County Maps of Essex – 1576 – 1805

County Maps of Essex was the topic of discussion at the Local History Group’s last meeting on 12th September.  An audience of 40 members and visitors heard speaker Peter Walker introduce his specialist subject.  It soon became clear that our County was one of the most mapped counties in England. Peter started with one produced by Christopher Saxton in 1576.  This was reportedly based on a survey of the county carried out in only 6 weeks!  The map is very interesting showing rivers, villages and towns and important buildings but it shows no roads.  There are also errors resulting from the fact that magnetic north was 12 degrees east of True North.  This was particularly obvious as Maldon was shown directly east of Chelmsford!

From 1576 to OS

Peter took the group through the whole progression of maps finishing with the first ordnance survey map published in 1805.  Whenever possible Peter showed us extracts of maps which included West Bergholt and/or Colchester.  During the refreshment break members of the audience were able to look at copies and originals of some maps, purchase a copy of Peter’s book “Printed Maps of Essex from 1576″ and of course ask Peter questions.  It was an excellent evening.

History of Spoken English

The group’s next meeting, at 7:30 pm (doors open 7 pm), on Wednesday 10th October, will be both informative and entertaining!  Well known local celebrity and BBC Suffolk broadcaster, Charlie Haylock is visiting to talk about the “History of Spoken English”.  According to his website, this is definitely not a talk on “split infinitives”, and what the differences are between the “past participle” and the “past tense”.  Charlie will show us how the seeds of spoken English were first sown, and how each invading force affected the English language with the different sounds they brought.  Charlie is well known for his dialect tour of the British Isles, demonstrating the different facial expressions of each dialect.  It promises to be a very interesting evening!

Why not come along, all are welcome; members pay £2 and visitors £4 as usual.