodwork).   In 1929 the Honours Board was made out of old desks, and hung in Mr Bear’s class.   All the names of the children who passed the Scholarship were put on this.   By the time I passed, the Honours Board was full – what a disappointment!    The cycle shed was also made by the Woodwork Class in 1929.

Medical and Dental Examinations were held in the school, and in the early years the dentist brought his equipment to school for extraction’s and fillings.    These took place in one of the little rooms upstairs, the two larger rooms being used as classrooms.   Mr Bear had no Head’s Room and no Secretary, he also taught the top class with an age range from 10 years to 14 years.   The brighter ten year olds went into his class to be prepared for the scholarship. Extra lessons were given to them after school.   There was no Staff Room for the teachers either.   The first Clerical Assistant, Mrs Hall, took up duties in July 1945.    School life was much simpler in the early days, without the masses of paper work inflicted on our modern schools.   There was even time for teachers to send home a `termly report’ on every child.

In 1937 Ramsden Crays Council School became a Junior School with 156 pupils and five teachers.   About this time Safety First talks from the Police became a regular feature of school life.    Then in 1939 the War came, considerably disrupting school life.

The Log Book reports that on September 4 1939 the School was closed, due to the outbreak of War.   The cellar became the Wardens’ Post and Mr Bear, the Headmaster was Head Warden.   Mr Bestely the caretaker left to become a full­time fireman in the Auxiliary Fire Service.    Gas Masks had already been distributed from the school in 1938, so by 29 September 1939 the school was ready to

Finally I come to the actual school building, and from the front it does not seem to have changed much.   This however is a false impression.    I’ll start with the wash basins and toilets.   I remember them well in the thirties.   Several enamel bowls of water were put in each cloakroom for washing purposes.    I do not know how often it was changed, but by the afternoon the water was covered with a repulsive grey scum.   The toilets at this time were outside earth closets – I still remember the cold, and much worse the smell.   However all this was to change in the fifties.   Proper wash basins were installed in 1950, and work started on new indoor toilets in 1959.

The building work necessitated classes 1, 2 and 4 being transferred to Fairhouse School, Basildon, until June 1960.   A further upheaval occurred when on 14 January 1963, the school boiler burst, and once more a Basildon School, Ghyllgrove then empty, was used for staff and pupils.

In 1967, after many years struggling with overcrowding, and lack of a staff room, two new classrooms and a Hall were built at a cost of £25,000.00.    The Log Books from which I have mainly taken this account, finish in 1968.   In 1986 a celebration for the 60th Anniversary took place, when many of the first pupils returned to the School.   Some talked to the children of their memories, and the children researched into the history of their school.    Much of that research has been very helpful to me.   From my experience as a pupil, and later as a parent, I think we can be proud of the achievements of our village School.

Isabel C Johnson

This article was first published in “Thoughts on Ramsden – A Brief History of Village Life” Compiled and Edited by Isabel Johnson. This article appears with her permission.

Did it mean Ramsdale, Ravensdale or Ransonsdale?   You pay your money and take your choice, we’ll never know for sure.    What we do know is “Bellhouse” descends from the “de Belhus” family, as does Crays from the “de Crei” family.   It’s not necessarily only the ancient families that are remembered by place names.   Two generations of farmers at Woolshots, late last century and early this century, has left us with “Jacksons Comer”, after the family name.   By the same token we’re inherited “Gardiners Lane”.   Besides names that commemorate, other names inform.    We know Church Road must lead to a church somewhere, and Mill Lane must lead to a Mill, if it hadn’t been blown down in 1873.   But what about Glebe Road? Glebe, not exactly an “in” word these days, was land owned by the church for the benefit of the incumbent.   A glance at an 1892 auction map, answers the question, showing fields of some three acres, clearly marked “Glebe”; at the end of the road.

So how about Orchard Avenue?   The same map provides the answer, showing an orchard of some 6 acres, smack in the middle of the road, some unkind car owners claim the roots are still there!   No marks for Homestead Road, the company that first developed the area in the early 1900’s.   Ramsden Park Road not only informs, it also commemorates, leading as it does down to what was indeed a park.   Not in the sense we use “park” today, no swings or roundabouts etc., but a huge uncultivated area, put down to grass, where deer and other wild life roamed free, where the Lord of the Manor took his ease.   Park Lane leading from the Heath to the same Park, takes its name for the same reason.   What is puzzling, is that while two roads commemorate the Park; the name of the Manor to which it belonged, seems to have been erased from the collective memory entirely.   The name being Ramsden Barrington.   This manor occupied the western half of the Parish from around 1250, yet nowhere is the name used.   Not even a Barrington Avenue, Crescent or even a Close.   Some of our senior citizens, born and bred in the “Bellhouse”; have never heard the name, yet the Manorial Roll exists still, in the Essex Record Office and shows the last sitting of the Manorial Court took place early this century!    What a chance was missed when the new Fox and Hounds in Church Road took over from the old one on Heath Road in 1927!   If they’d only made a clean break and given the new pub a new name we could have had a local called the “Barrington Arms”.

Although the present pub is some 100 yards outside the manor boundary, it would at least, have maintained the link with this famous family.    Mind you, to be fair, a similar chance was missed about 1873, when the then “Army & Navy” changed its name to the present “Nags Head”, and that is within the manor boundary.    But I suppose then as now, local history was not exactly a first priority.

Most of the developers of the recent past, have tried to include local names into their estates, giving us Moat Close for instance, reminding us of the moat that existed around that area for centuries and which should never have been filled in, at least until it had been dredged.   What treasures lie buried under the Close?    Dovetail Close takes its name from the old farm house that stood almost opposite the White Horse in Church Road.

The Allen Farm Estate off Dowsers Lane is a good example of local naming.   “Allen Road” speaks for itself of course.   “Recreation Walk” takes us into the Recreation Ground itself, two acres of land allotted during the enclosures of 1858 to John Johnson Esquire, subject to, “permitting such land to be at all times used as a Place of Exercise & Recreation for the Inhabitants of the said Parish & Neighbourhood”.

As the aforementioned “Inhabitants” had previously taken their “Exercise & Recreation” on 160 acres of Ramsden Back Common and 36 acres of open heath land, they must have felt pretty well hemmed in by a miserly 2 acres.   No doubt the further award to the Churchwardens of 3 acres, as an allotment for the “Labouring Poor of the said Parish of Ramsden Bellhouse”; must have helped cushion the blow.   “Tipplers Bridge”, the road, takes the name directly from Tipplers Bridge the bridge, if you see what I mean.    Though who Tippler was and what he was tippling we’ve never been able to ascertain.   No satisfactory explanation of this name has been forthcoming, so any suggestions welcomed.    “Birds Close” is an acknowledgement of the family that occupied Aliens Farm for many years, and not a reference to the wild life.

One minor mystery remains.   Cocks or Cox Green; different maps give different spellings at different periods.   Today the name is preserved as a single house name, but Cocks or Cox, it was most definitely a “Green” in the real sense.   Church Road opened out as it approached Short Lane to three or four times its average width, into what must have been a very large, open, quiet secluded green. How did it get its name?

The mystery deepens when you follow the short walk along the aptly named Short Lane to find that a similar quiet secluded green once opened out in Park Lane.    The name, long since forgotten, but clearly marked on the early Ordnance Survey maps; NYMPHS GREEN!   Now there just has to be a story there somewhere.

So to sum up, we had Cocks Green in Church Road, a sixty yard dash through

Short Lane to emerge into Nymphs Green, or of course vice versa.   Now if there’s anyone out there who’s ever made this sixty yard dash, in any direction, for what­ever reason, strictest secrecy observed, I’d be very interested to hear from them! You may be able to provide the missing link in the History of Ramsden Bellhouse!    Fortunately for me, having run out of space, I can happily slope off, leaving you all to ponder; after all, what’s in a name?

Frank Fisher

My Uncle George was landlord of the Fox and Hounds (then in Ramsden Heath) in 1912, and that’s how my parents and my grandma came to hear of the Homesteads estate in Ramsden Bellhouse.    Horace and Minnie Abbott moved into “Eversley” Orchard Avenue, Ramsden Bellhouse after their marriage in 1915.   At that time most houses did not have the luxury of a bathroom, or an indoor toilet, but mother had made that a condition of moving to the country, so their house was one of the first to boast of this convenience.    They had also been promised that in the next few years, there would be main drainage, and a Railway Station.   Mother was to see neither.    The former came fifty six years later in 1971, and the railway station is a long forgotten dream.   I was their fifth and youngest daughter, appearing on the scene in 1926, so my own memories date from about 1930, and earlier events come only from what I have been told by my sisters.

