Welcome to the Local History of Henham, Little Henham and Pledgdon
Henham is a parish of about 1,500 people settled long before the Domesday Book of 1085. It is situated about five miles north-east of Bishops Stortford in the English county of Essex. Expansion of the village, development of Stansted Airport and proposed building of a nearby new town (aka 'Dumpton') would change Henham immeasurably. Here we try to record the village as it was, as it is now, unless or before it is lost. Formerly known as Henham on the Hill and Henham on the Mount, the parish also includes the two hamlets of Little Henham and Pledgdon (or Prison Green).
Study Day 2 November - St. Mary's Church Henham
10.30 - 12.30 David Morson will present 'The Dark Continent'. This will cover the rise of the dictatorships and authoritian regimes and the demise of democracies from 1919-1939.
There will be a break of 1 hour to allow people to either buy lunch at the local pub or shop or bring a pack lunch.
1.30 -3.30 A lighthearted look at the 'Evacuation Plan of Essex during WWl'. The Government provided a plan which was very Dad's Army in style. The talk will look at the plan and discuss the practicalities.
Please come along and support this day for either one or both sessions, all funds raised will be to renovate the two WWI Roll of Honour Boards in Henham Church. A suggested donation of £5 should provide sufficient funds to repair and rehang the two boards.
Henham Villagers Weddings
Carol in the village is collating an archive of villagers weddings, she already has nearly 150 wedding photos dating from 1892 to the present day.
It is such a great way of recording Henham families. To be able to have a photo of a family, know which house they lived in and how they were involved in Henham life is a special record to leave for future villagers. Another fascinating thing we see from the archive is how fashions changed over the years.
The wedding does not have to have taken place in Henham. For example grooms rarely get married in their parish it is usually the brides parish where the wedding takes place. Or as is the current trend, the wedding is in an exotic location elsewhere in the world. I already have weddings in Vanuatu & The Philippines.
Carol hopes this has inspired you. Carol would be delighted if you would email me your photographs to henham@live.co.uk.
WHAT's NEW - as of Jun 16 2019
1. A William White Story
1. John Evans memories of him and a younger brother being evacuated from Chingford to Henham in 1939 along with Ann Carter and other evacuees in 1939
2. The Balaam Family and The Bell pub
Updates on existing pages
The Mansfield Family