Layer de la Haye

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.843
longitude= 0.858
official_name= Layer de la Haye
population = 2,000
shire_district= Colchester
shire_county = Essex
region= East of England
constituency_westminster= North Essex
post_town= COLCHESTER|postcode_district = CO2
postcode_area= CO |dial_code= 01206
os_grid_reference= TL968199

Layer de la Haye (often spelled Layer-de-la-Haye; locally known just as Layer) is a small village of around 2,000 people near Colchester in Essex, England. While its historical significance is limited, it nevertheless has an interesting and varied history, and today it offers vibrant and community and beautiful landscapes.

History of the village

The village is thought to have been founded in Saxon times, with its original name, Legra, meaning 'lookout'; indeed, its elevation made it an ideal vantage point for the Saxons against raiding parties from the coast. Later its name changed to Leire or Leger, meaning 'mud'. A Norse word, this is likely to have referred to the soil and marshland around the village. During the time of the Norman Conquests, the village was "owned" by the de la Hayes, and its name thus changed to Layer de la Haye. Layer was ravaged by the Black Plague of the 14th Century. The Church became derelict until it was restored by monks.

In 1289, John de Rye donated 160 acres (650,000 m²) of land to St John's Abbey in Colchester. As a token of appreciation, a manor and farm were named after him (Rye Manor and Rye Farm respectively). At the end of the 15th century, the Abbey built a toll-gate house, now called the Greate House (originally the Gate House) near Malting Green.

At the time of the dissolution of the Monasteries which began in 1536, Sir Thomas Audley, who in turn became speaker of the House of Commons and Lord Chancellor, appropriated the manors of Rye and Blind Knights, together with the Mill and the patronage of the benefice. Layer Mill is mentioned in the Domesday Book as a water-mill. The mill wheel was powered by water from the Roman River.

The village community

In days past the village was a small and tight-knit community; since then it has undergone a rapid expansion. In 1950 its population was under 700; by 1975 it was over 1,000 and in 1990 it was just short of 2,000. However, the proximity of Colchester, with its large range of shops and facilities, has eventually forced all but one of the three shops in Layer to close. Despite this, the village has still managed to maintain its distinct character and feel.

Despite concerns over vandalism and so-called "yobbery" - a growing concern amongst the middle class in almost all rural areas of England - the village is generally regarded as a safe and happy place to be [1] . Societies and clubs such as [http://www.shoestring.org.uk The Shoestring Theatre Company] provide entertainment for the whole village community.

Village website

The Layer Parish Council has created a [http://www.essexinfo.net/layerdelahayepc website] for the village, which can be found at www.essexinfo.net/layerdelahayepc. The website contains information about all the services, attractions and facilities in the village.

References

*1: Layer de la Haye Village Appraisal, 2003

ee also

* [http://www.essexinfo.net/layerdelahayepc Village Website]