Nostalgic memories of Brightlingsea's local history

Share your own memories of Brightlingsea and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying all 7 Memories

The photo must have been taken in about 1963. The two people in the boat are me and my Dad. We had one of the first caravans on Point Clear and regularly got the ferry across to use the outdoor pool and boating lake. At the time we lived in South Benfleet but I have now lived in Brightlingsea with my family for the past twenty years. My parents joined us here 4 years ago. It is so strange to see us in this image.
During the late 40's and 50's we all travelled to Jaywick Sands for our summer and bank holidays and on the weekends made regular excursions to the nearby seaside resorts of Frinton and Walton-on-the Nase but my favourite was Brightlingsea, the main reason being that we went to collect winkles for a Sunday evening snack on returning home, complete with a pin for their removal. The best bit was ...see more
I spent summer holidays at Jacobs several years in the 50s with my parents, Don and Clarice Harrison and sister Margery. We stayed with miss Holmes and her daughter Celia who was a gifted dancer who later gained a place at the Rambert dance school. Jacobs was a fascinating place for me as a 5 year old. There was a secret door to a cupboard full of puppets, and a harp In the king post room. We played ...see more
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.
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 ...see more
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 ...see more
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 ...see more