Shalford Village is a Member of The Hundred Parishes Society
View more at :- https://shalford-essex-pc.gov.uk/the-hundred-parishes/
On a recent visit to Thaxted Tourist Information Centre, I could not resist buying their new set of postcards, featuring some of the town’s well-known views. Nowadays, it is quite unusual to see postcards for sale – and even rarer to receive one in the post. How times have changed.
Picture postcards became extremely popular in the UK after the introduction in 1902 of the formats with a picture on the front and a divided back – half for the address and the other half for a message. Pictures were generally black and white but sometimes coloured. Popularity waned after the First World War, but it remained customary to send postcards to family and friends from somewhere visited on holiday or a day out. That custom has now almost died out, no doubt due in part to the availability – albeit only in this century – of more immediate means of exchanging messages and photos electronically.
Many people used picture postcards for sending short messages. Until 1918 it cost only an old halfpenny to send a card – that’s 480 cards for a Pound (today’s price is 66 pence per card). In those early days, there could be as many as five postal deliveries in a day, at least in towns, so it was not unreasonable to expect a reply the same day.
It wasn’t just seaside towns that sold postcards; almost every town and village had its own postcard or set of postcards. Within the Hundred Parishes, it seems that only one parish has never had a postcard – Flitch Green, which became a parish only in 2008. Many of those old cards have survived. They often provide a revealing insight into our past and into an earlier way of life, for example buildings, roads, transport and dress.
What you have been reading so far is a copy of the latest monthly article sent to all local magazine editors.
May I draw your attention to a wonderful display outside Barley parish church. It reminded me of the poppies that adorned the Tower of London a few years ago. One of the ladies of the village came up with the concept of a community project during lockdown. Over a period of 4 months, a host of people, mostly local but some overseas, knitted, sewed and crocheted a great variety of floral decorations. More than a thousand pieces were contributed, some extremely imaginative and artistic. The blooms were attached to netting that was then hung from the church tower.
The organizers hope that visitors will show their appreciation by donating towards church improvements.
If you can’t visit personally, you may get a feel for the project and the spectacle on the following website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-57598141
Even if you live some distance from Barley, in the far North-West of the Hundred Parishes, this could be just the excuse you were waiting for to explore our wonderful area. If you use a satnav, the postcode for the church is SG8 8JR.
If you do get to Barley, when you leave, I commend the road that heads east from the church, soon joining the B1039 and with a fine view of Chishill windmill at the top of the next hill (the view that appears on the cover of the Society’s book).
The Society’s trustees are waiting to hear the Government’s latest advice on gatherings before confirming arrangements for this year’s annual general meeting. At present, we have scheduled to hold it in Great Dunmow on the evening of Wednesday, September 8th. I expect to send you a formal notice at some time in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, you may like to pencil in the date.
Best wishes,
Ken McDonald, Secretary.