PUBLIC SERVICES
The first serious attempt to improve sanitation was
in 1854, when the Epping
Guardians appointed a parochial committee to remove
nuisances. (fn. 73) Such committees were again appointed in
1857 and 1859. (fn. 74) In 1868 the vestry decided to appoint a Sewer Authority under the Sewage Utilization
Acts, 1865 and 1867, and the Sanitary Acts, 1866 and
1868. (fn. 75) Two months later it resolved to appoint members of this authority, but another resolution to form a
Special Drainage District for Buckhurst Hill was withdrawn after strong opposition. (fn. 76) A sewage-disposal
plant was installed at Buckhurst Hill, but the growth of
this part of the parish soon overtaxed the plant. In 1876
a local doctor complained to the vestry of the filthy state
of the roads, ponds, and cesspools in lower Buckhurst
Hill. (fn. 77) This protest was largely instrumental in obtaining an improved plant. (fn. 78) From 1870 the local committee was controlled by the Epping Rural Sanitary
Authority. (fn. 79) In 1895 the Buckhurst Hill Urban District Council became responsible for sewage disposal
within its area, and the Epping Rural District in the
rest of the ancient parish. (fn. 80) In 1933 the whole area was
taken over by Chigwell Urban District Council.
In 1874 water was being supplied to Buckhurst Hill
by the East London Waterworks Co. In that year the
parish vestry tried unsuccessfully to arrange for supplies
to be extended to Chigwell and Chigwell Row. (fn. 81) It
made another attempt in 1879. (fn. 82) The date at which
the extension took place is not known, but by 1907
Chigwell and Chigwell Row were being supplied by
the Metropolitan Water Board, successor to the East
London company. (fn. 83) The company had opened a
reservoir at Buckhurst Hill about 1895, to replace the
previous water tower. (fn. 84) A mineral spring at Chigwell
Row which existed in the 18th century had fallen out
of use by about 1800. (fn. 85)
The Chigwell and Woodford Bridge Gas Co. was
formed in 1863 and gradually extended its area. By
1867 it was supplying gas to Buckhurst Hill. In 1873
it was reincorporated as the Chigwell, Loughton and
Woodford Gas Co. Its works were in Snakes Lane,
Woodford. (fn. 86) In 1912 it was taken over by the Gas
Light and Coke Co. (fn. 87)
Electricity was brought to Chigwell soon after the
First World War by the County of London Electric
Supply Co. (fn. 88)
An unsuccessful attempt in 1792 to build a pesthouse in Chigwell is described below (see Parish
Government and Poor Relief). A Village Hospital,
supported by subscription, was opened at Buckhurst
Hill about 1875, on the initiative of Dr. C. H. Livingstone. (fn. 89) The Medical Provident Home, Buckhurst
Hill, was opened about 1890. (fn. 90) These hospitals were
closed in 1912 when the Forest Hospital was opened at
Buckhurst Hill. (fn. 91) This was extended in 1920 and
1930. (fn. 92) It is now administered by the Forest Hospital
Management Committee. (fn. 93)
Great West Hatch was formerly a branch home
of the Royal Eastern Counties Institution for Mental
Defectives. (fn. 94) It was taken over by the London County
Council about 1938 and is now under the South
Ockendon Hospital Management Committee. (fn. 95) The
neighbouring Little West Hatch is under the same
management. (fn. 96) The Epping Hospital Management
Committee has recently opened a Chest Clinic at Buckhurst Hill. (fn. 97)
The Female Refuge Home, Buckhurst Hill, opened
about 1875 and later known as the Preventive Training
Homes, under the Rescue Society for Girls, continued
until 1914. (fn. 98)
A Female Benefit Society meeting at Chigwell Row
was registered in 1808, and the Anchor and Hope
Benefit Society meeting at Buckhurst Hill in 1832. (fn. 99)
In 1884 the vestry resolved to maintain a fire engine
which was to be purchased by public subscription. (fn. 1)
This was later taken over by the Buckhurst Hill Urban
District Council, which built a new fire station. (fn. 2) This
was closed in 1933, after the opening of the stations at
Loughton and Grange Farm, Chigwell. (fn. 3)
Allotments were instituted by the parish vestry in
1867 at Grange Hill and Chigwell Row. (fn. 4)
The origin of the Chigwell Row recreation ground
is mentioned below (see Agriculture). It has been taken
over by the Urban District Council, which has also
provided grounds near Chigwell station and at Roding
Valley. The Buckhurst Hill recreation ground has also
been taken over by the council. (fn. 5)