The second Essex Industrial Heritage Fair returns to Wat Tyler Country Park

The second Essex Industrial Heritage Fair at the Wat Tyler Country Park on 7th October is being held to recognise and raise the profile of the rich industrial landscape of the County. In recent years large numbers of traditional factories and industrial sites have closed and familiar structures and buildings demolished or converted for new uses. However, this has been matched by a growing recognition of the need to respect this industrial heritage. It has resulted in efforts to retain important buildings, including where possible their contents for future generations to appreciate, along with the recording of structures and preservation of documents relating to the industries.

Wat Tyler Country Park is the site of the former Noble Explosives Factory and surviving features can be seen on a park trail along with other historic buildings that have been moved to the site. In the main visitor centre on the day representatives of Essex groups, museums and sites involved with industrial heritage activities will provide displays and be available to talk to visitors. The interests are wide ranging embracing traditional industries like milling, malt, brickmaking, and shoe making; infra-structure projects such as railways and water supply, and the more recent engineering and electronics industries to be found in Chelmsford.

Chelmsford Civic Society and Friends of Oaklands Museum will be representing our City at the Fair highlighting Chelmsford's rich industrial heritage - Marconi, Hoffmans, Cromptons and Clarksons. Representatives from Marconi Heritage and Veterns, Mike Plant, Stephen Norris, author of A Borough to a City, David Buckley of Friends of Chelmsford Museum will be in attendance to engage with visitors.

Entry to the Fair and on-site parking is free, there is a large café offering a wide range of refreshments and amenities for a great family day out. So why not come along between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm for an interesting and enjoyable day.

Regards

Chelmsford Civic Society

---

Recent Articles