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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
An important discussion was opened by the President with regard to the
threatened mutilation of Essex by cutting off no less than ten parishes in the
Bishop's Stortford Union on the western side of the county. The proposed transfer
was thus described in the notice calling the official inquiry :
" A proposal for the alteration of the boundary of the Administrative Counties
of Essex and Hertford, so as to bring the ten Essex parishes of Berden, Birchanger,
Elsenham, Farnham, Great Hallingbury, Little Hallingbury, Henham, Manuden,
Stansted Mountfitchet, and Ugley, within the Administrative County of Hertford,
and for their inclusion in the Area of the New Rural District in the County of
Hertford to be formed of the Hertfordshire parishes of the Bishop's Stortford
Union, and thus to form one Rural District within the said Union."
Mr. I. Chalkley Gould, in a vigorous speech, strongly objected to the proposed
transfer, urging that it should be opposed not only on the grounds of sentiment
and the loss of many places of archaeological interest, but also from financial
considerations. It would mean a loss in rateable value of £43,000 a year, no
fewer than 22,955 acres of land (with a population of 6,908) being involved, as
well as such parishes as Stansted and Elsenham, containing rich properties which
would bear an important share of local taxation of the future, in whichever county
they might be placed. From the archaeological standpoint Mr. Gould asked
whether Essex was to lose Berden, with its charming Elizabethan mansion and its
earthwork, Hallingbury House and Park, Stanstead Castle earthworks, Manuden
Hall and Church, Henham Church—all exceptionally interesting—and Wallbury,
the grandest British camp in Essex. Mr. Gould moved the following resolution :
"That, in the opinion of this Meeting, the proposed transference of Ten Essex
Parishes belonging to the Bishop's Stortford Union into the County of Hert-
fordshire, and of Bartlow Hamlet into Cambridgeshire, would not only be
injurious to the general welfare of our County, but also, from a scientific and
antiquarian point of view, would wrench from us some of the most beautiful
villages in Essex ; would confuse maps, scientific and general statistics and
reports ; would take out of the county many interesting antiquities ; and,
above all, would tend to destroy that patriotic pride in the minds of Essex
men which it should be the object of all public bodies to foster."
Mr. W. Cole warmly seconded the resolution, and (in the words of "The Essex
County Chronicle") "speaker after speaker delivered himself in indignant terms
against the extraordinary folly and injustice of the proposed proceeding, and very
great regret was felt that steps had not been taken earlier to ascertain and arouse
the real feelings of Stansted and the other affected parishes, which are now
beginning to be expressed against 'the deep damnation of their taking off.'"—
Mr. F. Smoothy (C.C.) remarked that if the transference were carried out, Essex
would lose some very good men, such as Sir Walter Gilby and Mr. W. Fuller
Maitland, M.P., whose seats were in the parishes named.—Mr. W. W. Glenny
(vice-chairman, C.C.) said he had no doubt that the great majority of the Essex
County Council were against the severance, but what was wanted was a mis-
sionary expedition to stir up the parishes affected. They seemed quite ready to
leave the beneficent rule of Essex, the rates in Hertfordshire being a little less.
(Laughter.) He believed, however, that it was only an accident of the moment
that the rates in Essex were slightly more than in Hertfordshire, and that the
parishioners would have nothing to gain by the change.—Mr. Thomas Thompson
mentioned that at an influential meeting in Stansted a strongly-worded reso-
lution against any lopping of the county of Essex was passed.—Mr. E. A. Fitch