Ongar Through The Centuries. 40 Little Known Facts: a booklet just published by the Ongar Millennium History Society

The Ongar Millennium History Society has just published a booklet giving forty little known facts about the town.

Just two entries from the booklet:-
In 1893 the Ongar annual fair was ended because the event had turned into an excuse for ‘drunkenness and debauchery’. Not that the people of Ongar didn’t put up a fight to retain it. Captain Budworth became the people’s champion and stopped the early attempts to end it, but 8 years after his death the puritanical powers prevailed.

And:
In 1285 ‘John the Clerke’ was ringing the church bell hen the clapper fell off and killed him. Medieval law demanded that blame should be placed somewhere. As there was no murderer they prosecuted the bell instead and found it guilty and so it became forfeit to the crown. The King didn’t want the bell, only money. Local officials were ordered to make a valuation which they set at 8 shillings 2 pence. This was not enough for the king so they were prosecuted as well.

The booklet costs £2. and is well worth the expense. If you would like a copy please e-mail to info@omhs.org.uk