In Lavo-lil, when recounting a conversation with a Gipsy in 1866, Borrow says (of the Gipsies of Epping Forest):
“... why only the other day I was with them at Fairlop Fair ...”
...
...
...“The loveliest forest in the world!” said I. “Not equal to what it was, but still the loveliest forest in the world, and the pleasantest, especially in summer; for then it is thronged with grand company, and the nightingales, and cuckoos, and Romany chals and chies. As for Romany-chals there is not such a place for them in the whole world as the Forest. Them that wants to see Romany-chals should go to the Forest, especially to the Bald-faced Hind on the hill above Fairlop, on the day of Fairlop Fair. It is their trysting-place, as you would say, and there they musters from all parts of England, and there they whoops, dances, and plays; keeping some order nevertheless, because the Rye of all the Romans is in the house, seated behind the door...
And when describing an unnamed gypsy woman:
At Fairlop, on the first Friday of July, in the evening, she may be found near the Bald-faced Hind, dressed in a red cloak and a large beaver; her appearance is bold and reckless—she is dukkering low tradesmen and servant girls behind the trees at sixpence a head, or is bandying with the voice of a raven slang and obscenity with country boors, or with the blackguard butcher-boys who throng in from Whitechapel and Shoreditch to the Gypsy Fair
Borrow is implying he (the “Rye of all the Romans”) was at the Bald-faced Hind on the first Friday in July in 1866 and had probably been before, knowing the inn and the Gipsies well. Borrow is correct that it was a Gipsy gathering place as the newspaper reports (see our page on Fairlop) note gipsies in the area during early July for much of the 1850’s and 1860’s.
Below is a little of the history of the Bald-faced Hind culled from the contemporary newspapers and other sources. Transcriptions of the newspaper reports then follow.
The Bald-faced Hind (closed in February 2010, demolished, and now the site of a block of flats next to a petrol station on Hainault Road), was on Grange Hill, between Fairlop plain and Chigwell, and had an origin going back at least to 1800 if not decades before. The 167 bus from Fullwell Cross to Chigwell goes past the site: you cannot miss it as it’s on a very busy junction, by a large petrol station and is a block of flats on a hill so you can see it coming. There is a patch of green with a few trees on the opposite side of the road so you imagine that’s where Borrow saw the gipsies. Also, being on the Grange Hill ridge you can see over Fairlop plain, providing you ignore the buildings.
There’s no mention of the Bald-faced Hind in the newspapers, and it appears to have been referred to as the Bald Hind (unless Borrow is confusing it with the Bald-faced Stag on Buckhurst hill).
The first newspaper reference found to the Bald Hind is in 1812 when a sale involved “premises lately the Bald Hind public-house”, so the business had stopped trading as such then. There are claims on the Internet that it appears in Kelly’s 1822 directory with Levi Grout as the landlord, and as the notice of Grout’s death (1875) said he’d been landlord for over 50 years he must have taken it on in the early 1820’s. This would also mean Levi was landlord when Borrow was there.
There were various estate sales in the area in the 1820’s and a few are transcribed below: some might have involved the Bald Hind although it’s not mentioned. The descriptions of very good arable land in stunning forest scenery gives a good idea of how Borrow would have perceived the area.
The making of roads in 1832 and onwards shows that the Bald Hind was very much a local landmark with the new roads greatly increasing passing trade. Note that in 1842 “coaches are constantly passing near to the spot” (not necessarily the Bald Hind, but the area is on the coaching routes).
Given the strong association of the area with the east end of London (i.e. the annual outing to Fairlop Fair), it’s interesting that Levi’s son (Levi Henry Grout) had left Chigwell and moved to London by the 1851 census which found him aged 24, a carpenter, living with Sophia his wife and Henry his son in the St. George’s district. He’d also dropped the “Levi” at this time, but would resume it later, and he’d also return to become landlord of the Bald Hind.
