A bit about Basildon's History

In my role as researcher of the Basildon Heritage Trail I have interviewed some very interesting people, including a lady who was the last resident of 'Barstable Hall' (or Basildon Hall). If you go up Clickett Hill and up East Thorpe you will see what remains of a moat beside the the railing to the railway line. If you look carefully you will see where the moat went around the house. They used to have five wells for water, they had orchards and livestock and the whole place was surrounded by fields.
When I met Daphne and walked around listening to her stories I was back there, I could even imagine the enemy planes flying over and the kids diving into woodland or ditches for cover.
So I'm looking forward to hearing these stories from the 'aged persons'. I was one who used to sit by my Nan and listen to her tales, they were fascinating as times have changed so much.