Hertfordshire History: 'Ghosts and Gunpowder'

Part of my series of videos exploring rural Hertfordshire and telling the amazing stories of events that happened, many of which are long-forgotten. This video begins in the tiny village of Thundridge. (Update) Many viewers who have already watched this video have asked to see the video clip which contains the sound of a ghostly girl's voice singing. I have finally managed to track down those clips and will film an update video with them in as soon as I can
Music: Meditation Impromptu 02. by Kevin MacCleod

[@davidborunsky6681]

It is films like these, here on KZbin, that make TV obsolete. Great film, beautifully shot.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you. I had many more planned for this year but Coronavirus has put everything on hold.

[@julieblackstock8650]

agree, I gave up my TV licence and watch tons of great stuff on KZbin instead

[@EquineReproduction]

Having grown up in Thundridge, it was delightful to see this video showing many of the areas in which I played as a child. It is a picturesque area, and with the moving of the "A10" road to the bypass, it is surprising to see how overgrown some of the older roadways have become. The owner of the horseshoe stag is even a childhood schoolfriend who also went to Thundridge school with me! I do regrettably however have to take you to task on some significant historical errors, of which some have been the bane and curse of those of us from the area for about the last 35 years or so since the "history" became "known". This in particular relates to the "legend" surrounding the name of Cold Christmas. So let's set these straight! There were no mass deaths of children. There is no mass burial site. The name did not originate from any such occurrence. In fact, the "legend" of the "frozen children" only appeared in the 1990s (or thereabouts) - which interestingly coincides with a sudden usage of the location for "occultist" ceremonies - something that was at best rare and in truth absent a matter of 20 years earlier. The actual origins of the name "Cold Christmas" are not clear, but reviewing local historian Emma Blowers' book "Around Cold Christmas", we can learn that there was reference in a conveyancing document from 1557 for a "messuage in the Parish of Thundridge called Lyndseys alias Chrystemas". Note that there is no reference to "Cold", which Emma has not found until further documents ranging from 1729-1833 start to refer to "Cold Christmas". "Cold" - which appears in around 50 other location names in England - is thought to describe an area that is waterlogged. As "Chrystemas" was a Mead, it seems an obvious connection - which expanded and translated into modern usage would be a "Waterlogged Christmas Mead". There is no particular oddity to the church ("St Mary and All Saints" to give it its full name). If one chooses to look at a map, and view the structure itself, it can be clearly seen that the nave extended to the east of the tower, placing the church on an East-West plane - thereby destroying the so-called "demonic" myth of a north-south axis and most of the associated stories. Again, this "legend" appeared in the 1990s at about the same time children started freezing in the area. The main part of the church was demolished in the mid-1850s - with the roof actually falling in shortly after the opening of the newly-constructed church of St Mary's in Thundridge itself, which was consecrated in 1853. The area around The Old Church was more correctly known as "Thundridgebury" - the name of the manor which was located immediately to the north of the church. The "legend" of the "marching army" appeared around the 1970's, and there are several of us from the village who might be able to tell you a little more about the originator and the story. Maybe. And there might just have been some alcohol involved. Perhaps... What is the absolute truth is that The Old Church is facing probably its worst threat in almost 1,000 years of history. There is a very real risk that it could be demolished, as the Diocese is not willing to support the building any longer. In response to that threat, there has been formed a group - the Thundridge Old Church Action Group ("TOCAG") with a view to attempting to preserve this local icon. More can be learned about both The Old Church, the threat and the group by visiting their website at thundridgeoldchurch.org/

[@arcadia449]

Thank you for the corrective information.

[@drkarts2279]

This video is great. My grandparents live in Standon(I am back to visit them) and only the last week I decided to explore these walks and they are amazing, I can’t believe I’ve never done them before! I live in Italy now, this video will be me go to anytime I feel homesick. Thank you for your work 🙏🏾

[@arcadia449]

It's a lovely area. I've done a video of a walk from Standon. Check it out.

