It is thought that the ‘phan’ part of the village name derives from ‘fen’, lying as it does in the Thurrock fenland north of the Thames. The Bull is the only component of this ’sign’ in what is a relatively quiet village just off the A128.

Bulphan on Wikipedia
Bulphan History
Bulphan History – White’s Directory
Bulphan Church
Thurrock Local History Soc.

Bulphan, OS Grid Ref: TQ 640 859

Blackmore is associated with Henry VIII – he used to stay at Jericho House, the priory was demolished at his command. The church here is Norman but has one of the largest timber belfries in the county. It consists of three pagoda-like stages, as seen on the sign.

Blackmore Village Website
Blackmore on Wikipedia
Blackmore Parish Council
Blackmore Parish History

Blackmore, OS Grid Ref: TL 605 017

Unsurprisingly, this sign shows the bridge over the River Roding after which the village is named. The bridge has been an important crossing point on the river for many centuries, pointed out by the Roman(?) helm on the sign. The church spire shown on the sign appears to be that of nearby St Mary’s Lambourne rather than the Abridge Holy Trinity church which is spireless.

Abridge on Wikipedia
Abridge – Epping District Council
Abridge – British History Online
Stapleford Flying Centre

Abridge, OS Grid Ref: TQ 466 967

Lying close to Ashingdon, Canewdon shares it’s history, particularly with regard to King Canute, who is shown on the sign. Nearby earthworks suggest that this is where Canute made camp before his victorious battle over Edmund, and that the village name originated from that event (Canute’s Dun).

The impressive church tower is said to have been erected by Henry V in thanksgiving for his victory at Agincourt , and a local legend states that as long as the tower stands, there will be witches found in Canewdon.

Canewdon: A Pattern of Life Through the Ages

Last Wizard of Canewdon?

Canewdon on Wikipedia
Canewdon Parish Council
Canewdon Roll of Honour
The Witches of Canewdon (extract)
St Nicholas Church, Canewdon

Canewdon, OS Grid Ref: TQ 896 942

This sign commemorates two major events in Ashingdon’s history. In 1016, King Canute (or Cnut) was in retreat and met Edmund Ironside, King of England in battle here. Thanks to the failings of one of Edmund’s men, Canute won a great victory. Edmund was forced to partition the country, giving the north to Canute. However, Ironside was killed before the agreement came into force, and Canute became King of England. In 1020, in remembrance of his victory, Canute built a minster here, and installed Stigand (who would eventually crown William the Conqueror) as priest. Thus Ashingdon takes it’s place in England’s history.

May I show you round? A guide to Ashingdon Minister

Ashingdon on Wikipedia
Ashingdon Parish Council
The Battle of Ashingdon
Battle of Assendune

Ashingdon, OS Grid Ref TQ 867 926

Not so much a village as a suburb of London these days, the sign depicts various local images: cows grazing on the Green (which was originally part of the great Epping Forest), Sir Winston Churchill – who for many years was the local MP here, plus the stalwarts of many other village signs – a game of cricket and the local church.

Clement Atlee, Labour prime Minister in the late 1940’s had a home here, and was therefore represented by his Commons opponent!

Images of Woodford Green

The history of the Woodford Green United Free Church

Woodford Green, OS Grid Ref: TQ 400 919

The waterwheel shown, on what looks to be a fairly new sign (in 2005), refers to the Tide Mill, built in 1831 on nearby Alresford Creek.

Thorrington Parish Council

Thorrington on Wikipedia

Thorrington, OS Grid Ref: TM 088 203

Some nice wrought ironwork scrolling, supporting a simple shield design. The three trees represent Epping Forest, the remains of which lie a short distance to the west of the village. The forest was a favourite haunt of highwaymen in the 18th Century.

One highwayman, Jack Rann, was also known as Sixteen String Jack, and a local pub is named after him. He was hanged at the age of 24 in 1774. Despite his young age, he had previously been tried and acquitted six times for highway robbery. He has been described as a bit of a dandy, “being remarkably clean and neat in his dress and always with sixteen silken strings tying his breeches to his knees and a satin waistcoat laced with silver”. The key to Jack’s success in court was that he always carried out his crimes wearing a mask and dressed like a scruffbag. Whenever he appeared in court, dressed to the nines, witnesses couldn’t believe this could possbily be the same person, and he was thus acquitted. Jack came unstuck after he robbed Doctor Bell, a chaplain to Frederick the Great of Prussia, whose political connections ensured that Jack met the hangman’s rope.

Considering that the village lies within the M25, and could therefore almost be deemed to be part of the growing conglomeration that is Greater London, an interesting feature of the village is the almost complete absence of street lighting. Villagers have consistently voted against the installation of such lighting for decades, constantly fearing the loss of the “rural village” feel.

Theydon Bois Village web site

Theydon Bois – British History Online

Theydon Bois as I Knew it: With Reflections

Theydon Bois OS Grid Ref: TQ 453 990

Thaxted is a small country town with a recorded history which dates back to before the Domesday Book. The arms of the town are supported by a wheatsheaf and flowers and two members of the Thaxted Morris. The crossed swords on red appear to be derived from the arms of the Cutlers’ Company of London. Thaxted was once famous for its wool and cutlery, and with its famous Guildhall, magnificent Church and restored Windmill set against a backdrop of Medieval houses it is considered the jewel in the crown of Essex.

Thaxted web site

Thaxted, OS Grid Ref: TL 617 307

The cross of St George is the obvious motif here. Takeley is very close to Stansted Airport, so there’s possibly an element of ‘Welcome to England” here?

Close to the sign is a large sarsen stone, extremely unusual in Essex and labelled as a glacial erratic, discovered during excavations for the airport expansion. Evidence has been found of occupation in the area since the neolithic, with arrow heads (stone and bronze) and pieces of pottery all pre-dating the Roman era all being uncovered. Reused Roman brickwork can be seen in Holy Trinity Church.

Takeley Parish Council

Takeley Local History Society

Takeley OS Grid Ref: TL561 212