Wells-Next-The-Sea, the Quay 1929

My second home

Right from a small child i have grown up loving Wells-next-the-Sea, my dad used to take us on holidays there and we stayed in a little cottage which was a short walk to the quay where my brother and I would wander down to the amusement arcade to play on the 2p machines. We would sit along the edge of the quay and try our luck at crab fishing and then take a stroll down to the beach, which seemed a long way when you are just a child. The excitement was too much when running down the slope which took us straight on to the beach where we paddled for hours, and when the tide was out we walked across the channel where we dug for cockles and then dried off in the beach hut. Then it was time to head back to the cottage where my brother and I carried a bucket with our finds and catches from our day out and cooked them up for supper. When evening came the whelk boats came in and we would stand and watch them unload the nets full of whelks. I remember the smell of the fires burning to heat the water as the fishermen cooked the whelks, when they were cooked the fishermen wrapped them in newspaper and we would walk back to the cottage with our parcel of whelks. I have kept most of this tradition alive by teaching my kids and partner my love of Wells. I would love to live there one day.

Beach, Bingo, Family Memories

I have many fond memories of holidaying at Pinewoods Caravan Park where my now late grandparents (Lil and Bill Potter) used to own a caravan. They would take me up there for 2-3 weeks in the summertime and my mum and late dad (David Potter) would then also join us for a week. I used to sit with Nan in Plattens Bingo on a nightly basis and sometimes pop along to Grays for a game or two there as well. I used to take long walks with my grandad through the pine woods and on the beach, and went on the trampolines about 4-5 times a day. This was when we used to have a proper summer, in fact, my dad would come back browner than if he'd gone abroad! The caravans we had didn't have electricity or running water or even a toilet. I used to go with my grandad to cold water taps that were all over the site to collect water in a barrel which was then connected via a hose to the kitchen sink (from outside).  They used to have to run the black and white TV off of the car battery, light a match to turn lights on at night (calor gas) and use the communal shower/toilet blocks. It was so much fun! I first went to Wells at around the age of 6 and still go now and again today where I hire a caravan. In fact, I am fed up of the Caribbean so am off to Wells today with my husband and young daughter.  Haven't been for a few years and just feel the need to return - hope the sun shines, hope Celia is still sitting on her bingo throne, hope not too much has changed.