Theydon first occurs as Thecdene in 1062; it probably comes from Old Englishthæc + denu 'valley where thatching materials are got'.[3] The second part of the name refers to the family of Bois (previously, and variously, de Bois, de Boys or de Bosco), which held the manor in the 12th and 13th centuries.[4] For the village name, the pronunciation is either "boyce" or "boys". When the Great Eastern Railway built its branch to Ongar, it asked the clerk of the Epping Parish Council, John Windas, how it should be spelt. As he had some knowledge of French and in view of the village's proximity to the forest, he suggested the best spelling would be 'Bois'.[citation needed]
Theydon Hall, which is on the site of the ancient manor house, is south of the green on the Abridge road. Theydon Hall was the manor house until early in the 17th century. The old parish church was nearby, demolished in 1843.
The Avenue of Trees
Loughton Lane
What is widely regarded as Theydon Bois' most iconic landmark is the 'Avenue of Trees'[5] which lines Loughton Lane, one of its main roads. The oak trees were planted in the 1830s to, reputedly, celebrate the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne.[6] Chairwoman of the City of London's Epping Forest Committee, said, “The Theydon avenue [has been] identified as the highest priority among the many other avenues of trees that the City of London currently looks after."[7]
A recent survey commissioned by the City of London, the responsible authority for the Green, found that four of the trees were required to be felled and others should be monitored.[6]
Although felling was accepted as necessary, there was local concern about the visual impact that this would have on the village. A new line of trees, therefore, was planted in late 2010, set back from the current row. The semi-mature replacements will eventually dominate the site. The TBPC chairman, Robert Glozier, said, "The Avenue of Trees is an intrinsic part of the village. It has to be preserved not just for the short term but also the long term and the best way to do this is to have a parallel Avenue of Trees to take over".[6]
Some of the new trees have been sponsored as memorials, and details of these will be printed on an information board near the avenue.[7]
Events
Several yearly events are observed in Theydon Bois. Of most note is the annual tradition of the Donkey Derby, which is usually held in July. The 26th consecutive event was held on 14 July 2013.[8] The Derby involves children participating in donkey racing, which can be bet on in small-stakes. Individual races or the donkeys themselves can be sponsored in advance by villagers who are then offered the right to name the race or donkey respectively. Also included in the day are rides, games, stalls, donkey rides and food and drink tents. Profits made from the Donkey Derby are raised for the Theydon Bois Scouts, although have recently begun to benefit the local Girl Guides as well. The Donkey Derby was postponed from July until September for the first time in 2012 due to bad weather,[9] although the rescheduled event also suffered from heavy rain and wind.[10]
Another annual tradition is the Open Gardens Day, which is held in the summer. The event, which is now[when?] in its 30th year, allows local residents to show private gardens to both local and external visitors.[citation needed]
Theydon Bois and Epping Forest
Theydon Bois Green
Epping Forest, an ancient woodland and former Royal Forest, borders Theydon Bois. The Theydon Bois & District Rural Preservation Society was founded to preserve the rural character of the countryside in and around the village.[11]
The village used to have four pubs but now only has two, the Bull and the Queen Victoria. Theydons (previously The Railway Arms) and the Sixteen String Jack were closed (in 2011 and 2016, respectively) and converted to flats.[13]
Awards
Theydon Bois Village Hall
Winner, Rural Community Council of Essex 'Essex Best Kept village Competition (Class 2)', 2004[14]
Winner, Rural Community Council of Essex 'Essex Best Kept village Competition (Class 2)', 2007[14]
Runner up, Rural Community Council of Essex 'Essex Best Kept village Competition (Class 2)', 2010[14]
Winner, G.Ewing Essex Community Magazine Awards for ‘Best pool player in Essex’(Theydon Bois village News), 2019
Third Place, Essex Community Magazine Awards for 'Best Community Magazine in Essex' (Theydon Bois village News), 2015
Winner, Essex Community Magazine Awards for 'Best Community Magazine in Essex' (Theydon Bois village News), 2013 [14]
Third Place, Essex Community Magazine Awards for 'Best Community Magazine in Essex' (Theydon Bois village News), 2012
Winner, Essex Community Magazine Awards for 'Best Community Magazine in Essex' (Theydon Bois village News), 2011 [14]
Winner, Essex Community Magazine Awards for 'Best Community Magazine in Essex' (Theydon Bois village News), 2010 [14]
Third Place, Essex Community Magazine Awards for 'Best Community Magazine in Essex' (Theydon Bois village News), 2009 [14]
Winner, Essex Community Magazine Awards for 'Best Community Magazine in Essex' (Theydon Bois village News), 2007
Winner, Ch. Ewing Horticultural Society Award for Commitment to Greenery 2015–2021, Theydon Bois Biggest Stud award 2018–2020.
Winner, Essex Association of Local Councils Newsletter Award' – Essex County Council – (Theydon Bois village News), 2005
Winner, Essex Association of Local Councils Newsletter Award' – Essex County Council – (Theydon Bois village News), 2007
^Robert Levene. "The Avenue of Trees"(PDF). Newsletter and Notice of AGM 2013. Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society: 7. Archived(PDF) from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
