People in rural Essex were quite superstitious with several unique customs although with the benefit of hindsight some of the customs must have provided one of the few pleasant times into a tough life. Plough Monday Plough Monday took place on the first Monday after twelfth night when farmers started to plough the fields once more. A corn dolly ,which was plaited from the lost of the straw strands taken from the last corn to be harvested in the previous year, was tied to the first plough that was used on the farm. The plough was then paraded around the village by the farm boys who were given money by the villagers enabling an enthusiastic celebration to take place in the local alehouses before the backbreaking work of winter ploughing began. Shrove Tuesday Now known as pancake day. Shrove Tuesday was the day before the 40 days of Lent began. In the rural communities Lent was observed strictly with fasting commonplace and the food that was taken to keep alive was very plain. Shrove Tuesday was the day when all of the richer food left in the cupboard was consumed as it would go off before the end of Lent. As this included eggs and other dairy products pancakes were one of the favourite foods eaten and the celebrations grew to include pancake races in many villages. Mothering Sunday In the 1700 and 1800's the tradition grew that on Mothering Sunday all servants and Farm Boys were given the day off to visit their mothers and attend church. This tradition quickly grew into the mothers day that we now recognise.
	Beating the Bounds Traditionally carried out before Ascension day the Vicar/Rector of the Parish Church and members of his congregation walked around the boundaries of the parish. Harvest Home The final wagon load of harvest was the cause of much celebration. The wagon and horses were decorated with ribbons and its progress was marked by singing and blowing of horns. Harvest Supper At the end of the harvest the farmer provided a celebration meal to his men. The menu would be roast beef, a roast pig  or Rabbit Pie with plum pudding and as much beer as the men could drink. The evening was concluded with singing country songs such as the Farmers Boy and Buttercup Joe Harvest Home The sober side of marking the end of the harvest was the harvest festival service held in the parish church. The normal church decoration of flowers gave way to vegetables in the font, on the windowsills and even on the Altar with decorations of corn dollies of the pews and other strategic places. The church was invariably crowded by the harvesters who always managed a lusty rendition of We plough the fields and scatter.