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E N G L A N D 

Dear Editor, 

Mersea Medical Practice 

Following the information in the 

recent Mersea Life that the Medical 

Practice had been unable to 

recruit a replacement for Doctor 

Woodcock a number of residents 

have approached me to express 

concern that it would seem that we 

are losing a Doctor and gaining a 

locum, at least for the time being. 

It is to be hoped that the Practice 

will do everything possible to 

secure a permanent replacement 

for Doctor Woodcock so that the 

resident can feel secure in their 

minds about continuity of service by 

the Practice. 

Yours Sincerely 

Cllr.Eric Straughan 

Thank you Cllr. Straughan. We 

referred your concerns to Paul 

Conroy, the Practice Manager and his 

comments follow:- 

The Practice has taken every 

effort to secure the services of 

the right doctor to work with both 

the practice team, and with the 

community of Mersea. Having 

advertised both in the local training 

schemes and hospitals, and also 

in the national medical press, and 

having interviewed, the practice 

were unable to appoint on this 

occasion. We felt it was imperative 

that the right candidate is chosen. 

In the meantime, we have 

secured the services of a GP with 

extensive experience and local 

knowledge to support us until we 

can fi nd the right person. Whilst 

we would have preferred to have 

appointed immediately, this will 

ensure continuity of care, rather 

than the piecemeal use of agency 

locums, and will ensure that local 

knowledge and experience remain 

at the heart of the care provided. An 

additional clinical session per week 

will be provided during this time in 

order to ensure that capacity at the 

surgery is not adversely affected. 

Local Matters & Letters 3 - 6 

Friends of the Church 9 

Mersea Library 11 

The Dawn Barge 12 

Mersea Lions News 14 & 15 

Property 16 - 20 

Garden LIFE 23 

What’s On & Leisure 24 - 26 

‘Fat Chance’ by Lucy Brown 27 

*NEW* Web Offers 28 

Competitions 28 

Wedding Feature 30 & 31 

Animal LIFE 32 

Letters and matters arising... have your say! 

EDITOR’S NOTE: When letters refer to individuals, or to a local issue, it is our practice to ask 

for the views of people named, or those who are concerned in the matter, to ensure that our 

readers can have the full information. 

JUNE CONTENTS 

The changes the current 

Government are making to the 

NHS, and to the pension scheme, 

together with changes last year 

to the GP training scheme which 

resulted in fewer GPs qualifying 

have resulted in both a limited 

number of new GPs and an 

unprecedented rapid increase 

in retirements both locally and 

nationally. The practice continues to 

work hard to appoint the appropriate 

candidate, and we hope to have 

success in this in the near future. 

Paul Conroy 

Practice Manager 

Mersea Island Medical Practice 

New train of thought for 

Philip Woodcock? 

By Ben Wilson 

It was quite a sad day for West 

Mersea, Friday June 28, for 

it was when popular doctor 

Philip Woodcock hung up his 

stethoscope. 

I was going to add “for the last 

time” but that’s not quite the case 

despite an earlier report. He will 

still be available as a locum at the 

Kingsland Road practice where he 

can fi t it in with his retirement plans, 

27 years after starting there as a 

GP trainee. 

Even he, however, never thought 

he would help push it into the 21st 

Century. In recognition of this, 

Doctors, staff and other friends 

gave him an offi cial send off the 

previous evening at an informal 

gathering where they presented him 

with leaving presents. 

What not too many Islanders know 

about Philip Woodcock is that he 

nearly became an engine driver. 

He once confi ded to me that when 

young he wanted to either drive an 

express steam locomotive or be a 

doctor. 

Gourmet LIFE 34 - 40 

Recipes 36 

Regatta Matters 41 

MICA 41 

Peter Inson (Life up East) 42 

The Zone Team 43 

View from Coast Road 43 

Bygone Days (Ron Green) 44 

‘Dunno’ Book Review 46 

Mersea Island Museum 46 

The Loft Gym (Basic Nutrition) 47 

Crime Watch 49 

Your Directory 49 - 51 

When he heard the sad news that 

British Railways had decided steam 

was to be phased out he opted for 

Medicine and qualifi ed in 1980. 

Initially he worked in South London 

hospitals like St Thomas’s, and The 

Hammersmith before specialising 

as a GP. Eventually he was 

accepted onto the Colchester GP 

training rotation and moved to 

Abberton in 1983. 

While working in hospitals in this 

area, he became aware of “the 

delights of lovely Mersea Island” 

and before too long Drs Alison Bush 

and Stephen Marshall asked him to 

become a partner. 

“It was a busy job,” recalls Philip. 

“One night in three and one 

weekend in three I was on call 

from home. But on the plus side, 

professional life was much less 

cluttered with protocols, targets, 

paperwork and form fi lling. 

“There was more time to attend 

interesting meetings and interact 

with colleagues and, in all that, I 

even found time to rebuild a yacht 

in my front garden – something I 

wouldn’t have had time for today. 

“Some people may remember 

her moored in the Besom with 

two foot high lettering down her 

sides spelling out her name ‘Blood 

Vessel’! 

“I have had the great good fortune 

to work with partners I like and 

the harmony within the practice 

has enabled us to develop it 

signifi cantly. 

“When I joined we had a 1970s 

building designed for three doctors, 

receptionists and a relatively small 

population of patients. 

“Enormous changes in the nature 

of General Practice, the mix of 

health professionals and support 

staff and the increase in the Island 

population made it clear that 

development was needed. 

“For the past 10 years we have 

planned to update our facilities. 

I am proud of the fi nal form our 

refurbishment has taken and feel I 

can stand down happy that it is up 

to 21st Century standards.” 

Dr. Woodcock’s diverse interests, 

away from his patients, include 

not surprisingly driving steam 

locomotives – the real thing – 

model engineering, listening to 

modern jazz, running an ancient 

Land Rover, mountain biking and 

vintage motorcycle riding. 

With his wife, Mary, who is “truly the 

person who keeps me together” he 

loves travelling to Spain. “We are 

devout Hispanophiles,” he told me. 

“We love the place, travelling 

around there and enjoying their 

lovely country, customs and 

sunshine. I hope to have more time 

to resume my interest in drawing 

and even perhaps do some pictures 

on location in Spain. “But whatever 

the future holds, there will always 

be a special place in our hearts for 

Mersea.” 

Philip Woodcock revealed: 

1) As an engine driver reversing 

operation, reversing a third full size 

locomotive on the Romney, Hythe 

and Dymchurch Railway. 

2) As a Mod, posing with his Vespa. 

Dear Editor 

Passport control 

Regarding the negative comment 

from a reader about the passport 

control event on the Strood, I can 

only presume that he/she has no 

sense of humour. 

We are all welcome to our point of 

view of course, but when you make 

a point in public then you should 

also have the courage to put your 

name to it. 

