Great Bentley, Essex

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... [more]

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... [more]

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... [more]

My Mum

Martins Gate, a quaint cottage on the old Colchester road, is where my mum was born. There was no water, electricity, no inside toilet. I spent many happy hours there with my grandparents, playing in the fields at the back of the house. I was bathed in a tin bath in front of a roaring fire, the water was from a... [more]

Happy Days at St Osyth

I lived with my family in Kingsbury NW9 and we used to holiday at St Osyth from 1960 -1965. Mum, Dad six children, plus Nan, Grandad and Auntie! The first year we had a caravan on the then magnificent beach, then a caravan per family on the only site at the time. Nan particularly enjoyed our evenings up at The Monks... [more]

Wonderful holidays in St Osyth

I remember St Osyth with great fondness, holidayed there with Mum and Dad for quite a few years, always the first 2 weeks of September for some reason. We stayed in a bungalow called The Retreat in Oakmead Road. I believe it was demolished some years ago and a new 'Retreat' was built ? I remember the Elsan loo and the... [more]

The village bakery shop

I was born in the village in 1965 and lived in St. Osyth Bakery, Spring Road for 20 years with my family.  I can remember going to Bretts hardware and sweet shop with my 5p to get some sweets.  I can remember Mr and Mrs Ayers who ran the vegetable and toy shop in Spring Road.  We used to take part... [more]

The Bowling Green, Elmstead Market

My great grandfather William Henry Parkins ran The Bowling Green from the 1920s until his death in 1953. I am aware that the Pub has now closed and the last time I visited (6-7 years ago) it was being converted into a private home. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers my great grandfather or any other... [more]