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Friday, February 28, 2014

A glance into the past.

A faded view of the inside of Arthur Garrett's Drapers shop which is now the Village Deli.in the lower High Street.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

How did they get it down to the Falkland islands?.

M.V. Forrest, Built at James W Cook Wivenhoe.Yard no.1349 and launched 6-9-1967.
Seen here in the Falkland's.

 The delivery crew stayed a number of weeks at the Park Hotel, visiting the yard and ship to familiarize them selves with the layout and engine controls and arrange stores etc. It took them 37 days to reach Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands

Wivenhoe memories collection.
Thanks to John Collins.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

They have lasted well.

A photograph of Rectory Road with it's new Council Houses built around 1930.
 House in the photo Built 1920

Wivenhoe Memories collection.



Another fine turn of the century building.

The Wivenhoe Methodist Church in the Avenue. Opened 1901-02, before this they had the old Wesleyan chapel in Chapel Road now in the throws of being demolished. Why do we let our heritage
disappear?

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

What a great view of Wivenhoe downstream

A lovely view from the Quay at Wivenhoe, i guess the date must be in the 1920's-1930's and probably late Autumn as the big yachts are in their winter berths  on the left of the picture. Their owners liked Wivenhoe to lay up in because of the soft mud

What would he have made of Gothic House today

Doctor Graham Travers Kevern  the town's medical officer from 1918- 1932, lived at Gothic House in the High Street.  Dr. Kevern was also a keen yachtsman and had a yacht called Blonde built for him.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.
Couldn't see any information useless,  comment by anonymous

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The big steam yachts.

Four of the big steam yachts that laid up at Wivenhoe during the winter.
L-R. Rosabelle, Gundreda, Vanessa in front, Venetia. They sailed to the Mediterranean in the Summer months

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Thanks to John Collins.

She was a grand old cod banger,built in France.

A rather nice photograph of the Cap Pillar moored on the Fingringhoe shore in 1947. This grand old Lady had sailed round the world before ending up in the Colne.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.
Thanks to John Collins.

One picture to look at a lot.

This picture was taken after 1947, because the Nottage Institute had moved from Black Buoy Hill down to the Quay. You can still see the old Gas Works chimney in the center of the picture so it must have been taken in the 1950's.

Wivenhoe memories collection.

Thanks to John Collins.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

He once hit me over the head with his banner.

Alma Stores formerly the Live and Let Live public house. Paul St. John Johnstone had the stores for several years, but never made anything of it and it was eventually sold. When we were kids we never knew his real name so we called him!" Holy Joe" or "Wonk", i think his birth name was Hymy Goldstein from the East End of London.


  • I went to get some Corona for my grandmother who lived in Hamilton Road, taking some empties back to get the 2d or whatever it was.  He refused to accept the empties and give a refund as he claimed that he had not sold her the original Corona!   How did he know from the bottle - he said that he always wrote the sign of the cross on the label.
  • Second one was with us Gilberd School, Grammar School and Girls High school kids on a double decker bus in Colchester bus station waiting to go home from school.  He came along with one of his banners on the usual pole but holding it so high level with the windows on the upper deck of the bus!
  •  
  • Thanks to graham Wadley for this extract.


Wivenhoe Memories collection.

All those properties were probably 17th century.

This photo. was probably taken around the start of the 1900's showing the Rose and Crown Pub.
Look at the depth of water at the Quay side, now sadly silted up. The house to the right is where the late Sir John-Martin Harvey the Edwardian Actor lived.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

He was like Dixon of Dock Green if you were old enough to remember him.

The late P.C. Sid Cox. Respected by the Youngster's and grown ups a like, Sid was of the old school who walked round the Village and new everybody young and old, but he was a fair Man.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Thanks to Sue Murray ARPS.

Friday, February 21, 2014

There were a lot of Wivenhoe Men on these huge racing Yachts.

The Royal racing yacht Britannia at Cowes Isle of Wight in 1933.

L-R. Sir Philip Hunloke, Queen Mary. Mr. Albert Turner (Wivenhoe) The Duchess Of York later Queen Elizabeth11.,next possibly Princess Margaret, King George V,  Capt.Albert Barr Turner (Wivenhoe).

Wivenhoe Memories collection.
Thanks to John Collins.

This is just a small sample of pictures that can be seen at the Nottage Institute on the Quay at Wivenhoe.  Click on the Nottage Institute link on my home page for opening times and the post code for your Sat. Nav. They have a large collection of material and a vast library.You will not be disappointed!!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Miner's Strike part 3.

Wivenhoe Miner's Strike at Wivenhoe Port 1984.

Wivenhoe Memories collection .
Donated to the Wivenhoe Memories collection by Mrs. Sue Murray. ARPS

Miner's Strike 1984 part 2

Another shot of the Miner's Strike this time they are gathered at Wivenhoe Station.


