Great Baddow Celebrates The Royal Wedding

April 2011

 

Millions of people throughout the UK enjoyed an extra bank holiday on Friday, April 29th when Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. It was estimated that 2 billion people watched the event worldwide.

In Great Baddow, several street parties were organised to celebrate the Royal Wedding. The photograph above shows preparations being made in Tyrells Way. Thankfully, the weather was dry with sunny spells.

Beer Festival At Blue Lion

April 2011

Landlords Dave and Anne Heelis celebrate their 6th anniversary at the Blue Lion pub this month.

Since April 2005 they have built the pub up into a fine establishment. Well known in the village for its great food and selection of beers, the Blue Lion has recently also caught the attention of real ale lovers by stocking up to 5 guest ales that have been very well received.

The Blue Lion will be holding Great Baddow's first Beer Festival from Friday, April 29th until Monday, May 2nd. There will be a hog roast, bouncy castle and of course, numerous real ales and ciders. Definitely worth a visit!

BMX Track Gets Go Ahead

March 2011

 

The Chelmsford Borough Council Planning Committee approved the construction of a BMX track at Baddow Hall Park. It will measure approximately 50m X 20m and be enclosed with a perimeter fence.

Old Photographs of Great Baddow

 March 2011

This is a photograph taken at the Cricket Ground adjoining Baddow House, Great Baddow in 1892.

The team are as follows:
First Row:     
F.Blanks, John Wilson, Wilson (Snr), William Lawes
Second Row:
T. Stock, W.Newman, J.Bush, E.Sharke, Avery, Brewster, S.H.Sharman, Tommy O'Linn, T.Ruffell
Third Row:
Dennis, Jack King, William Simmons, R.Terry, John Ockendon, Frederick Linn, Petter Hills, Charles Gowers
Fourth Row:
Stevenson, Charles Pixley, Coachman at Baddow Park, Pixley (Snr), Jimmy Linn, George Carter

Great Baddow Brass Band, 1906. Standing on the extreme right of the photograph is a Mr Shorter who was landlord of the Kings Head pub in Maldon Road, Great Baddow. Band practice was held at the pub.

 

 Great Baddow Carnival 1945

Great Baddow Carnival 1945 (marching past St Mary's Church)

 Henry Ambrose and Ted Jarvis at the Great Baddow Carnival 1945

High Street, Great Baddow

 

Junction of Vicarage Lane/High Street (where the village sign is situtated)

Junction of High Street/Bell Street

 

High Street, Great Baddow

(house on the right is now a childrens day care centre)

A flood in September 1958 caused widespread damage in Great Baddow including at the bakery.

Well House, High Street, Great Baddow was demolished in July 1961. It dated back to 1675.

Junction of Vicarage Lane/High Street (White Horse pub on the left)

Kings Head pub, Maldon Road, Great Baddow

 

Proposed BMX Track At Baddow Hall Park

February 2011

The Chelmsford Borough Council Planning Committee will decide the fate of a proposed BMX track to be constructed at Baddow Hall Park. It will measure approximately 50m X 20m and be enclosed with a perimeter fence. A final decision is expected in March 2011. Great Baddow Parish Council are in support of the development.

Some local residents living close to the park have expressed concern over the extra traffic and parking problems the BMX track will cause. There are also no toilet facilities in the vicinity.

The current childrens play area at Baddow Hall Park.

Kings Head Pub Re-Opens

February 2011

After being closed for just a week the Kings Head pub in Maldon Road re-opened on Friday February 11, 2011 with another new manager.

Kings Head Pub Closes Down Again

February 2011

 

The Kings Head pub in Maldon Road, Great Baddow barely made 6 weeks trading since re-opening on December 22, 2010 having closed for business again on Saturday, February 5, 2011.

With two other pubs in the central part of the village (the Blue Lion and the White Horse) and with ever increasing beer prices it begs the question - does the village really need three pubs?

The price of a pint of lager at the Kings Head was £3.20.