I was joined today by a man who’s made it his mission to highlight the town of Rayleigh, and get it it well and truly on the map.
That man is MIKE DAVIES, the founder and chairman of the RAYLEIGH TOWN MUSEUM.
The museum itself opened in 2016 although inevitably a huge amount of groundwork took place before that.
As Mike explained Rayleigh has a rich history starting with Rayleigh’s Castle, which sadly no longer exists, but was the only castle in Essex referred to in the Domesday Book, and for a time was home to Robert FitzWimarc, the Sherriff of Essex and Hertfordshire, who was also a friend of William the Conqueror.
Rayleigh is also home to what is probably the most unusual council house in the country.
Known as THE DUTCH COTTAGE, it’s a Grade 2 listed building, which is open to the public free of charge, by appointment with the occupant, but don’t believe the date above the front door – 1621. It’s thought to have more likely been built around 1740.
Rayleigh is also home to the tallest windmill in the country. It’s about 6 storeys high and was built in 1809.
And coming more up to date, the main Southend Arterial Road, the A127, which passes by Rayleigh, was the first road in this country built specifically for motor vehicles, and when it opened (in stages) from around, 1924 was England’s longest new road built since Roman times.
The museum itself, which is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm, is located in the oldest secular building in Rayleigh, dating back to the 1400’s. It’s not surprising therefore that it has undergone many changes over the years. It’s timber framed and plastered, and during restoration work some of the timbers were found to be sooted, probably due to the use of open fires, with the smoke escaping through the roof.
Entry to the museum is totally free of charge, but regular special events are organised which need to be pre-booked.
Details of these events can be found on the museum website https://rayleightownmuseum.co.uk/
Meantime take a listen here to what Mike had to tell me today: –
In the second hour of today’s show we heard about the shock experienced by a couple enjoying a break in London at THE SHARD.
Staying in an apartment on the 40th floor they peeped out of the window at 6am and saw a man waving at them as he scaled the building barefoot!
Mightily surprised, Paul Curphey and his partner, TREASAIDH, who initially thought Paul had pushed the boat out and that the guy was about to deliver a box of MILK TRAY, urged the climber to complete his mission.
The intrepid steeplejack turned out to be 21-year old ADAM LOCKWOOD who posed for a selfie at the top of the 72-storey building before being arrested on suspicion of trespass upon returning to Terrafirma!
All being well I hope to have your company again tomorrow,
Scott