To start with education:- there was a school at Ramsden Heath, but my sisters went daily to a Private School run by Miss B an elderly lady.    It was about a hundred yards past the White Horse on the right hand side of the road to Billericay.   They walked there and back every day, but Miss B was probably well past retiring age, and they received a pretty poor education.   My sisters remember that in the afternoon, Miss B set them work to do, and then retired to have forty winks!!    Needless to say very little work got done – more time being spent on giggling and peering in at her bedroom door.   Sanitary arrangements at this school consisted of a chamber pot in the good lady’s bedroom!   In 1926 Ramsden Crays Council School was built (now Crays Hill County Primary), to take children from 5 – 14 years. My eldest sister, Margaret was sent to Brentwood County High School, where the Headmistress told my mother that she was well below standard, and suggested that the rest of the family should be educated away from Miss B – so off they went to Ramsden Crays and I duly followed in 1931.

I loved my schooldays here, starting with dear old Mrs Clark in one of the little upstairs rooms.   My only horror (and twenty five years later my daughter’s horror) was the toilets, which had no locks, and smelled because they were buckets under wooden seats.   It was very difficult for a little girl to answer the call of nature with a hand or a foot on the door to secure it against intruders!

In the bitterly cold cloakrooms, about four bowls of icy water were put out each day, with “school soap”.   My memory is that the water was not changed all day, and no-one with any sensitivity, washed in the afternoon when the scum and smell of those bowls of water was repulsive.   In 1936 Billericay Senior School was built (now Billericay School), and took all the pupils from the age of 11 except those who passed the 11 +, who usually went to Brentwood Grammer School for Boys, Brentwood High School for Girls or Brentwood Ursuline.

So much for school – how then did we spend our leisure.   My father and Mr Sexton who lived at “Fernshaw” started the Ramsden Scouts sometime between 1915 and 1921.    I believe that they had their first meetings in a large shed in our garden, though this was before my time.   The Scouts and Cubs lapsed at some point and did not start again until the second war.    The Baptist Church ran the Girls Life Brigade, to which I belonged with my sister Winifred, but when Miss Malby started the 1st Ramsden Girl Guides in 1940, I forsook GLB and joined the Guides.    Our Guide meetings were the highlight of the week.   We did concerts, hiked, collected waste paper, cotton reels and jam jars.   We picked blackberries for the Women’s Institute who turned them into lovely pots of jam.   At Christmas we had parties with the 1st Runwell Scouts.   I don’t know why we didn’t invite the Ramsden Scouts, but I do remember that we all thought the Runwell Scouts were “smashing”.   Brownies and Cubs started during the War also, and we all paraded proudly from Jacksons Corner to the Fox and Hounds for “War Weapons Week” “Wings for Victory” etc.. The Village “Club” goes back at least to 1921, for I have a programme for the village fete in that year.   The Village hall was not then built, and the social activities took place in “The Barn” which was reached from Church Road by a footpath between the church and Orchard Avenue on the church side.   There was also a thriving tennis club (behind the Wee Cabin, now no longer there) opposite the Recreation Ground.   My elder sisters played tennis there, and remember me being taken in the pram.

The Village Hall was built in 1936, and later had a tennis court, which is now a car park.   As I outgrew Guides, so the Village Hall became the week’s highlight.    Tuesdays were table tennis, darts and snooker, WI. – Wednesday afternoon for Mother – Thursdays – once a month, a social, attended by all age groups with games, singing, dancing and sketches.    Saturdays were the weekly dances – one shilling to get in – refreshments extra.   There were also at various times, whist drives, a badminton club, a Workers Educational association class for studying economics, a horticultural society, a very thriving dramatic club who put on marvellous pantomimes each year, and a learners dance club.   Every year around the middle of May, we had the “Birthday Party”, when the hall was packed to overflowing.   A professional entertainment was followed by a dance.   I often wonder why this was discontinued, but as I came out of the “social whirl” of the Community Centre on my marriage in 1952, I do not know much of the history after that until as an “older and wiser” person I joined the Horticultural Society in the late 1970’s.

St Mary’s Church had a church hall next to the Fox and Hounds on the north side.   Here we went to Sunday School round a smelly oil stove, and here we had our Sunday School parties presided over by the same Miss B who had taught my sisters some years before.   My sisters tell me there were also church socials and church fetes in the field next to the hall, but I do not remember those.    Other leisure activities – well we had the Carlton Cinema in Wickford, (where Woolworth’s now stands) and the Ritz in Chapel Street Billericay.   We also had a reasonable bus service in those days!!    Coal was unloaded at the Railway siding, and delivered in Harvey’s lorry by Len Barker.   There was a railway signal box just by the siding, and here my sister tells me she went to have her hair cut – between trains of course.    In May 1935 the country celebrated the jubilee of King George V It was a great day in Ramsden.   A May Queen (Elsie Pimborough) had been chosen and was crowned, attended by two little girls of which I was one.    The village was decorated, with a prize for the best house decoration in Church Road, and for the side roads, we decorated the end where it joined Church Road.   There was a prize for the best side road.    We spent weeks preparing.   Dad went off to committee meetings, my sisters sewed their fancy dress, we practiced our May Queen crowning, and Mrs Sexton trained the other children in maypole dancing.    It seems to me now that all the village came out in fancy dress for a long procession from the Fox and Hounds to Crays Hill School.   I think the field opposite the school was used for the crowning, and sports events, but what made it really special was that a Mr Watson who lived on the hill by the river, and worked for a film company, filmed the whole day’s events.   Some weeks later we all went down to a hall behind the Castle in Wickford to see the resulting film.   What a community spirit there was that day – and how we shrieked in recognition of everyone.

The coronation in May 1937 of George VI was planned with equal enthusiasm.   But it poured with rain all day and my only memories are of sugar sandwiches (bread and butter with sugar between the slices), and the colours in my Dad’s jester outfit running so that his vest and pants were red one side and yellow the other, until they wore out!

I remember with great nostalgia the journeys to and from school.   There were no school dinners though we could take sandwiches – but mostly we made the journey of one and a half miles four times a day.    I never remember my mother taking me, but I suppose she did the first day.   The bus fare was one penny to Jacksons corner, but if you started out ten minutes early and RAN all the way to school, you then still had your penny to spend at Smith’s sweet shop which was opposite the school in Gardiners Lane.   If you came home to dinner you were allowed out five minutes early to catch the bus at Jackson’s corner.    The bus back to school went about 1.15 and again you could run and save a penny to buy your farthing black jacks from Mrs Smith.   But walks home were best – no running to save pennies – we wandered along paddling in the ditches, (probably filled with sewage) trekking through leaves, fishing for tiddlers in the river; (I once fell in and arrived home covered in foul smelling slime!) gathering wild flowers, passing love letters to the boys, searching for conkers, popping tar bubbles, talking to Mr Graves who was our Roadman, walking round the churchyard and watching the steam-rollers making up the road (I can still smell them).   I often feel sorry for today’s children who, owing to traffic and “undesirable characters” are whisked in a few minutes from school to home – what a wealth of childhood experiences they miss.   Talking of conkers reminds me of a great village character.    He kept his verge mowed like a bowling green, and had two large conker trees that overhung the road.   The temptations to a child are obvious, but Mr H knew how to deal with that.    He always stood outside his gate when we came home from school, (I wonder why he wasn’t at work?) to make sure his verge remained unsullied, and his conker trees remained intact.

When the war came in 1939 Mr H became a special constable.   He took his duties very seriously – no longer just a verge and two conker trees to guard – the whole village was now his to command.    His war started quickly for when the siren sounded within a few minutes of the outbreak of war, it was on with the tin hat and arm bands, and on to the bike.   He cycled to the church and ordered everyone to go home.    One cannot help feeling they were safer in the church than on the roads!!

Another trick of Special Constable H was to wait just inside the church gate (there was a good hedge there then), and step out right in front of you as you were riding your bike demanding to see your identification card.    He seemed to somehow forget that he had known you from babyhood, served on committees with your parents and repeatedly chased you off his verge!!   It has been an interesting exercise going back over the old days – days of oil lamps – broken gas mantles, of cesspools, cold bedrooms and chilblains but I must take off my rose coloured spectacles – yes it was a lovely childhood then, provided you were healthy and your father was in work.    I must not forget I was one of the lucky ones.

Isabel C Johnson

This article was first published in “Thoughts on Ramsden – A Brief History of Village Life” Compiled and Edited by Isabel Johnson. This article appears with her permission.

