Halstead: Difference between revisions

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Corrected year of Queen Victoria's death, from 1902 to 1901.
 
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{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| country = England
| official_name = Halstead, Essex
| official_name = Halstead
| static_image_name = Halstead, Essex - geograph.org.uk - 151114.jpg
| static_image_name = Halstead, Essex - geograph.org.uk - 151114.jpg
| static_image_caption = St Andrew's Church and Halstead High Street
| static_image_caption = St Andrew's Church and Halstead High Street
| coordinates = {{coord|51.9451|0.6411|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|51.9451|0.6411|display=inline,title}}
| population = 11,906
| population = 13,529
| population_ref = ''(2011)''<ref name=ONS/>
| population_ref   = (Parish, 2021)<ref name=2021census>{{cite web |title=2021 Census Parish Profiles |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp |website=NOMIS |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=31 March 2025}} (To get individual parish data, use the query function on table PP002.)</ref>
| civil_parish = Halstead<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.halsteadtowncouncil.org.uk/ |title=Home |website=Halstead Town Council}}</ref>
| civil_parish = Halstead
| shire_district = [[Braintree (district)|Braintree]]
| shire_district = [[Braintree District|Braintree]]
| shire_county = [[Essex]]
| shire_county = [[Essex]]
| region = East of England
| region = East of England
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| os_grid_reference = TL816306
| os_grid_reference = TL816306
}}
}}
'''Halstead''' is a town and [[civil parish]] in the [[Braintree District]] of [[Essex]], England. Its population of 11,906 in 2011<ref name=ONS>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124142&c=halstead&d=16&e=61&g=6422914&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1448761605859&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491 Office for National Statistics: ''Census 2001: Population Density, 2011''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113529/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124142&c=halstead&d=16&e=61&g=6422914&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1448761605859&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491 |date=4 March 2016 }} Retrieved 29 November 2015.</ref> was estimated to be 12,161 in 2019.<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/eastofengland/essex/E34001263__halstead_braintree_/ City Population site. Retrieved 20 November 2020.]</ref> The town lies near [[Colchester]] and [[Sudbury, Suffolk|Sudbury]], in the [[River_Colne,_Essex|Colne Valley]]. It is twinned with [[Haubourdin]] in the Nord department of [[France]].
'''Halstead''' is a town and [[civil parish]] in the [[Braintree District|Braintree]] district of [[Essex]], England. It lies on the [[River Colne, Essex|River Colne]], {{convert|6|miles|km|0}} north-east of [[Braintree, Essex|Braintree]] and {{convert|12|miles|km|0}} north-west of [[Colchester]]. At the [[2021–2022 United Kingdom censuses|2021 census]] the parish had a population of 13,529. It is twinned with [[Haubourdin]] in the [[Nord (French department)|Nord]] department of [[France]].


