SPRING ROAD

1) Spar Stores - 16th & 17th Century formerly hardware and   haberdashery. The far left window was the stable, and the pony used to back the cart into this all by its self.

2) No 3,5,7, & 9 Spring Road  19th Century red brick frontage cottages that contain some fine moulded timber beams, dating back from the 14th & 15th Centuries.  Well Yard, lying behind No 7 has an ancient water pump in use until 1960. no 9 was formerly a baker's shop with its ovens behind the Post Office.

3) Cranfield - 18th Century  Was a public house with ashlar lined cellar - the White Hart that closed in 1861.  Now a private residence. The building in front was the Saddlers and Shoemakers in the 19th Century after which it became a photographers / chemist, fancy goods shop, coffee bar and Indian Restaurant.

4) Old House - 1300 - late 15th Century  Has a brick lined cellar with a well, the earliest of its kind in Essex. Originally the Priory Malting's until 1539, became privately owned malting's until 19th Century. Mr Kingsford opened it as a tearoom in the 1920's.

5) Wesleyan Chapel - built in 1855 where part of the Maltings used to stand. In 1900, 28% of village were
members.

6) Chestnut House 17th - 18th C
Another fine timber-framed building once owned by Mr Webb who opened the first cycle shop.
 

7) Old School Close
A school house was built 1841, despite opposition from landowners who were concerned about losing their young workforce. Closed and demolished in 1972 but it came very close to being owned and converted into a nightclub by the infamous Kray Brothers. New school now in Norman Close.
 

8) Genery House
Built 1786. Once the school master’s house.
 

9) Spring Bank House
Part of a row of buildings once advertised as a
school for young gentlemen - £14 per term. Later
a private dame's school, 1d or 2d per day,
depending on the age of the child. Then became
the Wesleyan Chapel up until 1855.



 

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