Reflections on the High Country in 1968

In 1968 Ann and I were married and moved to Stanford Rivers where I was to spend 10 very happy years as the village policeman, before promotion took me off to a very different beat at Harlow. When I reflect over the past 50 years, a mere heartbeat in the history of the area, it is amazing the number of changes that have taken place.

In 1968 their were village policemen in Stanford Rivers, Abridge, Stapleford Abbots, High Ongar, Blackmore, Fyfield, and Moreton, all under the control of Ongar. Policing was carried out by bicycle. Today they have all gone and Ongar Police Station has been reduced to a shadow of its former self.

There were village shops/post offices at Stanford Rivers (Mrs Joyce Holland), Toot Hill (Mrs Pamela Chiltern) and Stapleford Tawney (Mr and Mrs Linwood) – all now closed. Toot Hill closed in 1970 after 80 years as a shop; followed by Stanford Rivers in 1974 and finally Stapleford Tawney.

Stanford Rivers village school had only just closed (1965) and was about to be demolished to make way for the first permanent site for Gypsies in Essex (now called the Hop Fields).

There was a rector at St Margaret’s, Stanford Rivers, (Rev. Joe Sykes), St Andrew’s Greensted (Rev John Garrington) and at Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount (Rev Frederick Stroud). Today Greensted and Stanford Rivers are part of the Ongar Benefice and Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount part of the Theydon Parishes,

The London Underground ran from Ongar to Epping and the station at Blake Hall was open. The line was closed in 1994 and the station converted into a private dwelling. There was a daily bus service that ran from Ongar to Romford, through Stanford Rivers, Stapleford Tawney and Stapleford Abbotts.

There was a village hall at Little End and also Toot Hill, although a new hall was built in 1973 to replace the two.

Hill Hall was an open prison for women. However a fire in 1969 was to lead to many years of uncertainty for the house before it was restored by English Heritage to its former glory and converted into luxury flats.

Passingford Bridge was a narrow hump-backed bridge allowing only one vehicle at a time over it. It was soon to be replaced by the bridge we know today.

Public Houses included the White Bear at Stanford Rivers (Mrs Marjorie Ireland), now sadly closed; The Woodman Public House (Fred Creasey); The Drill House at Toot Hill (Peter Mecklenburgh) – now sadly a private residence, and the Green Man Toot Hill (John Roads) and at Tawney Common, the Mole Trap.

Piggott Brothers at Little End were a thriving business, and had the contract to provide the marquees for the Chelsea Flower Show, and also the Christmas lights for Regent Street in London.

I wonder if we reflect back in another 50 years what further changes will have taken place?