Dr Burghart's History Notes

David Livingstone plaque in Chipping Ongar

As a historian, I am always keen to seek out the history of where I live and work. I cannot pass a village church without popping in to read the plaques and gravestones. In the Brentwood and Ongar constituency we have the oldest wooden church in the world (in Greenstead, near Ongar), and one of the newest wooden churches, St Francis in West Horndon. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was written by Jane Taylor, who lived in Chipping Ongar...and explorer David Livingstone stayed in the town before setting off on his great journey to Africa.

My History Notes bring you some of the stories I have come across while travelling around the constituency, and if you have any thoughts on places for me to visit to learn more about our local history please get in touch.

News

Holiday at Home? Places to Visit in Brentwood and Ongar

As children break up for the summer holidays, and the weather, occasionally, brightens up to toast us and our gardens, thoughts turn to travel and time away from home. You might have a holiday abroad booked and are waiting with bated breath to see if you can get away without being pinged,

Conserving Big Ben

It’s difficult to get a good picture of the historic vista of the Palace of Westminster from any angle at the moment, with the building covered in swathes of plastic sheeting on scaffold frames. The Palace is a Grade I listed building and, with Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church, forms part

B17 Commemorative Service, West Horndon - 21st September

Villagers from West Horndon will gather tomorrow (Saturday 21st September) for its commemoration and thanksgiving service paying tribute to the American aircrewmen who died when two B17 bombers crashed over the village in 1943. The memorial bench in West Horndon Park will be blessed at 10am, and th

Celebrating 175 Years at Ingatestone Station

Brentwood and Ongar constituency has a high number of commuters travelling daily to and from work and school from our four stations – Ingatestone, Brentwood, Shenfield and West Horndon – not to forget those of us who travel from the West of the constituency using Epping or Theydon Bois. With no dis

Old Treasures

It’s been a sensational week for local history. St Andrew’s Church in Greensted - which may be the world’s oldest wooden church - has secured a place in Historic England's feted “Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places”.

Historic Brentwood

When the signage was stripped away from a Brentwood High Street shop which had for many years housed the popular toy and bicycle shop, B&M Cycles, fabulous Victorian tiles and an old shop sign were revealed. The development of Brentwood High Street over the years is mapped wonderfully by its ar