Wivenhoe memories collection.
Donated by Sue Murray ARPS

Miner's Strike 1984.

1984 Miner's strike at Wivenhoe Port.  They are just crossing the High Street bridge before turning left into Station Road.

Wivenhoe Memories collection .
Donated to the collection by Sue Murray ARPS.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Charlie Sainty loved this old yacht.

This lovely picture of the yacht Vigia which was built in 1872, shows her new owner seen here in 1924.  She was later owned by Mr. Charles Sainty and graced the River Colne for many years until his death.

Wivenhoe Memories collection .
Thanks to John Collins.

They knew which way the wind was blowing.

Members of the Wivenhoe Sailing Club 1925-1926 on the Quay at Wivenhoe.

Back row L-R' Gummer Simons,' Gassy Edwards, Frank Simons, Johny Turner, Charlie Sainty (Snr)

Claude" Darcy" Percival, Bob Sainty, Dick Durrell, Charlie Sainty (Jnr).

Front Row L-R   Talton Fayle,  Joe Brown, Charles Schofield, Capt. Billy Mason, Gibson Schofield.
Does anyone know what shield they are displaying, is it the Remnant shield?

Wivenhoe Memories collection .
Thanks to John Collins.
left click on image for super size.

Charles Sainty (Snr) was landlord of the Black Buoy Pub and Capt. Billy Mason of the Grosvenor Hotel.

Darcy Percival was so called because he was born in Tolleshunt Darcy, near Maldon.
Gassy Edwards was the Manager of the Wivenhoe Gas Works.

Crichton's Fair says( no squirts allowed)

Alresford and Wivenhoe Annual Show held on Vine Farm meadow now Vine Farm estate.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Left click on image for super size.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

He would be proud of the Nottage today.

Capt. Charles Nottage who left money in his will in 1895 to establish a training place at Wivenhoe to teach seamen navigational skills.
Originally it was housed on Black Buoy Hill next door to the Black Buoy public house, but moved to new premises on the Quay which was Hector Barr's Sail makers building  in 1947.

If you have any Maritime Memorabilia they would find a good home at the Nottage institute.
You can find them on Google at  nottagemaritimeinstitute.org.uk

Thanks to John Collins.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.


Wivenhoe just gets more famous!

Sir John Martin Harvey, born 1863  and lived in Quay house at the bottom of Rose lane on the Quay.

He was of the great Harvey ship building Family but chose to make acting his career.

Harvey Road is named after this actor.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

What a lovely site they must have been.

Sailing barges loading sand at the Alresford sand and ballast jetty in Alresford creek. if you look at the jetty you can just see the chute for loading the sand into the hold of the barge.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Royalty at Wivenhoe!!

This print was taken from the London Illustrated News on the 21st.of April 1856, It shows Prince Albert arriving at Wivenhoe Park.  He was greeted by Mr. Rebow and his Brother William.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

 Great picture! Love the horses!

Strange place to build a folly.

The Batemans tower folly, built 1882 at Brightlingsea.  This was before the promenade was built.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.
Douglas Went photograph.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Very smart Mariners.

Foc'sle  cooks on the racing yacht Britannia 1926-1936. L-R Bill Blackwood of Wivenhoe and Jack Holland of Brightlingsea.

They say at one time you could cross the Hythe,by walking across the barges.

Sailing barges at the Hythe Quay Colchester.this photo. was probably taken around 1930-1940.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Would you trust that boiler behind you?

A steam crane in use at Forrestt's shipyard at wivenhoe in 1904. Note the size of the boiler behind the driver, scarey!!

wivenhoe memories collection.

Thanks to John Collins

What a cheap boat!!

A bill of sale for a Wivenhoe one design sailing boat built in 1935 by Frank Mitchell in the High St. Brightlingsea for the princely sum of £22-00. It was built for George Slaughter who owned the paper shop in the High St. Wivenhoe.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

I used to buy my one pennith of sweets there.

Another view of the High St. showing Mr. Smiths sweet shop and Mr.Went's cycle and radio hire shop, probably taken in the 1950's.Mr Went's shop is now the book shop.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

They had a lovely orchard that ran down the side of Park Road.

This is how i remember the Nook in the 1950's when my father was the gardener. this particular sheet is from a sales catalogue in the 1960's
The Nook grounds stretched from Belle Vue Road down to the brook, 5 acres in all.

Wivenhoe Memories collection

Left click on image for super size.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Plenty of stone, not a lot of mud.

Another view of Wivenhoe Quay ,before all the fences and front gardens encroached on the Quay.

The bakery can be seen at the start of the Folley
Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

This branch line would put Wivenhoe on the map today.

This 2 car diesel train having left Wivenhoe station is about to turn right on to the Brightlingsea branch line. The bridge is in Anglesea road. the photo.was taken in July 1960.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Bill Ellis built some fine model boats.

