It is funny how Chelmsford keeps cropping up. When I was young I used to chortle at the late Paul Jennings’s description in ‘Oodles of Oddlies’ which described Chelmsford as a ghastly city, a forsaken city, a city of electricians.
But it seems that Chelmsford has more to commend it than the Marconi and Crompton Parkinson factories; stuff that I (as an Essex-born man of Braintree and Chelmsford stock) should really have known about. For instance:
• Chelmsford is the ninth richest town in the UK with average income of £30,000 (The Times)
• Perhaps the most significant date in Chelmsford’s history was the ‘Great Flood’ of 3rd August 1888 when the River Can burst its banks – sweeping away the Iron Bridge in New London Road
• The Boreham interchange on the A12 is officially listed as one of Britain’s most confusing traffic intersections (Department of Transport)
• Henry VIII’s vast and imposing Beaulieu Palace stood originally on the site of what is now New Hall School (BBC TV Time Team)
• After World War II motor racing (with the likes of of Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn) took place at Boreham on a disused American military airfield
• Chelmsford Cathedral (previously St Mary’s Parish Church) has an action-packed history. In 1800 workmen dug a grave in the church floor, ready for a burial the next day. Unfortunately during the night an adjacent pillar ‘slipped’ into the hole, bringing down walls and roof
• Wikipedia records show that apart from members of my family (my Mum and my daughter come to mind) very few distinguished people were born in Essex's county town. Penny Lancaster (Mrs Rod Stewart) is about the best I can find, although Sir Geoff Hurst (born in Greater Manchester) grew up in Chelmsford
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