Rowhedge Recollections is a book of forty pages of villagers’ quotes and black and white pictures, most of which are from the early 1900s.
It covers many items, including the ferry, the village’s former brewery, the 1884 earthquake, the shipyard and the yachting days of yore. The book was first produced in 1977 to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and sold for 75p. At that time, the project was funded by the Parish Council and a copy of the book was given to every pupil at St Lawrence School, Rowhedge.
Rowhedge Recollections was reprinted by Rowhedge Heritage Trust in 2012, the year of the Diamond Jubilee, with all pupils that year also receiving a copy. In fact, some of the parents of children who received a copy of the book in 2012 were recipients themselves in 1977!
To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, Rowhedge Heritage Trust funded another re-print and on 24th May, we presented a copy of the book to all current pupils of St Lawrence School. The children at Rowhedge Under Fives Pre-School have also received a copy.
On all three occasions, pupils walked down from the School to White Lion Quay where the presentations took place and the attached photos were taken. The original contributors to the book have since died, but Nick Baker, one of the original editorial team, serves on the Committee of Rowhedge Heritage Trust and attended all three presentations.
Rowhedge Recollections now costs £4.00 and further topics covered include the bridge over the River Colne, the King’s visit to Rowhedge and the clothing factory. Copies of the book are available from Ros Watling by calling 01206 728523.
