Memories of Brightlingsea

Daughter of a shopkeeper

I spent most of my childhood in Brightlingsea. My father owned several businesses in the town, Relf's Fruiterers in New Street and Victoria Place and the Happy Shopper shop for a time. I have wonderful memories of sitting on potato sacks in the 'back room' whilst the beetroot cooker steamed away and running up and down Hall Cut on a barrow with my sister, and watching my dad waltz the ladies around the shop to Max Bygraves music! Maskells (the newsagent next door) was great for emergency sweets! Even when we moved away, due to the shops we were always in Brightlingsea, spending most of our summers at the beach hut and swimming pool. I don't have any reason to visit Brightlingsea now as Dad retired from the shop well over 12 years ago - but I often think fondly of it!

A Brightlingsea Boy

I was born at 10 North Rd in 1936 My grandparents house[Harry & Maude Hammond. My mother Mabel Williams[nee Hammond] worked in James Shipyard during war then Telephone Exchange.remarried George Genever[who was buyer at Aldous Shipyard] in 1947.We lived at 15 Eastern rd then 2 Ladysmith Avenue.Brightlingsea was a great place to spend your childhood,either by the water or in the countryside, My best mates where Eric Woods,Jim Crosby and Colin Francis [Lost touch with all of them]. The pictures [all of them] brought back many happy memories,Since leaving Brightlingsea in 1957 I have travelled all over the world and now live in Morecambe Lancashire, I would like to hear from anyone who remembers me,

Where  I  was  brought  up

I  was  brought  up  at  110  High  Street  then  at  the  top of  Backwaterside  Lane.  My  Grandparents  were William  and  Louisa  Barrenger.  My  Mum  Mabel  Barrenger (later  Mabel  Dutton)  was  born  at  9  Hurst  Green.  Many  of  my  family  were  all  born  there including  my  sister  and  two  brothers.  One  of  the  things  I  can  remember  about  the  High  Street  is  the  fair  arriving  on  Hurst  Green  and  also  watching  the  Carnival  go  along  the  High  Street.
Brightlingsea  holds  many  memories, the  shops  in  the  High Street, Bird's  the  newsagent, Phillip's  the  fruit  and  veg  shop  and further  along  there  was  the  bakers  at  the  top  of  Tower  Street.  On  the  opposite  side  there was the  Chemist  then  the  Grocery  Shop.
My  Mum  worked  at  Jacobs  Hall  when  Mrs  Wholmes ( I  think  I've  Spelt  that  right)  and  her  daughter  Celia  were  there.  I left  Brightlingsea  in  1968  but  Brightlingsea  is  where  I  spent  a  happy  childhood and  as  I  sit  here  I  can  see  the  High  Street as  I  knew  it.  I  also  belonged  to  The  Salvation  Army - people  would  know  me  as  Anne  Craig.