Marion Wilberforce
Thanks to the work of Basildon Borough Heritage Society, a plaque was unveiled on 9 August at Nevendon Manor, north of the Essex Town, to commemorate pioneering aviation Marion Wilberforce, who lived there for 40 years. With the support of Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurtst, a team led by theatre director and filmmaker Graham Watts researched Wilberforce's life.
Born in Aberdeenshire in 1902, she studied agriculture and was a keen mountaineer before gaining her pilot's licence, and went on to become one of the first eight women to join the Air Transport Auxiliary in World war Two, flying Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers.
Joan Rosaire
On 9th July 2024 at ‘The Fold’ 72 Laindon Road, Billericay, Essex, (previously Quilters Junior School). Tom
Roberts circus friend of Joans unveiled a blue plaque in her honour. In attendance was the Mayor of
Basildon - Alan Davies and The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst plus many dignitaries from the
circus world. The tenants of the building the Billericay Arts Associations provided excellent light
refreshments after the speeches and unveiling.
Hannah Lake – A founding Mother of America
On Friday 31 st March 2023 the Lord Lieutenant of
Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst unveiled a Blue Plaque in
recognition of Hannah Lake at Wickford library. Hannah
sailed to New England in 1635 at the age of 15. –
Amongst her descendants include 7 th and 8 th Great
Grandsons ex- Presidents George H.W. Bush and George
W Bush.
Ralph Morgan
Ralph Morgan was a well-known taxi driver based in Basildon and was the spokesman for the Basildon
Hackey Carriage Drivers’ Association (BBHCA) – earning the nickname “Mr Echo” for regularly appearing
in the paper due to his campaigning efforts.
He spent years campaigning for the rights of his colleagues and would do anything for his customers.
Mr. Morgan, who colleagues say “would do anything for his customers, he was a man of the people.”
William Keeling
This plaque is on display at North Benfleet Farm. Where William did the threshing for the farm.
The Keeling family travelled around the farms of the Basildon area and further afield doing the threshing
for them.
The threshing machines were large trailers but with out power and were driven by a huge belt drive
from steam traction engines and the wheat separated from the chaff and the straw which was baled.
The traction engines were then used to plough in the stubble.
Joan Sims – A Laindon Girl
Joan was born in Station House at Laindon Station in May 1930. Her father was the Station Master.
Although she is famed for appearing in 24 Carry on Film’s, she did appear in over 100 motion pictures and television productions:
Doctor at Sea…starring Dirk Bogarde and Brigitte Bardot
Doctor in the House…starring Dirk Bogarde
Just my Luck…with Norman Wisdom
As time goes by …with Judy Dench
On the up…with Dennis Waterman
And many more.
Before making the big time, she had appeared locally for the ‘Glee Club’, Laindon Operatic Society (now BasOp.), Langdon Players and the local Youth Centre Club.
Joan never married; although she did get a proposal from Kenneth Williams…he said…’We will be the talk of the town’.
Her autobiography ‘High Spirits’ was published in 2000 and a year later she died at the age of 71
On the 75th anniversary of her birth a plaque was placed on the Station House Wall
