Brentwood, Essex

Brentwood is near to the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, and is actually a bit like BrentFORD. Perhaps it's psychogeography. I went to Brentwood as I was determined to get good value from my Essex visit, where I was lulled to sleep by a one eye grey story.

Notwithstanding the rain Brentwood doesn't give up its secrets easily. The town is a bit far from the Railway Station although a sort of town has grown near it. They do have a martyr called William Hunter who was burned at the stake at the age of 19 for the heinous crime of reading the scriptures, which he would not give up even for ready money. His memorial obelisk was restored in 1910 after the monument was damaged by fire. I wonder if there's more to that than meets the eye? Probably not, although Brentwood has a Roman Catholic cathedral, although you won't see it on here in accordance with usual policy.

The Village green in Brentwood is called Shenfield Common and this drinking fountain was given by two benefactors - husband and wife. I had a Mr Toby pie and pint special in the local pub which filled a gap if nothing else, but would have preferred the drinking fountain to be operational.

The real church of Brentwood is 19th century huge and I'm sure its congregation love it. It's not particularly photogenic though so the only church picture is going to be the ruined pilgrimage chapel of St Thomas a Beckett, now merely a ruin

There is no guided tour of the town for visitors, an ommission that somebody connected with the civic pride should correct.
Civic pride is manifest in this sculpture that greets people coming up from the station. It was however the last I saw of Brentwood besides a rather damp, smelly secondhand bookshop.