[@mocharge]

Fantastic viewing , I will forgive the few historical inaccuracies as I was born in Thundridge and I was the owner of Hanging Wood House along with the Hertfordshire stag I had in my garden, I moved to Norfolk in 2018 and the stag is now settled in my garden here.The hamlet of Hanging Wood was in the parish of Thundridge until it was sold in the 19C and then became part of the parish of Standon, old maps dating back to the 18C name Hanging Wood as a larger place than Latchford and Barwick, there has never been a place name of Ribford, it is just the name of the cottage by the ford as the river is the Rib. My old house was initially two farm workers cottages built at the same time as the gunpowder factory as they used the same brick but were not staff houses for the factory.

[@arcadia449]

I may have knocked on your door at the time and asked why it was called 'Hanging Wood', hoping it was something to do with crime and punishment?

[@davidmorgan984]

Outstanding filmography of Thundridge, Cold Christmas, Fabdens, small settlement of Ribford and Latchford. The small baverage jar was so beautiful. The story of gunpowder explosion was so tragic and the story of old church was too mysterious. Including the History of Cold Christmas, video is fully informative and interesting.

[@airzulu2733]

Love to see filming and history done on Hertfordshire. Really enjoyable to watch

[@arcadia449]

I planned much more but the COVID crisis ruined everything.

[@sharonkeel7963]

Fantastic journey! Sad story about the children in Cold Christmas. Loved the black and white stills of the church and gravestones. Thank you for sharing an interesting day in your travels.💗

[@Dstew57A]

Absolutely love this work of yours. Thank you!

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@dangperido1672]

Wow! It's quite amazing. The place is absolutely beautiful. I never get tired looking at this picturesque coutryside. A very peaceful and quiet place to live in. Are you filming it yourself? It's like you are and i think is kind a bit hard but pretty nice. Like your videos.😍

[@arcadia449]

Thank you, Arlene. Yes, I film it all myself.

[@binaryswinery5862]

Loved this! Just moved to Hertfordshire and I can’t wait to see Cold Christmas!

[@arcadia449]

It's a lovely walk all around there.

[@becbec3541]

I am lucky enough to live in this part of Hertfordshire, Standon to be precise, and I know many of these village although not their stories. I guess most have been lost to the mists of time but thank you for sharing some, I hope it will help to keep them alive. I never take for granted how beautiful our little corner of the planet is and I believe the best way to see it is to grab a map, plan a route (including a stop at a pub) and get out there on foot. Please keep making these wonderful videos, they are so beautifully shot and the music is enchanting x

[@arcadia449]

Thank you. I am going to make a series of videos of the many villages I come across during my walks around Hertfordshire and neighbouring counties. I often see some amazing things.

[@trevdjmrbeaver3150]

Same love it here in standon Herts the walks are amazing

[@arcadia449]

@@trevdjmrbeaver3150 I have just posted a video of our walk from Standon to Much Hadham.

[@mandylovett3980]

I'm lucky enough to have climbed to the top of the tower before they bricked it up, a tiny narrow steep winding set of stairs and had to come down backwards, I'm a cub scout leader and we always do a night hike here with the cubs for Halloween, it's very spooky in the dark, thanks for a great video x

[@arcadia449]

I wished I'd gone there before it was bricked up.

[@D_XDC]

Excellent video! Very well filmed and presented, thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for sharing

[@arcadia449]

Thank you/

[@scottmiddlebrooks4821]

Loved it! Well done! Thank you.

[@drkintobor2597]

Great video mate, really enjoying your content. Lived in Hertford for 20 years now and I’ve learnt so much from you 👍🏻. Subscribed.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@hell0hkitty]

oh i'd love to hear that EVP you captured!!!!!!! beautiful, i was wanting more!

[@arcadia449]

I'm hoping I can publish it at some time in the future. I'll let you know if I do.

[@gabriel.rotsin]

@@arcadia449 amazing video sir! thank you for doing this! any news regarding the church/song footage?

[@arcadia449]

@@gabriel.rotsin I can't share it for copyright reasons.

[@arcadia449]

@@gabriel.rotsin I have decided to publish the video clip of the ghostly girl singing. I'll keep you updated when I do.

