Essex Life reader Ron Jeffries was up with his camera to capture this snowy scenery around St Peter's Church in Aldborough Hatch
A touch of frost WHEN a light dusting of snow fell in the early morning of Wednesday, January 24, 2007, Essex Life reader Ron Jeffries was up with his camera to capture the scenery. There was a heavier snowfall at daybreak on Thursday, February 8, 2007, which continued into the late morning and stayed around until the following day. These photographs were taken on both days around St Peter's Church in Aldborough Hatch. The church stands on the edge of Fairlop Plain, in the Borough of Redbridge, part of London's green belt north from the A12 between Ilford and Romford. Here Ron shares his images with Essex Life readers plus an excerpt from the definitive history of the local area, Ilford Past and Present, by George Tasker, published in 1901, which reveals some of the history of the church. 'The church was completed in 1863. It was designed by Mr A Ashpitel, in the Early English style of architecture and consists of a chancel, nave and south porch. The bell turret, with one bell, is attached to the nave and sets off the building, which altogether is a pleasing and compact little structure. At the east end is a five light window with stained glass, the gift of Mr John Davis of Cranbrook Park, while at the west end is a three light window, also stained. The windows are in memory of Mr Samuel Mitchell and Mr and Mrs Painter. The church seats 240 worshippers. It is interesting to note that the patron saint of the Church is St Peter, after whom also, Westminster Abbey is named, and the reason doubtless lies in the fact of the stones used in the building having come from Westminster Bridge.'