A model built by the late Bill Ellis.  It shows the steam, the stern paddle wheel river gunboat, named the EL FATEH. Built at Wivenhoe Shipyard in 1896 by Forrestt and co ltd. for the Kitchener Nile expedition against forces of the Mahdi in the Sudan.

Dimentions  lengtht on deck 140 feet, beam 24 feet.

Speed            14 miles per hour.

Armament   1 12 pounder Q.F. gun.2. 6 pounder Q.F. Guns,  1 Nordenfeldt Howitzer.
                      2, batteries of maxim guns.

Commander of the boat was Lt. David Beatty R.N.

The boat wears the flag of the Khedive of Egypt.
The gun boats were built in sections and reassembled in Alexandria.
There were two other gun boats of the same dimensions , the En-Naser  Ez-Zafeh

Monday, February 10, 2014

I remember going to Sunday School there in the 1950's.

A group of boy's at the old boys school in the High St. The Library now stands on the site of the old school. The photo was taken around the early 1900's. The school opened in the 1880's and closed in the late 1950's.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

We all loved sledging on this field.

Can I put this on the QRRA blog John? Never seen this view before
The new Wivenhoe waterworks pumping station-looking at it's new condition it must have been built around 1900. It pumped water to the Water tower at the Cross which opened in 1902.

The white wall is at the bottom of Queens road, the meadow in front of the wall ,we used to call it Bobbits field, now Dene park Estate.

Before this new pumping station, water for the bottom of the village was gathered from the brook at the bottom of Queens Road.

Thanks to John Collins.
Wivenhoe Memories collection.
Can I put this on the QRRA blog John? Never seen this view before.No problem Pat.

Friday, February 7, 2014

There was some fast yacht's built here

The U.S Yacht Vim built for Vanderbilt at  around 1900-1910.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.
Thanks to John Collins.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

i wonder if they taught the blood knot?

The Nottage  Institute opened on Black Bouy hill in 1896 next door to the Black Bouy Pub.

It was founded,  by money bequeathed by Mr. Charles Nottage to teach local  men navigational skills.

It later transferred to premises on the Quay in 1947.

Wivenhoe Memories collection .

Thanks to john collins.

I wonder what she is thinking?

I just had to put this one in . It was taken at the Nottage institute on the Quay at Wivenhoe during their summer Exhibition of 1956. The fishing smack is i believe a Harwich Harbour registered Boat ie H.H.66


Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Thanks to John Collins for loan of photo.

This has to be my favourite photo.on this site

A great view of Husk's Yard with Anglesea road in the background. If you left click on this picture for a supersize image you can just make out the brick wall running down the middle of the road. it was said to be the boundry wall between Wivenhoe and Elmstead parishes, but i suspect it was to keep people away from the railway lines which were used by the ballast trucks that came down to the ballast quay at Cook's yard. The old ballast pits were on what is now Dene Park estate.You can see the wall because it obscures the bottom of the doorways in Captains row.Note on the right of Anglesea Road there are no houses built it's still all fields.

Wivenhoe memories collection.

Thanks go to John Collins.

www.wivenhoehistory.org.uk

Monday, February 3, 2014

Cook's Yard.

A view of James W Cook's Shipyard, Date unknown.


 The photo of yard shows two ships being constructed on Berth 4, I believe they are Yard no’s 1461 Belema and 1462 Baruka Year 1979/80, Passenger/Cargo Vessels for Crown Agents. I have a copy of the Alresford Advertiser Dated Aug/Sept 1987 showing Belama tied up in Auki in the Solomon Islands and the article mentions the shipbuilders plate James W Cook & Co 1980.

Thanks to mike Draft for additional information.

 The photo does indeed show yard No 1461 & No1462 Baruka is at the head of the slipway & Belama nearer the water. The crane is lowering the tailshaft into the vessel prior to fitting the prop. I was a marine fitter at the yard & fitted engines & stern gear to both vessels. The larger vessel to the right is yard No1463 when finished became Saint Angus. Steve.

Thanks Steve for additional information.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

The Volta Submarine.

The Midget Submarine built under great secrecy at Forrestt's Shipyard Wivenhoe in 1905, she was named the Volta. Nobody seems to know where the Volta went after it was launched,but is thought to have been bought by the Russians who were at war with Japan.
The Volta eventually found its way to France where it was taken out of service and used as a oil storage tank.
The Volta was 34 feet long with a diameter of about 7 feet and weighed 17 tons.
Another rumour says that in 1909 she was seen near London and was eventually scrapped after the first world war.
I have since found out that a very similar quote as above appeared in the Hawera, North Island, New Zealand newspaper in 1910, Amazing!!.
Thanks to Mary Norris for the research.

Wivenhoe Memories collection.