THE BEGINNING
Just when Scouting began in Ramsden seems to he open to question, but I understand it must have been very soon after the end of the Great War in November, 1918.    The printed letter headings in use in the 1920s bear the state­ment “Founded in 1918” and I feel it may be a safe assumption to say it was in the November of that year as I remember we always held our Annual Church Parade towards the end of November.   Perhaps the Church Register of Services for that period might confirm this.I understand that the persons who first started the Group was a Mrs. Charlotte Dovey who lived at “The Grange”, Church Road and was the Cubmistress. (Mrs. Dovey later became a Justice of the Peace) and Mr. Horace Abbott living at “Eversley”, Orchard Avenue, who had charge of the boys of Scout age, My brother Henry who was a Cub at the time, tells the story of the Cubs being taken for a week-end camp on Kent Hill (presumably this was early in 1919) when it rained so heavily the first night and the next day that everyone got so wet they all had to come home.    Apparently in those days it was not considered seemly for a female to go to camp with boys so her husband, Mr. Frederick Dovey, was persuaded to do so and he had to walk back to the village to ask my Dad, who was the Village Grocer and Postmaster, for the loan of his horse and cart to bring the boys home.   Henry recalls that the first Cub meetings were held at “The Grange” that it was not long before Aubrey Taylor took over and meetings were transferred to a shed at “Eversley”

He believes the Scouts first met at the Old Barn and then transferred to the shed at “Eversley” as well.   He remembers that Mr. Abbott kept chickens and pigs at the time and that he had a large shed used for the storage of animal food.   This was partitioned to enable the boys to use one part while the wheat, bran and middlings etc. were stored in the other.   Boys will be boys and I gather that one Cub night some of the Scouts, arriving early for their meeting, climbed over the partition and started to pelt the Cubs with handfuls of the feeding stuffs.   Needless to say that was the end of Scout meetings at “Eversley” and he thinks activities were then transferred to the Church Hall.   However, there are photographs of Aubrey Taylor with the Scouts outside the Old Barn and I am wondering if perhaps, as Mr. Abbott started the Troop, the Scouts first met at “Eversley”, that the Cubs moved there when Aubrey took over, and after the meal pelting episode the Group moved to the Old Barn then up to the Church “all, On the other hand it appears that the photographs could have been taken of Scout activities at a fete held at the Old Barn.   The photo of the Cub and Scout pyramid appears to he dated about 1920.   I say this as my brother Eric was a Sixer and Herbert a Scout.   Herbert was then about 13 and Eric 11.    Henry would have been 9 in that year and has two service stars clearly showing.   This suggests a time towards the end of the year – perhaps a fete in August.    The photo of the boys with their decorated cycles outside the Old Barn certainly suggests a fete occasion.

Whether the move from the shed meant an end of active Scouting by Mr. Abbott I do not know, hut his interest in the movement must have remained, even if in the background and subject to occasional urging.    This could explain the way he came to the Group’s aid in 1941, and I wonder if perhaps he was also in­volved subsequent to the death of Aubrey Taylor in 1930.

THOSE EARLY YEARS
It seems we were first registered at Imperial Headquarters as an Group as from 1st January, 1922, that is some three years after the stated founding date.    The Old Barn mentioned earlier, was originally part of the farm build­ings belonging to the manorial lands of Ramsden Hall.   When an Estate Development Company known as Homesteads Ltd, acquired the land and also that of the manor of Ramsden Barrington, or Ramsden Park as we knew it, the farm buildings became used as workshops and stores in connection with the development of what was to become the village of Ramsden Bellhouse in the years immediately before and after the 1914 – 1918 War.   There is a reference to this barn in the Annals of Ramsden Bellhouse edited by the Reverend F,{9, Austen, M.A,, and published in 1927; On page 33 an Extract from the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (Essex) South East, Vol, iv, 1923) states the “Barn is timber framed and weatherboarded with a thatched roof and was probably built in the 17th century.   The Barn has two porches on the South side.   Condition Poor”.

I remember that all village social activities, other than those organised by the Church, took place in the Barn which formed the main structure of the buildings, and Homesteads used the ancillary buildings as stores and workshops.   The Barn continued to he used for village functions until the new Village Hall was built in 1936 on land opposite my home, “The Stores and Post Office” standing at the junction of Glebe Road with Church Road, Until the new hall was built the boys and girls of the village used the land as a playing field.

After the War surplus army huts were available for sale at reasonable prices and I understand that my Dad and a Mr. Percy Jackson who owned “Woolshots Farm” went to a sale and bought one each, Mr. Jackson for use as accommodation on the farm, and Dad buying one for the Church to use as a Church Hall.   This one was erected by voluntary labour on land just north of the railway line and north of the footpath leading over Pump Hill, and in a field containing two ponds.   A narrow area of land surrounding the Hall was fenced off with barbed wire. I wonder if this land was given to, or bought by, the Church.    This was about the year 1920 and presumably it was about this time that the Group moved its headquarters into the new Church Hall.   The Church Hall was eventually sold and consverted into living accommodation about 1956 – perhaps the new owners, or diocesan authorities might have further details on the deeds etc..   The Cubs and Church were still using the Hail when I left Ramsden in 1953.

It was sometime after the move to the Church hail that the Group added the words “St Mary’s Own” to its registered designation.   Once again it seems official recognition took some time to catch up with accented practice for it was not until 26th January, 1928, that the Group became registered as a Sponsored Group and the words “St Mary’s Own” officially added to the Group title.    The Sponsoring Authority was the Ramsden Bellhouse Parochial Church Council.   It will he appreciated that Parochial Church Councils only came into being in 1921 with Open the introduction of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1921.

That the title 1st Ramsden (St Mary’s Own) was fully in use before 1928 is evidenced by the record shown on my Cub Enrolment Card which indicated that I was enrolled on 5th November, 1927, after joining the Pack on 8th August even though I was not eight years old until 24th December that year.   On enrolment I received not only the official Cub Badges but also the special Group Badge of a gold embroidered cross on a green cloth background.   It should be remembered that the Cubs wore a yellow scarf and the Scouts a green scarf and this tradition continued when I eventually became a Scouter.    As Cubmaster, of course, I wore the yellow scarf.   In later years I became aware that this special badge was the envy of some groups and of considerable interest to many others al­though it may not have been officially sanctioned by Headquarters.   I can now wonder where Aubrey Taylor had them made and what would have happened when the supply ran out. I suppose now they must be very much a collector’s item and as such of some value.

AUBREY NEVILLE TAYLOR
I understand the first warranted Scouter was Aubrey Taylor who ran both the Scout Troop and the Cub Pack, as far as I can remember on his own.

In addition to his Scouting activities Aubrey was also dedicated to Church work being Choirmaster and Sunday School Teacher, I have a small hymn book dated Advent 1927 and inscribed “To Stanley Harvey With Best Wishes from his Cubmaster and Sunday School Teacher” and signed with the familiar “A,N, Taylor”.   A book well worn and greatly treasured still.

When I was born in 1919 Aubrey worked in my Dad’s shop, but by 1927 he had left the shop and was travelling to work in London each day.   Pack meetings were held on Saturday afternoons and many a time we were going to the Hall, in fact on occasion had arrived there before he reached home.   I can still remember how he would take two or three of us up to the hall on his motor cycle, taking one at a time about half way on the pillion and then going back for a second and so on in relay, we being expected to keep walking to help reduce journey time.

We loved having the ride and I’m afraid were not averse to cheating on the walking.   Then it was a case of home and changed into uniform and out again to take the Pack meeting, I am sure without anything to Pat or drink in between except for a quick bite and drink perhaps. No wonder we thought the world of Akela;

He used to travel to Wickford station on his motor bicycle and the times of his regular passage through the village was well known, so that in our household there would he the comment “There goes Aub” or “Aub’s late this morning”, until one day there was “Haven’t heard Aub, go this morning”.   We were soon to know why.   It was a motor cycle accident with another motor cyclist which occur­red just as he left his home north of the railway bridge which was to result in his tragic death in 1930.   It was an event which stunned and shocked the whole Village in disbelief, especially when it was said that had there been someone knowledgeable in first aid available at the time his life might have been saved.   Rather ironic really bearing in mind that he had taught many Scouts the rudi­ments of first aid.    It was then a very sorrowful Group which followed the horse drawn hearse to the Church for his funeral.   The night before his body lay in state in the Church Hall while some of the Senior Scouts or Rovers had stood guard with staves reversed.   There was many a tear in many an eye as Scouts and Cubs gave their beloved leader a last salute at the graveside.    Later a Memorial Plague was placed on the north wall of the choir stalls nearest to where Aubrey used to sit.

