Essex Conference; 10-16 August 2012

Our next Conference will be in Essex, hosted at Writtle Agricultural College, just outside Chelmsford.

Essex was, with the exception of Fords at Dagenham, never noted for heavy industry, and in the 19th century its industries were, like those of Norfolk and Suffolk, mainly concerned with servicing agriculture or processing its products. They included mainly small scale foundries, agricultural engineering, brickmaking, malting, milling and jam making. However, its long coast line (reputedly longer than that of Cornwall) led to fishing (especially oyster farming), coasting and tourism supporting significant industries. In north Essex silk weaving was significant until relatively recently. Proximity to London may well have encouraged some of the 20th century industries, notably radio (Marconi), electric lighting (Crompton), ball bearings (Hoffman), diesel engines (Paxman), oil refining (Coryton) and steel windows (Crittalls). Standing as it does between London and the continent, and controlling the Thames, Essex has always been important in the defence of the capital, and there are significant surviving remains.

More details will be available in due course.