When Hainault forest was to be cut down in 1852 (effectively the end of the real ‘Fairlop Fair’) John Laver, under keeper of the forest, is said to live “near the Bald Hind”, so whilst rural the spot was an administrative centre in a way. Some reports speak of it being “at Chigwell-row” (which was a well-thought-of village in Essex), which would provide a local trade as well as coaching traffic. Borrow’s states that the itinerant Gipsies used it as a gathering place too, whilst Levi would not have held it for 50 years if it didn’t pay and it wouldn’t do that if it wasn’t a busy place.
In 1853, with the traditional Fairlop Fair “outlawed” the east-enders spread around the locality to picnic in the forest etc., and as can be seen from the newspaper report (below) on “Sunday evening [of the Fair weekend] last there were a great many people in the Forest, near the Bald Hind at Grange Hill.” From the railway passenger figures (see the Fairlop timeline) it would seem that Sunday excursions to the area from London were always popular, even when it wasn’t the Fair weekend, and again this would have added greatly to Levi’s trade, with the Fair weekend being especially busy.
Whilst the Bald Hind had it’s fair share of mentions in criminal trials, for example being duped with counterfeit coin in 1857, it would seem to have been a well-run and orderly establishment that generated no trouble in itself. The magistrates had been behind the 1832 road which started there, and they commented on the long tenure of Levi when his son took over in 1875.
By 1860 the excursion trade, and certainly the remnants of the ‘Fair’ trade, were falling off, and Levi is seen making the Bald Hind the ideal destination for Sunday School outings from London! No doubt the superintendants, whilst condemning the drinking and gambling that had marred the decline of the Fair, had themselves appreciated the scenery and innocent amusements the area offered. Ample provision of food as well as drink was clearly part of the Hind’s daily business, as can best be seen by the employees of Messrs. Farmiloe and Sons’ annual outing in 1866.
By 1863 the enclosure of Chigwell and possible deforestation was being pushed and it’s interesting to speculate that it would have been in the early 1860’s when Borrow mainly visited: he’d have surely noticed recently cut-down trees! Note that in April 1866 the Home Secretary confirms some trees had recently been cut down. Also, in Lavo-lil the various visits to Gipsy groups mentioned are mainly in the early 1860’s so Borrow may have been ‘researching’ during the period.
Even as parts of the area were being sold off for development, the Bald Hind was using it’s standing to develop new trades: details of sales could be found there and the Hind’s field could be rented for stabling horses (see 1867). This enthusiasm for developing business caused trouble in 1868 when Charles Grout the ‘landlord of the Bald Hind’ (it’s Levi in the directories etc.) was prosecuted for holding a reincarnation of Fairlop Fair. It’s testimony to Grout’s good-standing that no fine appears to have been imposed, the trial being about procuring a legal ban of the Fair for the following year.
[Perhaps each time the Fair was outlawed it was only a decree for the coming year, with the authorities forgetting after a few years and something like a Fair restarting only to be outlawed again.]
The Bald Hind (or at least somewhere near it) had also become the location of the German Singing Festival in 1868.
Borrow must have known the Bald Hind before the Fair Friday of 1869, as a few days prior there were 1,355 grubbed up trees lying near the Bald Hind, no doubt making a sorry picture and signalling the end of the excursion traffic, although the German Singing Festival appears to have returned for a few years.
In 1874 Borrow published Lavo-lil and moved back to Oulton, Suffolk, so there’d be no Borrovian association with the Bald Hind again. The place continued, even attempting a resurrection of the Fair again (The Standard, 4 July 1874):
At the Bald Hind, Chigwell, there was an attempt at a fair by a lady from Stepney, having a small booth for the sale of gingerbread, and there were some real East-end ladies dancing in front of the Bald Hind to the music of an itinerant band.
In 13 December 1874 Levi Grout died and Levi Henry his son took over as landlord.
The newspaper transcriptions below are a selection relating to the Bald Hind or it’s immediate neighbourhood. There aren’t many mentions in the newspapers though. No attempt has been made at an exact transcription and spelling etc. has been modernised in most cases.
A passing reference to the Bald Hind and what it might become but more important as establishing it was there in 1812, and also it’s size (“cottage”).
