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The Flitch Way
Essex
9th May 2009
Introduction
Photographs
Members Views
Introduction
During the Second World War the line was used to transport thousands of tons of rubble for the construction of Saling airfield, 5 miles from Braintree and, later, when it became operational, massive loads of bombs were carried to the same destination under cover of darkness. The United States Air Force bases at Stansted and Easton Lodge were also regularly supplied with armaments and stores arriving via Bishop's Stortford and Takeley station. After the invasion of Europe in June 1944 the line was used by ambulance trains to bring back wounded soldiers. After the war the public's use of motor cars and competition from bus transport increased, the passenger service between Bishop's Stortford and Braintree ran virtually empty and inevitably, closure of the line for passenger traffic was announced. Despite public protests, the last train to run between the two towns was on 1 March 1952
Despite the loss of the passenger service after 83 years the line was kept open for freight traffic, which was still an important source of revenue. But by 1968 more and more freight was being transported by road and the branch line now became uneconomical to keep open.
By the end of 1971 all freight traffic had ceased, and on 27 July 1972 a final enthusiast's trip ran from Bishop's Stortford to Easton Lodge and back. By the autumn of that year most of the track had been taken up, apart from the last mile out of Bishop's Stortford. British Rail were considering the possible role this section of line might play in carrying additional traffic to a growing Stansted Airport, but proposals came to nothing and in 1974 the remaining track was removed.
Much of the old track bed now forms the Flitch Way a walking and cycling path from Braintree to Bishops Stortford along the 15 mile course of the Bishops Stortford, Dunmow & Braintree Railway line.
We all arrived at Rayne railway station and were warmly greeted by Debbie the park ranger, she gave the group some history of Rayne station and a tour around, all seemed oldie worldie and you could imagine all the folk of bygone days sitting in the waiting room or standing on the platform waiting for the next train.
Debbie seemed quite interested as to what MPI would be doing for the night so we invited her to join in with us and she readily agreed.
The night was very calm and quiet, no wind at all the bright moon was soon high above us lightening the way along The Flitch Way, it was not cold at all just very peaceful.
We started our walk from Rayne Station toward Dunmow about 9.30pm keeping in one group. Altogether the group had walked some four- five miles. This type of investigation in the outdoor world is always different, different sounds and smells. As we walked along the birds in the trees were taking flight which startled some of us. The sound of a badger foxes and the like, all made the walk more interesting. We certainly will be going back and this time we will walk in the opposite direction.
Investigators
Val Butler (Group Leader)
Becki Ephgrave (Deputy Leader)
Ken Taylor
Emma Macdonald
Mandy Firth
Gary Hayes
Simon Pattison
Jim Patterson
Pat Rendell
Becki Ephgrave
Steen Spencer
And of course NIKIYA our 4 legged Mascot
Photographs
Members Views
Val
I have heard quite a lot about The Flitch Way how eerie it all is by night and thought this would be a great challenge for me. One of my greatest fears is being near trees at night and wondered if walking through The Flitch Way would help me overcome this fear. It was very dark and I could only see a few feet in front of me and when I shone the torch ahead all I could see was a narrow path and TREES. I would not recommend anyone to walk along here on their own. As I walked along I have the vision of wounded soldiers come to mind, stretchers, I could not say if soldiers were carrying stretchers or if there was a train that carried wounded soldiers lying on stretchers. I thought perhaps of WW11 soldiers. Along the pathway at the first brick tunnel I held a séance, we all joined hands, at one point I asked for spirit to copy Steen’s whistle and a return whistle was heard by all of us. There was a sudden strong smell of pipe tobacco which stayed for a few moments and then disappeared.
This investigation was different from the others I have done, and I am pleased that I took part, although I was more scared than I let others know, and I am sorry to say I still have a fear of TREES.
Steen
It was a very enjoyable evening walking The Flitch Way. I only picked up on one presence throughout the evening. When we started out I picked up on a woman in her thirties wearing a white wedding dress. I felt great sorrow and heart break. I believe she was crying over her dead husband. I got the name Annett (Ann) & Thomas (Tom) Henley. I believe he died before the railway was built and that she didn't die there, only visits where he was murdered. I didn't know beforehand that there was a road there and was a lot of 'Highwaymen' activity, this could be how 'Tom' was killed
Jim
The Flitch railway was an interesting walk about but not much happened. At one point, I felt that I was one of Robin Hood's merry men and started singing. I also heard the sound of horses near the woods and strange smells and noises like people talking in different places. Another good night!
Simon
In all it was an interesting night. Not much happened for me, although my dog was more than happy with the walk! I would like to go back and maybe separate into two teams each going a different way.
Ken
As I was walking along The Flitch Way path I sensed that someone a male of middle age was walking along the right side behind the bushes. This carried on until we came to a clearing when I could see a large type barn. Straight away the feeling of being watched and followed disappeared. This was an interesting investigation and I would like to go again and walk the opposite way. Thanks to Debbie who accompanied us.
Jacqi
After a long journey (and a slight detour) we made the destination of Flitch Way. We were met by Debbie the Ranger and we started on the dark eerie walk in almost pitch black. We did have a beautiful full moon which managed to stay with us all night. We started as a group of 12 and it was not long before Gary said he thought we were being followed. Photos were taken which showed an orb in the centre of the pathway. We carried on calling out for the spirits to join us but to no avail. I thought I could hear children’s voices further down the pathway and we stopped to listen but did not hear them again. Gary then suggested that we split into two groups to see if we could pick up anything more.
We were approaching a crossroads when I had the overwhelming feeling that we were being followed. I had the impression that a farmer dressed in old clothing was watching us from behind us. He did not mean us any harm, but was just interested in what we were doing there. Gary took a photo and there appeared to be an orb in the centre of the pathway again. I also took a photo and an orb appeared in mine as well but in a different place. We called out but did not get anything back. As we moved on we saw in an opening in the hedgerow a really big barn set back from the pathway. I also picked up the name Sidney. We continued and met up with the rest of the team and found that they had almost the same encounter at the same place. They also picked up on a farmer!! We then turned around and made the way back. We did encounter a very strong smell of pipe tobacco at one point and called out but had nothing in return. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and it was made all the better by having Debbie the ranger with us, helping out with points of interest and telling of her own encounters and experiences of the disused railway line. A big thank you to her
Becks
I had a great night and this was my first outdoors investigation. It was very spooky at first but the further we went on the more at ease I felt, that was until I got flicked in the ear! We had split into two groups and we were the first group walking a little further ahead, a couple of other members were picking up on things and I was feeling a little jumpy when I felt what was like a really hard flick on my ear. A couple of people think it could have been a moth but it must have been the size of a bird for the clump it gave me! The further we walked I was getting pains down that side of my face and across into my eye.
When we were walking back about half way the pain disappeared almost instantly.
The other thing I noticed was on the way back the group stopped to say they could smell tobacco; the smell was very very strong, we called out but nothing responded, the smell then disappeared.
I would love to go back to this location again; it was very interesting and was great to have Debbie accompany us.
Pat
It was a lovely night to investigate as there was a bright moon and no wind, perfect conditions for an investigation. An enjoyable night as the ranger came with us and was very knowledgeable on a lot of things throughout the night. Unfortunately on this occasion I was unable to pick up on anything specific.
A big thank you to Debbie our ranger and guide for the night.
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