Since its creation in 1894 by Joseph Snell Wood, the Society of Women Writers & Journalists has attracted the company of many famous women writers, journalists, poets and playwrights. From its early days when at least 200 women applied to join, the Society has expanded to become a world-renowned body, with members both in the United Kingdom and abroad. To celebrate the centenary of the birth of the SWWJ's much-loved President of twenty-two years, Joyce Grenfell, the Society's archivist, Sylvia Kent, reveals the long and fascinating history of the Society. Not only is the evolution of the Society fully explored, but also the lives of many of its members have been thoroughly researched to paint a vivid picture of how the Society has gone from strength to strength. Accompanied by images of the Society's members, both past and present, this book will interest not only members of the SWWJ, but is a must-read for women writers everywhere.

The Essex town of Brentwood grew up at a stopping place on the main route into London from Colchester, in a clearing in the forest that covered much of the region. This was also the medieval pilgrim route to Canterbury, and as such the parish church is dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury. Many inns and hostelries catered for the travellers, some of which are still standing today, and a number of large houses and Brentwood School are evidence of the town's prosperity in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In the nineteenth century Warley Hospital and Warley Barracks were built in the town. Brentwood's proximity to London saw it grow extensively in the twentieth century when the Roman Catholic cathedral and Town Hall were built, with further redevelopment in the twenty-first century. Brentwood in 50 Buildings explores the history of this fascinating town through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place in Brentwood over the years. The book will appeal to all those who live in Brentwood or who have an interest in the town.

Essex - the witch hunting county - is especially rich in traditions, legends, dialect and stories that have been handed down through the ages. It is these traditions that are gathered together in this volume and whose origins and meanings are explored to create a sense of how the customs of the past have influenced the ways of the present. This fully illustrated study of folklore rediscovers those traditions that have either vanished, been ignored or hidden away. There are tales of dragons and warriors, literary folk and legendary folk, but always at the heart of Essex folklore are the traditional beliefs, stories, events and customs of the common people. Daily life itself contained numerous beliefs and maxims, omens and superstitions, as well as being full of music, dance and song.

An oral history of Brentwood

This book is part of the Tempus Oral History series, which combines the reminiscences of local people with old photographs and archived images to show the history of various local areas in Great Britain, through their streets, shops, pubs, and people.