The Parish
of Henham consists
of Henham on the Hill, as it has been known in historical
documentation, and the two hamlets Little Henham and Pledgdon (sometime
known as Prison Green). Henham is the third highest point in
the county of Essex in England, Archaeological digs have
revealed evidence of occupation during Neolithic and Roman times and
the village is documented in the Domesday
Survey of 1086. 
The Parish remained an almost exclusively agricultural community until
the early 20th century. At that time there were about 14
different trades people here. We had three churches, three pubs and several
beer-houses, and at least 12 shops throughout the parish. We
were largely self sufficient. There is now only one community
run village shop which incorporates the village post office, one pub
and one church.
This
area has a number of
natural springs, which must have been a decisive factor to the first
settlers The river Cam, also known as Granta, rises in this area.
Henham's picture-postcard setting is dominated by the ponds
and thatched - roof cottages.
The trades-people used the ponds, such as the wheelwright who swelled
the wood in order to keep the metal binding bands secure.
The
fields
and properties retain ancient names such as Claypits and Sandpits,
depicting their original uses.
The
break-up of the landed
estates, which saw the auctioning of
properties between 1860 and 1922, brought a rapid decline for men,
women and children employed in domestic service.
The construction of the Elsenham-Thaxted Railway in 1913
gave access to the mainline to London and Cambridge. Post World War II
mechanisation reduced the need for agricultural workers and turned the
area into a satellite commuting village for the two
cities. This line was closed in 1952 thus contributing to the increase
of cars in the village
There is little
opportunity for local employment and the lack of affordable housing for
our young people has forced them to move from their home village to
more urban areas of habitation.
When
this web site was envisaged, it was anticipated that there were going
to be just a few interesting articles. However, the web site
has taken a life unto itself and it grows monthly. Each month
I will show what new articles
have been included. I have used a cut-off date of 1955. If
you want information regarding present Henham life visit our
village website
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