==History==
==History==
Halstead is an ancient community that developed initially on the hill to the north of the [[River_Colne,_Essex|River Colne]]. Archaeological evidence indicates that Halstead has been occupied since the early Bronze Age. The sites of Iron Age and Roman settlements, including a villa, were discovered in the vicinity of Greenstead Hall, where Saxon pottery was also found. A Romano-British villa also lies in a field to the south of the River Colne at Blue Bridge, indicating early settlement in the fertile river valley. The name Halstead derives from the [[Old English]] ''gehæld / hald'' (refuge, shelter, healthy) and ''stede'' (site, place or farm), meaning "healthy farm" or "place of refuge".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.halsteadhistory.org.uk/history.html |title= A brief history of the Essex town of Halstead |first=Adrian |last=Corder-Birch |access-date=29 November 2015}}</ref> After the [[Norman Conquest]], in the [[Middle English]] of the 11th century, hald was written and spoken as halt, holt, or holð.<ref>[https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED20990 hōld n.(2) Definition 7]. Middle English Compendium. University of Michigan Library. Accessed 7 August 2023.</ref> Halstead is recorded in the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' of 1086 as ''Haltesteda'' and thrice as ''Halsteda'' in the [[Hundred (county subdivision)|Hundred]] of [[Hinckford_(hundred)|Hinckford]], where it was mainly held by many freemen as [[feu (land tenure)|feu]] in 1066, at the time of [[Edward the Confessor|King Edward]].<ref name=ODhalstead>[https://opendomesday.org/place/TL8130/halstead/ Open Domesday: Halstead, Essex]. Accessed 7 August 2023.</ref> In 1086, Halstead was one of the largest 20% of settlements recorded in Domesday, and had four owners.<ref name=ODhalstead /> Most of the manor of Halstead had been granted by [[William the Conqueror|King William]] to [[William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey|William de Warenne]] as [[tenant-in-chief]] and lord of most of its wealth, and about one-third of the manor of Halstead was possessed by [[Richard_fitz_Gilbert|Richard, son of count Gilbert]] as tenant-in-chief.<ref name=ODhalstead />
Halstead is an ancient community that developed initially on the hill to the north of the [[River_Colne,_Essex|River Colne]]. Archaeological evidence indicates that Halstead has been occupied since the early Bronze Age. The sites of Iron Age and Roman settlements, including a villa, were discovered in the vicinity of Greenstead Hall, where Saxon pottery was also found. A Romano-British villa also lies in a field to the south of the River Colne at Blue Bridge, indicating early settlement in the fertile river valley. The name Halstead derives from the [[Old English]] ''gehæld / hald'' (refuge, shelter, healthy) and ''stede'' (site, place or farm), meaning "healthy farm" or "place of refuge".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.halsteadhistory.org.uk/history.html |title=A brief history of the Essex town of Halstead |first=Adrian |last=Corder-Birch |access-date=29 November 2015 |archive-date=12 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112023913/http://www.halsteadhistory.org.uk/History.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the [[Norman Conquest]], in the [[Middle English]] of the 11th century, hald was written and spoken as halt, holt, or holð.<ref>[https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED20990 hōld n.(2) Definition 7]. Middle English Compendium. University of Michigan Library. Accessed 7 August 2023.</ref> Halstead is recorded in the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' of 1086 as ''Haltesteda'' and thrice as ''Halsteda'' in the [[Hundred (county subdivision)|Hundred]] of [[Hinckford_(hundred)|Hinckford]], where it was mainly held by many freemen as [[feu (land tenure)|feu]] in 1066, at the time of [[Edward the Confessor|King Edward]].<ref name=ODhalstead>[https://opendomesday.org/place/TL8130/halstead/ Open Domesday: Halstead, Essex]. Accessed 7 August 2023.</ref> In 1086, Halstead was one of the largest 20% of settlements recorded in Domesday, and had four owners.<ref name=ODhalstead /> Most of the manor of Halstead had been granted by [[William the Conqueror|King William]] to [[William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey|William de Warenne]] as [[tenant-in-chief]] and lord of most of its wealth, and about one-third of the manor of Halstead was possessed by [[Richard_fitz_Gilbert|Richard, son of count Gilbert]] as tenant-in-chief.<ref name=ODhalstead />


In the [[Rebellion of 1088]], William de Warenne took the winning side of [[William Rufus]] and was named [[Earl of Surrey]], while Richard supported [[Robert Curthose]] which led to retirement at a monastery and transfer of his portion of Halstead to his son [[Gilbert fitz Richard]].
In the [[Rebellion of 1088]], William de Warenne took the winning side of [[William Rufus]] and was named [[Earl of Surrey]], while Richard supported [[Robert Curthose]] which led to retirement at a monastery and transfer of his portion of Halstead to his son [[Gilbert fitz Richard]].
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The historic core of Halstead can be viewed on a walk up the market hill. Several buildings on the Market Hill contain structures that date from the 14th century including Whispers wine bar which was an oratory with six priests. It contains a fine wooden hammer-beam ceiling with carved angel newel-post. There is a river walk running through the town from east to west. Just outside the town is Broaks Wood, a popular area for walking owned by the [[Forestry Commission]]. Halstead Public Gardens were established in 1900 and are noted for their floral displays. The town has secured both Silver and Gold Awards in the annual [[Britain in Bloom]] competition on multiple occasions since 2000 and these displays have drawn many tourists to the town. The Antiques Centre inside Townsford Mill sells goods ranging from clothing to household items.
The historic core of Halstead can be viewed on a walk up the market hill. Several buildings on the Market Hill contain structures that date from the 14th century including Whispers wine bar which was an oratory with six priests. It contains a fine wooden hammer-beam ceiling with carved angel newel-post. There is a river walk running through the town from east to west. Just outside the town is Broaks Wood, a popular area for walking owned by the [[Forestry Commission]]. Halstead Public Gardens were established in 1900 and are noted for their floral displays. The town has secured both Silver and Gold Awards in the annual [[Britain in Bloom]] competition on multiple occasions since 2000 and these displays have drawn many tourists to the town. The Antiques Centre inside Townsford Mill sells goods ranging from clothing to household items.


