Labour Local Election Address, 1964

  The nationwide local elections of 1964 included the ones for the Witham Urban District Council. Labour councillors had been in the majority for sixteen years, and Ted Smith had been chairman for two years. Their election address sets out their plans for the future of Witham, following an agreement with the London County Council … Continue reading “Labour Local Election Address, 1964”

Ebenezer Smith

  Ebenezer Smith in 1936 A FEW OF HIS DISTINCTIONS Signalman on the railway until his retirement from work in 1936. Held innumerable voluntary posts, including especially:- First Labour member of the Witham Urban District Council (1920), and then: First Labour Chairman of the Council (1933-1935). Pioneer of the Council’s new housing schemes in the … Continue reading “Ebenezer Smith”

The Women’s Institute

The Women’s Institute in Witham. Including their support for Miss Charlotte Pattisson as a Council candidate in 1922 Just oddments. Nothing after 1945.   Essex County Chronicle, 11 April 1919 Women’s Institute On Monday evening a social meeting in connection with the local Women’s Institute was held at the Y.M.C.A. hut, Mrs Brandt, the president, in … Continue reading “The Women’s Institute”

Unemployment between 1921 and 1936

  Unemployment in the Witham area, 1921 to 1936 1921 Crittall’s A difficult year. Continued collapse of post-war boom. Miners’ strike in May so coal shortage. But still lots of windows sold. (ERO T/Z 67, page 112). UDC Finance Committee, 29 August 1921, page 113 Wages of Council’s workmen to be reduced 4s 6d in … Continue reading “Unemployment between 1921 and 1936”

First World War. 04. Everyday Life in Witham

Witham in the First World War. 04. Everyday Life For a list of other chapters about WW1, many of which also refer to everyday life, click here. For relevant interviews with Witham people, see the category ‘Interviews’ and search for War. Most of what is written below is in the form of summary notes. Phrases … Continue reading “First World War. 04. Everyday Life in Witham”

Tape 002. Mrs Dorothy Ireland (nee Goss), sides 3 and 4

Tape 2 Mrs Ireland was born in 1894, and was interviewed on 25 November 1976. when she lived at 12 Chalks Road, Witham. She also appears on tapes 1, 3, 7, 33, 86, 90 and 97. For more information about her, see the the notes in the people category headed Ireland, Mrs Dorothy (Dolly), nee … Continue reading “Tape 002. Mrs Dorothy Ireland (nee Goss), sides 3 and 4”