Rayleigh, its People, Places and Heritage
Local History Group 'Rayleigh Through the Looking Glass' have over time acquired a significant
number of Rayleigh related artefacts, such as postcards, maps, books, ephemera and much more.
These have been displayed at a number of regular exhibitions held in the town but they now have
a permanent home for all to see, enjoy, and learn about our Town’s history.
The wearing of masks / visors in the Museum will remain in place unless exempt.
Rochford District Heritage Tapestry
The Museum is hosting the Rochford District Heritage Tapestry display from Wednesday 29th September until Saturday 30th October 2021.
The Museum will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.
On display will be all ten panels which form a timeline depicting the history of the Rochford area over the last 1,000 years. To supplement the panels, there will be a wide range of related knitted figures and buildings, as well as a number of children's activities.
On most days stewards will include some people who helped research and produce the panels, and they will be on hand to answer any questions visitors may have.
A 30 page A5 sized souvenir colour booklet will be available at a cost of £3.
Initially the museum is limited to 10 visitors at at time.
At long last on Wednesday 2nd June the Museum reopened to the public following months of closure due to the Covid pandemic.
Formally reopened by our Museum patron and local M.P Mark Francois who said I am delighted that the Museum has now reopened as Covid restrictions continue to ease. It is always a pleasure to visit the Museum and always good to see the new artefacts on display.
Currently (July) the Museum is open on a Wednesday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm and is fully compliant with all current covid regulations.
We have been working continuously in the background not only to ensure that we were ready to open just as soon as possible, but also receiving new artefacts, purchasing new display cabinets, and refreshing the displays.
Visitors will also see a new Lectern for use in our talks and slide shows, kindly donated by Ernie Hillier in memory of Stella Livermore a great supporter of the Museum.
We also have a number of new artefacts to include fragments from a World War 2 V2 rocket that crashed in Rayleigh and much more.
We look forward to seeing you next time you are in town.
Below is our latest acquistion, A laundry box from The Golden Lion Laundry.
And here is a picture of the Laundry.
We are looking to undertake some research into the Rayleigh “Toc H” group, whose headquarters prior to WW2 were situated on Crown Hill.
This photo which dates to 1928 shows a group fundraising in Rayleigh High Street outside Woods the butchers, which is now Costa Coffee.
We think that the gentleman on the cart with the funny nose may be Ernie lanes father, Joseph Charles Lane.
Do you have any information on the Rayleigh branch of Toc H? if so we would love to hear from you.
More information and application form on our Friends page
We're Good To Go
The Museum is proud to have acquired the Visit England 'We're Good to Go' Industry Standard mark which reflects that we have followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, have a Risk Assessment in place and a process to maintain cleanliness and maintain social distancing.
Object of the Week
The picture above is Trevor Cocks from the Hertfordshire Home Guard Living History Group who has been to the museum on a number of occasions, teaching us about the Home Guard.
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Home Guard
We have a significant display and archive of the Rayleigh Home Guard from World War Two.
Most important is the definitive book on the history of the Home Guard in Essex entitled Warmen Courageous with a chapter on Rayleigh including many photos of the Rayleigh men who served.
Also, on display in the Museum is a discharged shell case, dated 1942, from a Spitfire fighter aircraft, believed to have been fired in anger whilst flying over Castle Road, with the shell case later dug up in a back garden.
During World War 2, Rayleigh had its own Home Guard unit formed from the original LDV (Local Defence Volunteers) and their official name
was “C” Company of the 1st Essex Battalion Home Guard. Command was initially under Major W.T. Wormington, a retired regular army officer who soon stood down, on account of his age, to be replaced by Major R.G. Garrod.
As part of the usual Home Guard duties, they would spend hours training,
taking courses and entering competitions in rifle and pistol shooting.The Rayleigh
Battalion was very successful and won a number of trophies, such as the
Mapleson Cup. Many men gained an interest in shooting and after the war formed
a “Rifle and Pistol” club, which continues to this day.
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How do you spell Rayleigh? This is the Raley page from our copy of Morants History of Essex, which is regarded by many as the first definitive history of Essex. It was originally published in 1768, our edition is dated 1816.
Another wonderful picture from the museum archives. What was Crown Lane, now Crown Hill. Taken from the mount, you can see the Dutch Cottage. I believe the footpath in this Google Streetview picture is the one to the right of the cottages which were known as Sweeps Row.
Here is a picture of Stock Car Racing at Rayleigh Stadium in May 1969.
Can You Help?
Our picture today, Friday 3rd April 2020.
Whilst we know where some of our pictures have been taken, many contain locations and people that we need help identifying.
If you can identify anywhere or anyone in any of the pictures, please send us a message.
Today's photo is of Rayleigh Secondary School Football Team from 1938-39, (now FitzWimarc). We have a few of the names of the boys but most are unidentified.
If you can help, please send us a message with any names, making sure to include the number on the person in the photo.
We thought we would share some recently acquired pictures from our collection.
Whilst we know where some are taken, many contain locations and people that we need help identifying.
If you can identify anywhere or anyone in any of the pictures, please send us a message.
Today's photo is of The Crown pub and Lloyd's Bank, but where the Star Cafe is now located is a shop called Thomas Lebon and Sons, does anyone know what this shop sold and how long it was there for?"
Announcement - Coronavirus
Entry is Free
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We are a Tourist Information Point
with local walk leaflets available as well.
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We have a new range of merchandise, come in and take look. More pictures soon.
A selection of Wooden Toys
Poppies
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This is the result of a community coming together.
We are proud to have played a small part in this installation at Holy Trinity Church. Many thanks to those who spent hours knitting or crocheting the Poppies. Well done Rayleigh Town Council, Nicola and the team at Holy Trinity. What a fantastic community effort to remember the citizens of Rayleigh killed while serving their country.
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Let us know what you think of your visit
See some comments here What You Think
Two new unique postcards of Rayleigh Town & Rayleigh Town Museum
50p each
Please check back here regularly for updates on our progress and information on fundraising events.
For more information or feel you can help us in any way please contact Mike Davies
Join the Friends of Rayleigh Town Museum
Rayleigh Town Museum, 1st floor, 91, High Street, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7EJ
Opening Hours: 10am to 4pm, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Museum Telephone 01268 773535 (answerphone when we are not open)
Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1159405
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