Sales by Auction. Chigwell, near Epping and Hainault Forests. Residence with beautiful Paddocks, Two small Farms; and sundry lands, with immediate possession.—By Messrs. Skinner, Tuchin and Forrest, on Tuesday, July 7 ... [lot] 4. Grange Hill Farm, situate on a most delightful eminence on the verge of Hainault Forest, near Chigwell-row, commanding prospects of great extent and beauty, consisting of upwards of 35 acres, with Premises lately the Bald Hind public-house, which might, at a moderate expense, be converted into a genteel cottage residence.
Another sale giving an idea of the land in the area, also note it was raising a substantial rent:
Very valuable and desirable Freehold, Copyhold, and Leasehold Estates, situate in the Parishes of Chigwell and Barking, in the County of Essex; consisting of two Farm-houses, with suitable agricultural buildings, 19 cottages, and sundry inclosures of rich meadow and arable land; the whole containing upwards of 126 acres, part of which is in hand, and the remainder let on leases to yearly tenants, at rents amounting to near £530 per annum. To be viewed by applying to Joseph Briggs, at Chigwell Grange...
The Morning Chronicle, 11 September 1817, has:
A very desirable and compact Estate, called Grange Hill Farm, situate on that most delightful eminence, Grange Hill, a short distance from Chigwell-row, on the verge of Hainault Forest, on which it has a very extensive and value rights, comprising a Messuage with Barns, Stabling, Cow-house, and Out-buildings, eight Cottages and adjacent enclosures of most excellent meadow and arable Land, containing 43a, 1r, 19p. and early possession to be hand.
The Morning Chronicle of 28 May 1818 has a similar advert (40 acres, 1 Messuage, barns and stables, eight cottages etc.) ... “offering a most eligible opportunity for the erection of a Villa”.
Chigwell, Essex.—To be SOLD by Private Contract, by Mr. Robins (of Warwick-street, Golden-square), a very desirable Freehold Estate, Chigwell Grange-house, placed on a lawn, commanding rich and extensive views of the beautiful country; the house contains good family apartments, and offices, excellent gardens, large farm-yard, with stables and coach-houses, large barn and various out buildings, and enclosures of rich meadow land, upwards of One Hundred and Eight Acres: immediate possession may be hand.
A Valuable Freehold Estate, the late residence and property of J. James, Esq., at Chigwell, a healthy cheerful part of the Country of Essex, 13 miles from Whitechapel; comprising a comfortable House, with convenient offices, capital farm buildings, and 54 acres of rich and productive pasture and arable land, in the highest state of cultivation, with a ring fence. The purchaser may have the Live and Dead Stock, Implements, &c. at a valuation, or they will be Sold by Auction.—The Estate may be viewed, and particulars had on the premises; at the May Pole, Chigwell-row; ...
A valuable freehold estate, Chigwell Grange House, placed on a lawn, and separated from the road by park pailing; a fine cheerful situation, and dry healthy spot, commanding rich and extensive views of the beautiful country, the residence of the late Arthur Burke Baker, Esq. deceased. ... upwards of Ninety-six acres, part bounded by the River Roden, and the lands ornamented with full-grown timber trees. ... Lot 2 ... Freehold Enclosures .. Doctor’s and Betsey’s Fields, containing Twelve acres, situate on the opposite side, fronting the Mansion; a charming spot for building ...
As with most public houses of the day, whilst it didn’t merit a newspaper article in itself, it would turn up in criminal trials. This doesn’t mean it was a hot-bed of crime, simply that criminals were amongst its customers:
Three horses were stolen from Maldon on Wednesday morning, but an active pursuit immediately took place, and it was ascertained that three men passed through Shenfield turnpike about five o’clock that morning, mounted on horses answering the description of those stolen. One of the men separated soon after, with a mare belonging to Mr. Jones, but the other two, named Robert Cutts and William Ellis, were apprehended at the Bald Hind, on Hainault Forest, and have been fully committed for trial.
Prospects for the Bald Hind picked up as a road would be built, presumably bringing more passing trade:
The Forty-day Court, held on Saturday, the 16th inst. by the Verderors and other principal officers of the Forest of Waltham (commonly called Hainault Forest), these gentlemen at once agreed to give their sanction to the new road about to be made from Chigwell to Ilford and Barking, through the Forest; the work has consequently commenced in good earnest; a great number of able-bodied labourers were employed all last week at the place where it begins—the Bald Hind, Grange Hill, in the parish of Chigwell.