==Mills==
==Mills and industry==
Townsford Mill spans the river at the bottom of the town houses. In 1818, [[Samuel Courtauld (industrialist)|Samuel Courtauld]] built two mills, Townsford at Halstead and another at [[Bocking, Essex|Bocking]]. At the end of 1824, Halstead Mill was sold to Stephen Beuzeville. In 1825, Samuel installed a [[steam engine]] at Bocking Mill. An agreement dated 19 January 1825 was drawn up between Beuzeville and Samuel Courtauld and partners for the conversion of Halstead Mill for silk throwing.  
Townsford Mill spans the river at the bottom of the town houses. In 1818, [[Samuel Courtauld (industrialist)|Samuel Courtauld]] built two mills, Townsford at Halstead and another at [[Bocking, Essex|Bocking]]. At the end of 1824, Halstead Mill was sold to Stephen Beuzeville. In 1825, Samuel installed a [[steam engine]] at Bocking Mill. An agreement dated 19 January 1825 was drawn up between Beuzeville and Samuel Courtauld and partners for the conversion of Halstead Mill for silk throwing.  


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The introduction of new technology was important, but the mills remained heavily dependent on labour, much of which was provided by Belgian refugees emigrating to avoid religious persecution.. The looms required supervision by an army of young female workers. Even in 1838, more than 92 per cent of the workforce was female.
The introduction of new technology was important, but the mills remained heavily dependent on labour, much of which was provided by Belgian refugees emigrating to avoid religious persecution.. The looms required supervision by an army of young female workers. Even in 1838, more than 92 per cent of the workforce was female.


In 1827 Stephen Beuzeville was declared [[bankrupt]]; a formal deed of sale dated 11 April 1828 was created between the commissioners in bankruptcy and Samuel Courtauld, whereby Halstead Mill (subject to charges of £300) was sold to Courtaulds for a cash payment of £1,500. Stephen and his father joined Courtaulds as employees.<ref>Unlocking Essex [http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=89&monument_id=30030&content_parents=48 Retrieved 3 November 2017.]</ref>
In 1827 Stephen Beuzeville was declared [[bankrupt]]; a formal deed of sale dated 11 April 1828 was created between the commissioners in bankruptcy and Samuel Courtauld, whereby Halstead Mill (subject to charges of £300) was sold to Courtaulds for a cash payment of £1,500. Stephen and his father joined Courtaulds as employees.<ref>Unlocking Essex [http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=89&monument_id=30030&content_parents=48 Retrieved 3 November 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022452/http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=89&monument_id=30030&content_parents=48 |date=7 November 2017 }}</ref>


On the death of [[Queen Victoria]] in 1901, much of the black crepe for [[Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria|her funeral]] cortege was made at Townsford Mill by Samuel Courtauld's company.  
On the death of [[Queen Victoria]] in 1901, much of the black crepe for [[Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria|her funeral]] cortege was made at Townsford Mill by Samuel Courtauld's company.  
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Parts of the original Courtauld factory are listed buildings and survived the wholesale demolition of the silk factory in the early 1980s. Principal amongst these is Factory Terrace - Victorian townhouses built for Courtauld's managers which are Grade II* listed.
Parts of the original Courtauld factory are listed buildings and survived the wholesale demolition of the silk factory in the early 1980s. Principal amongst these is Factory Terrace - Victorian townhouses built for Courtauld's managers which are Grade II* listed.


==Evans Electroselenium Ltd==
===Evans Electroselenium===
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2025}}
Arthur Evans was an industrialist, engineer and businessman who began manufacture of selenium photocells in a small workshop in [[Harlow]], Essex, during the Second World War. These were of use in military applications and he was encouraged by the Government of National Unity to find larger premises and rapidly expand the business. He chose Halstead and found a site adjacent to St Andrews Church on Colchester Road. After the war, Evans Electroselenium Ltd (EEL) expanded into all types of scientific instruments which required photocells, including a flame [[photometer]], [[colorimetry|colorimeters]] and [[atomic absorption]] instruments. Later, [[electrochemistry]] instruments were added. The business was eventually bought by [[Corning Inc]] and went through several mergers and acquisitions. Today it is part of [[Siemens Healthineers]] and operates only from the former Corning-EEL site in [[Sudbury, Suffolk]]. The Halstead site was redeveloped for housing as Evans Court in tribute to the founder. The [[Science Museum, London|Science Museum]] in London holds a collection of EEL scientific instruments. Others are held in the Halstead Town Museum collection.
Arthur Evans was an industrialist, engineer and businessman who began manufacture of selenium photocells in a small workshop in [[Harlow]], Essex, during the Second World War. These were of use in military applications and he was encouraged by the Government of National Unity to find larger premises and rapidly expand the business. He chose Halstead and found a site adjacent to St Andrews Church on Colchester Road. After the war, Evans Electroselenium Ltd (EEL) expanded into all types of scientific instruments which required photocells, including a flame [[photometer]], [[colorimetry|colorimeters]] and [[atomic absorption]] instruments. Later, [[electrochemistry]] instruments were added. The business was eventually bought by [[Corning Inc]] and went through several mergers and acquisitions. Today it is part of [[Siemens Healthineers]] and operates only from the former Corning-EEL site in [[Sudbury, Suffolk]]. The Halstead site was redeveloped for housing as Evans Court in tribute to the founder. The [[Science Museum, London|Science Museum]] in London holds a collection of EEL scientific instruments. Others are held in the Halstead Town Museum collection.


