< Back Sew-on badges circa 1930's 2 fabric sew on crest badges from around the 1930's We have these two fabric badges, of the type that would be sewn onto a blazer pocket. They are navy and cream and have the same writing: C.S.G.A DISCE DOCE DILIGE The Latin means Learn, Teach, Love or Learn, Teach, Cherish. Although these look like a school badge, internet searches suggest they may be from a girl guide group, but the envelope (if it is the original container) is from a firm of 'cricket & club colour specialists'. The smaller badge, which is grubbier and more worn so presumably the older of the two, was originally a fleur de lys symbol. A flower, which matches the other badge, has been pinned over the top, perhaps until the newer version arrived. These items were included in a donation of items that once belonged to the Croxall family.

< Back Eva Croxall Photograph Album Photograph Album previously belonging to Eva Croxall This amazing photograph album previously belonged to Eva Croxall, sister of former Headmistress of Bramston School Lucy Croxall. The album, as well as including photographs, has hand written notes, poems and short passages and also the odd illustration. The photos are dated 1912-1935. The photos are dated and annotated, and include several cast photos from various productions at the Public Hall. Witham historian Janet Gyford includes the transcript of an interview with the Croxall sisters on her website: https://www.janetgyford.com/interviews/tape-29-miss-lucy-croxall-and-miss-eva-hayes-nee-croxall-sides-1-and-2/ More information on the Croxall family is also available on Janet's website here: https://www.janetgyford.com/people/croxall-family/ You can listen to the above interview on the Essex Records Office website: https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/result_details.aspx?ThisRecordsOffSet=2&id=1104737

< Back Dorothy Sayers Statue Unveiling programme Programme of events for the unveiling of the statue of Dorothy L Sayer in 1994 The statue of Dorothy L Sayers stands in Newland Street, opposite the library and next to the Job Centre, opposite the house where she lived. It was unveiled on 16th September 1994 to much fanfare. The project was led by Witham Town Council with the support of Braintree District Council, and sponsorship and contributions from the Dorothy L Sayers Society, businesses and individuals within the town. The statue was sculpted by local sculptor, John Doubleday, and includes her cat, Blitz. Dorothy L Sayers is arguably the most famous resident of Witham, living in her Newland Street house between 1930 and her death in 1957. Dorothy wrote 16 novels, as well as numerous poems, plays and short stories. Her most famous character is Lord Peter Wimsey.

< Back Paper Embossers Old fashioned paper embossers These paper embossers take us back to a time when writers, either individuals or businesses, would emboss their pages as a mark of authenticity. The green embosser gives a mark of: Kings Chase, Witham, Essex. Witham 2240. The last line may be a telephone number. The decorated black embosser gives a mark of: Witham Town Council Town Hall Newland Street Witham Essex CM8 2FE

< Back Army Discharge Papers Training and Discharge papers These training and discharge letters belonged to a gentleman in Church Street. He appears to have served 16 years in the Army Reserve Royal Field Artillery Corps at the rank of Gunner, with 192 of those days being abroad. The papers are dated between 1907 and 1916.

< Back Witham Train Crash Postcards A collection of various postcards documenting the rail crash in Witham On the 1st September 1905, the Liverpool St to Cromer Express derailed as it passed through Witham railway station. Eleven people were killed, and 71 people injured. The extent of the damage can be seen in these postcards documenting the event. These postcards are all blank on the back, and appear to be taken by two different photographers who retain the copyright for their photographs. Before the crash, the main entrance to the station was on Easton Road, but after the crash the station needed to be remodelled and the main entrance was changed to Albert Road, as it is today.

< Back Coal Receipts Coal Receipts Dated 1928 We have two receipts for delivery of coke by Witham Gas Light & Coke Company Ltd to Messrs Barclays Bank. The first is dated Feb 10 1928 for 1/4 ton at a cost of 9 shillings, the second Oct 25 1928 for 1/2 ton at a cost of 17 shillings. At the time of this delivery, Barclays Bank were situated in 61 Newland Street. This building now belongs to Witham Town Council and is the Town Hall. A history of the building can be found on Janet Gyford's website: https://www.janetgyford.com/places/the-town-hall/

Cinema Club Cinema Club Poster for Autumn 26 PDF

Contact the Council Town Clerk: Nikki Smith Witham Town Council Offices are open: Monday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Tuesday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Wednesday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Thursday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Friday 9.00 am.to 4.00 pm Witham Information Centre is open: Monday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm Tuesday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm Wednesday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm Thursday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm Friday 9.00 am to 3.50 pm Step-free access to the Town Hall is available via the side door. We can also provide a ramp for direct step-free access to the Information Centre. Access to the Town Council offices is available via the side entrance when the Information Centre is closed. Tel: 01376 520627 Town Hall 61 Newland Street Witham Essex CM8 2FE Email infocentre@witham.gov.uk Contact the Council Contact a Councillor

< Back Army Issue Standing Orders for Drivers Standing Orders for Drivers of Mechanical Vehicles (Wheeled) and Motor Cyclists In amongst a donation of items once belonging to the Croxall Family we have this small booklet issued by The War Office in 1943. It contains instructions for soldiers on driving military vehicles during the war and includes sections on conduct on the road, preparation of vehicles before taking them out on the road and what to do in the event of an accident or breakdown.

< Back Crittall's Sign Sign rescued from the Crittall's factory Many will remember the Crittall Windows factory in Braintree Road that stood where Morrison's now stands. The factory was built around 1919, trading in Witham until the factory closed in 1990. Over the years, the Crittall factory was an integral part of the town. It was used for war production during World War II, and was bombed, although thankfully there were no injuries and little damage. The building was demolished in 1992, but town historian Janet Gyford rescued many items from the building before the site was cleared. Witham Town Council are lucky to have these items in our archives. This sign is wooden, painted and lettered and was rescued from inside the building. Look closely and you will see that someone has chalked the word 'aircraft' above the word carriers. This could have happened before or after closure of the factory. Crittall Windows later returned to Witham and continue to trade from the Freebournes Industrial Estate.

< Back Twin Pedestal Sideboard Mahogany Twin Pedestal Sideboard This sideboard was donated to us from the Gimsons House several years ago. It is a mahogany twin pedestal sideboard with 2 cupboards and 3 drawers. The house, which was demolished in 2021, was originally built for Dr Ted Gimson after whom it is named in the 1930's. Dr Gimson was a popular Witham GP, with the Gimson's being a prominent family in the town at the time. The sideboard is now used in our Heritage Room for displaying information, leaflets and posters.