On the report of the new road, it’s interesting that it links the two public houses associated with Fairlop fair. The Maypole was presumably the one which is now at Hainault (and known as the Old Maypole).
The new road is now completed from the Bald Hind, at Grange Hill, in the parish of Chigwell, to the May Pole, at Barking Side. Although this road has not been many weeks open to the public, the good-effects are already beginning to be felt by the inhabitants of the surrounding country, as it opens a direct communication at Chigwell between the Ongar and Epping roads and the great eastern road at Ilford, as well as to the navigation on the river Thames, the ferries at Barking and Woolwich, and the opposite coats of Kent. Before this road was formed, carriages, waggons, and every description of vehicles with wheels, arriving at Chigwell, and wishing to go on to Ilford or Barking Ferry, were obliged either to go round by way of Woodford Bridge, Snaresbrooks, and Wanstead, or by the road which was also made by subscription about 30 years ago, from Chigwell-Row to Romford by Hoy-hill House, and which has proved of so much benefit not only to the town of Romford, but to all those who live in that district of the country, beyond the Forest, and whose avocations call them to that market, either of these roads being several miles round, and missing also the pretty retired Forest scenery by the fence piece along the new line. This work was commenced in the spring of last year, under the auspices of several of the Magistrates of the Ilford Bench, in whose Division this tract of country lies, and to the formation of which their Worships liberally contributed: we have seen the names of a few of the subscribers, amongst whom we observed The Marquis of Salisbury, ... who had affixed to their names sums varying from 5 guineas to 30l. Most of the respectable tradesmen and agriculturalists in and around Ilford and Barking, and Chigwell, also subscribed liberally. It was the means of giving employment to a number of the labouring poor, who would otherwise have been thrown upon their parishes for support.
On Wednesday last, Joseph Howe, senior, of Chigwell Row, was taken before Edward Ind, Esq. charged with having sold to the foreman of Messrs. Grant and Yarnold, fellmongers, at their stall in Romford market, the skin of a mare, the property of Mr. Kirkby, a respectable butcher, at Chigwell. ... On Monday, however, he went in search of the mare, and found one of its hind legs not far from the Bald Hind, at Grange Hill, and on enquiring at Romford market ...
Grange-hill Farm being sold, there’s a fair description of the area at the time, and note the hint to build “villa residences”. It also shows there was considerable coach traffic through the area, so the Bald Hind was presumably situated to exploit it.
Grange-hill Farm, Chigwell, Essex.—By Mr. James Beadel, at the King’s Head Inn, Chigwell, on Tuesday, July 26, at 12 for 1, with possession, in convenient Lots, That desirable and well-situated Farm (the greater part being freehold, and 1 field copyhold) known as Grange-hill, abutting upon the Forest of Hainault, with the valuable forest rights appertaining thereto, offering most unexceptionable sites for villa residences, first-rate investments, or occupations, within one mile of the village of Chigwell and almost part of the far-famed Chigwell-row, unrivalled for the extent and beauty of its scenery, the salubrity of its air, and the fertility of its soil—the Ilford terminus of the Eastern Counties Railway is within 3 miles of the farm, and the drive to it through the forest is of the most picturesque and delightful character—coaches are constantly passing near to the spot, and the metropolis is only distant 10 miles by railway, and 12 by road. Particulars, with conditions of sale, may be obtained at the Mart, London; of Messrs. Stokes, Hollingsworth, Tyerman, and Johnson, Solicitors, 24, Cateaton street, London; at the place of sale; and at the Offices of the Auctioneer, Witham.
Messrs. Driver have been honoured with instructions from the Right Honourable Thomas Francis Kennedy, the Commissioner in charge of her Majesty’s Woods and Royal Forests, to offer for Sale .. 140 lots, each lot comprising 100 trees and pollards of exceedingly valuable Oak Timber, ... these will be shown by applying to ... John Laver, Under-keeper, near the Bald Hind, Chigwell.