Ken Bennett 

Upland Crescent 

Sorry Ken, the mistake was ours. The 

letter was written by Jonathon Dalton 

– it was confused with another letter 

signed “ name & address supplied” 

(not printed) . Jonathon was the 

correspondent in this case. Ed 

Letters and other matters 

continue overleaf... 

2 For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666/383333 or email ads@estuarylife.co.uk | via web www.estuarylife.co.uk 

For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666/383333 or email ads@estuarylife.co.uk | via web www.estuarylife.co.uk 3

Peter Clements 

In our June Issue we said that 

Peter had resigned as Chairman 

of MICA. 

We should have said that Peter 

had retired after 30 years – our 

apologies, Ed 

Mayor 

Dear Sir, 

I was disappointed by what 

struck me as John May’s rather 

petulant letter in the last issue of 

‘Mersea Life’. 

The town mayor should be a 

unifying fi gure for the community, 

not a divisive one. 

The correspondence alluded to 

expressed misgivings about the 

mayoral election, in which there 

was a dead heat and Councillor 

May as the incumbent supported 

himself with the chairman’s 

casting vote. 

This was no doubt technically 

correct. 

However, to protect the 

reputation and non-partisan 

nature of the mayor’s role I think 

it would have been better for 

Mr May, having already served 

and failed to secure a majority 

for re-election as mayor, to have 

withdrawn his candidacy. 

In any case, the electors of 

Mersea are fully entitled to 

question the procedures followed 

in an accountable public body. 

Yours faithfully, 

Charles Williams 

Queen Anne Road, West Mersea 

Letters and matters arising continued... 

Dear Sir, 

I note the Mayor’s letter in 

this month’s edition of Mersea 

Life. I will muse privately on 

why he chose to respond to 

correspondence in “another 

publication on Mersea Island” 

(i.e. the Courier) by writing 

to you, but as one of the 

correspondents whom he takes 

to task to have the “correct 

information” to hand, I am 

obliged to reply. 

It is not apparent from your 

publication that my letter (and 

others) referred to Mr. May’s 

use of a casting vote in his own 

favour in the mayoral elections in 

West Mersea of May 2012. 

I commented that to do so in a 

matter in which a person has a 

personal interest puts that person 

in breach of the rules of natural 

justice, in particular that no-one 

should be a judge in their own 

cause. 

Taking Mr. May’s injunction to 

heart, I have consulted both the 

Standing Orders of the Town 

Council and the Good Councillor 

Guide, in accordance with which, 

he assures us, the matter was 

strictly carried out. 

I accept that it is possible – 

although the Orders are not 

unambiguous – to conclude that 

the actions taken in the mayoral 

election were in compliance. 

Be that as it may, and with 

respect to the Mayor, that does 

not address my point, which was 

aimed at a higher level. 

The interests of openness and 

transparency require that any 

such questions be dealt with on 

a morally as well as a legally 

unimpeachable basis. The 

principles of natural justice (which 

is, after all, only another way of 

saying ‘fair play’) have been part 

of English constitutional law for 

centuries and trump any defence 

of “only obeying orders”. 

For the sake of completeness, I 

am copying this letter also to the 

Courier, since that is the organ in 

which the original correspondence 

appeared. 

Yours, 

Geoff Whittaker. 

Prince Albert Road 

Cllr. John May comments as 

follows - Ed. 

1. I note that Mr. Williams and Mr. 

Whittaker have confi rmed that the 

correct procedure was followed. 

2. Every candidate votes for 

themselves – even the US 

President does that! 

3. This is not just about me! I 

did not nominate myself for the 

position of Mayor – that was done 

by other Councillors. 

If I was not prepared to stand I 

would not have accepted their 

nomination in the fi rst place. 

4. The law prescribes that the 

Mayor must use his casting vote. 

Three terms of offi ce for a Mayor 

is not unique - it has happened in 

many other parishes many times 

before and continues today. It has 

also happened before in Mersea. 

5. I wrote to the Life magazine 

to ensure that my letter would be 

published exactly as I intended 

without any omissions or changes. 

6. As reported in the press I have 

received ‘hate mail’ regarding 

this issue – which will not stop 

me continuing to serve Mersea – 

where I have lived all my adult life 

– to the best of my ability. 

Dear Editor, 

Whinge, Whinge, 

Whinge….. 

I am sick to death of Council 

bashing in the local free papers 

and think it’s high time these 

perpetual whingers developed an 

attitude of gratitude. 

I personally know very little as to 

the workings of the Town Council 

but I do know that the Jubilee 

Street Fair was predominantly 

put together by Councillor Eric 

Straughan. 

I also know that Eric was there in 

the Legion Field bright and early 

helping to erect the marquee and 

get things ready for the Tuesday 

Bank Holiday celebrations. 

On the Wednesday, again in the 

Legion Field, it was Eric working 

his socks off on his own in the 

pouring rain and waiting for some 

help to arrive to despatch the 

marquee and leave the fi eld in 

good order. 

How do I know – because I saw 

him! 

I also saw him back in December 

adorning the tree outside the 

Church with Christmas lights! 

I doubt that Eric would know who 

I am but I am most grateful to him 

for his tireless efforts to bring the 

community together with such 

events. Would you do all that 

for the Islanders for no pay? I 

wouldn’t! 

So instead of slagging off the Town 

Council how about a bit of welldeserved 

praise for what they do 

for us. Maybe the problem is that 

we don’t know enough about what 

they do for us and I for one would 

be delighted to be enlightened. 

Yours gratefully, 

Mrs Hanley Melrose Road. 

Ed’s comment: Thank you Mrs. 

Hanley. It occurred to us that other 

residents could share your views 

and would wish to know more 

about the Council activities: 

Because of his initiatives in 

organising Island events, Eric 

Straughan is often highly profi led 

in the press, but he will be the fi rst 

to tell you that all the Councillors 

are engaged individually, or 

collectively, in projects and issues 

contributing to the life of the Island 

and the Community 

It is worth remembering that the 

Councillors are all local people 

who live on the Island - most have 

lived here for many years – some 

are Mersea “born and bred”. They 

are not paid. 

They can be involved on Council 

work for 10 – 20 hours per week 

and they will be known to most 

residents. 

They carry out many tasks and 

projects. - some by themselves, 

and some collectively. Some are 

under the “umbrella” of the Council 

and others are separate. 

Councillors know that they will only 

ever please half the people half of 

the time!! 

It also seems that the “good 

news” is not always published. 

As the present Council has 

been in place for over a year, 

we asked about the Council’s 

responsibilities and the 

information given was as follows: 

The Councillors are - Cllrs 

Wendy Bixby, Belinda Cross, 

Peter Clements, John May, Alan 

Mogeridge, Beverley Perkins, Eric 

Straughan, Noelle Urquhart,and 

Sylvia Wargent. 

