Events

• St. Peter ad Vincula, Coggeshall, Essex

  Saturday, 12th April 2025

  General Meeting 2.00-4.30

  Coggeshall is best known for its association with the Paycocke family and the cloth trade. Paycocke’s House (National Trust), the home of Thomas Paycocke, is in West Street.

  The afternoon meeting will commence at 2.00p.m. when Christopher Thornton will speak on The Paycocke family, its background and role in the cloth industry, followed by David Andrews on Paycocke’s House, Coggeshall. We will then have tea and an opportunity to view the brasses and the church. John Lee will then give the final talk entitled, ‘I have not seen such rich monuments, for so mean persons’: the Paycocke family brasses. The meeting will finish at approximately 4.30p.m.

  The church should be open for viewing in the morning from around 11a.m. It is hoped that Paycocke’s House will also be open in the morning, but entry is only by guided tour, and advance booking is advised to reserve your time slot. M.B.S. members are requested to make their own arrangements direct. Please note that tours are free for Trust members, but there is a charge for non-members.

  Please email Caroline Metcalfe if you plan to attend the meeting, mbsvisit@metcas.me.uk. She needs to know how much cake to bake! Please also tell her if you plan to visit the café at Paycocke’s House for coffee or a light lunch before the meeting. The staff at Paycocke’s need to know how many to expect. Caroline will pass the numbers to them.

  This large 15th-century town church was severely damaged by a bomb in 1940. The north aisle and north arcade were destroyed, and the tower demolished. The restoration was carried out by Stephen Dykes Bower, 1953-6. 

  The postcode for satellite navigation is CO6 1UD. There is a public car park in the village centre, a short walk away. The church has toilets. Paycocke’s House has a café for morning coffee and light lunches, but has asked how many people to expect, as explained above.

  The nearest stations are Kelvedon or Marks Tey (served from London Liverpool Street in 50/55 minutes). These are four or five miles distant representing an approximate journey of 10 minutes by taxi. NB there is no taxi rank at either station; taxis should be booked in advance by telephone.

• St. Mary's, North Mymms, Hertfordshire

  Saturday, 19th July 2025

  Annual General Meeting: 11a.m.-12noon
  General Meeting: 2.00p.m.

  The Annual General Meeting will take place in the morning at 11a.m. The General Meeting will take place in the afternoon at 2p.m. Former editor of the M.B.S. Transactions David Lepine will speak on the Kesteven Brass. Another speaker will be our member Richard Asquith, who is also a member of the Yorkist History Trust.

• St. Mary Magdalene, Geddington, Northamptonshire

  Saturday, 13th September 2025

  General Meeting

  John Bennet will give us a brief outline of the history of the church. Edward Coulson will speak on the local manors, and Challe Hudson on costume on the brasses. There will be light refreshments at tea time.

  There is a toilet in the church. Some parking may be available on the road outside the church, but it is probably best to use the free car park at the village hall, five minutes’ walk away, postcode NN14 1AA.