TITLES are ten a penny these days. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can pop online and, for the price of a week's shopping, become a Lord or Lady.
The buying of titles is nothing new – however, before the invention of the internet, they were rather more expensive and were often sold at auction.
Back in October 1965, one man bought a title that would eventually absorb five years of his life. The Stanford Rivers Lord of the Manor, Harold Scott, was not a resident of the spread-out village, nor had he been there. However, he was now linked with the Essex parish in a way that would pass on through the generations.
Fast forward 48 years and the current Lord of the Manor, Mr Scott's grandson Joel Goldman, met parishioners in Stanford Rivers for the first time.
The recent meeting at the Village Hall in Toot Hill was well attended with the car park fit to burst.
Stanford Rivers Parish Councillor John Glover explained how it got to this point. He said: "In 2012 I was handed a tatty, falling apart book.
"The book was a history of Stanford Rivers and it was in much need of repair. I was fascinated by it – I set about having it reproduced for the locals.
"The book was written by the then Lord of the Manor, Harold Scott. From this point I decided to try and track down our current Lord.
"It was a chance encounter at St Margaret's Church that put me in touch with Alix Tystad, daughter of Harold Scott, and subsequently with her son Joel Goldman, the current Lord of the Manor."
When it came to the history book, published in 1974, Cllr Glover deemed it very important for the people of Stanford Rivers parish.
"It is an incredible piece of our history in itself and sheds a lot of light on our community. That is why I had it reproduced, I knew people would love a copy," he said.
Joel Goldman, who lives in London, spoke of how he was happy to be invited to the parish officially, and to meet the residents. He said: "I have been here a few times before, just passing through if I have time before getting a plane at Stansted.
"I have never really spoken to anyone here before. My grandfather was someone who definitely felt he had to work for the title, not just buy it and forget about it.
"I believe he went round to every house in the village while researching his book. He was very dedicated.
"It is a great community in Stanford Rivers and it is good to finally meet them."
Alix Tystad, Harold Scott's daughter, was also at the reception.
She said: "He felt he had to do something to deserve his title. He was an amateur historian and he spent five years of his life researching the book. I remember coming with him on a few trips."
During the reception last Thursday, the idea of creating an archive of the history of Stanford Rivers came about.
Mr Goldman offered the original research papers that his grandfather had made when he was writing the book.
The idea was met with enthusiasm from residents.
Copies of the history book can be bought from the parish council for £25.
