About
Epping Forest Museum presents an exhibition talk programme
The Story of Aviation in West Essex Since 1909
a talk by Bryn Elliot, trustee at North Weald Airfield Museum and Police Historian.
Wednesday 14th May, 7 - 8pm
39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1EL
£6.50 per person, light refreshments available. To book, email enquiries@efdcmuseum.org.uk or call 01992 716882, or call in at the museum.
About this talk:
Essex was at the forefront of aviation from the start with early landing grounds in the west of the county. Pioneers like Piggotts built early machines and are still to be found trading in the district, although no longer in aviation their products include marquees linking back to the earliest days of flying, making military marquees for housing aircraft. During the first World War, airfields on hWest Essex soil were a new sight - built to defend London from the new terror of bombing, first from airships and then aircraft. The Second World War saw the Battle of Britain fought from West Essex airfields and then the arrival of the American bomber groups. And between the wars and since, West Essex has been important in the development of commerical aviation and air travel.
Other talks in the Calm & Courageous series include: Lippitts Hill Camp (Wednesday 13th April), The 397th Bombardment Group at Willingale (Wednesday 21st May) and Plunder: 80 Years Since VE Day (Wednesday 28th May).
This talk is part of a series supporting the museum's current exhibition:
Calm & Courageous - the Second World War home front in the Epping Forest District
Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Running Saturday 5th April to Saturday 6th September 2025
This exhibition showcases a variety of objects, stories, and oral histories from the museum’s collection, along with contributions from local history societies, community groups, and other heritage sites in the district. It will highlight the experiences of individuals whose lives were changed dramatically when war broke out in September 1939.
Free entry.
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 10am to 4pm
Wednesday: 10am to 4pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 4pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: closed
Call: 01992 716882, email: enquiries@efdmuseum.org.uk website: https://www.efdmuseum.org.uk/
Guide Prices
Free event
Related
Epping Forest District Museum, Epping ForestTelling the story of the Epping Forest district through a collection of over 50,000 objects
Book Tickets Online
Map & Directions
Road Directions
The Museum is located in the heart of the historic town of Waltham Abbey, situated just outside the M25 between Epping Forest and the Lee Valley. From the M25, leave at junction 26 and follow the signs to Waltham Abbey.
Parking is available at the Abbey Gardens carpark which is a 10 minute walk from the museum. Further pay and display parking is available in the town centre, the nearest car park is Quaker Lane car park which is a 2 minute walk from the museum.
Public Transport Directions
The museum is a 25 minute walk from Waltham Cross Railway Station. A taxi rank is located outside the station. Buses also operate from Waltham Cross Bus Station which is a 5 minute walk from the station and a bus stop is located within a 2 minute walk of the museum.
