Property

The Moore Family of 29 Tennyson Road, Bath, Somerset (1905-1970)

While researching my own family home in Bath, I came across a newspaper clipping about a young soldier from the house opposite. What began as curiosity became a much deeper investigation into the Moore family, who lived at 29 Tennyson Road for sixty-five years.
At the centre of that story is Willie Moore — athlete, tank officer, oil engineer and twice a soldier — wounded at Loos and Cambrai, awarded the Military Cross and later working the oilfields of Venezuela and Iraq. But the family around him proved equally worth knowing. This is their story.

The History of 1 Cobham Road, Westcliff-On-Sea, Essex

The large late Victorian property at 1 Cobham Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, has seen numerous changes in ownership and occupancy since its construction as a private residence in 1899. Situated on the corner of The Leas and Cobham Road, the building offers expansive views across the estuary. Today, it is home to Shebson Lodge and the Southend Jewish Community Centre.

Research Booklet ~ The History of Belfairs Farm & Golf Course, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex

The fields at Belfairs Farm in Leigh, Essex were created by clearing woodland owned by Lady Olivia Bernard SPARROW between 1804-1842 and there is evidence to suggest there had been a farm there to manage the woods since the 13th century. The land was originally part of the holdings of Leigh Manor, not changing until the death of Lady Sparrow in 1863 when her estates were sold and can be traced back through the family to Richard RICH, 1st Earl of Warwick, who acquired it from Henry CAREY, 1st Baron Hudson in the mid-16th century. 

Research Booklet ~ The History of The Hoy and Helmet, South Benfleet, Essex

The Hoy & Helmet, formally Hoy Inn, is a Grade II listed building on the High Street as it curves down towards South Benfleet train station. It comprises of several buildings; the middle section is thought to date back to the 15th century (once a house), and the right section nearer the church was added in the 18th century. The Hoy & Helmet retains much of its old-world charm to this day, with its higgledy-piggledy layout of rooms the setting of many a tale over the last five hundred years, two hundred of which are detailed within these pages (including smuggling, assault, death by gin and suicide).

Research Booklet ~ The History of Bramble Hall, Daws Heath, Essex

Bramble Hall once stood in the uppermost northeast of the parish of Hadleigh, with its farmland extending just over the border to the west into Thundersely, next to Daws Heath village. Its land was surrounded to the east and south by Hadleigh Great Wood, just north stood Garrolds Farm at the very top of the parish, and the farmland to the west abutted Haresland Farm. Rumours have abounded for many years as to the age, origin and status of Bramble Hall, with many believing it to date back to the early 15th century and part of the ancient Manor of Hadleigh with its many royal connections. Rumours have abounded for many years as to the age, origin and status of Bramble Hall, with many believing it to date back to the early 15th century and part of the ancient Manor of Hadleigh with its many royal connections. How do these stories hold up under further scrutiny and who were its owners and occupants?

Margaret BLAKE & Briarholm Nursery, London Road, Hadleigh, Essex

In July 2022 I helped the owner of a newly acquired black and white photograph to pinpoint exactly where it was taken on London Road, Hadleigh, Essex. The photo captured Miss Margaret Blake standing outside her gardening business “Briarholm Nursery” in the late 1920s or 1930s. Always eager to learn more, I went on to research Margaret’s family tree and discovered her mother’s side had a fascinating history including quack doctors, printers, artists and house builders.

Compulsory Purchase Order 1931, London Road, Hadleigh, Essex

On the 6th Jan 1931 Essex County Council made a Compulsory Purchase Order for the strips of land on either side of London Road, Hadleigh, Essex in order to widen and improve the old road heading into Leigh-On-Sea. A full list of all affected properties was published in the Chelmsford Chronicle on 6th Feb, complete with the names of the owners and occupiers, how much land was to be purchased and its current use.

The History of 1 Cockle Shed & The Harvey Family, Old Town, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex

Nestled along the tidal edge of Leigh Creek, the cockle sheds of Old Leigh have long stood as weathered sentinels of a once-thriving fishing community. Among them, No. 1 Cockle Shed holds a particularly rich history, one that traces not only the evolution of the local shellfish trade but also the enduring legacy of the Harvey family, who worked these shores for generations.

The History of 24 Bath Street & 1-3 Market Place, Frome, Somerset

During the summer of 2021, Gorgon Stone Conservation was employed to perform what they thought to be a simple paint stripping job on a Georgian building in the centre of the town, only to discover three different layers of old signage underneath. The company carefully removed the paint to reveal a wonderful glimpse at some of the former lives of this unusual curved property, situated at 1 Market Place (formally 25 Bath Street) in Frome, Somerset. I was intrigued to know what I could find out about the businesses on the old signage, uncovering over 200 years of history, stretching all the way along from 24 Bath Street to 1-3 Market Place.

The History of Feeches Farm, Eastwood, Essex

Feeches Farm was situated on Rochford Road, Eastwood, Essex up until the early 1920s, and encompassed 35 acres of arable and pasture land (and originally two fields names named Great Feeches and Little Feeches). The rough oval-shaped plot was historically situated on the very southeast corner of Eastwood borough but now falls into the Prittlewell district of Southend-On-Sea, with Southend Airport just to the north.

Castle Hadleigh & The Wrong Post | Hadleigh, Essex

In Jan 1913, outspoken local Councillor Edgar Arthur Mundy and current Chairman of the Hadleigh Ratepayers’ Association, began a debate regarding the post being wrongly delivered to Hadleigh, Suffolk rather than Hadleigh, Essex. Mundy’s solution was to change the name of the village to “Castle Hadleigh”, to reflect both its castle ruins and historical past and to clearly define it from Hadleigh in Suffolk. The debate lasted for nearly nine months (ending in rejection), but was never completely dropped by Mundy until WWI began.

The History of 7 Tennyson Road, Bath, Somerset

Tennyson Road (1905)

The houses along Tennyson Road were built in 1897 on land leased from St. John’s Hospital. The lease began on 21st December 1895 for 499 years, and there were 33 houses built in total. Using census and electoral records, it is possible to trace the occupants of 7 Tennyson Road from 1899 (two years after it was built) to 1939 (three years before it sustained serious war damage and was rebuilt), more or less covering its existence in its original form.