The following are the areas of 

responsibility and land that the 

Town Council would have to deal 

with - (most of this land belongs to 

the Council). 

Car Parks - ours - Willoughby 

(which is also a “Park”) and 

Seaview, Coast Road and Library 

are CBC but we deal with them in 

partnership with CBC.. 

Sportsfields - The Glebe (ours) 

and the Glebe extension - 

pavilions. 

Allotments in East Road. 

Cemeteries - Firs Road and Firs 

Road extension – Feldy View 

Woodland Cemetery – Barfi eld 

Road - Parish Church (maintained 

by West Mersea own Council). 

Village Greens – St Peter’s Well 

Meadow (belongs to us but a small 

part is privately owned) Youth Field 

(now a village green) Reymead 

Wood and Reymead Meadow. 

School Gardens and Sensory 

Garden 

Monkey Beach 

Esplanade Beach - managed in 

partnership with CBC. 

Broomhills Greensward 

Council Committees - most of 

our committees also have local 

residents - with an interest in the 

subject - on them. 

Bradwell Monitoring and New 

Build Comm 

Crime and Safety 

Environment - Open Spaces - 

Leisure Facilities etc. 

Finance and Planning 

Footpaths - Footways and cycle 

paths. 

Health Liaison 

Transport and Traffic 

Waterside 

Executive Committee of Local 

Council 

Twinning Liaison 

Webmasters 

Newsletter 

Personnel 

Communications Working 

Group 

Bradwell Local Community 

Liaison Council 

The Beach Working Group - Run 

by CBC and hosted by Mersea 

Planning - The Town Council 

recommends terms on all plans 

based on local knowledge - we 

meet regularly with planning 

offi cers from CBC - but we do not 

make the decisions - CBC is the 

Planning Authority. 

Letters and other matters 

continue overleaf... 

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Meals on Wheels - Councillors do 

not get paid. 

Incidental Expenses - like 

stationery and petrol (only on 

Council business) - some meetings 

are in Colchester - some in Maldon. 

Jubilee - This year an additional 

working group - run by Eric 

Straughan - with many local 

residents helping. 

Liaison - with local sports clubs 

- tennis - football - cricket etc 

covering any problems e.g.- 

changing facilities etc etc... 

In the light of this, we thought it 

could be helpful if each Councillor 

was prepared to advise us of the 

Council activities (and other ‘spin 

off’ activities) they are involved with 

and how they have found life on the 

Council after the fi rst year. If this is 

agreed we will carry this information 

in the next issue of Mersea LIFE. Ed. 

Coffee Morning 

A Coffee Morning was held at Fen 

Farm Caravan Site on the 23rd 

June in aid of Breast Cancer and 

Macmillan Nurses. £533 was raised 

for the two charities. Well Done to 

everyone who went along. 

Jubilee Events 

East Mersea 

On Monday 4th June, 60 - 70 

people gathered at East Mersea 

Hall to celebrate the Queen’s 

Diamond 

Jubilee. The 

event was 

organized by 

the Parish 

Council with 

support from 

the Village Hall 

management 

Committee. A Jubilee cake was cut 

by Ida Leggett and as part of the 

world wide celebrations a beacon 

was lit on the top of the Church 

Tower. It was lit at 2215 hrs by 

Parish Councillor David Sunnucks 

and Churchwarden Tony Clifton. 

Many Thanks, Tony Clifton 

Letters and matters arising continued... 

Dear Editor 

Jubilee Coins 

The Mayor, John May, and myself 

presented jubilee coins to each 

child at Mersea School (see 

pictures right and below). 

There are still a limited number of 

coins remaining and if any Islanders 

wish to purchase one or more for 

their own use, they can be obtained 

from the Council Offi ce at Melrose 

Road (01206 382128). 

The activities which took place on 

Jubilee day were well attended and 

the fun for all is well known. 

What may not be known is that the 

Passport sales on the Strood raised 

over £2,000 for help for heroes. 

This was quite apart from the £900 

proceeds from the advertising in the 

passport published by the Mersea 

Life, to be passed to the Mayor for 

local charities and £1000 was also 

raised at the Street party. 

Regards 

Eric Straughan 

Thank you Eric. 

So much money is raised on Mersea 

for charities by the Rotarians, the 

Lions, the Food and Drink festival, 

yourself, the Mayor and others - that 

one reader has suggested that as 

all credit is due to the organisers 

and volunteers, it could be helpful if 

an annual list of funds raised, and 

donations to charities, for example 

and good causes was published. 

This is something which the Life 

could pursue if the organisers 

thought it to be of use. 

John May and Eric Straughan presenting Jubilee coins to children at Mersea School 

Jubilee Day Street Party 

East Mersea Village Fete 

Saturday, 4th August 

The Traditional East Mersea Fete will take place in the lovely 

gardens of East Mersea Hall and will again feature the Colchester 

Bird of Prey Display Team. Teas will be available in the reception 

pavilion and the Bocking Concert Band will play during the afternoon 

from across the lake. 

All the usual stalls, selling cakes, produce, books, toys etc will be 

there, plus a wide variety of side shows which should be fun for 

both children and adults. These will include pony rides, games and 

a small roundabout for the children, ‘tip the lady out of bed’, china 

breaking and the stocks. During the Fete it will be possible to go 

up the Church tower from where there is an extensive view of the 

surrounding area. Free parking is accessed from Church Lane. 

The Art Show in the Village Hall is on August the 4th and 5th from 

10am to 5pm and the Flower Festival in the Church is on the same 

dates 11am to 6pm. This year it is simply ‘A Celebration of Flowers’. 

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FREE 

June marked the end of the fi rst 

year of the West Mersea Parish 

Church Appeal and the set up of 

the Friends organisation. A grand 

total of £56,000 (including Gift Aid) 

has been raised thanks to all who 

have contributed to the renovation, 

preservation and rejuvenation of 

this historic building in the heart of 

our community. 

The Appeal has raised £42,000 

from 85 direct donations, and the 

Friends £14,000 from a combination 

of membership and the terrifi c 

events staged to date. Basically 

one third of the £151,000 needed 

has been reached. 

The monies raised so far have 

enabled work to be undertaken 

on the following projects as Alan 

Hammond reports: 

1. Repair and paint all exterior 

woodwork and tower interior 

steelwork: All the church and 

church hall exterior woodwork 

was long overdue for repainting. 

This project covered both making 

good and repainting of all exterior 

woodwork and restoration of the 

Weather Vane pole whose need 

was clearly visible. The interior of 

the tower is reinforced by structural 

steelwork and corrosion to the 

steel joists and shoe supporting 

the weather vane pole also needed 

urgent attention to prevent further 

deterioration. Wooden window 

frames adjacent to the North door 

required special treatment. 