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The Jubilee Drinking Fountain was designed by the architect and architectural designer, [[Leonard Shuffrey]]. The stone drinking fountain was presented to the town by [[George Courtauld (politician)|George Courtauld]], and commemorates the [[Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Leonard Shuffrey Jubilee Drinking Fountain, Halstead |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/jubilee-drinking-fountain-303478 |website=ArtUK |publisher=ArtUK |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
The Jubilee Drinking Fountain was designed by the architect and architectural designer, [[Leonard Shuffrey]]. The stone drinking fountain was presented to the town by [[George Courtauld (politician)|George Courtauld]], and commemorates the [[Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Leonard Shuffrey Jubilee Drinking Fountain, Halstead |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/jubilee-drinking-fountain-303478 |website=ArtUK |publisher=ArtUK |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
==Notable people==
In birth order:
<!-- References are required for information not found on the person's own page -->
*[[Robert Bourchier, 1st Baron Bourchier]] (died 1349), [[Lord Chancellor]] of England, had an estate here.<ref>{{Cite ODNB |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-2992 |title=Bourchier [Bousser], Robert, first Lord Bourchier (died 1349), administrator |last=Rose |first=Richard K. |date=23 September 2004 |language=en|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/2992 |isbn=978-0-19-861412-8 |access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Bourchier]] (died 1400), soldier and diplomat, inherited the estate here.
*[[Bartholomew Bourchier, 3rd Baron Bourchier]] (died 1409), politician, died at his estate here.
*[[Bernard Barton]] (1784–1849), [[Quaker]] poet, was apprenticed to a shopkeeper and married here.
*[[Dummy, the Witch of Sible Hedingham]] (c. 1788 – 1863), a deaf-mute charged with witchcraft, was beaten by a mob and died in Halstead workhouse.
*[[Samuel Courtauld (industrialist)|Samuel Courtauld]] (1793–1881), opened a [[textile mill]] here in 1818.
*[[George Courtauld (industrialist, born 1802)|George Courtauld]] (1802–1861), textile magnate, was married here in 1829.
*[[Isaac Baker Brown]] (1811–1873), [[gynaecologist]] and [[obstetrician]], went to school here.
*[[Augustine Stow]] (1833–1903), Australian politician, was born here.
*[[Decimus Alfred Ball]] (1836–1890), slum landlord in London, was born here.
*Sir [[John Mark Davies]] (1840–1919), Australian politician, was born here.
*[[Samuel Courtauld (art collector)|Samuel Courtauld]] (1876–1947), art collector and industrialist, became a director of the silk mill here in 1901.
*[[Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies]] (1891–1992), London-born actress, died here.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gwen-Ffrangcon-Davies |title=Dame Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies {{!}} British actress |date=23 January 2019 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[Alan Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury]] (1902–1998), grandson of the founder of the [[Sainsbury's]] supermarket chain, was a resident and died here.
*[[Steve Lamacq]] (born 1964), [[BBC Radio 6 Music]] DJ, grew up here, attended [[The Ramsey Academy|Ramsey School]], and is a resident.
*[[Matt Cardle]] (born 1983), 2010 winner of [[The X Factor (UK)|''The X Factor'']], is a resident.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/halstead/11871005.x-factor-winner-matt-cardle-lends-his-support-to-busking-in-the-town/ |title=X Factor winner Matt Cardle lends his support to busking in the town |date=20 March 2015 |website=Gazette |language=en|access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref>


==Schools==
==Schools==
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In 1921 the Courtauld Halstead Bowls Club was established at Courtauld Sports Ground. It marked its 100 years of Lawn Bowls in 2021, organising centenary matches with the England team, Essex team, North West Essex Bowling Association and several others. It competes annually in the North West Essex Bowling Association league, Sudbury Triples League, North Essex County Bowls Federation. Players compete in various Essex County competitions. The club has over 100 members and welcomes new ones.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.halsteadbowlsclub.co.uk |title=Courtauld Halstead Bowls Club – Bowling: All the cool kids are doing it.}}</ref>
In 1921 the Courtauld Halstead Bowls Club was established at Courtauld Sports Ground. It marked its 100 years of Lawn Bowls in 2021, organising centenary matches with the England team, Essex team, North West Essex Bowling Association and several others. It competes annually in the North West Essex Bowling Association league, Sudbury Triples League, North Essex County Bowls Federation. Players compete in various Essex County competitions. The club has over 100 members and welcomes new ones.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.halsteadbowlsclub.co.uk |title=Courtauld Halstead Bowls Club – Bowling: All the cool kids are doing it.}}</ref>


