Wennington Village

Lenthorpe House, Wennington in 1961 It was also known as Leventhorpe; the name was recorded as far back as 1544.

Wennington is a small village of about 300 inhabitants, set in 1285 acres of marsh and farmland. The village itself is spread out, with the majority of people living on the south side of the road. It's boundaries are the South Hall Bridge to the west, the A1306 (the old A13) to the north, the Lennards Public House to the east and the River Thames to the south. Originally agriculture and farming predominated, with cottages for the workers. New Cottages, Laundry Cottages and Marine Cottages still exist.

Many old buildings have disappeared with the passing of time:             The Laundry - opposite Laundry Cottages.             The Blacksmith's Forge next to the Laundry.             The Thatched Cottage in Church Lane where children went to school.              Wennington House - demolished in1953.             Coldharbour Farm - now demolished but was a farmhouse sited             on the banks of the River Thames.

There are a few buildings left however with significant historical interest.

Wennington Hall In 1851 James Hall was the farmer here with 10 labourers working on 250 acres. The hall was subsequently demolished and the current Wennington Hall Farm was built.

South Hall, Wennington The manor of South Hall is recorded in the Domesday Book as belonging in Saxon times to Alsi(Alsius), a freeman. In the 14th century the manor was held by the Prior of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.

Willow Farm, Wennington in 1963 Once called Scripps, William Walker, who lived here in the 19th century was a firm supporter of the "Fancy" or Noble Art.

Great Coldharbour - Wennington A lonely riverside farm demolished  c 1920. In 1848 an "Independent Minister" and farmer lived here named Henry Cooke Bourne. He died in 1855 and is commemorated on an obelisk at the church bearing the initials "H.C.B."

Thatched Cottage, Church Lane Wennington Before the school adjoining Wennington church was constructed in 1876, this timbered and thatched cottage in Church Lane, which belonged to the churchwardens, served as the school house. The building has now been demolished.

For some old records of Wennington click here David Wright - our Village Blacksmith David grew up on a farm and came in contact with the farming implements that were in everyday use around the family home.   At the age of eight David was driving the tractor for his father, although he could not reach the pedals, but had to jump down on them to stop the vehicle.   David would have liked to have trained as a jockey, but his mother's early death denied him this opportunity.  The other career opportunity was music, as David played the trumpet, but this failed to materialise.  Nearby was a master blacksmith, whom David visited frequently and became quite fascinated with his work.  Consequently with a practical and patient approach to life, David served his time as an apprentice to the German blacksmith. After 7 - 8 years David moved to work on steel fabrication at various businesses, giving him a wide experience in the use of metals.  Eventually he decided to start up his own business about 12 years ago and came to settle near the Noke Café, just on the outskirts of Wennington Village. The traditional blacksmith found that his crafts were in demand and has become a familiar figure around the area.  With his son Steven, he has been to Paris to produce iron work, has worked at Arundel Castle and for Carlton Television, but nearer to home his work will be seen in the children's park next to Rainham's Tesco's and possibly the Queen's Theatre at Hornchurch.  One piece of his work which has stimulated the greatest interest is the Village Sign on Wennington Green.  It depicts the Church and the farming community which surrounds the village and identifies Wennington as one of the two villages left in the London Borough of Havering. It is good to see that Thameside Forge has become a family business.