Joseph Giffin, of Chigwell, Richard Wood, John Hunt, Benjamin Marshall, Wm. Latchford, Chas. Brady, and Charles Randall, were charged with creating a breach of the peace, and assaulting the police in the execution of their duty.—Daniel Paul, p. c. K 123, stated that on Sunday evening last there were a great many people in the Forest, near the Bald Hind at Grange Hill: he was on duty, and two gentlemen came up to him and told him they had been very much annoyed by the defendant Griffin; he went up to him and told him to be quiet and go away; he immediately pulled some wires from his pocket and said, “I am Joe Giffin, the biggest poacher in this country or any other.” Some of his companions came up and took him away; about half an hour afterwards he came up to witness and Serjeant Borkwood and made use of very abusive language; they said nothing to him but walked away; he continued to follow them and abuse them for some time; they persuaded him to go back quietly, or they should be obliged to take him into custody; he persisted, however, in following them and making use of horrid language; witness said he would have no more of his abuse, and collared him; he then struck witness and kicked him; Borkwood then came to his assistance, and they all three fell to the ground; the other defendants then came up and excited Giffin, and endeavoured to prevent his being taken into custody; Wood had a stick in his hand, which he made use of against the police; during the scuffle, another policeman came up and assisted; Marshall called out, “Give it the police—give it them;” and they all attempted to rescue Giffin, but more assistance arriving, he was secured. During the scuffle, the police were very much ill-treated, and some of the defendants made their escape at the time, but, as they were all known, summonses were taken out against them.—Giffn committed for one month, and the other defendants fined 10s. each and costs, or 21 days’ imprisonment.
In another case of criminal activity occurring at the Bald Hind, at Leyton Union-House, May 18, before John G. Fry, Esq.:
Uttering Counterfeit Coin.—George Allen, alias Ward, and Charlotte Brooks were placed at the bar (having been remanded), charged with uttering counterfeit count.—From the evidence adduced (which was very voluminous) it appear that the two prisoners on Thursday, the 7th inst., were seen together at Barkingside, and the male prisoner attempted to pass a bad half-crown at the shop of Mr. Ward, but which was refused. They then went on to Woodford, and there the female prisoner passed a bad half-crown at the “Bald Hind,” in payment for some refreshment, and attempted to pass another at the shop of Mr. Dixon, a baker, where she was detected and given into custody. Allen also attempted to pass bad money at Mrs. Shrimpton’s, at Woodford Bridge, and other places.—The prisoners, who denied knowing each other, or having acted in concert, were committed for trial at the next Central Criminal Court.
Albion Chapel Sabbath Schools. The annual excursion of the children and friends of these schools took place on Wednesday last, when about 200 excursionists left the chapel in vans for the Bald Hind, Chigwell, Epping Forest. ... On arriving at Chigwell preparations were made for dinner, and each van and almost every room in the hostelry above named accommodated dinner parties. Happily, before the repast was over the rain ceased, and the out-door amusements commenced. Cricket, Aunt Sally, and swings had a share of patronage, but the ponies and donkeys had a “lion’s share.” ...
I William Bryan Wood, of Chippenham, in the County of Wilts, the Valuer acting in the matter of the Inclosure of certain Lands containing about six hundred acres, formerly part of Hainault Forest, situate in the parish of Chigwell, in the county of Essex, HEREBY GIVE NOTICE, that I shall hold a MEETING on the Twenty-seventh day of January, at the King’s Head Inn, in the said parish of Chigwell, at Eleven o’Clock in the Forenoon, for the purpose of receiving claims in writing from all persons claiming any common or other right or interest in the said lands, and such claims must state the several particulars in respect whereof they are made, ...
St. Nicholas Cole Abbey and St. Nicholas Olave.—The children attending the church of the above parishes enjoyed their annual treat on Wednesday, the 1st. inst. The place selected was the Bald Hind, at Chigwell-row, and through the kindness of the Rector ... everything necessary for their comfort.
