Weather for Chelmsford: Partly Cloudy, 7°C, View more
Saturday 16th May, 2026

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

23/09/2017 About 1 minute Share article:
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

Poppy O’Toole Teams Up with Bill’s Chelmsford for Limited-Edition Menu
Poppy O’Toole Teams Up with Bill’s Chelmsford for Limited-Edition Menu

Celebrity chef Poppy O’Toole has launched a limited-edition menu at Bill’s Chelmsford. Discover the viral potato-inspired dishes available for a short time only.

Chelmsford Cathedral Appoints Stephen Stokes as New Head Verger
Chelmsford Cathedral Appoints Stephen Stokes as New Head Verger

Chelmsford Cathedral has appointed Stephen Stokes as its new Dean’s Verger (Head Verger), overseeing ceremonial and operational duties at the historic city landmark.

Rectory Lane East Car Park in Chelmsford Set to Close as Housing Plans Approved
Rectory Lane East Car Park in Chelmsford Set to Close as Housing Plans Approved

Rectory Lane East car park in Chelmsford is expected to close soon after plans for 22 affordable homes were approved. Full details and impact here.

Businesses
Events
An Evening with Maggie Stiefvater Coming to Waterstones Chelmsford
An Evening with Maggie Stiefvater Coming to Waterstones Chelmsford

Bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater is coming to Waterstones Chelmsford on 4 May 2026 to discuss her new novel The Listeners. Find out how to attend.

Chelmsford Central Parkrun: Free Weekly 5K Event Brings Community Together Every Saturday
Chelmsford Central Parkrun: Free Weekly 5K Event Brings Community Together Every Saturday

Discover Chelmsford Central Parkrun – a free weekly 5K run in Central Park. Open to all ages and abilities, it’s one of Essex’s most popular community fitness events.

Chelmsford City FC Hosting Free Business Networking Event This May
Chelmsford City FC Hosting Free Business Networking Event This May

Chelmsford City FC is hosting a free business networking event on 12 May 2026. Local professionals are invited to connect at the Melbourne Stadium.

KPOP SUPERSTARS WORKSHOP
KPOP SUPERSTARS WORKSHOP

Encore Performing Arts presents KPOP Superstars Workshop where you can ACT, SING and Dance to your favourite K-POP hits