Photo above and below courtesty of 

Martin Wade 

Three quotes were obtained and 

Gary Musset of West Mersea was 

awarded the contract. 

2. South Aisle Window: After 

the cold winter of 2009 the south 

aisle window mullions had become 

detached and were bowing 

outwards from the 

structural frame. 

These windows are 

built from medieval 

and Tudor brick, 

reinforced with 

Tudor ironwork. 

Photo taken by Graham Saps 

restoration and conservation work. 

It was completed by Bakers of 

Danbury and funded by the “Friends 

of West Mersea Parish Church” 

(web-site www.fwmpc.org.uk) seen 

above handing over the cheque. 

3. Churchyard South Wall: 

During the church’s inspection in 

2007 it was discovered that the 

churchyard 

south boundary 

wall was badly 

deteriorating. 

The wall itself 

was becoming 

Photo courtesty of 

Martin Wade 

unstable, much 

of the old lime 

mortar pointing 

had fl aked away, there were many 

broken bricks and much of the 

coping along the top was missing. 

It was decided to tackle this project 

in 3 phases and Stroods of Mersea 

were appointed the contractor. 

Phase 1 comprised work on both 

sides of the wall along its western 

sector from the gate on Coast Road 

to the SW corner. Phase 2 was 

repointing, replacing coping and 

missing bricks along the remainder 

of the north side of the wall. Phase 

3 is repointing and replacing 

missing bricks on the’ New 

Orleans’, south side of the wall. 

To date phases 1 and 2 are 

complete, and phase 3 is about to 

start. 

4. Kitchen rebuild and 

refurbishment: Plans have 

To something like this... 

already been drawn up to bring 

the Church Hall kitchen up to date. 

The domestic size kitchen is now 

inadequate being too small and 

under resourced to provide freshly 

cooked meals for community events. 

Existing fund-raising and a very 

sizeable donation, specifi cally for 

this project, has made it possible 

to go ahead for completion this 

September using local contractors. 

And there is much more to be 

done, as the following identified 

projects show: 

# specialist investigation/ 

conservation/ possible exposure of 

Medieval wall paintings 

# Interior of church - to make good, 

decorate & maintain 

# Chancel and nave ceiling 

preservation (against death watch 

beetle) as necessary and general 

well-being 

# Replace/ refurbish tower access 

ladders, provide hand rails, box-in 

bell ropes for security 

# Church Hall refurbishment – new 

entrance lobby, extra storage, 

heating & lighting 

# Items arising from the 2012 

statutory quinquennial church 

survey 

Many people are interested in 

preserving the church building for 

future generations. A huge ‘thank 

you’ is due to those who have made 

a donation, joined the Friends 

and supported events. Looking 

ahead a further £100k is required to 

complete the projects. By joining the 

Friends for just £2 a month, and/or 

by making a donation the fi nal fi gure 

really does look possible. 

A donation can be made by clicking 

the link on the church or Friends 

web-sites (www.merseacofe.org 

and www.fwmpc.org.uk), or by 

cheque payable ‘West Mersea 

Parish Church’ and posted to: 

Parish Administrator, West Mersea 

Parish Church, High Street, West 

Mersea, CO5 8QD. 

To join the Friends please go to 

their web-site as above; or pick 

up a leaflet in the church porch 

and either return it to the address 

given or leave in the black box in 

the church porch, or take it to the 

church offi ce; or telephone 383798 

for more information. And please 

look out for all the Friends future 

events as listed on both web-sites, 

or the leafl et in the church porch. 

If hard work equals success then 

the current dream should be 

realised. However, most of us will 

know that work by a committee 

is not enough and the old saying 

“every little counts” really is one that 

applies here. Hopefully the great 

community that is Mersea Island 

will continue to give this project its 

support in any way, large or small. 

Thank you. 

N.E.T CARE 

Domiciliary and domestic care service, 

covering Mersea Island, Fingeringhoe, 

Peldon, Abberton and Little Wigborough 

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE TO MOVE 

OUT OF YOUR HOME JUST BECAUSE 

YOU NEED SUPPORT? 

For a no obligation chat and to see how 

we can help, call Louise on 07733 304 462 

www.netcaring.co.uk 

www.firstchoice-windows.co.uk 

The repair involved 

removing the 

external brickwork and replacing 

with antique bricks fi xed to the 

structure with stainless steel pins. 

This was highly specialised 

From this... 



Lifeboat Report 

The last two weeks of May saw a 

steep rise in call-outs for Dignity, 

the West Mersea Lifeboat. Partly 

weather related, they refl ected 

the increase in leisure activity on 

the water expected at this time of 

year. 

Among the ten ‘shouts’ were 

calls for assistance from yachts 

overdue on passage between 

the Thames and local waters, 

from yachts aground, a boat with 

mooring lines tangled around the 

propeller, dinghies in diffi culties 

in squally weather off Bradwell, 

an angling boat reported lost 

and a young 

boy in diffi culties 

swimming off 

Mersea beach 

and a medical 

emergency on 

The Pioneer 

*requiring an 

ambulance to 

meet the returning 

lifeboat. 

After assessing 

the particular 

situations, lifeboat 

crew gave advice, 

From Godfrey Thomas 

lent direct assistance, towed 

boats to safety and looked after 

passengers which included seven 

people on board a 17 foot yacht 

aground opposite Mersea.! 

Despite almost unrelenting poor 

weekend weather, a steady 

stream of visitors has called at 

the Station in Coast Road to look 

around and we are grateful for 

their support through souvenir 

purchases. 

Generous support was also given 

to the RNLI by patrons of The 

Food and Drink Festival. 

This July sees the arrival of The 

Summer Reading Challenge, a 

national reading event focused 

on nurturing and encouraging the 

growth of reading in the lives of 

children. 

97% of public libraries around 

Britain actively involve 

themselves in the SRC and it 

has been estimated that a total 

of 780,000 children will take part 

this year. 

Every year the Summer Reading 

Challenge chooses a theme and 

set of challenges for children and 

teenagers to complete. 

Circus Stars and Showtime were 

the two themes for last years SRC 

and with a large estimated total 

of children set to join this years 

event, every measure has been 

taken to ensure another summer 

of exciting activities. 

On Saturday 21st July 2012 

libraries all across Britain will cut 

the ribbon on this year’s SRC, the 

theme of which is: 

Summer 2012 in Essex Libraries 

By Jake Hearn, Weekend Assistant Mersea Library 

Story Lab will involve children 

reading six books and collecting 

6 sets of scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers 

throughout the course of the 

summer. 

After completion a medal will be 

issued as well as a certifi cate. For 

children aged 10 or over, they will 

have the opportunity to take part in 

Metropolis which involves reading 

and research activities to win a 

DVD voucher and sports watch. 