[@gabriel.rotsin]

@@arcadia449 I've visited the church last Saturday. I've spent around 2 hours there but nothing unusual happened. The weather was also very sunny. I was there from 6pm till around 8pm. Looking forward to see the video and thank you for replying!

[@elonscousinmusk8413]

Just found your Videos, I live in Welwyn garden city, would love to see you do a walk in panshanger park, you can still see the old orangery from the now demolished stately home and it has the oldest oak tree in UK there !

[@arcadia449]

I walked it a couple of weeks ago. I'm thinking of doing a video when the weather improves.

[@bordersearcher2548]

Fantastic films,great work

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@ginajackson4122]

I have just discovered your videos and I'm really enjoying them, they are presented so well. I find them very interesting but relaxing at the same time! Much better than all the 'noisy' TV programmes, these are so peaceful. I also love the accompanying music, especially the music in this video. It really adds something to the ambience.Thank you so much for taking the time to film and upload them. You have a new subscriber!

[@arcadia449]

Thank you, Gina.

[@helenscott-williams7230]

Enjoyed your video.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@hell0hkitty]

i look forward to your paranormal and historical accounts.

[@arcadia449]

I am going to publish the video clips taken during the paranormal investigations at the church, including the clip of the ghostly singing voice. I'll update you when I get it done.

[@bigbearfuzzums7027]

David is my fave!

[@arcadia449]

Thank you, Larry.

[@langecm1]

You can tell your a cameraman! Beautifully photographed.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@bigbearfuzzums7027]

Aye I could sit their for weeks and be angry if I had to move!

[@jamiew6438]

That was stunning and fascinating , thank you . I wonder if it is possible to walk from Garston ,in Watford to St Albans via woods and country side ?

[@arcadia449]

I dare say it possible? An Ornance Survey map will help. I do 10 - 15 mile walks most weekends, taking in two or three villages. I study the area on Google Earth first and then a map for footpaths.

[@julieblackstock8650]

Seen someone do a wild camp at Cold Christmas.. in the churchyard.. Meant to be haunted

[@arcadia449]

That's right. I spent an evening with some paranormal investigators there, as they wanted to test some new equipment. My video camera picked up the voice of a little girl singing 'Ring-a-Round-of-Roses'?

[@julieblackstock8650]

@@arcadia449 OMG!!

[@arcadia449]

@@julieblackstock8650 There is believed to be a mass grave of children in the churchyard. The all died during an extremely cold winter a couple of hundred years ago.

[@rwentfordable]

@@arcadia449 I think that story is made up. It's been going around the internet for the last ten years and each time it is told they never mention a date, decade or century. I can't even find any newspaper articles on it.

[@arcadia449]

@@rwentfordable It was probably passed down by word of mouth?

[@michaelburke731]

Hi! I thought it was Nigel Havers who lived in Cold Christmas? Nigel Hawthorne lived in Radwell?

[@arcadia449]

Yes he did originally, and I met him at that time. But he later moved to Cold Christmas in the 1990's and died there in 1999.

[@PsychicIsaacs]

43:13 is an inverted Saturn symbol...calling for chaos and disorder. You're right, black magic...

[@arcadia449]

Interesting? This church has been a focal point for the occult for a long time.

[@arcadia449]

You'll like my next video. It's called 'Amazing Stories Behind the Graves'.

[@richardsandford2706]

I have seen a ghost in 2012 in Nottingham

[@PsychicIsaacs]

Can you link to that video? The one you can't show because of copyright?

[@arcadia449]

Contact me on Facebook and I'll e-mail it to you.

[@arcadia449]

Katherine Ferrers is buried in Ware, Hertfordshire, under her married name Katherine Fanshaw.

[@PsychicIsaacs]

@@arcadia449 I realized my mistake, it's St Mary's, Ware, not this St Mary's... That's why I removed this comment...

[@adamtaylor31]

Ghost moved your camera at 16:58 :-D

[@arcadia449]

I couldn't figure out what happened there?

[@rustamganiev1801]

The only thing that I have been working with the following link unsubscribe if you have received

[@se7ensfarm112]

Pleaseeeeee stop filming yourself walking away with your back to us trying to explain something…. It’s terribly cheesy and can hardly hear what you’re saying