The Home Pages of John Barber

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Braughing is an English village, well off the traditional tourist maps and not visited as much as it deserves to be.

It is a small, neat and tidy place with its village shop and Post Office and few remaining tradesmen. The road leads down to a river where you will find Barwick (pronounced Barrick) Ford. Not suitable to cross when the water is high.

Braughing (pronounced Braffing) can be approached from either direction of the A120. You pass Puckeridge railway station which is partially visible. It was part of the  Hertford, Ware and Buntingford Line that was axed by Dr Beeching in 1964. The waiting rooms have since been converted into a private house and the platform flower beds restored to their old glory.

Braughing is famous for three things; sausages, Old Man's Day and the Wheelbarrow Race.

Braughing sausages are still produced and sold locally by D.White Butchers who are a traditional family run butcher’s shop and worth a visit.

The Braughing sausage is a modern classic with a good balance of ingredients, a good filling of meat with just a hint of spice which complements the pork without overpowering it.  

Old Man's Day is celebrated every October 2.

Over 400 years ago Matthew Wall a young resident of Fleece Lane died. As his coffin was being carried to the church one of the pallbearers slipped on a stone causing the coffin to shake and Matthew was returned to life.

By the terms of his will on the anniversary of his 'funeral' the local schoolchildren sweep Fleece Lane whilst the funeral bells toll in the local church. At evening a song especially written for the occasion is sung in the graveyard and the wedding bells are rung.

Matthew Wall lived to a ripe old age and in his will bequeathed a small parcel of land to the village - Green End, although not so green now as a row of cottages has been built on it.

The Wheelbarrow Race is held on the Braughing Annual Fete day towards the end of July. Together with the usual sideshows and stalls local people dress up in silly costumes and push wheelbarrows of various eccentric designs complete with passenger around a special course in a local field - all for charity.

Video now available at Hertfordshire Mercury page