The SRC is a free National event 

organised by The Reading Agency, 

a registered charity who focus on 

encouraging reading in the lives 

of children and the important role 

reading plays in every child’s life. 

The SRC was founded with the 

intention of inspiring, educating 

and nurturing literacy skills that are 

often forgotten about during the six 

weeks holiday when children are 

free from homework and school. 

The SRC is extremely benefi cial 

and has statistically proven that: 

• England’s reading achievement 

score has dropped from 3rd to 

19th place. England is now outperformed 

by Russia, Italy and 

Latvia (PIRLS 2006 & 2009) 

• Only 40% of England’s ten year 

olds have a positive attitude to 

reading. The fi gure for Italy is 64% 

and 58% for Germany 

• In England boys are 19% behind 

girls in reading and writing tests; in 

Scotland they are 22% behind. 

Over the next couple of weeks 

staff from Essex Libraries will 

go into local primary school 

assemblies to provide more 

information about this year’s 

Summer Reading Challenge and 

what surprises await children and 

teenagers over the summer. 

For more information please visit 

any Essex Library or call West 

Mersea Library on 01206 383321. 

West Mersea Library 

events and notices: 

- Saturday 7th July: Horrid Henry 

Storytime 

- Saturday 21st July: Start of the 

Summer Reading Challenge 

- Computer coaching courses 

every Wednesday 9:30am – 11am 

for four weeks. 

- We recycle ink cartridges at 

West Mersea Library. If you have 

any spare cartridges at home 

and are not sure how to dispose 

of them correctly, please bring 

them in. 

Every time we recycle one ink 

cartridge, one of the following 

charities are benefi ted; Childline, 

Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS), 

British Heart Foundation or RNLI. 

- We now have a book trolley 

selling old library books that will 

outside the library entrance during 

the usual opening hours. We sell 

a range of adult and children’s 

fi ction and non-fi ction for 20p. 

- If there are any avid readers 

out there who are keen to join a 

bookgroup that meet once a month 

to discuss a vast range of literature 

please call the library or come in 

and speak to a member of staff. 

- Thank you to everyone who 

supported the West Mersea 

Library Health Event on Saturday 

26th May, and a big thank you to 

all of those who were involved in 

setting it up. 

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I have written some info below to 

keep readers updated with progress. 

Once again, thanks so much for 

all your support - it has helped the 

Dawn sell tickets to pay her way. 

The fi rst six sailing dates have now 

virtually sold out and we only have 

9 spaces available. With the interest 

and enquiries received to date, I 

don’t think it will be long before we 

have completely sold out. If you are 

thinking about buying a day out you 

need to be quick! 

In addition to the 6 sailing dates, 

we’ve sold 2 days of private charters. 

The tickets are £85 p/person for 

the day including a seafood lunch 

sponsored by Sal and Chris of 

Mersea Oyster Bar. Tickets are 

available from Marfleets in the High 

St. On sail day we meet at the end of 

the jetty where Stacey Belbin, who 

runs the launch Lady Grace, will pick 

you up and take you out to Dawn. 

Stacey will also come and collect you 

later in the afternoon when the trip 

has finished. Thanks Stacey for your 

help from all members of the Dawn 

Sailing Barge Trust. 

With the dreadful weather we have 

experienced over the past weeks, 

it has been very challenging trying 

to do the numerous fi t out jobs on 

Dawn to prepare her for her fi rst 

sailing voyage. 

With the great support of a team 

of up to 10 members of the Trust 

and all the Friends of Dawn, the 

painting and varnishing work was 

completed just in time to bend on 

all the sales. In fact the large head 

sail was hanked on by me and one 

other hanging on to the fore stay, 

whilst balancing on the winch struts 

in 20mph plus wind strength!! We 

eventually succeeded, not bad for a 

couple of guys well the wrong side 

of 50. 

Unlike the previous day, the weather 

was kind to us when we had our fi rst 

charter sail on Sunday 17th June. 

The Dawn 

From Steve Marfleet - Friends of Dawn Barge 

The graceful old lady pushed herself 

slowly out of her mud berth where 

she’s been resting for the winter 

months. The sun broke through the 

clouds on a typical Essex day out 

on the water: perfect! We motored 

off towards Osea Island in the 

Blackwater estuary, then turned 

Dawn around to head out towards 

Brightlingsea where she could have 

the huge tan coloured sails set for a 

gentle cruise for the next few hours. 

The guests all enjoyed their seafood 

lunch as they watched the landscape 

changing as we passed by. 

Gerard, the skipper, allowed the 

guests to take the helm with the 

sails set. The men on board all 

showed willing to try their hand at 

steering 60 tons of barge under sail, 

not quite as easy as it may look 

and of course, no brakes! They 

all enjoyed the experience. We 

returned to the Mersea Quarters 

later in the afternoon and dropped 

anchor. Stacey then came out in 

Lady Grace to collect our guests 

and we waived them off. We felt 

our fi rst charter went very well. We 

later received a very nice letter from 

Mrs Hay who was one of our fi rst 

guests, thanking us for a wonderful 

day out and mentioned we are 

lucky to have such an experienced 

skipper as Gerard Swift. 

It was good to see the Griff Rhys 

Jones on the BBC 1 documentary, 

Picture courtesy of the BBC 

The Lost Routes of Britain, which 

was transmitted Thursday 7th 

June and repeated Sunday 10th. 

The programme featured Dawn 

as a working Stackie Barge and 

I thought the programme came 

across very well. It was beautifully 

shot and most people I have 

spoken to thought it was also very 

informative. 

I believe it is still available on BBC 

i player for those that missed it 

and it’s certainly worth a watch. 

Griff himself sailed at West Mersea 

in the 1960’s when his father 

had a boat here. He actually 

commented during the programme 

how wonderful it was to see 

West Mersea and how little it has 

changed over the years. 

With more people on the Island 

and further afi eld, looking to help 

or join The Dawn Sailing Barge 

Trust, contact can be made via 

our membership secretary, Dave 

Haslam. His email address is 

healeydriverdave@gmail.com and 

telephone number is 01206385273. 

The Trust would also like to help 

educate our young citizens by 

offering guided tours when Dawn 

is back in her mud berth We can 

show groups of youngsters how 

goods were carried at sea years 

ago and explain a little history of 

the barge. With Health and Safety 

regulations, we can only invite 

youngsters who are fully supervised 

with qualifi ed teachers and group 

leaders who will have the necessary 

responsibility for all the HSE 

compliance to allow accompanied 

children on board. 

The Trust is not able to take any 

responsibility for any youngster’s 

actions whilst on board. Any group 

that would like to visit the barge, 

please write to Marfl eets (Dawn 

Barge), 49 High St, West Mersea, 

C05 8JE. We hope to arrange 

visiting times subject to conditions. 

