A tribute to Phyllis Hendy
Phyllis M Hendy (died March 2018). Local History Recorder and Archivist for St. Osyth and District Councillor and Parish Councillor for many years.
Phyll was an active member of the Tendring District Local History Recorders over three decades. She lived her early life at St Osyth with the unique position of having lived as a child, worked at St Osyth Priory and remained in the village all her life. As the archivist she safeguarded and preserved the parish records including documents, artefacts and photographs and preserved them in the museum which is owned by the Parish Council.
She was a prolific authoress of historical books of life in St Osyth from the 19C. to the present day. Of her numerous books in 1993 she wrote 'The St Osyth Witch Story' compiling information from 1582. Between 1993 and 2001 she compiled 10 historical books with numerous old photographs and in the process raised money for local charities. She frequently displayed the historical records of St . Osyth and village events and in doing so shared the records of those who had participated at the time, exchanged memories and recorded fresh ones.
Phyll hosted some of our meetings at St. Osyth and conducted our tours to include the priory and St. Cleres Hall, not open to the public, where it is claimed the witches were interrogated by the owner Brian D’Arcy Esq., JP. These events included lunches prepared by her. Phyll was an ardent campaigner to protect and preserve conservation areas. She kept a close eye on planning development particularly in the draft Tendring District Local Plan. Her knowledge of the history of the priory was sought by those objecting to a series of planning applications over a number of years. She played an active part in a visit to St. Osyth by the television ‘Time Team’ although critical that some of the artefact findings didn’t find their way into the museum. Essex University lecturers sought her knowledge as a local authority on witches in Essex, which formed part of their lectures.
I first met Phyll in 1999 at one of our meetings and quickly saw that she had an inner strength and determination to ensure that her depth of knowledge was passed on in a way that benefited our communities. I as chairman of TDALC supported her by attending and giving evidence to the planning inspectorate whilst objecting to parts of the draft conservation area policies in the Local Plan.
As her physical health failed her mental capacity was as strong as ever. I had the pleasure of conveying her to a number of our meetings where she found stimulation and the opportunity to participate. Her health failed and she required full time physical care until her eventual passing. She has however left us with a legacy of a wealth of local historical knowledge which is recorded in the public domain and not hidden in the past.
M.A.B.
9th Oct 2018