The fine Bamford watercolour on the cover reflects two of the important articles in this issue, shedding new light on a familiar building, the Sun Inn. New ideas about the origins of the large plaster figures on the exterior are here discussed by Newport archaeologist, Bari Hooper, demolishing previous theories. This is complemented by the first episode in what promises to be a delightful series by house historian, Douglas Kent, researching the tenement he has recently acquired in the complex. Former agriculturalist Geoffrey Ball,  having explored local farming and industry, has turned his attention to the evidence for vineyards in north-west Essex. One of these is pictured on the 1666 map of Audley End, which also represents Audley End Village, about which Littlebury Local History Recorder, Lizzie Sanders, writes in the first of her articles exploring this little-known corner of the parish, much altered from its earlier manifestation as Brookwalden. Change is the theme also of a timely look by Wicken Bonhunt History Recorder, Deborah Lowe, into the history of Wicken House, the former residential centre, now closed and awaiting its fate. A happier transformation has come about in the town centre, in the form of a splendid revamp of the Market Place – one of our colour pages features contrasting views of this central square over a long period of  time. Finally, the work of three local authors is celebrated in the remaining articles – Jean Gumbrell’s remarkable achievement in her Down Your Street books begun 20 years ago; the award-winning study of Eglantyne Jebb by Clare Mulley; and the first volume of SWHS Publications by Geoffrey Ball, Land Agriculture & Industry. The titles of the main articles are:

The Pargetting on the Westernmost Gable of the Old Sun Inn, Saffron Walden

                                                Bari Hooper                                               

Nos 25-27 Church Street, Saffron Walden:
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings Comes to the Rescue

                                                Douglas Kent                                                  

Vineyards  in North-west Essex                                                  Geoffrey Ball                                               

Brocwalden, Brook Walden, Audley End Village                        Lizzie Sanders                      

The History of Wicken House                                                 Deborah Lowe         

 

Eglantyne Jebb                                                                Clare Mulley                        

 

Right up my Street                                                              Jean Gumbrell