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Thorrington memories

Here are memories of Thorrington and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Thorrington or a Thorrington photo.

Thorrington as A Boy

I spent many happy years as a boy living at 2 Fratting Road, Thorrington, enjoying country life, lots of friends and lovely people who resided there. I did attend school at Brightlingsea Secondary Modern School. I have returned on many occasions to see old school friends.

Memories of Essex

Where  I  was  brought  up

High Street c1960
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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... Read more

A Brightlingsea Boy

High Street c1960
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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,

Daughter of A Shopkeeper

High Street c1960
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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!

My Grandfather Fred Scales

The Boating Lake c1960
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I was born in Brightlingsea and spent most of my childhood growing up there, my grandfather was Fred Scales, who ran the Boating Lake for a number of years and looked after the chalets and caravans, he was also a coal merchant and lived in Colne Road. Jennifer Dance, nee Collins, nee Scales PS. Grandfather is the man in the picture.

The Bowling Green, Elmstead Market

The Bowling Green c1965
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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 members of the Parkins family.

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