GB800CC was a special event station run by Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (GX0MWT) to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Chelmsford being granted a charter by the king. The station operated from Sandford Mill Museum on 25th July 1999. The operators were Brian G3CVI, John G3VMJ, Malcom G4KGL, Charles G0GJS, and David M0BQC.
In 1199 The Bishop of London, William de Sainte-Mère-Eglise, applied to the newly crowned King John (brother of King Richard I 'the Lionheart') for a charter. On 7 September 1199, King John granted the Bishop the right to hold a weekly market on Fridays within 'his manor of Chelmersford'.
The site of the original market was an elongated triangle. It included the open space between the High Street, Tindal Street and Tindal Square, in front of St Mary's Church (now Chelmsford Cathedral), and extended to the bottom of Springfield Road.
In medieval times, a market was very much the centre of the locality, especially as travel was limited to horses and ox-carts. Just as it is today, Chelmsford was a commercial centre for a much larger area, with traders and buyers coming from far and wide to enjoy the market and shop for bargains.
A number of events were held to commemorate this important event.
On Saturday 20th September 1999 a re-enactment was held, when King John, accompanied by William, Bishop of London, he led a mounted parade through the streets of the town. Thousands filled the streets to watch the procession of children and entertainers in period costume as it travelled along Moulsham Street and up the High Street. The procession stopped outside the Shire Hall where a re-enactment of the signing of the historic charter took place.
QSL via eQSL only.
In 1199 The Bishop of London, William de Sainte-Mère-Eglise, applied to the newly crowned King John (brother of King Richard I 'the Lionheart') for a charter. On 7 September 1199, King John granted the Bishop the right to hold a weekly market on Fridays within 'his manor of Chelmersford'.
The site of the original market was an elongated triangle. It included the open space between the High Street, Tindal Street and Tindal Square, in front of St Mary's Church (now Chelmsford Cathedral), and extended to the bottom of Springfield Road.
In medieval times, a market was very much the centre of the locality, especially as travel was limited to horses and ox-carts. Just as it is today, Chelmsford was a commercial centre for a much larger area, with traders and buyers coming from far and wide to enjoy the market and shop for bargains.
A number of events were held to commemorate this important event.
On Saturday 20th September 1999 a re-enactment was held, when King John, accompanied by William, Bishop of London, he led a mounted parade through the streets of the town. Thousands filled the streets to watch the procession of children and entertainers in period costume as it travelled along Moulsham Street and up the High Street. The procession stopped outside the Shire Hall where a re-enactment of the signing of the historic charter took place.
QSL via eQSL only.