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South Benfleet
South Benfleet photos
Displaying the first of 13 old photos of South Benfleet. View all South Benfleet photos
South Benfleet maps
Historic maps of South Benfleet and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all South Benfleet maps
South Benfleet area books
Displaying 1 of 18 books about South Benfleet and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of South Benfleet
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of South Benfleet.
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Caught in A Storm by Christine Swanson
When I was 4 years old I lived on an ex troop carrier which we named the Rembrant (its name was originally the Martello, I think). There was a storm and the moorings gave way and we were adrift at the mercy of rough waters and towering over the smaller houseboats. Mum had to throw my baby sister Heather down into the arms of someone in a dinghy, while we children were standing on the gangplank. A photographer took a photo of me playing marbles and posted it in the local newspaper. My mother was Muriel Swanson who was known for her paintings and did many for the local people.
Painting.
I have a small picture hanging on my wall, which is a print of a painting by my late father Harry Russell. It depicts the view shown in the picture, but from an era slightly before. Not a lot different. I can remember the cockle shed that was there, and who can remember the orchard behind the pub, the Hoy and Helmet?? We used to climb over the wall from the graveyard and pinch carrots of all things. I vividly remember clambering back over the wall and down onto a headstone, a firm hand gripped my leg and a voice roared 'what are up to then'? To my horror it was the local bobby, Sgt Wally. Who remembers him? I also recall going with my friend Maureen Cunningham's brother 21st birthday party in the upstairs room of the pub, I think he was called Mick.
Benfleet Creek
I was born on a houseboat right near the bridge to Canvey. I don't remember too much as we were only there for 4 or so years. But things I do remember are running round the rail on the boat and falling in, more than once! and getting hauled up by a rope and on the other end was a very unhappy father. And swimming with my sisters and trying to get out before those darn crabs snipped at your feet. I also remember the line up on the Canvey bridge, people and double decker buses alike. I found it quite amusing when I returned in the 1970s to find they had filled most of the creek in as that very bridge was only about the length of 2 Mini Minors. If I didn't have many photos to prove that it was quite a long bridge I'd have put it down to everything appearing bigger when you're a kid. I'm also the proud owner of an oil painting of our... Read more
Wreck ('Wrack') Hall Farm
My grandmother's family originated on Canvey Island, farming at Wrack Hall from some time in the early 19th century until the death of my great great grandfather, Edward Morley, in 1863. Wrack Hall was so named because it was built from the timbers of a ship named the 'Ajax', which went aground on South Shoebury - if anyone knows when, I would be grateful for the information. My e-mail address is jmikedean@googlemail.com There seems to be no record of the wreck of an 'Ajax' on the Web in the appropriate period, possibly c.1770 (again, information, please), except in relation to the building of Wrack Hall. The timbers for the main building were bought by a Mr Richardson, a nearby houseowner. In view of its origins, the building must have been at least interesting. Perhaps someone was moved to take a photograph of it, but none seems to be recorded. Wrack Hall is known to have been sold at auction, first in 1770, for £110 and again in 1815 for £1,300 (it... Read more
Church
If this is St. Mary's church my grandmother painted a picture of it and donated it to either the church or the vicar. The signature is either Muriel Swanson or M Swanson. I wonder if it is still in existence?
The Crown PH
I remember that accident happening - I think it was in the late 60's. My Dad had the sweetshop in the High Road opp the Police Station - and I remember my uncle coming in and telling us. We were quite amused by the name change. I also remember the old jellied eel stand nearly opposite the Crown, which has recently been revamped. I used to play on the marshes as a child, and remeber seeing sticklebacks in the stream that ran at the bottom of Brook Road - it was so much more countrified then. Wish it was still so.
Hopes Green
This looks very much like Hopes Green Parade to me. On the left, next to Burnetts the Chemist, there was a hairdresser's shop which looked as if it were stuck in a 1930's time-warp. It was there until about the 1970's.
Aggies
This is looking down Station Road, the station is at the bottom of the hill. To the right centre can be seen the smoke and steam of a train rising above the trees. I remember walking up here as a boy when it was still unmade. The large square building at the bottom of the hill was a kind of general store that sold all kinds of things as I remember. It was an off licence too and was run by an old lady during the 1970's known locally as 'Aggie'. Of course the road is now all made up.