THE SCOUT BAND AND ANNIVERSARY SERVICE
Before his death Aubrey had fully equipped the Scout, Troop with a brass band and every November Groups from neighbouring villages were invited to join us in our Annual Church Parade.    As mentioned earlier this was an event I feel sure was to commemorate the Group’s founding.   We used to meet at the Church Hall on the Sunday afternoon, and then led by the band and with colours flying we would proudly march (as Scouts do march) to Church for a Special Service conducted by the Rector, the Rev, F,19, Austen, M.A. I still remember how the walls on either side of the altar would be fully covered with the flags from all the Troops and Packs in attendance, and the Church itself packed to overflowing.   On arrival at the Church gate the parade was halted, the colour bearers fallen out and then marched up to the Church door, standing on either side of the path for the remainder of the parade to pass through and take their places in the Church.    Those of us who were also in the choir were also dismissed from the parade and hurried to the vestry to change into choir robes so that we could be ready for the service to start when we would lead the colours to the chancel.   We would take off our scarves before putting on the celluloid collars and black bowties which choirboys in those days wore over their cassocks.    What a problem we had sometimes putting our scarves on properly afterwards, before we rejoined the parade for the march back to the Church Hall, I can hear too, what must have been the favourite hymn perhaps I should say the Group’s hymn for the occasion.   Number 274 in Hymns Ancient and Modern, “Through the night of doubt and sorrow onward goes the pilgrim band, singing songs of expectation, marching to the promised land”.   Do You wonder that I never sing that hymn to-day without re­membering those Church Parades.

I also remember that at Christmas time the band would go round the village playing carols, and I shall never forget them coming to our house one Christmas Day in the afternoon and playing carols outside our front door.    Perhaps that was because Henry was playing the cornet in the band at the time; I am sure they were well rewarded.

AFTER 1930
Who took over the care of the Group in 1930 I do net recall, after all I was barely 10 years old, but I should not he surprised if our friend Horace Abbott was involved.    I have a vague recollection of someone from the Brentwood area being involved, presumably a District or County Commissioner (the name Brigadier de Rougemont seems familiar) but he must have relied on the help of someone in the village.   In any event, by 1931 records show that Robert Sexton who lived at “Fernshaw”, Church Road, was Scoutmaster and my brother Henry Harvey was Cubmaster.

Henry was Cubmaster for less than three years as he had left the village to go into partnership with my brother Eric in a greengrocery business in Southend-on-Sea by 1933.    In 1935 he married Irene Logan who had been Akela of the Ramsden Crays Pack and they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1985.

I do not recall who took over the Cub “Pack when Henry left.   Perhaps it was a case of a temporary dearth of boys of the right age.   There was always a tendency for this to happen in a smail village in those days.   I had been enrolled as a Scout by “R. Sexton” on 31st ‘December, 1931, and I think for a very short that by 1935 only the Scout Troop was operating.

Robert Sexton, generously supported by his wife Ella, a School teacher, kept the Scout Troop going until he had to Join up as a reservist for the Second World war which commenced in September, 1939.    He had served in the Royal Artillery in the first war and had many a story to tell of his experiences.   In these tales he would refer to the Germans as “The Boche” or “Old Fritz”, and this so took our fancy it is not surprising that the Scouts of the time affectionately nicknamed him “Fritz” rather than the more conventional “Skip”.

During his leadership, prompted I expect by his wife, we had a number of social events gang shows was the term to be used in Scouting in later years. I also recall a grand Sale of ‘York to augment Group funds.    For about a year Cubs and Scouts spent their spare time making items for sale, such as raffia place mats, wicker baskets and small items of furniture etc..   I still have a small raffia topped stool (now minus part of a leg support) which my parents bought at the time.   This must have been soon after he took over because I was still a Cub.

We also held Cub and Scout’s Own Services at “Fernshaw”, when Mrs. Sexton would play the piano and talk to us, and the Cubs and Scouts take turns to read a story from the bible and to say prayers.    Afterwards there was always orangeade or tea and cakes, and we would often stay talking until it was time to go the evening service at Church, rushing in home to change out of our uniforms on the way.

I think it must have been soon after the sale of work that the Group made a trek cart.   Perhaps it would be more truthful to say Fritz made a trek cart with the help of a number of scouts.    Certainly by the time I was a Scout time the Pack was kept going by older Scouts and then eventually closed down, so and ready to go to camp it was in use.   We used it to take our kit to camps at Ramsay Tyrell at Stock, or to any other venue within walking distance -,yes we used to walk to Stock in those days.   It was made with two large wheels about 4 feet in diameter and had a single shaft in front with handles for two people to support the weight.   Ropes were attached on either side of the cart to enable other Scouts to produce the “pulling power” – rather like the way the Navy pull their gun carriages at Tattoos.   It will be appreciated that packing the cart to get the right balance was most important.

On one occasion on the last day at a camp at Stock we decided to have a spotted dick for pudding – a suet pudding with currants for those who do not know the term.    George Thrower was the cook and although we thought it was made and nut on to boil early, (by breakfast time as I recall) by lunch time >it was nowhere near ready and so we decided to leave it on the boil until we struck camp in the afternoon.   Even then it was not done so we left it in the hot water in a billy hooked on the axle under the cart intending to eat it as a treat on the way home.    As I remember we stopped for a rest at the end of Potash Road near Forty Acres and there did full justice to the pudding.   It was rather heavy as the saving is, but we were so hungry we would have eaten anything, cooked, un­cooked, or even smoked:

Fritz believed in walking for fitness.   What a blessing it was a case of up the hill to start our Journey while we were still fresh and then down the hill when we were tired and weary on our journey back.    To reach the top of the hill on the way home was a real ,joy.   It was downhill all the way then and this brought fresh spirit and invariably a fresh outburst of singing so that we would arrive home in good fettle.

At the outbreak of the war we were able to use the trek cart for the collection of waste, paper needed to help the war effort.   Then as we lost the Scout Troop for a time – that is until Ron Pruce from West Ham was evacuated to the village – we passed it on to 1st Downham under the care of George Padwick.   There are further details about Ron Pruce in “The War Years” in Akela’s Log Book.

The other noteworthy event I remember was the County Scout Marathon held in the early summer, when teams of three Scouts on bicycles spent a week-end covering a given route, camped overnight, and wrote a log of the journey and the adventures encountered.   We were then required to arrive at the appointed destination within a set time and were faced with an inspection for cleanliness of person and equipment, safety of bicycles, and distribution of equipment among the team.   This was followed by a number of Scout tests.   I recall on one occasion we were asked to tie a “bullon knot”.   The expression on our faces must have been one of shock or horror for no one had heard of such a knot, least of all me who was a patrol leader at the time: It turned out to be the examiner’s way of saying “bow­line”.   I dare not say what we said to that:    At the conclusion of the tests came the highlight of the week-end for three weary travellers – tea and buns and a general get together with the other teams from the Group and from all over the County.

The Group regularly entered teams in the senior and junior section of the Marathon with quite successful results, so much so that we were eventually awarded the special Marathon Flag because our name appeared on it more times than any other Group.    Previously the Flag was held by the winning Group each year.   I still have a dictionary bought with a gift voucher and a small hand axe, prizes for third place in the 1934 and 1935 Marathons.    I still wonder who chose the place names to be visited when I led a team whose distance should have been less than 30 miles but which necessitated us riding for over 50 miles, which was 10 miles more than the distance set for a senior team.    No one was able to show we had not chosen the shortest route – except as the crow flies, but then we weren’t crows, we had bikes;

THE ROVER CREW
In Aubrey Taylor’s time I feel sure a Rover Crew had also been formed and the names Norman Astell and Norman Currell come to mind.   I am almost certain that it was as a Rover that Henry Harvey had been encouraged to take over the Cub Pack as Cubmaster, he would have been 19 by then.

When by 1938 most of the Scouts of the 1930s had grown through their teens and become Old Scouts or were ready to do so, this presented an ideal oppor­tunity to restart the Rover Crew.    A meeting was duly convened at “Fernshaw” on 5th September, 1938, when I was appointed Rover Scribe and Lawrence Brown the Treasurer.   Subscriptions were fixed at 6d, a meeting – that at a time when 1d. was the normal subscription for Scouts and Cubs.   The offices of Rover Leader and Rover Mate were not filled that evening as it was agreed an approach should be made to some of the older “Old Scouts” who still lived in the village.   As will be seen the names of George Brown, George Thrower, Charlie Voyce, Peter Plowman, Jack Payne and Charlie Bone as well as those of Norman Astell and Norman Currell appear in my notes made on that evening.   I do not recall now who came forward or what happened subsequently, though such information would be included in the Rover Log which was kept at the time and which recorded our activities for very short time we were able to operate before the approaching war brought them to an end.

It was of course the fulfilment of Robert Sexton’s ambition for the Group to have all three sections operating, for as he said it was the aim of the Association that boys should be trained to “Do Your Best” to “Be Prepared” for “Service”.   Unfortunately the war of 1939 – 1945 was to claim us for service of a very different kind and for Norman Astell and Charlie Voyce, it was the service of their lives.

However, it was as part of my “Service” that I was to restart the Cub Pack and subsequently to spend so many happy, and I hope fruitful, years in the Scout Movement.    It is perhaps of interest to mention that the Terry Voyce referred to in the years from 1949 was Charlie’s son, and several boys who joined the Pack during the period after the war were sons of old scouts of the Group.

