The phrase *Essex Girls*

Countryfile tonight. 6.30pm

Think that the number of Grammar schools in an area is only reflective of the policial persuasions of the area Councils. Absolutely NOTHING to do with intelligence of the population. Metropolitan Essex ( overlapping into LB's of Waltham Forest and Redbridge) do have a number of minor public schools. This is mainly for parents who still believe that money can purchase a better education.

I speak from experience. My son attended one of these public schools (on full scholarship), my four daughters and youngest son all went through the normal state education system. As we were in a London Borough, comprehensive schools, no Grammars.!!!!!! All did well educationally and careerwise. No difference between them at all. All got the Uni courses of their choice and excellent degrees (and more) and professional qualifications.

I attended primary school in this County for two years and also Grammer School there.

Essex is a beautiful County. A drive (away from the main roads) through some of the gorgeous, and so well kept villages, is one of the most delightful and relaxing things that anyone can do.

Original Essex girl here. My mother’s family lived in the county for many generations around the village of Abridge.

So many very happy memories of being here, both brothers educated at Chigwell school.

Yes, it has all changed and become more ‘flash’ but so has many places. Driving over the bridge into Abridge has always felt like coming home even though the family no longer live there.

??

Better hurry up!
My hair is thinning; I'll be bald by then.
I'll wear a nice hat, though.

You and MissAdventure top down, wind in our hair, hopefully next summer ?

I miss driving around all these hidden gems, but my girl was the driver, me the navigator (which is why we drove around the hidden gems - lost!)

Maybe our paths have crossed before

Early 70s for me, petra. During a brief marriage.

MissAdventure
Barling is another little gem that nobody knows about.

We used to go to Maldon as a special day out.

I'd love to cross the Strood and have a seafood platter with you all on Mersea Island.

It's a date

Next summer when we've all been vaccinated..

MaizieD
i spent a lot of time at Maldon in my early 20s
So did I. I had a boat on Wallasea Island. I have a very soft spot for Heybridge Basin.
Maybe our paths have crossed before ?

My dearest friends late husband was a shipwright on the Maldon barges. He was so parochial he wouldn't mix with people from the top of the town as he called it. But still one of the most respected Barge skippers in the area.

Oh Pitticity I can remember being chased by the geese from the pond in Finchinfield many years ago, I was half dragging half carrying my younger sister, my mother and husband thought it hilarious. (Parents were looking after a pub in the village, cannot remember its name)

I really enjoyed visiting a friend's mum in Barling.
It felt like The Darling Buds Of May.

Callistemon

^Oh I do hope so! I'll expect nothing less than Russell Crowe in fact, "father to a murdered son and all that" minus the Aussie accent of course but in full gladiatorial mode, as he was then buffed up, not as he is now^

Not wishing to spoil this lovely thread but Russell Crowe is a New Zealander!

Oh I know Callistemon, but he's been in Neighbours so there you are, he's probably an honoury Aussie, it doesn't come much more Australian than Ramsey Street does it? I probably should say that I've got nothing against the Aussie accent, I love it in fact, it's just well........... not an accent one would expect from a Roman general.

Anyway, back to Essex,

If you are looking for picturesque in Essex, I recommend Finchingfield.

I've lived in Colchester for many years, having moved from what is now Greater London via Brentwood. It has fabulous history including a Roman Circus as well as the Norman Castle.
I'd love to cross the Strood and have a seafood platter with you all on Mersea Island.

Constable thought parts of Essex were beautiful and painted them often- check out Dedham beautiful part of North Essex- I was a District Nurse round there and Halstead another lovely Essex town.
I lived in North Essex for a very long time, went to a Grammar school there a did my nurse training in a very prestigious school of nursing. I have very fond memories of Essex about will admit that urbanisation and road building has somewhat taken the shine off it. PS Never had a fake tan, a pair of white shoes or spoke in an Estuary accent.

And wasn't there an Earl of Essex from .. wait for it .... Nottinghamshire or Herefordshire ..... who had a relationship with Queen Elizabeth 1?
They get around!

Not wishing to spoil this lovely thread but Russell Crowe is a New Zealander!

Spoilsport

Someone's going to come along in a minute and tell me that it's not 'the stroud', but 'the strood'
But it is haunted...

Oh I do hope so! I'll expect nothing less than Russell Crowe in fact, "father to a murdered son and all that" minus the Aussie accent of course but in full gladiatorial mode, as he was then buffed up, not as he is now

Not wishing to spoil this lovely thread but Russell Crowe is a New Zealander!

GrannyGravy13

However you dress it up growstuff Southend-on-Sea is in Essex. It may be a unitary district but it is still in Essex.

You have admitted to not travelling south of the A12 which you might like to once Covid is sorted .

We have extremely good schools in this part of the County.

It's OK, thanks. I've had plenty of opportunities and it's not that I haven't been, but once or twice was enough. I worked in south Essex for two years and I really wouldn't go back. As I wrote, Essex is a big and diverse county.

Oh I know Maizie! I make it up as I go along

???

This thread is making me very nostalgic! I haven't been 'home' for about 3 years now, but I do think the world of (bits) of it...

Oh I know Maizie! I make it up as I go along As you say, Sutton Hoo made famous by the Saxon artefacts, they look amazing by the way from the pictures I've seen, but centuries after the Romans had departed.

I have been to Colchester, I do remember a very nice park, famous for Civil War executions I think? I also recall some lovely lanes around the main high street. Again old timbered buildings in those lanes and alleyways.

My husband is always telling me that Essex has loads of old timbered Tudor houses, more than my county Surrey, he's probably right, Essex has some lovely villages, particularly pretty painted houses and rolling countryside, quite unspoilt.

If you need to occupy the grandchildren for a day, ours love Colchester Zoo. It's great!