==Civil parish==
==Governance==
On 31 December 1894 the parish was abolished and split to form "Halstead Rural" and "Halstead Urban".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10240323 |title=Relationships and changes Halstead AP/CP through time |publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]] |accessdate=4 January 2022}}</ref> On 1 April 1974 Halstead Urban parish was renamed "Halstead" and Halstead Rural [[Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/braintree.html |title=Braintree Registration District |publisher=UKBMD |accessdate=4 January 2022}}</ref>
There are three tiers of local government covering Halstead, at [[Parish council (England)|parish]] (town), [[non-metropolitan district|district]], and [[non-metropolitan county|county]] level: Halstead Town Council, [[Braintree District Council]], and [[Essex County Council]]. The town council is based at Queen's Hall on Chipping Hill.<ref name=tc>{{cite web |title=Halstead Town Council |url=https://www.halsteadtowncouncil.org.uk/ |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>
 
===Administrative history===
Halstead was an [[ancient parish]] in the [[Hundreds of Essex|Hinckford]] [[Hundred (county division)|hundred]] of Essex.<ref name=Youngs>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume I, Southern England |date=1979 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0901050679 |pages=138–139}}</ref> As well as the town itself, the parish also covered surrounding rural areas, including the hamlet of [[Greenstead Green]].<ref name=VoB>{{Cite web |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10240323 |title=Relationships and changes Halstead AP/CP through time |publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]] |accessdate=4 January 2022}}</ref>
 
In 1852, the parish was made a [[Local board of health|local board district]], administered by an elected local board.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=21387|page=3512|date=3 December 1852}}</ref> It was subsequently decided that the whole parish should not be included in the local board district, and so in 1866 the district was redefined to just cover the parts of the parish within a {{convert|adj=on|1000|yard|metre|0}} radius of the bridge over the River Colne.<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government Supplemental Act 1866 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/29-30/24/pdfs/ukpga_18660024_en.pdf |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |page=127}}</ref> Such local board districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], which also directed that civil parishes could no longer straddle district boundaries. The old Halstead parish was therefore split into a Halstead Urban parish matching the urban district and a Halstead Rural parish covering the remainder of the old parish outside the urban district.<ref name=Youngs/><ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Essex |date=1914 |page=262 |url=https://leicester.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/60852/rec/2 |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>
 
Halstead Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], when the area became part of the new Braintree district.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> A [[successor parish]] called Halstead was created at the same time covering the area of the former urban district, with its parish council taking the name Halstead Town Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973|year=1973|number=1110|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref><ref name=tc/> Around the same time, the neighbouring parish of Halstead Rural was renamed to [[Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural]].{{efn|UKBMD says the change of name was in 1974,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/braintree.html |title=Braintree Registration District |publisher=UKBMD |accessdate=4 January 2022}}</ref> but the Ordnance Survey was showing the new name from 1968.<ref>{{cite web |title=Essex: Diagram showing administrative boundaries, 1968 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/241242451 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>}}


==Arms==
==Arms==
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|escutcheon = Per chevron Vert and Azure in chief two weaver's shuttles erect Proper and in base a thunderbolt Or.
|escutcheon = Per chevron Vert and Azure in chief two weaver's shuttles erect Proper and in base a thunderbolt Or.
|crest = On a wreath of the colours in front of a saltire Azure on a mount Vert a garb Proper.
|crest = On a wreath of the colours in front of a saltire Azure on a mount Vert a garb Proper.
|motto = Consilio Et Prudentia (By Wisdom And Foresight).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/east_of_england.html |title=East of England |publisher=Civic Heraldry of England |accessdate=10 March 2021}}</ref>
|motto = Consilio Et Prudentia (By Wisdom And Foresight).
|notes = Originally granted to Halstead Urban District Council on 20 November 1964.}}
|notes = Originally granted to Halstead Urban District Council on 20 November 1964, subsequently transferred to Halstead Town Council in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/east_of_england.html |title=East of England |publisher=Civic Heraldry of England |accessdate=10 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Authorities (Armorial Bearings) Order 1974|year=1974|number=869|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>}}
 
