South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society

Rev. William John Potter (1872-1939) was a Baptist Minister who set up his own aircraft company, the Aerial Manufacturing Company, at 'The Aviation Grounds, Woodham Ferris' in 1909 as part of Britain's very earliest aeronautical activities. Aircraft reference books credit this company with producing a machine which was amongst the first half dozen aircraft to achieve meaningful flight in this country

This illustrated talk will take us back to South Woodham's early period of 'plotland' development when Rev Potter purchased building plots on the Champions Hall Estate. It will look at his role in the growing community and what his inventive mind produced during the decade he spent here. His earlier eventful life as a Baptist minister and his post-Great War reincarnation as a leading Christian Spiritualist will also be covered in the hour-long talk.

The Local History Society's AGM will follow the talk and refreshments at 9.00 pm. Visitors can attend the talk only or can join the Society and stay for the AGM.