The Tiptree Archive - a home for village memories

Aim

A permanent home for Tiptree's pictorial history, memories and information. Built by the community, for the community.

Tiptree history needs a permanent home.

I was born and raised in Tiptree but I only started writing Tiptree history articles locally in the 1990s.  I self published my first book Tiptree One Day a City in 1996 covering memories, facts and pictures up to the Second World War.  My second book  Tiptree Still a Village? self published in 2020 follows on from the first and covers to 1970s. I also helped a Tiptree character, Derek Pennick, compile his stories in book form in 2016.  During Covid I set up the Tiptree and District History facebook page which many have contributed to and continue to enjoy but facebook could change or close and records may be lost.  People put names to faces in pictures, teachers, shopkeepers, friends but these sink down in the feed and are not easily found.

Nearing 74 years of age, I am worried that all the information and pictures I have gathered over the years may be destroyed if not available online. Sadly, I am sure lots of valuable historical information about Tiptree has already been lost.  Essex Record Office is a safe place to send items but I want to set up an online platform so others can add their information and items all in one place for all to see.

Some of you will have a shoebox or boxes full of Tiptree memories and photos. Let's preserve these on the website for future generations.

The website will be for all.  Other people will be needed to keep the website going plus help with scanning photographs, recording and researching information so the website is built to last for the Tiptree Community.

By creating The Tiptree Archive and making it possible for individuals to help and contribute I am hoping to create a lasting record continually being built by the community for the community.

A local web designer - Pulsar Web Works who has compiled recent 'hidden tiptree' pieces has already made a mock website.  Here is a sneak preview - lots and lots to add but it won't happen without the funds

https://tiptree-archive-sneak-peak.netlify.app/

It includes

•  a map of Tiptree with every photo in its place
• a timeline of the village
• "then and now" pictures
• a way for anyone to add their own photos, keeping their copyright
• time capsules for our schools, 
• a link to local clubs and organisations who have their own website
• a link to purchase my books

The Tiptree Archive will be built to last with a small team of local 'keepers' to look after it, so it never rests on one person. 

The web address and hosting to be held in the archive's name and paid three years ahead.

Where the money goes:

The archive costs £3,000 in total:

• £2,400 to build it, a fixed price from Pulsar Web Works, 
• £150 for three years of hosting and the web address
• £180 for crowdfunding and card fees
• £270 spare, for anything unexpected

It will be all or nothing.

If  the target of £3,000 is not reached by Sunday 25th October, any monies paid will be refunded in full.

The Tiptree Archive will belong to you all.

Every photograph/document will stay the property of whomever shared it, and each supporter will have the option of having their name, business or family on the supporters' wall.

This is an exciting project which I truly hope everyone who cares about Tiptree and the history will support.

I thank you in anticipation

Elaine Bamford

Funding method

All or nothing – this project will only receive pledges if it reaches its target of £3,000 by 26th October 2026 at 5:19pm