A map dated early 1950’s (pre floods) was recently handed to me which had the following adverts. Some of the names are very familiar but others I have never heard of before.
Can anyone tell us about ‘Nobby’s Cafe’? What about ‘Cockle Jack’s’?
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By Janet PennPage added
25/06/2010
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Surely Cockle Jacks was upstairs in the building opposite the Haystack that then housed, downstairs, Green Stores (later Green and Dyson), today, John Fisk and Bairstow Eves estate agents. (Above the infamous but later “OZ NOW YOU NEXT” grafftti). I remember, in the late 50’s, a coffee bar there with a great juke box, featuring American Rock ‘n Roll artists of the period. There was another coffee bar (The Craven?), I remember, in the block next to the Rio, roughly where there is currently, (according to Google Earth), Chillis Tandoori and a now vacant Canvey Travel.
As far as I remember, during late 40’s to mid 60’s, Cockle Jack’s (The Snack Bar) was downstairs in the middle shop of the block of 3 opposite the Haystack in Furtherwick Road. To the left was Greens Stores, to the right was Matthews and Charles, estate agents. My wife’s uncle, Horace Jarvis, was manager of Greens at some time during the 50’s.
I remember the Jersey Restaurant in the block next to the Rio, in the 50’s/early 60’s. It was owned by Grouts; an unusual place, the shop front was entirely made from french doors which were folded back leaving the front of the premises open to the street. I have an advert for the Jersey from a 1954 Captivating Canvey Guide which I will scan and E mail to Janet soon.
i can remember a cafe near the haystack i think it was called The martinic or something like that my late sister use to work there, they played all the motown music and all the lads from london use to go there, it was the in place to go, this was about 1966/7 maybe a bit earlier. does anyone remember this cafe or my sister jacqui lewin
I too remember that Cockle Jacks was at street level in the building across from the Haystack. The proprietors were nice people and the food was good, the atmosphere was always friendly. It was a good place to meet friends and enjoy a nice cup of tea. I was in there right after the 1953 flood, and it was great to be able to go there while the rest of my family had been evacuated. I had stayed on Canvey and was working at the sea wall drainage system. I also remember getting my hair cut at “Peg-leg the Barbers” which was situated near the Lakeside Corner. He was a fun loving man and would joke around quite a bit while styling my hair to the famous “DUCK”S A” (anatomy blank) and which was the popular boy’s and men’s style of the day.!! his sense of humour would have me and the whole “waiting group” laughing. Sometimes to tears. He could also give a great head massage following the trim. Happy days.!!
Cockle Jack’s was owned by Jack & Ann Bradley. It was a place you could sit in all evening nursing one cup of tea and listen to the juke box. Outside, in the better weather, they sold shellfish.
When I was a child we often had self-catering holidays in a bungalow on Canvey and always used Nobby’s Cafe. Everything was home made and portions were generous. When we went there Mrs Clarke was in the kitchen (and rarely came into the public area) and Mrs Pickett used to wait on tables. I only know this because a young lady used to eat there every day and as she left, she always said, “Goodby Mrs Pickett” and then louder, “Goodbye Mrs Clarke”. I don’t know why I can remember this over 60 years later, but I do!! By the way, the bungalow we stayed in was called ‘Breezy Corner’, and that is the name of my bungalow now.
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