< Back School Football Cup Witham Secondary School House Football Cup This appears to be a silver cup, which is engraved "In Memory of George Pennell presented by his father" The cup was presented from 1949 to 1959 to various school houses named after saints. We have no record of who George Pennell may have been, or what happened to him. His name does not appear on the War memorial, nor in our records of burials in the closed churchyard in Lockram Lane. If you are able to help us shed any light on who George Pennell was, please get in touch.

< Back Crittall Windows Factory 'C' The orange 'C' from the front of the building Many will remember the Crittall Windows factory in Braintree Road that stood where Morrison's now stands. It's name was emblazoned on the front of the building in these orange letters. 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 and will be including them in this online museum. Crittall Windows later returned to Witham and continue to trade from the Freebournes Industrial Estate.

< Back HMS Chelmer Plaque Heavy metal plaque As you can read from the photograph, this plaque was presented to HMS Chelmer to her adoption by the inhabitants of Witham, Silver End, Rivenhall, Hatfield Peverel, Terling, Faulkbourne and White Notley during Warship Week in March 1942. Warship Week was a National Savings campaign that took place during the Second World War, the aim being that communities would raise funds to pay for repairs to a ship that they would then 'adopt', along with their crew. Larger towns and cities were set larger targets and would adopt larger ships, whereas smaller towns and communities would have a lower target and adopt the smaller ships. HMS Chelmer (K221) was a River Class Frigate, built in 1942 and launched on 27th March 1943. HMS Chelmer performed convoy defence exercises in the North Atlantic during World War II, and was one of 151 frigates launched over a 3 year period to be used as anti-submarine convoy escorts and named after rivers in the UK. She was scrapped in 1957.

Don't miss your chance to attend our Spooktacular Trail < Back Halloween Spooktacular - Cats & Bats 27 Sept 2023 Don't miss your chance to attend our Spooktacular Trail Get ready to embark on a spine-tingling adventure this Halloween season! Witham is gearing up to host a one-of-a-kind event that promises to bewitch and enchant visitors of all ages. The Witham Spooktacular Trail, aptly named "Cats and Bats," invites you to explore a mystical world where cats, bats, and delightful treats await at every twist and turn. This enchanting trail combines the natural beauty of the river walk with the allure of Halloween's most iconic creatures – cats and bats. But that's not all; the Spooktacular Trail goes above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable experience. With entertainment on hand, this event is a perfect outing for families with young children that are lovers of spooky fun. In this blog post, we'll delve into the fascinating world of Witham's Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats, giving you a sneak peek into what you can expect and why this event is a must-visit this Halloween season. So, grab your broomsticks, don your witch's hat, and let's embark on this thrilling journey together! The Spooktacular Trail – A Riverside Adventure As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to turn, Witham's River Walk transforms into a magical setting for the Spooktacular Trail. The picturesque riverbank provides the ideal backdrop for an adventure filled with wonder and surprises. River Walk Magic Witham's River Walk is a beloved local gem, known for its serene beauty and calming atmosphere. The crisp air and rustling leaves create an enchanting ambiance that sets the stage for an unforgettable Halloween experience. Cats and Bats – The Stars of the Show At the heart of this year’s Spooktacular Trail are the cats and bats. These iconic Halloween creatures are hidden throughout the trail for you to find. From whimsical cat and bats to spooky surroundings, you will have so much fun at our Spooktacular Trail! Entertainment for All Ages The Witham Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats isn't just about a scenic walk and collecting treats; it's also a celebration of community and creativity. Throughout the event, you'll find an array of fun things that cater to visitors of all ages. Halloween Costume Contest Don't forget to dress up in your most enchanting costumes! The Spooktacular Trail this year will host a costume contest that encourages visitors of all ages to show off their creativity. Whether you're a witch, wizard, vampire, or ghost, there's a chance to win exciting prizes for best costume. With one prize per age category, we are inviting entries for 0-3 years, 4-7 years and 8+ years. Date and Time The Witham Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats will take place on October 28th from 10am to 4pm. Ticket Information You must have a ticket to attend this event, but tickets are free and are being released in two stages: Tuesday 3rd October at 11am and Thursday 5th October at 7pm. Tickets are only required for participating children. Adults do not need a ticket. Early booking is recommended, as this enchanting experience is a hot ticket in town! Embrace the Magic of Cats and Bats In the heart of Witham, a bewitching adventure awaits you this Halloween season. The Witham Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats promises an unforgettable experience filled with enchantment, mystery, and community spirit. As you wander along the River Walk, surrounded by the natural beauty of the riverbank and the captivating presence of cats and bats, you'll feel a sense of wonder and excitement that's perfect for the Halloween season. The entertainment and costume contest add layers of fun for families. So, mark your calendar for October 28th and prepare to embrace the magic of the Cats and Bats Spooktacular Trail. Whether you're a local resident or visiting from afar, this event promises to be a highlight of your Halloween celebrations. Don't miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world where cats, bats, treats and Halloween excitement! Previous Next

Witham Town Council Grant Awards Scheme Witham Town Council holds the General Power of Competence to give grants to local organisations that are of benefit to Witham. Each year a budget is allocated by Councillors for making such applications, in accordance with the Town Council’s grant application policy. Applications are welcomed from groups which fall into the specified criteria including non-profits and community organisations. Responsibility for determining grant applications is delegated to the Community Committee. If you would like to make an application for grant aid, please download and complete an application form and Project Review Report available from the link below. Please ensure you have read the guidelines provided before submitting to Witham Town Council for validation. Completed applications can be emailed to finance@witham.gov.uk WTC Grant Application Form PDF WTC Grant Project Review Report PDF WTC Grant Awarding Policy Grants Awarded 25-26 PDF Grants Awarded 24-25 PDF Grants Awarded 23-24 PDF Grants Awarded 22-23 PDF Grants Awarded 21-22 PDF Grants Awarded 20-21 PDF Grants Awarded 19-20 PDF Witham Town Councillor Grant Awards Scheme Witham Town Council provides up to £500 per Councillor annually to support local projects that benefit their ward. This scheme is designed to be straightforward and accessible for community groups. Grants range from £100 to £500 and applications are open year-round. Please read the Councillor Grant Scheme Policy for further information. Councillor Grant Scheme Policy Councillor Grant Application Form PDF Councillor Grant Project Review report PDF

< Back Ivy Chimneys Report An Interim Report Ivy Chimneys is an Iron Age settlement on Hatfield Road, Witham, which was excavated in the early 1970's. We have an Interim Report by Robin Turner, signed and addressed to Hazel Martingell (?). This is subtitled Occasional Paper No 2, published by Essex County Council in 1982. It covers the items found during the excavation and attributes them to each of the 7 phases in inhabitants of Ivy Chimneys, from Early Iron Age through to Post Roman.

< 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