The Blacksmiths on the corner of Dunton Road and the High Road has been in the hands of the ‘Quelch’ family since 1968. The business itself has been there since the early 1700s. Why not stop off and have a look inside – it is a treasurer trove, I am sure that Tony the present owner will be more than happy to talk to you about the business, that is if he is not too busy
This is the Blacksmiths in earlier days and as can be seen there have not been many changes to the building over the years.
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Too far back for living memory but my ancestors came from Laindon in the early 1800s. In 1884 Edward Miller was the blacksmith and was my ancestors nephew. He was the son of Algernon and Martha Miller, could have been the Martha running the post office in 1884. Algernon passed away the year before, in 1883.
My direct Ancestor was Algernon’s sister Mary Ann. Their parents were Edward Miller and Catharine Thompson. The Millers had lived in the area for many generations. I’ve not been able to locate a birth for Catharine Thompson so dont know if her family was local or not.
Pictures of the Blacksmith Shop and home (once the Newman residence and place of work)
The Blacksmith previous to Mr Quelch was Thomas Newman – the family also ran a Post Office there. Going back further, the 1861 and 1881 Census show the forge was run by Alganon Miller.
I used to live in Church Road, just off of Wash Road, from the early fifties until about 1971. I used to have a pony and it was shod at the forge, as were all my friends ponies.
We also used to ride around Laindon Common, cross over at Billericay and go back to our homes via Barleylands, a good day out, time used to fly. We also used to ride a lot on the land at the top of Wraysberry Drive. In the 1930s summer houses were built there, a lot of them were deserted but a few were lived in still. There was also a small flight of steps down the bank to the main A127 which you crossed to get to Mrs Modley’s shop.
In the memories of old Laindon and its commercial outlets, there is one whicn still stands plying its original trade. I refer to the forge on the corner of Laindon High Rd. and Dunton Rd. I remember on one occasion in the mid 30s’ when Reg Buckenham of Mundles Farm asked me to walk one of his plough horses to Percy Newman’s forge to be shod. It was a huge shire mare named Blossom. We set off and it was Blossom leading me, not vice versa and when we arrived she crossed the road and waited until Percy invited her in. I marvelled at the way in which Percy was able to light his furnace using only a screwed up piece of newspaper and gently blowing with the bellows with a small sprinkling of coke until it glowed and gradualy adding more until there was a roaring furnace within minutes. Blossom was duly shod and Percy gave me some hoof trimmings which he said would attract any dog. Blossom led me back to the farm where I gave a piece of hoof to a little Jack Russell who seized it and ran off. I do not know whether it was eaten or buried.
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