EPILOGUE
Over the years there are many memories which come to mind, some of a serious nature, some frivolous, most very enjoyable, but all indicative of the happiness which Scouting is bound to encourage.    Some I have already quoted, but I could go on at length to tell of the fun we had at our Pack and Troop meetings, of the paper chases and the flag raiding up on Pump Hill, over at Kent Hill, or down De Beavoir Chase as we knew it in those days.

I remember especially the observation walks we had when I was a Cub.   We were awarded points for being the first to see a six-barred gate (5 was the usual number), or two magpies together, or five oak trees in a row, or a piebald horse in a field, and so on.   Such walks I was to repeat quite successfully with my own Pack later on, following fairly precisely the route taken when I was a Cub.    I also recall one Saturday afternoon when we went looking for chalked num­bers in sequence from 1- 50.   We were given one point for each number found but ten points for the last number.    How dejected we were on nearing headquarters and no one had found the 50.   Akela kept very quiet about where to look and we were so surprised to find it on the very door of the Church Hall we had left at the start of our quest.    There it was plainly marked for all to see.   It was the Cubs who had given up looking and run for home who were to find it, though as I recall several missed it even then.    Aubrey had written it there when he had locked the door as we left, making sure that we were all up the road and out of sight first.

Years later, as Scouts, how boisterous we were with some of the Scout games and especially when we played handball with a football in the Hall.   Though we were penalised if the ball was played above shoulder level.    Dear Old Fritz had to replace quite a number of window panes.   Then there was the night I ran a splinter from the wood floor into the nail of my middle finger.    Because the wood was rotten Fritz was unable to remove it properly.   Scouts came to a premature end so that he could take me, on our bicycles, to Doctor Campbell at Wickford, to have it removed quite painfully and then bandaged properly.   We seldom played again after that and when we did we were rather more careful and always wore gloves.

Then came the war and my enlistment into the Royal Air Force.   As a very new intake a trainload of us left Cardington Reception Centre for our initial training (square bashing to those who know) at Redcar.    We were all crowded into the carriages early that morning in October, 1941, resplendent in our new uniforms but wondering what was in store for us, and all generally pretty miserable at having left home.    As it was not possible to wear a Scout badge in uniform I was wearing my Cub buttonhole badge on a wrist strap.    (The Association had produced a badge specifically for the purpose and I was given one as a present before I went overseas)   We had not been on the train very long, and the atmosphere was still very tense with a carriageful of rather bored people all complete strangers to one another, when some one noticed the badge and mistaking it for a watch, asked the time.   I had to explain I hadn’t got a watch, that it was a Scout badge, and instantly the frozen atmosphere in the carriage thawed and came to life, “I was a Scout” said one, “So was I” exclaimed another, and one by one nearly all those men claimed some connection with Scouting in one way or another, even as I recall one saying “My boy is in the Cubs”.   The ice was broken as we say and the chatter incessant from then on. The change in that carriage compartment can only be described as miraculous, but indicates most clearly the influence that Scouting was already having on the lives of people in the period between the two World Wars.

On my first permanent station at No. 2 Signals School, Yatesbury, I was to find and join an Old Scouts’ Unit.   I believe it was quite common for such units to be found on the larger permanent stations.    Unfortunately I was at Yateshury for less than six months and then was posted to No, 2 Group Headquart­ers, Bomber Command, where my duties meant visiting stations under the control of the Group.    While I did not have the privilege of sharing Scouting fellowship on any other occasion I did make contact with several serving Scouters through wearing the Scout wrist badge.

Any account of Scouting activities would he incomplete without some reference to that unique occasion for which the movement is perhaps best known the joy of the camp fire.   ‘Who has not been moved by the scent of wood smoke, the rising tongues of fire, the glow of the red embers, the tranquility which descends on a camp as the sounds of day give way to the quiet stillness of the nocturnal sounds of night.    What happiness I have experience at such times in the fellowship of kind friends.   How real our prayers together as we come into the presence of the Father and Creator of all, He who spreadest out the heavens as a tent for us to dwell in.   Thanks be to God our Father for such wonderful moments.   My final story provides an appropriate end to these memoirs and is one I have treasured through the years.    One evening we were acting the Jungle Dance of Kaa the snake.   In this, the leader acts as the head of Kaa who is hunting for food.   As the Cubs play around aimlessly, pretending to be Bandalog (the mon­keys) Kaa points to one to eat and the Cub passes between Kaa’s legs to form up behind to make the long body of the snake.   This means the last Cubs to be “swal­lowed” have to crawl through all the legs of the boys who form the snake.    That evening the last Cub to be “swallowed” was a rather small boy, John Burt.   I was acting as Kaa’s head.   My outstretched arms (Kaa’s tongue) pointed at John who instantly “froze”, and then on hands and knees began to crawl forward to be eaten.   As he was about to pass through my legs to enter the chain of legs behind, he suddenly stopped, turned his head to look up at me with a cheeky grin, waved one hand and calmly said “Cheerio Akela” before moving through my legs.   He did not get any further for Kaa the Snake just about collapsed with laughter.   How realistically do children enter into the spirit of the games they play.   What a responsibility we adults have.

Cheerio All

Stanley Harvey was born in Ramsden Bellhouse in 1919 and spent time as a Wolf Cub, Scout and Rover Scout becoming Cub Scout Master from 1938 until 1953. He served with the RAF during World War II.    In 1994, he was guest of honour at the Church Service to celebrate 1st Ramsden and Downham’s 75th Anniversary.   This article was written in 1991.  