==Notable people==
In birth order:
<!-- References are required for information not found on the person's own page -->
*[[Robert Bourchier, 1st Baron Bourchier]] (died 1349), [[Lord Chancellor]] of England, had an estate here.<ref>{{Cite ODNB |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-2992 |title=Bourchier [Bousser], Robert, first Lord Bourchier (died 1349), administrator |last=Rose |first=Richard K. |date=23 September 2004 |language=en|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/2992 |isbn=978-0-19-861412-8 |access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Bourchier]] (died 1400), soldier and diplomat, inherited the estate here.
*[[Bartholomew Bourchier, 3rd Baron Bourchier]] (died 1409), politician, died at his estate here.
*[[Bernard Barton]] (1784–1849), [[Quaker]] poet, was apprenticed to a shopkeeper and married here.
*[[Dummy, the Witch of Sible Hedingham]] (c. 1788 – 1863), a deaf-mute charged with witchcraft, was beaten by a mob and died in Halstead workhouse.
*[[Samuel Courtauld (industrialist)|Samuel Courtauld]] (1793–1881), opened a [[textile mill]] here in 1818.
*[[George Courtauld (industrialist, born 1802)|George Courtauld]] (1802–1861), textile magnate, was married here in 1829.
*[[Isaac Baker Brown]] (1811–1873), [[gynaecologist]] and [[obstetrician]], went to school here.
*[[Augustine Stow]] (1833–1903), Australian politician, was born here.
*[[Decimus Alfred Ball]] (1836–1890), slum landlord in London, was born here.
*Sir [[John Mark Davies]] (1840–1919), Australian politician, was born here.
*[[Samuel Courtauld (art collector)|Samuel Courtauld]] (1876–1947), art collector and industrialist, became a director of the silk mill here in 1901.
*[[Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies]] (1891–1992), London-born actress, died here.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gwen-Ffrangcon-Davies |title=Dame Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies {{!}} British actress |date=23 January 2019 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[Alan Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury]] (1902–1998), grandson of the founder of the [[Sainsbury's]] supermarket chain, was a resident and died here.
*[[Steve Lamacq]] (born 1964), [[BBC Radio 6 Music]] DJ, grew up here, attended [[The Ramsey Academy|Ramsey School]], and is a resident.
*[[Matt Cardle]] (born 1983), 2010 winner of [[The X Factor (UK)|''The X Factor'']], is a resident.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/halstead/11871005.x-factor-winner-matt-cardle-lends-his-support-to-busking-in-the-town/ |title=X Factor winner Matt Cardle lends his support to busking in the town |date=20 March 2015 |website=Gazette |language=en|access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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Latest revision as of 07:26, 28 October 2025

Script error: No such module "about". Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use British English Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Halstead is a town and civil parish in the Braintree district of Essex, England. It lies on the River Colne, Script error: No such module "convert". north-east of Braintree and Script error: No such module "convert". north-west of Colchester. At the 2021 census the parish had a population of 13,529. It is twinned with Haubourdin in the Nord department of France.

History

Halstead is an ancient community that developed initially on the hill to the north of the River Colne. Archaeological evidence indicates that Halstead has been occupied since the early Bronze Age. The sites of Iron Age and Roman settlements, including a villa, were discovered in the vicinity of Greenstead Hall, where Saxon pottery was also found. A Romano-British villa also lies in a field to the south of the River Colne at Blue Bridge, indicating early settlement in the fertile river valley. The name Halstead derives from the Old English gehæld / hald (refuge, shelter, healthy) and stede (site, place or farm), meaning "healthy farm" or "place of refuge".[1] After the Norman Conquest, in the Middle English of the 11th century, hald was written and spoken as halt, holt, or holð.[2] Halstead is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Haltesteda and thrice as Halsteda in the Hundred of Hinckford, where it was mainly held by many freemen as feu in 1066, at the time of King Edward.[3] In 1086, Halstead was one of the largest 20% of settlements recorded in Domesday, and had four owners.[3] Most of the manor of Halstead had been granted by King William to William de Warenne as tenant-in-chief and lord of most of its wealth, and about one-third of the manor of Halstead was possessed by Richard, son of count Gilbert as tenant-in-chief.[3]

In the Rebellion of 1088, William de Warenne took the winning side of William Rufus and was named Earl of Surrey, while Richard supported Robert Curthose which led to retirement at a monastery and transfer of his portion of Halstead to his son Gilbert fitz Richard.

There was evidence of a market in Halstead before 1251 when a royal charter was granted for a weekly market and an annual fair. Further grants were made in 1330 and 1467 for the market which was then held in Chipping Hill. St Andrew's Church was in existence by 1276 and the town developed around the Church and nearby market.

In about 1413 Holy Trinity Chapel was erected near the junction of the present Chapel Hill with Trinity Street and Mount Hill. This chapel disappeared by the 18th century and during 1843 it was replaced by Holy Trinity Church, a Gothic Revival building.