Chigwell Inclosure. I, William Bryan Wood, of Chippenham, in the county of Wilts, the Valuer acting in the matter of the Inclosure of certain Lands, containing about six hundred acres, formerly part of Hainault Forest, situate in the parish of Chigwell, in the county of Essex, HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that a certain PUBLIC CARRIAGE ROAD and HIGHWAY, commencing opposite the Bald Hind Inn, and leading thence easterly towards Chigwell Row, for the distance of about one hundred and sixty yards, is intended to be DISCONTINUED and STOPPED UP, from and after the Sixth day of July next. ... N.B. A new road will be made in a straight direction to Woodford Bridge, in lieu of the part intended to be stopped.
Chigwell Inclosure. To Road Contractors and Others. Specification, Plan, and Section of a New Road intended to be made from near the Bald Hind towards Woodford, are deposited at the King’s Head Inn, Chigwell.
Tenders to be sent to Mr. Wm. Bryan Wood, of Chippenham, Wilts, on or before the 1st day of June next.
St. Nicholas Cole Abbey and St. Nicholas Olave. On Wednesday, 19th inst., the Rev. H. Kynaston, D.D., Rector of these united parishes, gave his annual treat of upwards of fifty children who attend the parish church. By the contributions of a few friends, vans were provided, which conveyed them to the Bald Hind, Chigwell. On their arrival, a plentiful supply of good things, provided by the bounty of the Rector, was set before them, to which they did ample justice. They then dispersed, some to the thickness of the forest, others to the games provided for them, until five o’clock, when they were again called together and regaled with cake, milk, &c.
In the House of Commons, Wednesday, a question on the enclosure of Chigwell Common:
Mr. J. S. Mill inquired whether the award for the enclosure of Chigwell Common had been signed, and also if the timber on fifty acres of recreation ground granted for the people of the metropolis was being cut down—The Home Secretary replied that the award referred to had not been finally signed, and that the timber which was being felled belonged to the Lady of the Manor.
The annual excursion of the employés of Messrs. Farmiloe and Sons, lead and glass merchants, of 118, St. John-street, took place on Saturday last, when upwards of one hundred were regaled by the firm in the forest near Chigwell-row. A cold collation was served at 1.30, to which ample justice was done. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, “The Health and Prosperity of the Firm” was proposed and drunk with the greatest enthusiasm, and responded to most appropriately. The company repaired to the “Bald Hind,” where mine host had provided tea, after parking of which the whole company returned to town...
Mr. Alfred Savill is instructed to sell by Auction ... 13a 2r 2p of valuable freehold and copyhold land, situate near Grange-hill, Chigwell, and abutting upon the road from Woodford-bridge to Chigwell-row, about two miles distant from the Woodford Station, on the Loughton Line of Railway being portions of Hainault Forest. It is well timbered and available for building purposes.
Particulars ... at the Bald Hind and King’s Head Inns, Chigwell; ...
United Parishes of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, and St. Nicholas Olave, The Children attending the church of the above parishes celebrated their annual excursion on Thursday last at the Bald Hind, Chigwell, and through the kindness of Dr. Kynaston, the late Rector, the Churchwardens, and other friends, were bountifully supplied with everything necessary for their comfort and amusement. ...
Since the Grout’s of the Bald Hind owned pasture, they apparently rented it out for horses. In a case of horse-stealing:
James Rushbrook, the prosecutor, identified the horse as his, and said on the 28th of May he took it to Mr. Grout, the Bald Hind, Chigwell, made a bargain with him, and saw it turned in the forest.
Thomas Grout, of the Bald Hind, provide he had 100 acres on the forest enclosed, and the horse was put in there to pasture; saw it safe there on the 6th June; gave no authority to any one to take the horse out.
Holding an Illegal Fair.—Charles Grout, landlord of the Bald Hind public-house, Chigwell-row, was summoned for holding an illegal fair on Fairlop Friday.—Mr. Hepwood, of Finsbury-circus, appeared for the defendant, and said he was prepared to admit that the fair was illegal in order that might be stopped in future.—The bench thereupon declared the fair illegal—a declaration which gives the police power to keep the ground clear in future—and the charge thus ended.
