Essex Days ; The White Hart, Witham,

The White Hart has been added to and extended over the years but the oldest parts of it are believed to have dated from approx 1430. 

It stands on the main road in Witham and it easy to imagine coaches stopping there over the centuries, on the way to London, approx 50 miles away. 

The whole place is a fascinating blend of very old and less old features. The fireplace in one of the dining rooms is particularly interesting.  Take a look at the brickwork at the back of the fireplace. This is an indication of age. The fire surround does not extend into the room. Again this is evidence of how old this fireplace is, although I do not know the date. 

These pieces of wood are evident around the building. Take a look at how the medieval timber-framed buildings were actually assembled. Pieces of wood slotted together. 

Thursday 26th August 1742 was the date of one of the regular Assemblies or Balls held at the White Hart in their rooms. 

During the 18th Century, The White Hart regularly advertised its own " taxi " service of a Post Chaise for hire. The back of the building has quite a lot of space. Maybe the post Chaises with their careful drivers were stored there.  ( Pictures below )

A prospect as important as the coming of the railways was widely discussed in the 1830s and of course, the main meetings in the town were held at The White Hart. The railway was going to run from the nearby port of Maldon and would run through to Witham, Kelvedon, Coggeshall, Bocking and Braintree. From these places, it would be easier and quicker to reach London and Cambridge. The railway was due to be built and run alongside the River Blackwater. 

In fact, I travelled home from Witham station yesterday afternoon.  :) 

The East Essex Hounds would meet at The White Hart before going on a day's fox hunting. Fox hunting is mainly banned now in England. 

1881  The White Hart :-

George Fulcher  ( Licensed Victualler ) 

Emma Fulcher 

William Fulcher

Ernest Fulcher 

Emma Brown ( servant )

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The 1939 World War 2 Register lists as living at The White Hart :-

James Seal  (Manager )

( Ethel ) Clara Seal  (Manageress)

Elizabeth Bevan ( Cook )

Dorothy Barber ( Waitress )

Ernest W Rees ( Medical Practitioner )  Resident

Charles De Trense ( Dental Surgeon )   Resident

It is believed that every family in Britain was affected by the war and The White Hart community was no different. 

The "Essex Newsman " paper reported that 16-year-old John Woodcock, a waiter at The White Hart, was killed in action in the North Sea. 

Frankie Miekle, the wife of the White Hart's Landlord, took part in a local drama performance of " Staff Dance "  which was written by well-known character actor Robert Morley in 1944. Frankie's  husband, White Hart landlord Captain Miekle,  had taken part in a raid on Rommel's headquarters in the desert. 

A daring robbery took place in March 1950 when a thief boldly walked into the manager's office, took the keys to the safe and stole £400.00. This was a massive amount for the time and would be approx £14,500 today. 

I love The White Hart, Witham, and it has been interesting turning up some facts about it. The place is lovely, the rooms, staff, food are excellent. 

If you are in England and close to Essex, you must visit. It is delightful.