Comments on: At Waltham Abbey

By: Heather Gray

Heather Gray — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:53:37 +0000

We recently visited Waltham Abbey for the second time – previously 2005. My mother was born there in 1911 to Samuel and Sarah Eagleston. She had an older brother Harold. The family lived in 3 Rue de St. Lawrence. In May, 1917 my grandfather Samuel died and is buried in the cemetery there. Because it was not easy for their widowed mother to raise the family alone, relatives in Australia in cited Sarah to bring the. Hold ten to Australia in 1922. Samuel has 5 grandchildren here in outer Brisbane, two to Harold, a girl and a boy and three girls to Frances. We were all told lovingly of Waltham Abbey from our earliest years and hold this in high esteem. They were members of the Baptist Church there and the children also attended the Sunday School at the Salvation Army in the afternoon as young ladies who were neighbours asked if they could come.
On our first visit there we visited the Abbey, as we did this time, enjoyed the music from the organ the first time as it was being played at that time, and as we did this time we visited the bookshop. The first time we bought a CD of music from the Abbey and it included a Christmas Carol which, I believe, was first sung in the Abbey. We had a Christian radio programme each Sunday where we then lived in Ballarat , Victoria, and each Christmas we shared that Carol and spoke about the Abbey as we did other times sharing favourite hymns. A favourite hymn writer of our grandfather was Frances Ridley Havergal, hence our mother’s name. Sadly the CD was lost at the studio. This CD was not available on this visit but I am wondering if someone can tell us the name of that Carol as I have forgotten.
When we visited this time we received a copy of the Waltham Abbey choir Remembrance CD as it was actually on Remembrance Day we were there. We arrived from London not long after the service had ended. The lady in the Bookshop, I think her name may have been Isabel, was very nice and helpful to us as we bought a few things to remind us of our visit. We did again visit our grandfather’s grave, nicely under a tree not far from the Highway. Thank you. We have loved hearing about your town and the Abbey from our earliest years – over 80 now. Heatger J. (Eagleston, Sands) Gray.

By: Gillian McMullen

Gillian McMullen — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 01:35:33 +0000

I enjoyed this article very much, but I thought your comment about “credulous” pilgrims was uncalled for. They believed deeply in what they were doing. Whether the relics were genuine or not is immaterial. They deserve our respect.

By: Irene Lilian Pugh

Irene Lilian Pugh — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 20:14:47 +0000

Thank you for highlighting the history of Waltham Abbey and her history. I have passed the Abbey many times by car when travelling from Essex to Palmers Green. I regret not taking advantage of visiting the Abbey and Harold’s grave.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:07:48 +0000

Funny old thing history, full of whispers. I read Harold had escaped the battle to become a hermit and died in Chester!

Thank you for the article.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:05:05 +0000

Every time I encounter a depiction of a person holding a structure, I am enthralled. This statue
of Harold cradling the Abbey is a perfect example. There is a touching/surprising reversal of scale,
but mostly I think it just provides a visual reminder of How We Love Our Homes. How our homes provoke a feeling of protection, warmth and gratitude.

A lovely quote from Mark Twain, about his deeply-loved, remarkable home in Hartford CT:
“It had a heart, and a soul, and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solicitude and deep sympathies, it was OF us, and we were its confidence and lived in its grace and in the peace of its benediction.”

We have visited this unique home many times, and each time we expect the Twain family to come into the rooms; caught up in laughter, discussion, and mirth. I expect Twain himself to look over, catch our eye, and sweep his arm toward us. “Oh, ho — You’re here. Well, let’s sit and have a story or two.”

Thank you for taking us along to the Abbey. How I would love to open those wooden doors with the crests. Just lovely.

By: Milo

Milo — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:28:48 +0000

I can’t think of anything nicer than cycling up there on a sunny day. Hope you didn’t run down John Rogers on your way.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:53:52 +0000

Thank you for this visit, which helps to make up for the opportunities not taken when I lived in Stoke Newington, 1933-1952. Now too old and far away to visit, but not too old and insensitive to appreciate what I missed.

By: Juliet Jeater

Juliet Jeater — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 08:57:45 +0000

Is there an Eleanor cross there?

By: David Bishop

David Bishop — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:59:16 +0000

I love this post! Thank you.

By: Greg T

Greg T — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:05:29 +0000

A very good friend was married in the Abbey – his memorial service was there, as well ….
Sun Street has a remarkable stretch of houses dating back to the 1600’s or even earlier ( Though you might not realise it )
Don’t forget “King Harold Day” later this year on Sat 15th October & for laughs .. the world canoeing championship opening 17th September (!)