EDITORIAL NOTE 



ground had to be traversed anew in pursuit of later buildings falling outside 

 the Commission's purview. In the course of this inquiry it was found pos- 

 sible to correct or amplify some statements appearing in the Commission's 

 reports, particularly in the light of recent research on medieval timber- 

 framed structures. In later volumes, however, it is probable that a less- 

 detailed treatment of the buildings will be found advisable, especially in 

 areas that are richer in architectural interest than this one. Similarly, other 

 features may be modified where this can be done without rendering them 

 less scholarly. 



The compilers have received help from many people living in Essex or 

 connected with the county. The Essex Education Committee, the County 

 Planning Department, and Chigwell Urban District Council permitted 

 access to certain records and answered questions. The Eastern and North 

 Thames Gas Boards, the Eastern Electricity Board, and the London 

 Co-operative Society also supplied much information. The records of the 

 Wanstead and Woodford Methodist Circuit were examined by permission 

 of the Revd. J. R. S. Hutchinson. Information from the records of the 

 Essex Congregational Union was communicated by Mr. J. S. Appleby. 

 The Ministry of Housing and Local Government allowed the use of their 

 unpublished lists of buildings of architectural or historical interest. Certain 

 architectural descriptions, notably those of medieval houses, owe much to 

 the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, and in the parish of 

 Fyfield special surveys were made on request by the National Buildings 

 Record. Many local- residents, whose kindness is acknowledged in footnotes, 

 gave information or permitted the inspection of their houses. The galley 

 proof of each parish article was read by at least one person, usually the in- 

 cumbent, living or working in the parish, and many valuable suggestions 

 resulted. The County Archivist (Mr. F. G. Emmison) and his staff per- 

 formed special services at all stages, Mr. Emmison himself reading many of 

 the articles in draft or in proof. Mr. D. W. Hutchings of Ongar carried out 

 field surveys for all parishes, gave much information, supplied references 

 from periodicals, and read the whole volume in proof. 



R. B. PUGH 

 W. R. POWELL 



XIV 



