From the time of his entry into the business, Sydney rose to be in charge of Engineering at the Bocking and Braintree factories. From 1886 – 98 the business suffered a serious downturn such that had never been experienced before, but this was the moment when Sydney decided to give his garden to the people of Braintree. Living at Bocking Place, he conceived a great idea. Although he built a new house on the same site in 1887, the garden was the same.
Across the Causeway road was another part of the garden of Bocking Place and Sydney seeing the thundering horse drawn traffic up the Causeway, determined to make an area for people, particularly children, could walk more safely and “whither the tired mechanic could resort, with his wife and children and where the industrious tradesman could escape for a brief spell from his cares and worries of business”. What we see today is his legacy to the people of Braintree & Bocking.When opened the people celebrated by a cheering crowd wandering around the town and at night lighting a great bonfire on the open spaces along the road. Much fun was had, no TV in those days, and no little beer was drunk that night.
This may be the last weekend of proper sunshine for some time. Autumn begins officially on Tuesday 22nd and the leaves are already turning brown and falling in piles from the trees. Ideal for kids to run through but a horrid forewarning of winters approach.
2 comments:
With the emphasis on 'under'...under class, under funded, under educated under employed...you name it....until we are under taken.
Fly, Indeed!
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