Aldham is a village of about 500 adults of whom about 70 are young people under 20. The ecclesiastical parish has the same boundaries as the civil parish. It is situated 5 miles west of Colchester, and its proximity to Marks Tey station means that commuting to London is very feasible. Employment within the village consists of small craft workshops, three working farms, a commercial orchard specialising in rare varieties of apple, two pubs, and a garden centre.
The village sign, which is sited between the
church and the Village Hall, depicts the church, the profile of Philip Morant
historian of Essex who was Rector of Aldham from 1745 to 1770, an apple tree and
the bridge over the River Colne which forms part of the boundary of the parish.
It was made by Fred Patten of Cummins Farm.
The parish covers approximately 6 square miles and has two main population centres, one around the church and the other at Fordstreet on the A1124. New housing in the village is currently restricted by planning law to replacement.
There is no school in Aldham. The designated primary school for Aldham is in neighbouring Eight Ash Green. Aldham Church maintains a strong link with this school.
The village has lively and
well-supported
organisations that include W.I., Good Neighbours, Brownies, Guides and the
Social Club.
To mark the Millennium a map of the village, depicting life in Aldham, was produced. Proceeds from the map and a grant from Rural Action have enabled a new weather-vane to be made to mark the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It was placed on the Village Hall on 6 October 2002. A letter of appreciation was received from Buckingham Palace.
Launched in June 2002 was Aldham's new magazine called The Grapevine. It is published every three months and is edited by Caty Robey, The Cummins, Aldham.
There is also a village website.
ANGELA GREEN’S history of Aldham
was published in January 2005. With 264 pp and 16 pp of illustrations, this is
the most comprehensive book on Aldham ever.
At £10.00 (free delivery within Aldham) it is a must for anyone with a serious
Aldham connection.
It is a beautifully presented, impeccably researched and eminently readable
account of our village through the centuries.
Please order from Angela Green, Tintern Cottage, Halstead Road, Aldham,
Colchester, CO6 3PP or by telephone (01206) 211979. Please add £1.75 per copy
for p&p to addresses outside Aldham.
The VILLAGE WAR MEMORIAL has been researched by Jane Smith. Press here for the details.