The name Wickford is of Saxon origin, Wick meaning a winding river and Ford being a shallow river crossing. For many years this sleepy market town lay dormant, like a seed waiting spring. Spring arrived in the 1970s with the building of the Willows, establishing itself during the following decade with the opening of Ladygate, the Wickford bypass and the rebuilding of the east side of the High Street opposite Halls Corner. Such development has perhaps eroded some of Wickford's character as seen in old photographs, but this has been replaced by a sense of dynamism afforded by a growing commuter town. Its surrounding area has changed too, but less so in comparison, remaining in the most part rural. This lavishly illustrated book gives the reader the opportunity to travel through time, drawing comparisons between how it is now, and how it used to be.