Well, in September 1939 the dreaded horrors of war were thrust upon us once more.   What would the years bring?    The Scout Troop closed down with the enlistment of the Group Scoutmaster to the Army.
Let us now pass to the year 1941.   Akela had passed his examination and although registered for service had not been called to a unit.    France had capitulated and England alone in the field of conflict.   The callous bombing of London brought mass evacuation to all parts of the country and naturally the population of the village increased.   Opportunities for Scouting appeared once again and Ron Pruce, a “Pipell” from 12th West Ham set the Scout Troop on its feet.    With a promise that the Pack would be kept going after his enlistment, Akela agreed to run the Cubs and Mr. Horace Abbott came forward to act as Group Scoutmaster.
A SECOND ATTEMPT
The first night of the first wartime Pack found eight boys anxious to join, two of them only, members of the earlier Pack, and two who had been Cubs in other districts.    After the usual preliminaries, two sixes were formed with Silly Thorn and Cyril Wood to be sixers of Reds and Whites respectively.    Akela told of the Great Game we were to take part in as our first training in Scouting.   We learnt the Grand Howl, played a few games and closed our meeting this 22nd May, 1941 with the Grand Howl and prayers.
We were favoured by a visit from our District Commissioner at our next meeting.   The Revd. W.T. Hickson arrived at 7 pomp, and on entering the Den was greeted by a “bark” of “WELCOME” from the Cubs, whereupon he shook hands with each boy as he inquired “What’s your name?”.   Skipper explained the Grand Howl to the boys, demonstrated the Cub exercises and had the Pack performing the Jungle Dance of Kaa and skinning the snake.   Before long the Cubs decided the “Rig Wolf” was not so frightening after all and really enjoyed the evening.
During June we welcomed four new Cubs.   The Pack found a keen scent and soon began to master the Law, Promise and knots.   The fine weather gave us a grand opportunity for turning to the open air, for ball catching, somersaults etc., to say nothing of the excitement from climbing up our stout old oak, no doubt exhilarated by the possibility of a fall which would have landed the young imps into a pond.   What a joke our message relay round the field was, the first attempt brought a terrible tangle, the second Cub Law became the first, but eventually the correct message was returned.    In company with the Scout Troop and Guide Company the Pack attended Church Parade at St. Mary’s Church on 8th June.
July was a very busy month for the Cubs as the local Council held a War Weapons Week from 5th – 12th and the Pack assisted in the despatch of hand­bills etc..    On 6th July there was a Drumhead Service and the Cubs joined in the procession from Jackson’s Corner.   The following Sunday was kept as our monthly Church Parade.    It is good to record further additions to our number, but to – wards the end of the month attendances became irregular apart from several “sureties” who made headway with first star tests.
The weather became much colder and rather wet in August necessitating meeting in the Den, but nevertheless we pushed steadily on with first star work and also with the tenderpad tests for the younger cubs.    Greatest patience and initiative was undoubtedly displayed by John Potter and Raymond Smith and naturally the award of the 1st Star to both these boys was forthcoming and recorded this month with a solemn jungle ceremony on the important occasion.   The opportunity was ripe for dubbing these two cubs with a Jungle name and accordingly John is now “Karela” as he proved very quick at knotting, and Raymond is known in the Jungle as “Dalinda” for his prowess at leapfrog, somersaults and hopping. School holidays affected attendances but slightly and punctuality and regularity were once more quite pronounced.   The need for Baloo and Bagheera was most apparent by now, but fortunately the Scout Troop came to our assistance.   Great fun we had playing our Cub games, and afterwards, Akela would read stories from the Jungle Book about Mowgli and the wolves, to the delight of all.   In addition to our normal Pack Meeting the Sixers Council agreed that the Pack should aid the Nation’s War Effort by collecting waste paper on Saturday afternoons.    Small barrows or trolleys, owned by the Cubs themselves, were used and after a week or so some assistance was obtained from several of the younger Scouts.   The boys enjoyed themselves no end, and when chocolate or sweets were given to the busy collectors their delight knew no bounds.   Our Church Parade was held on the Day of National Prayer when there were also present units from the Army and Home Guard.    Although of no direct concern to our pack it is all the same of interest to record that at the District Scout Camp held at Langdon Hills over the Bank Holiday Week-end 1st Ramsden Scouts brought to H.Q, the District Trophy.    Congratulations Scouts:
September had to come, and with it sad, news for the Pack, for towards the end of the month Akela received an enlistment notice for the 6th October, 1941.   Our routine, however, was uninterrupted and Pack Meetings and waste paper collections continued unhindered.   Air raids and the black-out were, however, causing some concern and the Cubs were meeting at 6 pomp, instead of 6.30 as hitherto.    Even so, one night we were rather late and Akela had to “see three boys home”.   As will be seen, the problem eventually solved itself.
Departures usually call for some form of celebration and Akela’s farewell was no exception.   We held a “bun fight” in the Den on Saturday afternoon for which we record our gratitude to our G.S.M, Mr. Abbott, his wife, and to Akela’s mother for providing the “eats”.
THE YEARS BETWEEN
Over four and a half years rolled steadily by, but the Pack remained as promised.   The old Cubs left, but new boys took their places, gaining their tenderpads and winning their stars.    For all these many years the Pack records its heartfelt gratitude to Miss Margaret Abbott.   Under her loyal guidance the Pack continued to flourish throughout those difficult days, overcoming the problems of black out and air raids by meeting on Saturday mornings.   At long last peace was restored once more to our land and through God’s Good Grace Akela returned to the Pack once again.
Thank you Margaret.   The 1st Ramsden Pack is truly grateful to the Dear Old Wolf who so kindly led them during the years 1941 – 1946.
ANNUAL REPORT 1946 – 47
Akela returned to the Pack on the 15th June and was joined by an Assistant Miss B,M, Hawkins who was duly named Baloo.   There were 10 Cubs on the register including 1 sixer and 2 seconds.    We made a somewhat uncertain start, the change of day for Pack Meeting undoubtedly being partly responsible.   However, we soon settled down and the boys came regularly throughout the winter months so that at the end of the year we had two full sixes.
Star Work. During the first months work comprised a general revision of first star tests and we also enjoyed ourselves learning more of the Jungle Dances.    Revised tests were introduced by the Association during the year and this interrupted, to a certain extent, the award of 1st Stars, as Akela feels such tests should not lightly be earned.
Pack Den. The Pack continued to meet in the Church Hall and we were for­tunate enough to have almost exclusive use of the Hall.    Meetings were changed from Saturday morning to Friday evening from 6.30 p.m, to 8 p.m. Each six had its own corner and brought decorations for it.
Outings. In the summer we took a look at some of the jungle animals found in real life by a visit to a circus at Billericay.    The afternoon decided it should pour with rain, but once in the “Big Top” we soon forgot the dampness.   Sixers and Seconds went to a Special Sixers Meeting at Laindon when Miss Lee from I,H,Q, came and yarned to us.
Christmas Party. For our Christmas Party we all sat down to a most enjoy­able tea served by Mr. Warder in the Pack Den.    Afterwards, by means of cars provided by kind friends, we all went to the Pantomime “Dick Whittington” at “Billericay.    Front seats ensured considerable entertainment for those near at hand, hut the Cubs were not so sure of things when the Cat appeared among the audience.    Never to he forgotten will be the excitement which prevailed on that evening.
THE YEAR 1947 – 48
This year brought with it a most unusual experience; We had a complete change of boys except for three cubs.   This occurred just after the summer recess partly as a result of removals from the District, but mainly as a result of the boys reaching Cub leaving age at the same time.   Such a situation left us in some­what of a dilemma and Akela seriously considered closing down the Pack.   Instead, however, Akela did nothing, nothing that is apart from changing the venue of our meetings from the Den to his home.    Such a dearth of numbers did not suit the three and we were soon back at H,Q, and numbers growing rapidly each week.
Prior to the great change we had made great headway with the star tests and three boys gained their first stars.   Subsequently it was a case of starting once more with tenderpads and at the end of the year we had 10 enrolled Cubs and 5 nearly ready.
The rise in numbers prompted the formation of three sixes and occasional Sixers meetings were held for instruction and training purposes.
In April the Pack held a week of work and by many varied means the sum of £2 .4s .3d, was added to Pack Funds.   One very worthwhile task seemed to be the removal of a load of broken glass from a garden.
Another outstanding event in the year was the County Scout Jamboree at Danbury throughout Whitsun week-end.   Akela and Baloo were both too busy getting married to be able to take an active part in the Rally on Whitmonday, but arrange­ments were made for the Cubs to attend and the Pack is grateful to the District Akelas who looked after them.
This year the Pack was lucky as regards parties, as in, addition to our own Pack Christmas Party we were invited to a Cub Party at Stock where we also met other Cubs in the District and all had a marvellous time.    Our own Party was a combined Cub and Sunday School party to which we invited members from the St. John’s Sunday School at Ramsden Heath.   The children came in fancy dress and in addition to lots of games and a smashing tea we were all lucky enough to have a Christmas Tree from which everybody received a gift.
One other interesting item was a football match with 1st Runwell played at Wickford School, and although soundly beaten, all agreed it was a jolly good game, which of course, was the only reason we played.    Very welcome indeed was the surprise of lemonade and buns at the end of the game.
Only occasionally did the Pack parade at Church.   Most of the Cubs are in the Church choir and attend Church services regularly each week, and it is not considered necessary to hold regular Parades.    We are of course, aware of the im­portance of corporate worship and therefore did Parade on special occasions during the year.
THE YEAR 1948 – 49
It will be remembered that last year we experienced a sudden decrease in numbers and a subsequent gradual improvement towards the end of the year.   This was maintained and we had 15 enrolled Cubs with a regular attendance throughout of 12 boys.   There being a boy suitable for promotion, Akela formed three sixes, reds, whites and blues. During the summer months we wont regularly to the hills for flag raiding and similar wide games.   By way of a change we went tracking or for nature rambles when the Cubs looked especially for unusual or new items of interest, and frequent meetings devoted particularly to star work, such as ball catching, somersaults, etc., were held in the field adjoining the Den.