Trees (1,355) to be Sold, all grubbed up; consisting of oak and hornbeams, 1s. 3d. each; lying at Grange-hill, near the Bald Hind, on the high road, Chigwell.
The Bald Hind might have got it’s name from the park it resided in, as the following story appears not be talking of the public house.
German Singing Festival.—The second annual German singing festival in aid of the funds of the German hospital, a most deserving institution, will take place on Monday, August 9, in the park of T. Hind, Esq., Bald Hind, Chigwell. The entertainments will be a varied character. Tickets may be obtained at the Shoreditch station on the morning of the excursion.
The festival turned out well and a report duly appeared in the Penny Illustrated Paper, 14 August 1869:
German Singing Festival.—The second annual German singing festival, held in behalf of the funds of the German Hospital, Dalston, was celebrated on Monday, at Bald Hind Park, Chigwell, which was kindly lent for the occasion by Thomas Grout Esq. Nearly 2000 persons attended, and the vocal efforts of the united choirs in their interpretation of German songs and melodies were loudly applauded. Subsequently dancing and other amusements were indulged in, and the proceedings appeared during the earlier period of the day productive of general enjoyment.
A third German Singing Festival was held and announced in Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper on 24 July 1870, when it would be held on “Monday next.” There didn’t appear to be a report on it though.
In what looks like the “For Sale” columns:
Cottage, Stable, Land (1½ acres), on lease. £28. Key at Bald Hind, Chigwell.
The only newspaper report come across which mentions the Bald Hind and Fairlop fair is given below. It’s an interesting coincidence that Borrow’s Lavo-lil (see above) which linked the two, was published in March 1874.
FAIRLOP FRIDAY.
Yesterday being “the first Friday in July,” celebrated in the Fairlop song, which used to be known by all East-enders as sung while dancing round the Fairlop Oak on fair day, the “boats” proceeded to Chigwell, according to annual custom. The origin of this custom is not known to every one, but tradition informs us that 104 years ago a shipbuilder, named Day, commenced an annual excursion for his family and workpeople to Fairlop, where there was a celebrated oak. The party proceeded from the shipyard in a full-rigged ship of small dimensions, but sufficiently large for the whole party. The ship was placed on wheels and drawn by horses. In process of time this annual custom made a holiday in the neighbourhood, and more than Mr. Day’s family joined in the “outing.” Indeed, so numerous did the party at last become, and so many inhabitants of the East-end joined in it, that a fair became established, and “Fairlop Fair” was looked forward to with great expectation by Whitechapel, Bow, Bromley, Mile-end, and Stratford, and from thence down to the river side. Fairs, however, at last grew obsolete, and for many years there has been no fair at all at Fairlop. Still, the old plan of the “boats” going down to Hainault Forest is kept up, and the old custom was repeated yesterday. Shipbuilders continue to support the time-honoured rule of old Day, and the blockmakers yesterday morning started their boat from the Builders’ Arms, Popular, at half-past eight. She was a pretty little vessel a four wheeled carriage: full-rigged, and ready for sea. Certainly she had her complement of men on board. She passed down Stratford to Ilford, thence to Barkingdale, Chigwell, and Woodford Wells, where the party arrived to dine at the Horse and Well, before five in the afternoon. The Licensed Victuallers’ Fairlop Boat left the Earl Greg, Whitechapel, later than the Blockmakers’, and went by the same route to the George, at Woodford, where the company dined. Whitechapel, Mile-end, and Stratford were decorated with flags as if in expection of a Royal visit; but from Ilford to Woodford, and by the still onward route to Stratford again, there was only here and there an indication that anything out of the common was going on. At Barkingdale there were a few small flags, a party of “negro delineators,” and a gipsy with some “knock’em downs,” which were not set up. At the Bald Hind, Chigwell, there was an attempt at a fair by a lady from Stepney, having a small booth for the sale of gingerbread, and there were some real East-end ladies dancing in front of the Bald Hind to the music of an itinerant band. But for these nothing like an annual holiday, whether of blockmakers or licensed victuallers, might have been going on; though on the “forest” the holiday makers appeared in force.
