A HISTORICAL STROLL AROUND HAWKEDON

On a cold and windy Spring evening, a select group of interested and interesting people gathered at the Village Hall for a trip down Memory Lane. It was Wednesday 24^th April. Judy Wilson has been continuing her research project on the village and had brought a varied and fascinating selection of documents, maps and pictures to reference her opening remarks.

Haucheduna is one of the early names of the village and all you Roman scholars will instantly recognise that means " a gentle, green pasture in the valley". It was just that all those centuries ago, and still is today. Naturally this brought mention of the Hawkedon Helmet which, now complete with its chin strap, sits proudly in the British Museum proclaiming that it is the best example of a Gladiator's Helmet in the collection. Gladiators in Hawkedon? Really? Were there chariot races at Thurston End, and lengthy tragedies by Euripides performed where the Queen's Head now stands?

Judy concentrated mostly on the period during the 19^th Century when the School was built, the shop opposite was starting up and the Webb family opened the Forge that made most of the farm machinery used locally.

Doreen Reeve shared memories of being at the school and nipping across to buy sweets on the way home.

We wandered leisurely in the crisp breeze and shared our own memories and hear-say about each house as we passed them. We got as far as the War Memorial before we began to realise our clothing was inadequate and we turned back to the Hall where Charles offered warming glasses of wine.

Judy had done such a good and thorough job of winking out facts and figures, and this brought the whole occasion to life. What a nice way to pass an hour or so, to share knowledge of our village and to feel even more attached to this lovely part of the country. Our thanks to all behind the research and delivering such a grand occasion, and thanks too to all who showed interest and came along.