On behalf of the Trust, we would 

like to thank all the people who 

sponsored the “£10 light bulb” 

appeal. We did light up the Dawn 

over the Jubilee period and we 

intend to do the same over the 

Regatta night. 

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Jubilee Weekend 

I say Jubilee weekend in fact it 

went from Saturday 2nd June to 

Wednesday 6th June. 

Saturday 2nd June 

Started with the Food & Wine 

Festival at the Vineyards East 

Mersea and fi nished on a very wet 

Sunday. However we all had a 

great time doing what we all do best 

which is being pleasant to people 

as we releve them of their money, 

its called collecting for Charity. This 

event helped us raise just over 

£750 for our Charity Fund. Thank 

you for everyone who helped. 

Monday 4th June 

Saw us at The Catholic Church. 

This time we were arranging the car 

parking for visitors to the Mersea 

High Street Jubilee Street Event. 

Tuesday 5th June 

Saw us at The School fi eld, just 

behind The Bristish Legion, 

arranging car parking for the event 

of Bands on the fi eld. Whilst doing 

that we also did a bucket collection 

from people walking to the event. 

Our Charity funds over the last two 

days increased. 

Wednesday 6th June 

Was a very hectic afternoon. This 

was our event to the higher age 

group bracket, and that includes 

me, for them to celebrate at the 

Mica the Queens Diamonds Jubilee. 

It started at 4pm with the arrival 

of Senior Citizens. This followed 

with entertainment by a Gentleman 

from Harlow, two local Musicians, a 

Belly Dancer and food. All Courtesy 

and pleasure of the Lions. As 

you can imagine extra helpers 

were required. The British Legion 

Womens Section came to our aid, 

together we tried to make sure the 

afternoon was a success. At 7pm all 

to soon, it came to an end. 

However next year is Coronation 

Year so we could do it all again! 

Mersea Island Lions 

From Roy Chamberlain (President Mersea Island Lions) 

Zavek Orrin & Lynne Orrin of 

Blackwater Estates 

Despite abysmal conditions (30mph 

winds and a torrential downpour), 

180 competitors completed the 

course. Robert Reason repeated 

his 2011 success in being the fi rst 

male home in a 

time of 1:19:08 

(4 minutes slower 

than 2012) whilst 

Vanessa Dodds 

of Benfl eet RC 

was not only the 

fi rst female in a 

time of 1:35.51 

but she also 

won the ‘Over 

40 Female’ 

class. Robert 

was also a member of the winning 

mens team (Harwich Runners) and 

Vanessa a member of the winning 

ladies team (Benfl eet RC). 

The fi rst ‘Over 40’ male home 

was Brian Herrington of Harwich 

Runners in a time of 1:24.31 and he 

was also a member of the winning 

mens team. (The fi rst Mersea 

Hash House Harriers were Nigel 

Passmore and Rosie Reynolds). 

Mersea Island Lions could never 

run this event without the dedicated 

help and support they receive from 

course marshals, general helpers, 

Geoff and Ann Pearce (who kindly 

provide use of their summer house 

for “Race Control”), and from the 

sponsors, to all of whom they 

extend sincere thanks. The event 

raised circa. £1,200 which will 

be used by MI Lions to provide 

fi nancial and practical help to local 

charities and individuals. 

very interesting vehicles, and 

thousands of enthusiastic and very 

knowledgeable enthusiasts. Some 

of the original owners still come to 

the show as it is today, and they, 

themselves, are very much part of 

the history of the event. 

In 2005 Ted was unable to continue 

with his show. The new team 

originated THE TED HOLMAN 

CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOWCASE 

in 2006. The name of the event 

was designed as one way we could 

show respect for what Ted had 

done in his time as originator and 

co-ordinator of this event. It has 

continued as part of the Mersea 

Island Carnival and Lions’ Festival 

which now takes place on the green 

area adjacent to The Royal British 

Legion Club, and this year will take 

place on 18 AUGUST 2012. 

This year we have arranged 

a larger area to create AN 

INTERESTING VEHICLES 

DISPLAY. We have contacted all 

the owners of vehicles that have 

displayed since 2006. Many have 

responded to the invitation to -show 

and will continue the long tradition 

of excellence in this activity. John 

Gradwell, the current co-ordinator 

of the Show, is looking forward to 

hearing from everyone that has 

displayed at the Show in the past. 

Tony Relf of Mersea Island with his 

1952 mg td, winner of the Bernard 

Beaton Car of the Year 2010 

If you would like to become involved 

in this Show in any capacity, or you 

own a vehicle that you would like to 

display in one of the classes listed 

above make contact with JOHN 

GRADWELL:BY TELEPHONE – 

394980 or 077 20120 942 or EMAIL 

TO: john.gradwell1@btinternet.com 

The Annual 5 & 10 

mile road running 

races 26th August 

Watch this space! 

(Sponsored by CC 

Discount Heating) 

Carnival chatter… 

From Carla & Helen 

Our Carnival Queen is Molly, with 

Princesses Daisy (top) and Emily 

plus King Alfie - all pictured on 

the right 

The Carnival Court 

Here are the 

photos of our 

new Carnival 

court. All of 

our applicants 

were fantastic 

and it was a 

close run thing, 

there was hardly 

any difference 

between the 

results!The Court 

have already 

attended their 

fi rst event, the 

Tiptree Carnival 

Queen’s Tea on 

Saturday where 

they had the 

opportunity to 

meet Witham, 

Tiptree and 

Coggeshall 

Carnival Courts. 

During the evening we We raised 

£131 in the raffl e, thanks to some 

great prizes, donated by companies 

such as The Cakehole, The Poop 

Deck, Suseudo, Anglian Electrics, 

Chryselden Crafts, Mersea Deli, 

Mersea Greengrocers, Mersea 

Dance, Mersea Boot Camps and 

The Oyster Bar to name a few! 

We would like to take this 

opportunity to thank everyone who 

has donated prizes as this helps us 

raise much needed funds for the 

Carnival. 

Desperately seeking… 

The Carnival court fl oat is 

progressing well with the base 

in place, design completed and 

building beginning. 

To continue the work you all to have 

a look in your cupboards, garages 

and sheds and see if you can 

help us by donating the following 

materials. We are desperately 

seeking donations of chicken wire, 

lots of plaster (in powder form, old 

clean bed sheets / curtains that can 

be dyed, ruched curtain pelmets, 

blue & green outdoor paint, old 

fi shing nets and frayed fi shing rope. 

We are also looking for people, 

young or more mature, to lend a 

helping hand in a variety of ways 

build our Carnival Court fl oat. 

