2 - Was it the road to recovery?

So another year draws to an end. At the beginning of the year we called it the ‘Road to recovery’. Is that what it has turned out to be? I would say it depends who you talk to. Yes it has been another difficult year but not as bad as the previous one. We are all very tired of the restrictions but most of us are still here, battle weary, but here.

Town Mayor Barry and Dot Palmer with vice Mayor Doreen and John Anderson at the Bus Museum’s event.

What has the year meant for Canvey Island? Lots of clubs and events eventually opened. But no Carnival or Raft Race. The Bay Museum opened and the Bus Museum had a small opening. The weather was not as kind to us as it had been on the previous year.  At the archive we celebrated our 13^th birthday for the website – online. Graham Stevens did an interview for us on BBC Radio Essex Quest regarding Canada Corner.

One of the hundreds of geese by the lake

We had a multitude of geese, I have never seen so many on the island by the lake and also walking round the streets where they brought traffic to a stop. But they brought us a lot of fun in these hard days. If you were able to get out and about you would have seen there were a lot more murals appearing on the seawall.

The Coastwatch moved house to the point and we paid them a visit.

You can see how spacious and modern the new station is.

We at the archive started up our library sessions again and a new one at CISCA House. We also were in attendance when, at long last, the headstones were placed on the graves of the nuns from the Anglican Convent. Cast and Crew continued their online contributions culminating with their first live performance in two years at the War Memorial Hall with ‘Will Shakespeare the Panto’.

TC Mayor Palmer saying a few words.

There was a service at the Remembrance Garden for the victims of Covid with a new memorial. Then there was the unexpected visit by Princess Ann to meet the many volunteers who helped feed people in need during the crisis. The Town Council’s Garden Trail went ahead despite the weather. We also had floods, maybe the Ocean Row event we went to was not such a bad idea! There were the Citizens of the Year awards from the Town Council, how did they manage to choose, there were so many unsung heroes.

Unfortunately the beautiful swans and their young who gave us all so much pleasure this year have not survived the bird flu that has swept our islands. That is mother nature but sad to see.

Not to mention that someone has put Humpty Dumpty together again.

The Town Council had their Christmas festivities in the town centre but not as in previous years plus the weather was really horrible. The Rotary again did a great job taking Santa round the island and they had a bumper collection too.

So overall it has not been too bad. We are on the road to recovery but not there yet. Does anyone have a crystal ball? If so please let us all know what the New Year will bring, thank you.

Happy New Year from Canvey Community Archive and stay safe everyone.