What an incredible story, I wonder if anyone else remembers this remarkable lady? She certainly did wonders with Stan's writing skills!

A very human, humbling and touching story that should be read by today's youngsters in every school. They say the pen is mightier than the sword, or in today's language, the knife. It would be interesting to know what Stan Pierce did with his life. Robert

I lived in Canvey from 1963 until 1980. I am 47 now and I miss those times in Canvey when I had great fun on the Concrete Barge. I would have liked to have met this lady, what an inspiration! I thank Stan for his wonderful memories, they are a pleasure to read.

I remember Mrs Laws very well, I saw her making her slow way to the waters edge many times. I used to wince watching her, thinking she must scrape her legs on the sharp shells and stones. I never once spoke to her though. I used to think though that the cold water must have done her good or she wouldn't have put herself through that every day.

Does anyone remember the African dancers who put on a fire eating show, complete with wild dancing etc. Their show was in a shack down a street off the seafront, but I don't remember which one. They used to be dressed in grass skirts and feathers and carried spears and shields and had bare feet. They would dance along the seawall whilst banging their bongo drums and when they had a crowd round them the people would follow them back to the hut to watch the show.

I am Stan Pierce. I would like to ask Val Phillips if she was the lady who lived near the corner of Southfalls road facing the wall during the war.

The reason I ask is because I remember a lady I think was called Val Sparks who was married to an airman. He got shot down over Germany and I remember her getting that awful telegram. She came running out from that house on the corner and over to see mum and Mrs Maltby next door and was in a bad state.

I do remember she did get married again after the war.

Her son, about the same age as me went into the merchant navy and did runs out to the West Indies.

Yes.I remember Mrs Haws very well. Although not many people actually knew her, many people were aware of her. and her predilection for swimming in all sorts of weather, winter too I might add. I knew Stan well when I was a kid, in fact it was he who taught me to swim from the groyne in front of their house. I may even be the Ginger to whom he refers in the above piece. I last saw Stan in about 1958 when he and I were sort of friendly rivals for the attentions of a young lady whose name I won't mention.
I lost track of him then because I was a seaman myself on the Orient boats to Australia. I am delighted to know he is well and in Brisbane, Myself I live in Sokane , Washington State in the Pacific Northwest of the USA.
Canvey seems long ago and far away now. I have not been there since the early eighties now and it had changed so much then that I did not like it much.
When I first knew Stan I lived at No 1 Park Road, behind the bus garage (1943-1946) I later lived coincidentally in the newly converted Northwick Camp until 1950 when we moved abroad.
Geoff Graydon

Hello - I remember Mrs Laws very well. We lived in a bungalow called Glenroy which was opposite Mrs Laws in Springfield Road and on the corner of Northfalls. My name then was Pat Bones and I lived with my mum Stella, dad Sid and sister Barbara during the 1950's. Another sister Helen was born in 1963. I remember a Mr Laws too. He used to wear a black suit and a black bowler hat. I also remember that one of them used to blow a police whistle from time to time. Not sure why though.