theydon "boys "

Theydon Bois is a large residential village and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of the county of Essex, England. It is located 1.4 miles south of Epping, 0.85 miles northeast of Loughton and 6 miles south of Harlow.

GPS Delta

Pleased for Peter, He's a sound bloke and treats his horses like family (BTW Theydon is known affectionately as "Dave" )

was that from memory delta ?

we have "kemp town"

yep

I am told that the Bois, pronounced boys, is nothing to do with the French word for wood. It is a familial name. Does anyone know if there is any connection to Chesham Bois (boys)?

Hersham Bois, Hersham Bois, Lace-up Boots and Corduroys.

it is the same word as 'wood', effectively,  as it comes from the family name 'de Bosco', but that name just means 'wood' in Italian

it has become anglicised, so it is pronounced 'boys' in English, in the same way that 'Beaulieu' is pronounced 'Bewley' in English, whereas in its originating language (French), it is Beau Lieu

I know the area well. The locals used to pronounce it BOYS.  I'd assumed (mistakenly it seems) when I first went there that it was the French for a forest.

Frank Muir had a story about Theydon Bois in his autobiography, which I only remember the gist of.  For some reason after doing a theatrical performance, he never had time to remove the make-up before driving to his next destination.  It might have been foggy (like my memory) and he became disorientated and finally spotted a local policeman.
He wound down the window and asked "Excuse me Officer, do you know how I can find Theydon Bois?" Not sure if he was arrested or not....

Theydon bois on the central line   one stop away from epping

Frank Muir....

'
At Ilford I realized I was lost, so I cruised up to a policeman and stopped the car.

"What can I do for you sir?" he said amiably.

"I'm looking for Theydon Bois," I said.

The officer gazed at me steadily for a moment and then said, "Well you won't find any round here, ducky".

Thanks ged...I never kept the library copy