The winter found Akela alone with the Pack, Baloo being inactive because of domestic requirements.
In January there appeared in the Scouter a series of Special Programmes, the first of which was based on Scott’s journey to the Antartic.   The Cubs were just informed – “Next week we are going to the North Pole, come dressed prepared for the ,journey”.   As you will realise Akela was a little mixed up, but the following week this was duly rectified and with the boys all wrapped up in mufflers, scarves etc, we went on our journey South.
The programme for March was concerned with Mothering Day and included washing and drying a cup and saucer, making a model bed, and eating a jam tart with hands behind the back – no mean task.    This programmed was followed on the Sunday afternoon with a Special Cubs Own from which each Cub took a bunch of violets home to Mother.
In September the Local Association organised District Sports held at the Recreation Ground at Wickford and the Pack entered for the Michael Trophy for Cub events.   We made a good attempt and are proud to have finished Runners-up.
The Old Wolves of the District also arranged a District Christmas Party at Billericay and there is no need to say the Pack was there.   We also went in strength to the District Sing Song held in January when we saw a film “Captains Courageous”.
Our own Christmas Party this year included another visit to the local pantomime – “Babes in the wood” and afterwards tea at Akela’s home.   It is not necessary to say we enjoyed ourselves, we only left three jam tarts.   Baloo could not believe so much food could disappear in so short a time.
This year the Pack had an opportunity of doing a Good Turn; although it was not possible for all the boys to help, those who did showed considerable enthusiasm and derived much enjoyment from the effort.
One very notable item which we must record for this year is the birth of a daughter to Akela and Baloo.   Of interest though such an event must be, of greater interest is the spontaneous effort it prompted among the Cubs, for on the Friday before the Christening it was obvious “something” was on.   At opening Grand Howl as Akela was about to give the command “To your corners ,,,” there was an urgent “Wait” from one of the sixers and after a few “Go on s” and several nudgings, Cub Sixer Derek Burt, grasping a small parcel, stepped forward and read a short message of presentation which announced that each week for some months, the Cubs had secretly brought pennies and tuppences and contributed towards a gift of a Spoon and Pusher for Margaret Anne.    So carefully thought out was this effort Akela had no idea anything was afoot until the presentation had taken place.
This has been a really good year’s Cubbing and the Pack is grateful to all parents, officers and friends for such a grand Year’s Hunting.
1949 – 1950
This year has been rather an eventful one for the Pack, principally on account of the District Cub Camp at Laindon, the boys going to camp for the first time for nearly twenty years.
The number in the Pack remained fairly constant at 12 until the end of 1949 when several boys became of Scout age and had to sav goodbye.   At the end of the year, 31st March, 1950, the Pack consisted of 7 Cubs.    We welcomed the help of Bagheera Miss F, Joslin) in September and the Pack benefited considerably from the additional attention given.
You remember that last year we began a series of special programmes and these, based on specific days, were continued during the veer.   Again, whenever possible, such as Harvest, St. Andrew’s Day, etc. the programme was followed up with a Church Parade.
Progression through the first star tests was made and later on we tack­led the major second star test, semaphore, hoping to make use of our efforts when once more able to be out of doors.
In March we entertained 1st Runwell Cubs to a football match played on the Recreation Ground, Ramsden Heath, and a very good game was eventually drawn at one goal each.
During Bob-a-Job Week immediately following Easter, the Cubs worked well and raised a total of £3,10s,Od,, representing 5s, 10d, per head.   The best
At the Camp Fire on the Saturday evening, each Pack entertained and let Ramsden produced a play – “The Big Pig”, having written it themselves.
Mention must also be made of food for no camp is a camp without its associated cooking and here I must record our gratitude to Peter Sefton, a P/L, with 1st Langdon Hills who kindly helped throughout with our cooking.    While speaking of food I must tell of Saturday’s breakfast – the bread and marmalade that disappeared; my word it was a good job that appetite didn’t continue, I’m sure the local baker would have had to put his men on overtime: As this was our first Camp perhaps I may be excused for recording the menu:
Friday:   Supper.   Biscuits, cocoa.
Saturday:   Breakfast.   Cereal, eggs, bread marmalade.
Saturday:   Dinner.   Meat, salad, potatoes, treacle tart.
Saturday:   Tea.   Bread and butter, jam, cakes, tea.
Saturday:   Supper.   Biscuits, cocoa.
Sunday:   Breakfast.   Cereal, sausages, baked beans.
Sunday:   Dinner.   Meat, potatoes, peas, stewed fruit, custard.
Sunday:   Tea.   Bread and butter, jam, cake, tea.
Rationed foods were brought individually and pooled, and the Cubs also brought various luxuries such as cakes, sweets, etc., while the District sold bottles of “pop” and ice cream, which was particularly welcomed.
To conclude our story of the Camp, I would refer to Sunday’s Church Parade when some 24 boys from Billericay and 7 of our own boys went to St. Mary’s Langdon Hills where our A.C.C. Fr. W.T. Hickson conducted the service.
Our Christmas Party this year was held in the Pack Den when the Cubs acted as hosts to 12 Cubs from the l2th West Ham Pack.   Readers will the name of our visitors from the earlier remarks about the Scouts in the year 1941, Mr. G. Warder very kindly helped us with catering and Baloo made individual jellies and a beautiful iced cake with a Wolf’s head and our name in our Pack colours.   As I said, the Cubs were the hosts and were responsible for ensuring that their guests enjoyed themselves, and in so doing I know they had a happy time too.   Each boy had brought the week before a present for one of the visitors and they were very pleased to find a parcel on the Christmas Tree for themselves as well.   We were very pleased to have Fr. Johnson, our Assistant Priest, with us at tea and for part of the afternoon.
1950 – 1951
At Census time last year the Pack consisted of 3 Scouters and 7 boys, but by the end of the year we were 2 Scouters and 11 boys, with the help during the latter few weeks, of a Guide from the Ramsden Company.    We were sorry indeed to lose the services of Miss Enid Joslin in December.   That her absence will he felt there can he no doubt, hut we are glad to welcome Rosemary.    During the year our numbers have not varied much but what I feel is important, attendance has been remarkably regular, 5 boys have !, and under absences throughout the year.    Much better progress was made in starwork than in any previous year so far and four boys were successful in gaining 1st stars, while many others are well on the way and but for a little difficulty with signalling, we should have had a second star as well.   The year perhaps, has not been spectacular, but somehow one feels we have had a very useful time; our work has been interesting, and we have put some good solid stuff into our Cubbing.
We can record rather an impressive Going Up Ceremony during the summer months when one of our number joined the 1st Downham Troop.   The Pack with Peter Garland the Cub concerned, all went over to the Downham Headquarters where the ceremony was held, and there, afterwards, we left Peter with his new friends the Scouts.
Several of the Cubs including Terry Voyce took part in a Nativity Play at their School in December and as one of the performances was on Cub Night the remainder of us went along to watch our actor friends and to relive the atmos­phere that such plays always produce.
Once again sport figured in our programme and in addition to the usual Cub games we played football against 1st Runwell.   Although rather below strength we were soundly beaten, but the boys, both teams and spectators, enjoyed the game just the same, but the “pop” afterwards, ah! that was worth playing for.   We wel­comed the A,D,C, to this match as spectator.
Raster being rather early in 1951, there should be a record of two Bob-a-Job weeks in this account, hut as the second week ended on the last day of the year namely, 31st March, 1951, I will leave a record of that until next time.    Although our numbers were less this year thanks to a lot of hard work, our total receipts showed a decrease of only l0s. 0d, and an average of 6s. 9d, per head, representing an increase of 11d, each.    Terry Voyce raised his own individual record by 6d, to 16s. 6d.   It is interesting to note some of the jobs undertaken included car cleaning, gardening, cleaning brasses, collecting rabbit food, clean­ing out a pig sty, running errands and exercising a dog.
We were indeed extremely happy to have the District at our own Church for the Annual St. George’s Day Parade, and I am sure the message our Rector gave the boys will help to serve them in good stead in the future.    We in Ramsden have every reason to be proud of the Rector as he is an old Scouter.
Our District Cub Camp was held this Year at “Greenwoods”, Stock.   “Greenwoods” is a country holiday home run by the West Ham Central Mission and comprises many acres of grassland, surrounded by acres and acres of woodland, and forms a most wonderful camp site with permanent sanitary facilities.   With such a site at our disposal we decided on an “unorganised” camp.   Do not misunderstand the term “unorganised”.    Nobody could imagine the chaos which would result from a really unorganised camp.   Knowing the hours of preparation for our camp and due credit must go to Bill Branch our A.D.C. for his efforts, it is not surprising that he had a camp which was very well run, but with such marvellous country all about us it seemed right that the Cubs should he allowed the freedom of their “natural jungle surroundings”.   The camp became a real week-end holiday for them as they were left to their own devices between meals during the daytime.    The usual excitement of sleeping in tents prevailed and apart from the normal chattering somebody produced a joke about big black horses and this seemed to spark off renewed bursts of daughter till late into the night, until even I had gone to sleep.
On Sunday morning we went to the Church at Stock.   This parish and our own is held by the same Rector so we were not among strangers as we have tried to encourage friendship between the two parishes.    In the afternoon we held a Camp Cub’s Own and I was honoured by being able to help conduct this.
Another marvellous Camp and we are most grateful to everyone who made this camp so enjoyable and particularly to Mr. Warder who assisted with transport.
The District Sports was held in July at the Wickford Memorial Park and we entered for nearly all the events open to us.   Though not among the winners we had a good try – we came second.
In December we joined the District Sing Song and added our share of noise: we must have done because we were happy to win one of the competitions which were arranged.
Another highlight of the year which should be recorded, although the Cubs were not personally involved, was a special meeting of the District Old Wolves at our Den.   It will be seen from previous activities that the Pack has enjoyed special Pack Meetings based on topical events.   We were pleased to act as hosts and to welcome the Old Wolves for a Special Pack Programme based on the Harvest, and everyone voted this a great success.    We hope it will help our brother Cubs enjoy some future meeting.
