A Fairly Nice Day Out

Last week my U3a bus pass group had a day out to Thaxted, a small country town with a recorded history which dates back to before the Domesday Book. We boarded a bus from Chelmsford to the lovely little market town of Great Dunmow where there was just enough time for a cup of coffee before continuing on to Thaxted. The town has some very nice medieval and Georgian architecture. 

Guildhall

John Webb's Windmill

In 1804 John Webb's Windmill was built to satisfy a growing demand for flour at a time of agricultural expansion. A gallery at first floor level surrounded the mill and was used for easy loading and unloading from carts and wagons. By 1907 the mill was uneconomical and when offered for auction it failed to sell. For years it was a playground for local children until in the 1930s some repairs were carried out so that it could be used as a scout and youth centre. By the late 1950s it was again derelict and in need of repair, and so it remained until 1970 when a Trust was formed to restore the building and open it to the public as a rural museum. Restoration work has been carried out in stages, and in 1991 the sails were re-erected and turned for the first time in almost 85 years. In 1996 one set of stones were restored and once again it claimed to be a working mill capable of grinding grain into flour. The Parish took over ownership, funds were raised and a museum was created. Sadly it is now unsafe to be used.

Thaxted church

is impressive

  

The Red Vicar, so called because he was a communist.

Conrad Noel, Vicar of Thaxted 1910 - 1942.

He loved justice and hated oppression.

Bronze head by Gertrude Hermes.

 

It's said that Dick Turpin stayed at this house

  

                                                                                                                        I love the skates

"There is no town in north Essex – and very few in England – to equal in beauty, compactness and juxtaposition of medieval and Georgian architecture, the town of Thaxted". Sir John Betjeman.

Websites say "Thaxted has a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and other businesses which serve the needs of residents and visitors alike. In spring and summer you can see colourful Morris dancers with their musicians and fools, dancing their way through the town". That may be the case, but on a damp miserable December day there weren't many interesting shops, not one cafe, a fish 'n' chip shop for takeaway only, and the same for a bakery. Two pubs were fully booked with Christmas parties. We were thinking of returning to Gt Dunmow when we found a pub that only did bar snacks, but that was fine, we just wanted somewhere warm and dry, and we found something on the menu. Despite the difficulties we all enjoyed the day out.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x