Area

File:ShuffreyDrinking Fountain.jpg
The Jubilee Drinking Fountain (1888) designed by Leonard Shuffrey
File:Antiques centre and restaurant - geograph.org.uk - 1001322.jpg
Townsford Mill, now the antiques centre

The wide High Street is dominated by the 14th-century Church of St Andrew, which was extensively renovated in the Victorian period, but retains much older decoration, including tomb monuments from the 14th century and earlier.

The historic core of Halstead can be viewed on a walk up the market hill. Several buildings on the Market Hill contain structures that date from the 14th century including Whispers wine bar which was an oratory with six priests. It contains a fine wooden hammer-beam ceiling with carved angel newel-post. There is a river walk running through the town from east to west. Just outside the town is Broaks Wood, a popular area for walking owned by the Forestry Commission. Halstead Public Gardens were established in 1900 and are noted for their floral displays. The town has secured both Silver and Gold Awards in the annual Britain in Bloom competition on multiple occasions since 2000 and these displays have drawn many tourists to the town. The Antiques Centre inside Townsford Mill sells goods ranging from clothing to household items.

Mills and industry

Townsford Mill spans the river at the bottom of the town houses. In 1818, Samuel Courtauld built two mills, Townsford at Halstead and another at Bocking. At the end of 1824, Halstead Mill was sold to Stephen Beuzeville. In 1825, Samuel installed a steam engine at Bocking Mill. An agreement dated 19 January 1825 was drawn up between Beuzeville and Samuel Courtauld and partners for the conversion of Halstead Mill for silk throwing.

Beuzeville was to provide the expertise, capital and silk; Courtauld was to erect the power looms and operate the mill in return for a share in the profits; Beuzeville was to take delivery of the yarn and manufacture the crêpe, on which he was a technical expert with 20 years' experience. The mill appears to have been in operation by the summer of 1825, with Joseph Ash as manager.

The introduction of new technology was important, but the mills remained heavily dependent on labour, much of which was provided by Belgian refugees emigrating to avoid religious persecution.. The looms required supervision by an army of young female workers. Even in 1838, more than 92 per cent of the workforce was female.

In 1827 Stephen Beuzeville was declared bankrupt; a formal deed of sale dated 11 April 1828 was created between the commissioners in bankruptcy and Samuel Courtauld, whereby Halstead Mill (subject to charges of £300) was sold to Courtaulds for a cash payment of £1,500. Stephen and his father joined Courtaulds as employees.[4]

On the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, much of the black crepe for her funeral cortege was made at Townsford Mill by Samuel Courtauld's company.

Parts of the original Courtauld factory are listed buildings and survived the wholesale demolition of the silk factory in the early 1980s. Principal amongst these is Factory Terrace - Victorian townhouses built for Courtauld's managers which are Grade II* listed.

Evans Electroselenium

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Arthur Evans was an industrialist, engineer and businessman who began manufacture of selenium photocells in a small workshop in Harlow, Essex, during the Second World War. These were of use in military applications and he was encouraged by the Government of National Unity to find larger premises and rapidly expand the business. He chose Halstead and found a site adjacent to St Andrews Church on Colchester Road. After the war, Evans Electroselenium Ltd (EEL) expanded into all types of scientific instruments which required photocells, including a flame photometer, colorimeters and atomic absorption instruments. Later, electrochemistry instruments were added. The business was eventually bought by Corning Inc and went through several mergers and acquisitions. Today it is part of Siemens Healthineers and operates only from the former Corning-EEL site in Sudbury, Suffolk. The Halstead site was redeveloped for housing as Evans Court in tribute to the founder. The Science Museum in London holds a collection of EEL scientific instruments. Others are held in the Halstead Town Museum collection.

Amenities

Halstead has a library in a large open-plan building,[5] built in 1864–1866 as the corn exchange. It has also housed a technical school. Nearby Moyns Park, a Grade I listed Elizabethan country house, is where Ian Fleming put the finishing touches to his novel From Russia, with Love, according to the cover text of some recent editions.

The town history society holds regular monthly meetings.[6] There is a town museum attached to the town council offices featuring historical artefacts and objects of local interest. The Colne Valley Postal History Museum is a privately run museum of British postal history with one of the largest collections of post office letter boxes and telephone kiosks and is situated on Head Street. It holds regular open days throughout the year. The redundant Trinity Church , which was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott is used for occasional concerts and art exhibitions. The Empire Theatre in Butler Road hosts occasional bingo nights. Halstead is home to Hume's Bakery, which opened in 1960 in the shop where it trades today.[7][8]

The Jubilee Drinking Fountain was designed by the architect and architectural designer, Leonard Shuffrey. The stone drinking fountain was presented to the town by George Courtauld, and commemorates the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.[9]

Schools

Halstead's three primary schools are Holy Trinity,[10] St Andrew's and Richard de Clare. Its one secondary school is The Ramsey Academy (formerly Ramsey Secondary School), located to the north of the town centre. There are several other secondary schools within travelling distance; pupils commonly opt for Sible Hedingham, Braintree or Colchester. the independent Yellow House School at Sible Hedingham is an independent school for pupils with special needs. The two nearest further education colleges are at Braintree and the University of Essex at Colchester Campus.