Helping others is the essence of Cubing and during the year the Pack made a special point of helping the Church Council with a fete held in June.   Not only did we assist with the preliminary preparations but we also ran sideshows and generally helped on the day.    We were also able to show some tangible appreciation for free use of the Church Hall for our meetings by “spring cleaning” the Hall and by tidying up the pathway leading to the door.
For our lack Party this year we all went to a Pantomime at the Archer Memorial Hall in Billericay and after a most talented performance by local players the Cubs ran down the hill (Bell Hill) to Akela’s prefab at South Green, (1, Bulsteads Walk).    That excitement was the order of the day was evidenced by the laughter and the chatter on the way – we really heralded our approach so that Baloo was waiting for us when we arrived.   Television was in its infancy and the envy of many so that to crowd round a 9″ screen was the first television experience for many of the boys.   Better still were the goodies a feature of every party and we showed our real appreciation to Baloo especially for the iced cake complete with Cub’s head.
This has been another full and happy year’s Cubing and all have gone a little further along the Scouting Road.   For this we say a very big thank you to everybody who has helped us in their various ways, and not least would we record our gratitude to our District Commissioner, Reg. Payne, to his A.D.C. Bill Branch and all parents and friends of the Group.
1951 – 1952
Before I tell of another year with the Pack I feel mention should be made of two anniversaries which occur this year, one happy, one very sad. One un­known to me – one so well remembered.    Thirty years ago on 1st January, 1922, the Group was officially registered at Imperial Headquarters as an Open Group, although Scouts had been in existence in the village for some time before this.    The first warranted Scouter was Aubrey Taylor and “Aub” used to take both Scouts and Cubs.   Twenty-one years ago, one never to be forgotten morning the news spread round the village “Aub” had had an accident on his motor bike going to work; be­fore the end of the day the Group was without its beloved Scouter.
It is, then, rather appropriate that this year should have seen the increase in numbers recorded at census time last year, maintained, so that numbers in fact doubled and it was necessary to close recruitment at the end of the year.    Four Cubs left the Pack during the year, two of whom joined neighbouring Scout Troops.
It is, then, rather appropriate that this year should have seen the increase in numbers recorded at census time last year, maintained, so that numbers in fact doubled and it was necessary to close recruitment at the end of the year.    Four Cubs left the Pack during the year, two of whom joined neighbouring Scout Troops.
Very good progress was made in rubbing and we are proud to record the award of the Leaping Wolf Badge to Terry Voyce, This badge is awarded to a Cub having “both eyes open”, i.e. a second star Cub who also attains two proficiency badges.    This was the first time for 20 years that a proficiency badge had been obtained by a Cub in the Pack, and it is perhaps fitting it should be Terry, the son of one of our old Scouts killed in the War, who should do this.    Terry’s ex­ample has inspired the other Cubs so that in the year we have awarded 5 first stars, 1 other second star and hope for two more very soon.
Of course, having such a large intake of new Cubs, there had to be some slowing down of first star work, Akela’s time for several months being occupied with teaching the Promise and Cub Laws.
Rob-a-Job Week in the week after Faster found the boys in good form and from their varied tasks the Cubs earned an average of 7s. 7d, a head, representing an increase again of 10d, over that of the previous year.
With most other Packs in the District we joined in all the appropriate District Events and we are pleased to know that Akela is asked to help with and takes an active interest in many of the Scouting programmes.
For the second year in succession we were proud to have our own Rector speak to us at the Annual St. George’s Day Parade held at Stock.
Our camp this year was held once again at Langdon Hills and we had a most enjoyable time even though the weather on the Saturday was not too kind.   Sunday, however, was much better and the majority of the Cubs joined in the service at St. Mary’s Church.
We hoped for great things at the District Sports in July but I am afraid the best we can do is affix the programme.
Better success awaited us at the District Handcraft Exhibition held at Billericay in November.   Our Six won the competition (and the Judges’ praise) for their improvised Jungle Scene prepared during the afternoon.   Congratulations Cubs.
Because of the large number of Cubs in the Pack our Party this year was held in the Church Hall, the Pack Den.   We invited our old Cubs and the A,D,C, to join us and Mr. Warder supplied us with a Real Party Tea, ably assisted by Baloo who produced the jellies and specially decorated iced cake.   Our thanks to all who made this such a memorable-year.
1952 – 1953
It is so often true in life that it often seems that “it never rains but that it pours” and this year certainly brought its history of adversity to our Cub Pack.   The great thing about any misfortune is the challenge it presents and the chance it offers of fighting back, and I am indeed proud, as well as grateful to say that for the apparent troubles we have not gone back.   The Scout Spirit has prevailed.   For some four months the Pack was without Akela and illness also affect­ed others at the same time.   Fortunately Baloo was able to carry on although alone, and later our Cub Instructor, Rosemary, carried the full responsibility for several weeks.   This was no mean achievement for a young lady of 17 and we are indeed grateful and most indebted to Rosemary Knight for her care.
Understandably the number of boys on our register has varied but slightly during the year, but in the circumstances attendances have been good throughout.
It would be foolish to suggest that our troubles did not interfere with our Cub progress, they did slow us up temporarily, but not sufficiently to prevent the award of a second Leaping Wolf Badge.   Several proficiency badges were also gained but we only had 1 Cub passing second star tests and 1 first star was obtained.
Once again we have participated in all available District Events.   Our Cub Camp this year was again at Greenwoods, Stock, and I suppose our great test came at this time.   The day the Pack went to Camp, Akela went into hospital and away for over two months.   We are indeed extremely grateful to the District Old ‘Wolves for the ready help which they gave the Pack, enabling them to go through with the Camp.   In particular mention must be made of the many kind friends, mums and dads, who were so helpful and understanding, and in particular to my brother Les, an old Scout of course, and Mr. George Warder, the Pack’s best friend, who took over the burden of transport at very short notice.   At the Handcraft Exhibition held at Billericay our Six was successful in gaining second place and several boys had individual winning exhibits.
As can be imagined from the programme we had a jolly good time at the District Sing Song, Such events when Cubs get together in such large numbers, are most helpful in widening the boy’s outlook, as well as making a talking point for several week’s afterwards.
We appreciate most sincerely the kind hospitality accorded to us at the Garden Party given to us by Mr, and Mrs. F,W, Keddie.   We had a grand time.
A most successful Week of Work was undertaken in April and resulted in the record figure of £10. 7s. 0d, being obtained.   As a consequence we were happy to send a small donation to I,H,Q, in addition to the extra 1s. 0d, the Scout Council had requested.    With 22 members on register the individual average was 9s. 5d. which indicates a very real effort by the boys, three of whom in fact earned over £1 each.   Well done all.
It is perhaps almost with shame one records our attendance at the St. George’s Day Parade held at Wickford.   Only the three sixers turned up to support Baloo (Akela was unwell) but that in itself speaks much for the three boys and their splendid example.
The year, however, was notable for our sporting activities.   In the summer we played cricket against the lot Runwell Pack while the football season brought games against several local Packs and the boys at Ramsden School.
A few weeks ago came the dreadful flooding and its resultant damage.   Although not in a position to offer much practical help the Pack is making a contribution to the County Commissioner’s Appeal and we have, of course, remembered in our prayers, our friends in distress.
This Lent the Pack is making a special effort in self denial with a view to supporting the Church of England Children’s Society.
At our Party this year we were very pleased to welcome as our guests, Cubs from the 1st Downham Pack.   Needless to say we all had a very jolly time.
1953 – AND SO FAREWELL
As will be seen from the foregoing record we belonged to a very keen and active Scouting District.   As well as Old Wolves and District Pack gatherings there were also many District Troop events. With my Christian background and specialised hygiene knowledge, and because I was not directly responsible for a Scout Troop I was frequently asked to judge at Scout camps and to assist with Scout’s and Cub’s Own Services.   It will be appreciated then that I was very involved in Scouting activities in the District and it was with much sadness and many regrets that my Scouting days with the Billericay and District Local Association in general, and the 1st Ramsden Cubs in particular had to come to an end.
7th March I was successful in obtaining a post as District Sanitary Inspector wit the Chichester Rural District Council, one of the largest Rural Districts in the country, and I commenced duties at Chichester on the 1st May.
Thankfully Rosemary Knight was prepared to carry on, and with Bill Branch, District Commissioner, and the District Old Wolves promising their support I’m sure the Grand Howl will continue to echo round the Hall for many a year yet.
Before I left Billericay where we had been living since 1948, a most singular honour was bestowed on the Group and all those whose encouragement and help over the years since 1927 had kept me in the Great Scout Movement.    Much to my surprise, at the Annual Meeting of the Local Association held in the Archer Memorial Hall, Billericay, on 23rd April, I was presented with the Scout Medal of Merit by Brian Harrison, Assistant County Commissioner.    What a thrilling experience for me – what an honour for 1st Ramsden St Mary’s Own.
Finally, I want to say a special Thank you to all the boys, the Mums and Dads, and all the kind friends and helper, who over the years have made my days in Scouting so enjoyable.   I really do appreciate all the loving support and encouragement you have given me and I am must grateful to every one of you.
“Thank you All very much indeed.”
So Goodbye Pack and Good Hunting.   May there be many happy years ahead.
Stanley Harvey was born in Ramsden Bellhouse in 1919 and spent time as a Wolf Cub, Scout and Rover Scout becoming Cub Scout Master from 1938 until 1953.   He served with the RAF during World War II.    In 1994, he was guest of honour at the Church Service to celebrate 1st Ramsden and Downham’s 75th Anniversary.   This article was written in 1991.