Are you willing to paint (both 

general and/or more intricate 

painting), make cushions, dye 

materials, ‘jazz up’ plain objects 

with paint and sparkly bits, make 

papier-mâché or have carpentry 

skills, if so we need to hear from 

you! You do not have to pledge 

a large amount of time but more 

hands make less work as the 

saying goes. This will enable the 

fl oat to be a real community project 

and be fi nished in time for our court 

to attend Carnivals in July which 

they would love to do! 

Mersea Mud Brownies 

We are selling jars of delicious 

Mersea Mud Brownie mix which are 

perfect for someone’s 1st attempt 

at baking, an unusual gift for friends 

or family or just a treat for yourself. 

Just add butter and eggs, follow the 

instructions then enjoy a batch of 

rich, moist yummy brownies! 

All proceeds from the sale of 

Mersea Mud Brownie jars are going 

towards the cost of Carnival. Large 

jars are £5 and small jars are £3 

and can be delivered anywhere on 

the island. 

Contact us to place an order, thank 

you for supporting us! 

Procession news 

Our procession numbers are slowly 

increasing and we hope that they 

will continue to do so. We have 

to give the police our size and 

numbers early in July so get your 

fl oat / promenade group pledges in 

now! 

Please remember that a fl oat does 

not have to be a lorry or trailer it 

could be a cargo bike, trolley or 

bed. Carla recently visited the 

Famous Knaresborough Bed Race 

where groups decorate and parade 

a hospital bed as a fl oat through 

the streets before stripping the 

decoration off and racing along a 

gruelling course which includes 

going through a river! They certainly 

proved that anything can be a fl oat! 

The social entrerprise Paperworks 

entry 

We are also looking for unusual, 

special or vintage vehicles owned 

by the island’s residents to join the 

procession. 

You can get Carnival entry forms 

by emailing us, messaging us on 

Facebook or phoning us and we’ll 

drop one in to you. 

A school visit 

We had the pleasure of being 

invited to Mersea Island Primary 

School this month to talk to the 

pupils. We really enjoyed meeting 

everyone, although we admit to 

being a little nervous, and telling 

them about the Carnival and our 

search for a Carnival court. Our 

thanks go to the school for making 

us so welcome. 

As ever you can contact us in a 

range of ways; 

By email on merseaislandcarnival. 

gmail.com on our website www. 

merseacarnival.co.uk 

Join us on Facebook or by phone 

on 07882756455 or 383363 

We look forward to hearing from 

you! 

Mersea Island Lions 

Round the Island 

All-terrain Running 

Race Sunday 24 June 2012 

Sponsored by Blackwater 

Estates & Mersea LIFE Magazine 

The dictionary defi nition of 

“gruelling” is severe punishment, 

and that just about sums up the 

Round the Island running race this 

year, on June 24th. 

The Mersea Island 

Lions’ Festival – 18 

August 

Including 

the Vehicle 

Showcase 

The Ted Holman Classic Vehicle 

Showcase – at the Lions Festival 

– 18th August. Lion Ted Holman 

started the Lions’ Classic Vehicle 

Show in 1980. It took place in 

the Library Car Park when the 

Lions’ Festival fi lled a traffi c free 

High Street. Over 25 years, 

Ted’s show attracted many 

loyal owners of a wide range of 

Help Needed! 

Mersea T.L.A. Students to go to Kenya 

Chloe, Jasmine & Rosie are three Mersea TLA students who are 

planning a trip to Kenya in 2013, They will be working with Camps 

International, in schools and in local Communities. 

They are looking for unwanted items – bric-a-brac , clothes etc. which 

they intend to sell at car boot sales to raise the necessary fi nance. 

Can you help? 

Phone Penny 01206 384413 or Hayley 01206 386965 



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West Mersea 

Essex CO5 8HT 

Tel: 01206 384 810 

Fax: 01206 386 079 

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email: mersea@game-estates.co.uk 

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TOLLESBURY £257,000 

* Open Views To Marshes * Four Bedrooms 

* Kitchen/Dining Room * Bathroom & En-Suite 

* Lounge & Cloakroom * Garage, Gardens 



* Kitchen/Dining Room * Oil Central Heating 

* Three Bedrooms * Enclosed Rear Garden 

* Bathroom * Village Centre Location 

WEST MERSEA £312,500 

4 bedroom extended property 

60’x 47’ rear garden 

Lounge & separate dining Room 

Kitchen & utility room 

Study 

Conservatory 

Bathroom & En Suite 

Cloakroom 

TOLLESBURY OIEO £180,000 

* Lounge & Sun Lounge * Shower Rm & Bathroom 

* Kitchen & Utility Room * Garden & Workshop 

* Two Double Bedrooms * Off Road Parking 



* Lounge/Dining Room * Sealed Unit Windows 

* Kitchen * Parking & Garage 

* Three Bedrooms * 160` Rear Garden 


* Lounge & Dining Room * Garage & Parking 

* Kitchen & Breakfast Room * Swimming Pool 

* Four Bedrooms & 2 En-Suites * Exclusive Cul-de-Sac 


No Forward Chain No Forward Chain 



* Lounge * Covered Car Port 

* Double Bedroom * Communal Gardens 

* Fitted Kitchen * Village Centre Location 

ABBERTON £165,000 

* Two Double Bedrooms * Gas Central Heating 

* Kitchen Inc. White Goods * Enclosed Rear Garden 

* Lounge & Study Area * Off Road Parking 


* Recently refurbished * Two Bedrooms 

* Second Floor * Estuary Views 

* Lounge * Allocated Parking 


* Two Bedrooms * Sealed Unit Windows 

* Lounge * Off Road Parking 

* Kitchen/Breakfast Room * Encl. Rear Garden 

3 bedrooms 

21’ lounge 

Fitted kitchen 

Conservatory 

Double glazed 

Gas heating 

Off road parking 

Garage 

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH 


*Two Double Bedrooms * Bathroom & Cloak 

* Fitted Kitchen * Garage & Parking 

* Lounge & Dining Conserv’ * Gardens 



* Two Double Bedrooms * Oil Central Heating 

* Lounge & Conservatory * Garage & Parking 

* Kitchen/Dining Room * Southerly Rr Garden 

Rowhedge £149,000 

Charming Victorian terraced 2 bedrooms 

Lounge (feature fireplace) Kitchen/Diner 

Garden 

Gas Heating 

West Mersea £119,995 Leasehold 

First floor maisonette 2 bedrooms 

Lounge, Kitchen 

Bathroom 

Vacant Possession Garage & off road prkg 

West Mersea £188,000 

3 Bedrooms Lounge & Dining Area 

Kitchen & Utility room 

Bathroom & Shower Rm 

Conservatory & 125’ garden Vacant Possession 


* Four Bedrooms * Gas Central Heating 

* Lounge & Dining Room * Garage & Parking 

* Bathroom & Shower Room * Gardens 



* Lounge & Dining Room * Gardens 

* Kitchen & Breakfast Room * Garage & Prking 

* Two Double Bedrooms * Convenient Beach 



* Anchorage Area * Courtyard Garden 

* Conservatory * Off Road Parking 

* Two Double Bedrooms * Stamp Duty Paid 


For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666 or 01621 854333 or email enquiry@estuarylife.co.uk | web: www.estuarylife.co.uk 17