Places of worship

The Anglican parish church is St Andrew's in Parsonage Street. Holy Trinity Church, Halstead was declared redundant in April 1987 and is preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust.[11]

Halstead also has a Methodist church,[12] which opened as a Primitive Methodist chapel in 1874.[13] Halstead Baptist Church is in Hedingham Road[14] and Grace Baptist Church in Colchester Road,[15] as is the Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi. The United Reformed Church of Halstead is in Kings Road.[16]

Media

Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC East and ITV Anglia. Television signals are received from the Sudbury TV transmitter.[17]

Local radio stations are BBC Essex on 103.5 FM, Heart East on 96.1 FM, Greatest Hits Radio East (formerly Dream 100 FM) on 100.2 FM, Actual Radio an DAB station and formerly, Leisure FM, a community based radio station that broadcast on 107.4 FM which ceased trading in 2023.[18] Large parts of the valley floor are unable to receive the national D1 and D2 multiplex DAB signals due to their geography and the very low power of the Colchester "booster" transmitter (0.005kW) so as not to interfere with Dutch broadcasting.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The local newspaper is the Halstead Gazette which publishes on Fridays.[19]

Sport

Halstead's main football club is Halstead Town F.C. It plays in the 9th tier of the English football league system, in the Essex senior league Premier Division.[20]

The town is home to Halstead Cricket Club, which fields three teams in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship. For the 2011 season the club, with the help of club member and former Bangladesh bowling coach Ian Pont brought in Bangladeshi international cricketer Syed Rasel. Other players to have played both first-class cricket and for the club include former Essex and Leicestershire batsman Darren Robinson, international coach Richard Pybus and New Zealand double World Cup finalist Matt Henry.[21]

Since 2010 the town has a rugby club, Halstead Templars R.F.C.[22]

In 1921 the Courtauld Halstead Bowls Club was established at Courtauld Sports Ground. It marked its 100 years of Lawn Bowls in 2021, organising centenary matches with the England team, Essex team, North West Essex Bowling Association and several others. It competes annually in the North West Essex Bowling Association league, Sudbury Triples League, North Essex County Bowls Federation. Players compete in various Essex County competitions. The club has over 100 members and welcomes new ones.[23]

Governance

There are three tiers of local government covering Halstead, at parish (town), district, and county level: Halstead Town Council, Braintree District Council, and Essex County Council. The town council is based at Queen's Hall on Chipping Hill.[24]

Administrative history

Halstead was an ancient parish in the Hinckford hundred of Essex.[25] As well as the town itself, the parish also covered surrounding rural areas, including the hamlet of Greenstead Green.[26]

In 1852, the parish was made a local board district, administered by an elected local board.[27] It was subsequently decided that the whole parish should not be included in the local board district, and so in 1866 the district was redefined to just cover the parts of the parish within a Script error: No such module "convert". radius of the bridge over the River Colne.[28] Such local board districts were reconstituted as urban districts under the Local Government Act 1894, which also directed that civil parishes could no longer straddle district boundaries. The old Halstead parish was therefore split into a Halstead Urban parish matching the urban district and a Halstead Rural parish covering the remainder of the old parish outside the urban district.[25][29]

Halstead Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, when the area became part of the new Braintree district.[30][31] A successor parish called Halstead was created at the same time covering the area of the former urban district, with its parish council taking the name Halstead Town Council.[32][24] Around the same time, the neighbouring parish of Halstead Rural was renamed to Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural.Template:Efn

Arms

Template:Infobox COA wide

Notable people

In birth order:

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ hōld n.(2) Definition 7. Middle English Compendium. University of Michigan Library. Accessed 7 August 2023.
  3. ↑ a b c Open Domesday: Halstead, Essex. Accessed 7 August 2023.
  4. ↑ Unlocking Essex Retrieved 3 November 2017. Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  5. ↑ Essex libraries Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Halstead & District Local History Society Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  13. ↑ Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  14. ↑ Home page Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  15. ↑ Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  16. ↑ Halstead churches Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Club history Halstead Town FC
  21. ↑ Team site Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  22. ↑ Club site Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "London Gazette util".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Template:Cite legislation UK
  31. ↑ Template:Cite legislation UK
  32. ↑ Template:Cite legislation UK
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "template wrapper". Template:Link note
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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