The boats returned to town with their occupants at the conclusion of the day’s pleasure, and arrived at their destinations at half past ten. Their entry into London, which commences at Stratford, was signalised by a grand display of coloured fires from the boat, and from the “houses” at which it stopped (which were numerous), and from two or three thousand persons must have been congregated along the line of the route to welcome their return. Some “Fairlop Friday services” were projected by some people in the Stratford locality to counteract the “excesses in drinking, swearing, singing, and infamous ribaldry,” which they said abounded on these occasions; but certainly the conduct of the people was not such as to justify such a condemnation.
A similar report appeared in the East London Observer 11 July 1874, but with an few extra details:
But on Friday the gathering at Fairlop—if I may call the scene of the festivities by a name to which in strict typographied justice it is not entitled—was not very great, and, sooth to say, the “pleasuring” was of the very mildest kind, being confined to the good things provided by the worthy host of the “Maypole” and “Bald Hind,” and the amusement afforded by some strong-lunged nigger minstrels, perspiring vocalists of a more sentimental kind a few cocoanut proprietors, and three or four encouragers of the persecutors of that much-abused female, “Aunt Sally.” On Saturday, in consequence of the half-holiday, the gathering was much greater, but Fairlop was in its highest glory on Sunday. From an early hour in the morning until late in the afternoon, thousands of pleasure-seekers continued to rush from the streets, lanes, and alleys of the East End to the vicinity of Hainault Forest, by bus, rail and pleasure van. In Whitechapel road the inscription “To Fairlop” was visible in the largest and blackest of types on scores of omnibuses, and upon as many pleasure vans gay in gilding was the same notification to be seen. I do not think I over estimate the numbers who enjoyed “Fairlop Sunday” last Sunday, when I state that they could not have fallen far short of one hundred thousand. And, despite the boasted politeness of Continental peoples, I venture to say that in no country in the world could better tempered or better conducted thousands be seen than those who on Sunday escaped from the poverty stricken surroundings of the humble homes to enjoy their “Fairlop Sunday.” Drinking there was, of course, and that to an extent which taxed all the resources of the Maypole, Bald Hind, and other noted hostelries in the neighbourhood and along the route: but I did not see during the entire day one woman nor half a dozen men, who, except from a teetotaller’s point of view could be considered “the worse for drink”, and all were humbly happing in a very harmless way indeed. In the forest scores of little parties might be seen enjoying their al fresco dinners beneath the trees, and subsequently indulging in the pleasures of “kiss in the ring” and similar amusements, including amusements which, in many cases, are pretty certain to lead to matrimony. Very few policemen were visible, and for these few there was absolutely no occasion, for they had to discharge no more onerous duty than that of indulging in an occasional laugh at the expense of some abnormally demonstrative pleasure seekers.
At Epping on 19th February before the Magistrates ... the following transfers of licenses were made—viz. Bald Hind, Chigwell, from Levi Grout deceased, to Levi Henry Grout, his son. This house had been held by deceased over 50 years.
CHIGWELL.—Alleged Theft of Fowls.—At Stratford Police-court on Tuesday, Wm. Clayden, Bald Hind Cottage, Grange-hill Chigwell, and John Shepherd, Chigwell-row, Chigwell, labourers, were charged with stealing, on the 19th ult., 14 fowls, the property of Mr. Phillip Savill, Chigwell.—The case was remanded until Saturday.
DEATHS. GROUT.—On the 2nd Oct., at The Bald Hind, Chigwell, Levi Henry Grout, aged 68. Interred at Chigwell Parish Church, Oct. 9th. His end was peace.
Mr. Travers Humphreys applied for the provisional removal of the old license of the Bald Hind, Chigwell, the property of Ind. Coope and Co. The time had arrived, he said, when it was necessary that the old house should be rebuilt.—There was opposition, and the Chairman said the Bench were unanimous in reissuing application.
[At the licensing session, 5 Feb.]
Robert George Hunt, landlord of the Bald Hind, Chigwell, and Frank May, a butcher, of Ongar-road, Brentwood, for not having control, were each fined 2s. 6d. and ½s. costs.