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Same time I moved here James.
My dad his brother and my 2 brother’s worked on the creek section of the wall with r.d.l. in late 70s early 80s
Thanks Janet I’ll look forward to see the results of your hard work and photos of when I first move to the island.
You and me both Maureen. If you come across one let us know. Keep looking here you never know what we will come up with.
Hi I was born on Monkswick farm 1st December 1961 and lived there for many years following my birth I’ve been desperately looking for an old photo of the farm but to date have been unable to find one
Hi Dennis Sorry only just seen your comment today 29/09/2023. I do remember Beryl Spall as I was a friend of her brother Alan Spall as I played drums and Alan guitar back in the mid 60s. I then joined a band called Sweet Thing who were on Radio One Club at Southend Kursaal. You can look up Sweet Thing and also other posts from me Barry Isaacs about on this site http://www.canveyisland.org. Sadly Alan passed away last December after a long battle with cancer.
I used to work at the Total garage in Benfleet 1976 where Vic was one of the mechanics! He was always friendly with a great sense of humour, I knew he was into speedway but never realised he was so successful, a real character who was loving life I remember 45 odd years later!
It is very heart-warming (and breath-restoring) to see these dedicated women who actually defied the conventions of male dominated water-safety and lifesaving roles rise to the challenge of aquatic rescue training and lifeguard certification, especially for the period. Lily, Enid and Ann are inspirations to us all, in particular to women everywhere, for their courage and perseverance in taking the time and effort to learn and teach us how to save a life in the water. They seem so comfortable with one another in such a demanding environment. It would be fascinating to hear of accounts of their experiences as lady lifesavers or see more photos of the women demonstrating their rescue skills and resuscitation, or ” kiss-of-life ” technique. Kudos to all.
Thomas Samuel RICHARDSON purchased 12 plots of land (between Rattwick Drive and Ormo Rd) from Reliance Bank Ltd for £54 in 1920 and builds a house for summer holidays. His main residence being 22 Pembroke Rd, Walthamstow. Looks like he was the builder.
In 1921, he then builds a property that was surrounded by Westman Rd, Forensted Ave, and Linroping Ave (The Heyton Bungalow).
In 1923, he places plans for Ratwick Drive. I do not have the details for this property (yet). I guess this could be further developing the initial property/land.
Martin, I wasn’t sure exactly where Rattwick drive was situated. Having looked at where it is there is no surprise that my Grandparents met.Edward Manly lived with his Father William on Linropin Avenue the next road.Most of it was open fields with some plots pegged out still but it would have been easy to bump into each other . Thank you for this. Doris had been registered at The Sharlotte Sharmon Children’s home in Tunbridge Wells in 1911.
Hi Martin, Yes I understand that was the case. In the recently published census 1921 Doris was living at The Heyton with the Richardsons as a children’s Nanny or Mothers help. The Richardsons had a Down’s syndrome little boy called Ronny who they needed extra help with.(I’ve posted a picture of her with him on the site) She fled a children’s home in Tunbridge wells when she was 15. There is a gap between then and her being with the Richardsons I have drawn a blank on that.
The name Tony Matthews rings a bell .My dad was Jock Hendry who worked the petrol pumps and had the workshop.
Hi Graham. Me dad Albert. Or bert.to all.started.port of London authority. 1960 me thinks. My dad was a bit of a jack the lad type. Had gold ear rings.more pirates for him.had many boats all round canvey. LO.164. ARIUS WAS ONE AND one was named after me and my sister LIN GARY. I remember getting in mud at benfleet creek were he had boats. And many local down to earth people. With there X war time navy vessel moored in the creek. And the old D,Day landing craft turned into house boats.so many people lived on boats in creek.always a jolly time. And me walking under the old metal sliding bridge. As me dad and brothers. Terry foulger and colin foulger. Scrapping the bottom of boats to paint. Happy memories for me and blessed to have them .which put me in good stead for my 22 years with HM coast guard. River Thames and canvey. Thank you dad for my wisdom and care for other people. And to treat all with respect. And respect the sea and its fury.!!!!!!! Mother nature is powerful. And we are part of it.!!!! Look after it.!!
Nice shots! The one of Labworth 1930’s? But what is the red roofed building to the left of the iconic Cafe?
Wow Kate thanks for solving the mystery.
Hello,
I found this link that provides information about what this song was written for
https://historicalpageants.ac.uk/pageants/1314/
The Southend and Westcliff-on-Sea Pageant of 1909. Pageant Master: Ashdown, Charles H. Master of Music: Mr C.T. Loveday
“The words and lyrics for the Pageant had been written by accomplished pageant master Charles H. Ashdown.
Alongside his wife, Ashdown was a meticulous promoter of the accurate representation of local history and the author of a number of historical publications. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Southend and Westcliff-on-Sea Pageant took seriously the presentation of formative episodes in the history of the locality, using sources such as William Camden’s Britannia to inform the narrative.
The first performance in Chalkwell Park occurred on 19 June 1909, where spectators in their thousands gathered for the spectacle.7 According to the Cambridge Independent Press, Chalkwell provided an ‘admirable setting’ for the scenes. The Pageant opened with a celebration of the beauty of the Essex countryside, where an Essex man, contemplating his surroundings, falls asleep and is transported back in time by the Spirits of the Historical Past of Essex. The episodes which followed were thoughtfully paced, as the audience were taken from the dilemmas of Offa, the early medieval King of Essex, through to the unique and intriguing history of Dutch settlement on Essex’s Canvey Island. “
I was a milkman for the Co-op on canvey in the 80,s , part of my round was the village ( haven rd ) asking local residents about the Dutch cottage, some were old islanders and remember one family with six yes 6 children living there years ago. Good work Good customers,Good bye.😵💫🫶🤔👍🕸
David Cook,
Do you know what your ancestor, Thomas COOK (son of Frederick COOK) did during the Great War?
I believe he was on the Island at that time, and had actually signed up in 1914. I assume R.H.A. but cannot be sure, and I do not know his Regimental Number.
Hello Jill, I’ve just looked at this site again after quite a while and also after a trip to Canvey with my partner’s cousins. I could send you a scan of the passage from Margaret Bondfield’s book if you’ve not been able to locate it. I don’t think I can do this through this page but maybe the site administrator can put us in touch. So sorry for the delay.
I think the bungalow must have been called Fressingfield because that’s where my ancestors came from in Suffolk. I know my father Thomas Cook lived there for a while before moving to Ash Road.
Far right is my father Les Woolf next to Dad is Ron Parsons, Peter Fairman, Peter May and far left Dave Atwell I think. Had a fabulous childhood growing up within the community of the club – many fond memories. Would love to hear from anyone who knew mum and dad or was connected to the club in its hey day from 60’s – 80’s.
I am Peter de Tourtoulon ‘s daughter, I am not mentioned in this , I live in Leigh on sea, the Echo did not include me in their article, so a month later when I had my son they wrote an article including me .
Would like any info on Tony Chadwick I was with him at Stratford training centre
Hi Phillipa,
Do you have Ronald William Redding’s Birth Certificate, and if so, does it state where on Canvey he was residing on his Birth?
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