Earls Colne Heritage Museum

Did you know that ECHM has its own Youtube Channel? 

CLICK HERE to view!

 

HERITAGE TRAIL NEWS

We are planning to introduce a Heritage Trail in Earls Colne.  We would like local people to tell us of interesting buildings or sites within the main village that we could include in the trail.  Please let us know of any you find especially interesting and if possible let us know why.  We would like these to be not only the well known locations but we want them to reflect the more personal happenings with Earls Colne over the years, also any interesting family anecdotes that can be linked to a location in the village.

We are starting with a kids’ trail signposted around the village.  Please read the poster for information on how you can contribute to help bring the past to life. Email any ideas to ecvillagetrail@outlook.com or jot them on a note and hand them in to either The Museum, The Library, Ziels or the Refillery by the end of April.

Thankyou

 

ABOUT US

 

Earls Colne Heritage Museum is located in The Old Water Tower of the former Atlas Works–the R.Hunt agricultural machinery foundry, which was pivotal to the development of the village from a purely agricultural to an industrial village in the 19th & 20th centuries.

Founded in 2005, the Museum is home to artefacts from the Neolithic to the 21st century and is also a centre for village historical and family research.

The Museum is actively engaged with the village and beyond, with a programme of walks, talks, school visits and liaison with other museums.

The Museum welcomes both visitors and online enquiries.

LANCASTER MEMORIAL

On the 20th September  2024 the Museum unveiled a memorial to the 15 aircrew of Lancaster LM167 & LL802, killed exactly 80 years prior as the result of a tragic mid-air collision above the fields of Earls Colne & Great Tey. CLICK HERE for the story of the accident and the Memorial.

Earls Colne in Earliest Times

In Roman times this part of Essex was occupied by a native tribe called the Trinovantes. The tribal centre, that we know as Colchester and which they called Cumulodunum, became the capital of the Roman province.

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Re-used Roman bricks

Tile and brick production has been a long-established local industry and re-used Roman bricks have been identified in the base of the tower of St. Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne

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The Atlas Works and the Hunt Family

Robert Hunt, a travelling millwright, settled in Earls Colne in 1824. His first workshop was on the Green, next to the Baptist Church.

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The Second World War

Earls Colne aerodrome played a significant part in the air campaign during the Second World War.
Construction of the runways started in 1941 and the Royal Air Force was using the aerodrome within 18 months.

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

Earls Colne Heritage Museum

Tucked away in Earls Colne, this museum in a WaterTower is a hidden little gem!

The current timekeeper of Earls Colne, Bob Cook and his apprentice Les Berner www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1NHY6rzTcg&t=25s ... See MoreSee Less
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youtu.be/V1NHY6rzTcg This Sunday, at 1am, we move our clocks one hour forward to adjust to BST. Today, many of our devices will adjust automatically, but not so our village clock in St. Andrews Church, For over 136 years, the responsibility for adjusting the clock has relied upon a dedicated team of voluntary “timekeepers” who ensure the village can rely upon accurate time being displayed and its accompanying Westminster chimes!The “Church clock” is not actually a correct identification – it is a clock installed by public subscription in St. Andrews church tower to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, and since the signing of a formal agreement between the Church and the Parish Council in 1901 it has been the community’s responsibility to maintain.In these 136 years, there have been just 8 men who have taken on this duty- the first known timekeeper was Ted “Clocky” Mayes who carried out the duties for over 50 years – between 1901 and 1957 – and until his 93rd year – an outstanding feat considering the clock then required manual winding, and needed him to climb up the tower - 39 steps - each day!The turret clock has been electrically powered since 1975 but it still has the original mechanism manufactured by Smiths of Clerkenwell and is believed to be just one of two of this turret clock type still operating in the country.It is now maintained by Bob Cook and his “apprentice”, Les Berner - both Museum volunteers, and for the first time in its history this wonderful British Victorian clock mechanism has been documented and is now available for all to see - enjoy the video! ... See MoreSee Less
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7 days ago

Tickets for John's first walk of the year - Sat 19th April available from Saturday at the Museum (12-4pm Sat & Sunday) ... See MoreSee Less
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HOW TO FIND US

Opening Hours

Open every Saturday & Sunday 12.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Wednesdays 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Travelling from the West (Halstead):
About 100 yards past the Zebra Crossing,
take the first right into Massingham Drive
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.

Travelling from the east via Earls Colne High Street:
Take the second left after the Zebra Crossing into Massingham Drive,
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.
On a lamppost opposite the turn into Massingham Drive
is a small brown sign pointing to the museum.