Theydon Bois

Etymology

The origin of the village place name comes from the family of Bois (de Bosco), which held the manor in the 12th and 13th centuries. The village name is usually pronounced to rhyme with "boyce" or just "boys".

The second part of the village name has been 'Boys', with various spellings, as far back as can be traced. When the Great Eastern Railway built its branch to Ongar, it asked the clerk of the Epping Parish Council, a Mr John Windas, how it should be spelt. As he had some knowledge of French and in view of the village's proximity to the forest, he suggested the best spelling would be 'Bois'.

The Avenue of Trees

What is widely regarded as Theydon Bois' most iconic landmark is the 'Avenue of Trees' which lines Loughton Lane, one of its main roads. The oak trees were planted in the 1830s to, reputedly, celebrate the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne. Chairwoman of the City of London's Epping Forest Committee, Barbara Newman, said, “The Theydon avenue [has been] identified as the highest priority among the many other avenues of trees that the City of London currently looks after."

A recent survey commissioned by the City of London, the responsible authority for the Green, found that four of the trees were required to be felled and others should be monitored.

Although felling was accepted as necessary, there was local concern about the visual impact that this would have on the village. A new line of trees, therefore, was planted in late 2010, set back from the current row. The semi-mature replacements will eventually dominate the site. The TBPC chairman, Robert Glozier, said, "The Avenue of Trees is an intrinsic part of the Village. It has to be preserved not just for the short term but also the long term and the best way to do this is to have a parallel Avenue of Trees to take over".

Some of the new trees have been sponsored as memorials, and details of these will be printed on an information board near the avenue.

Events

Several yearly events are observed in Theydon Bois. Of most note is the annual tradition of the Donkey Derby, which is usually held in July. The 26th consecutive event was held on 14 July 2013. The Derby involves children participating in donkey racing, which can be bet on in small-stakes. Individual races or the donkeys themselves can be sponsored in advance by villagers who are then offered the right to name the race or donkey respectively. Also included in the day are rides, games, stalls, donkey rides and food and drink tents. Profits made from the Donkey Derby are raised for the Theydon Bois Scouts, although have recently begun to benefit the local Girl Guides as well. The Donkey Derby was postponed from July until September for the first time in 2012 due to bad weather, although the rescheduled event also suffered from heavy rain and wind.

Another annual tradition is the Open Gardens Day, which is held in the summer. The event, which is now in its 30th year, allows local residents to show private gardens to both local and external visitors.

Theydon Bois and Epping Forest

Epping Forest is an ancient woodland, and former Royal Forest. It borders the village of Theydon Bois, and a clearing near the town's main road previously held host to the Donkey Derby until 2007. The community is very active in the sustainable management and conservation of the forest. Groups including the Theydon Bois & District Rural Preservation Society were founded to preserve the rural character of the countryside in and around Theydon Bois. The objectives of the society are given as;

Activities are said to include;

Awards

Pubs

The village has two pubs, the Bull and the Queen Victoria. Theydons (previously The Railway Arms), closed in October 2011 and has been developed into eight flats by Banner Homes.

Transport

Theydon Bois tube station is on the Central line underground train network. There is currently one bus service connecting the village to Loughton, Abridge, Epping and Harlow.

Famous residents