01206 382 191 www.blackwaterestates.co.uk 

£580,000 NEW INSTRUCTION 

£275,000 STAMP DUTY PAID £325,000 £198,000 NEW INSTRUCTION 

WEST MERSEA 

* Two double bedrooms 

* Close to anchorage 

* Conservatory 

* No Chain 


* Detached Three Double Bedroom House 

* Sought after Avenue location 

* Two reception rooms 

* Offi ce/workshop/shed 


* Semi-detached 

* 3 double bedrooms 


* New bathroom suite 

West Mersea 

East Road 

* 1/2 Acre plot (STS) 

* Four Bedroom Detached Bungalow 

* Spacious Accommodation throughout 

* Excellent Annex potential 

£160,000 £550,000 PRICE REDUCTION £400,000 OIEO 

Asheldham 

Asheldham Hall is an imposing Grade II listed residence with 

origins dating back to c1700. With mature (approx) 2-acre 

gardens (sts) the home offers substantial accommodation plus 

self-contained staff quarters/annex and a detached one bedroom 

cottage in the grounds. Located in the rural village of Asheldham, 

with Southminster train station being 1.3 miles away. 

Guide Price £1,500,000 - £2,000,000 

Call: 01621 856000 

Maldon 

This stylish 4 bedroom townhouse offers access to Maldon’s 

High Street, Hythe Quay and Promenade Park. Set over 3 

floors, the home has a modern kitchen/diner, cloakroom, 

lounge, family bathroom plus Master bedroom with en-suite 

shower-room. There is a compact courtyard-style rear 

garden plus parking and integral garage. 

£285,000 

Call: 01621 856000 

An impressive example of a Family Home located on a superb half acre (STS) 

plot Roseland Lodge has been thoughtfully extended over the years and offers 

unique design and spacious accommodation throughout highlights include THREE/ 

FOUR DOUBLE BEDROOMS WITH EN SUITE TO MASTER, LOUNGE 21’ X 19’, 

UTILITY/BAR, ANNEXE POTENTIAL,GARAGE 22’ X 18’, WORKSHOP 18 X 14’ & 

EXTENSIVE MATURE GARDENS TO FRONT AND REAR. 


* Two bedroom end of terrace house 

* Kitchen/Diner 

* Lounge 12’82 x 8’8” 

* Gas central heating 

EAST MERSEA 

* Detached four bedroom house 

* Three reception rooms & separate annex 

* 1/3 acre gardens with rural/estuary views 

* Adj to nature reserve & site of SSSI 


* Detached four double bedroom house 

* Avenue location close to the beach 

* Detached double garage 

* Self contained lodge/offi ce/games room 

£320,000 £290,000 £350,000 £339,995 NEW INSTRUCTION 


* Three dbl bedroom detached bungalow 

* Three reception Rooms 


* Cul-de-sac position 


* Detached four bedroom house 

* Dining area/snug 

* En-suite to Master bedroom 

* Off road parking 

£370,000 £285,000 OIEO £360,000 


* Detached family house 

* Four double bedrooms 

* Spacious open plan Kitchen/diner 

* 90’ Rear garden 

West Mersea 

Fairhaven Avenue 

Cold Norton 

Detached property in approx 2.5 acres (sts) of mature gardens 

offering impressive accommodation: 27ft kitchen/breakfast room, 

5/6 bedrooms, walk-in shower room, open plan living room and 

conservatory, 24ft Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and 

laundry area, self-contained 1 bed bungalow annex with private 

garden, 34ft workshop and feature fish & wildlife pond. 

£750,000 

Call: 01621 856000 

Purleigh 

On the market for the first time since it was built by the 

current owners is this 3 bedroom detached home, with superb 

open countryside views and offering lounge, dining area, 26ft 

kitchen/breakfast room, ground-floor cloakroom and study, 

substantial driveway to the front with room for horsebox/trailer 

e.g. To the rear is a 180ft garden backing onto farmland. 

£395,000 

Call: 01621 856000 

* Three bedroom detached Bungalow 

* Minutes from the beach 

* Beautifully maintained garden 

* Substantial plot 131’ x 65’ 

Blackwater Estates are proud to present this FANTASTIC THREE BEDROOM 

DETACHED BUNGALOW , situated on a substantial (131 x 65)plot, located on a sought 

after avenue and positioned within a few minutes walk of the beach, further highlights 

include Conservatory, spacious Lounge 15’11” x 14’, wet room, beautifully presented 

established rear gardens incorporating various lawned areas , decking area and raised 

pond, off road parking for multiple vehicles and Garage 18’ x 10’. 


* Five bedroom Semi-detached house 

* Enclosed heated swimming pool 

* Three reception rooms 

* Two conservatory’s 


* Link detached four bedroom house 

* Kitchen/diner 

* Fantastic unspoilt views 

* 8 years remaining on NHBC 


* Charming three bed detached house 

* Prime Avenue position 


* Sun room & Utility 

£315,000 £220,000 £279,995 £325,000 OIRO £ 334,995 PRICE REDUCTION 

SALCOTT 

* Three bedroom link detached cottage 

* Refurbished Kitchen & Bathroom 

* 1/2 acre paddock 

* Two stables & large workshop 


* Detached three bedroom house 

* Close to all amenities 

* Off road parking 

* Cul-de-sac position 


* Four bedroom semi-detached house 

* Refurbished Kitchen & Bathromm 

* Close to beach & local amenities 

* Impressive rear garden 145’ x 32’ approx 


* Detached four bedroom family house 

* Village centre 


* Rear garden 65’ x 52’ approx 


* Detached four bedroom family home 

* Three reception rooms 

* Conservatory/Utility room/off road pkg 

* No onward chain. 

Burnham-on-Crouch 

In a private mews, this 4 bedroom detached house won 

a design & conservation award. With access to the River 

Crouch and Burnhams’ High Street, the home offers dual 

aspect lounge with feature fireplace, kitchen/diner with oak 

cabinets and granite surfaces, study, cloakroom, utility room, 

en-suite shower to Master, garage and approx 50x30ft garden. 

£365,000 

Call: 01621 856000 

Southminster 

Well presented 3 bedroom detached bungalow offering 

lounge, modern kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, 

conservatory, family bathroom plus 2 bedrooms with en-suite 

showers. There is a private rear garden of approx 60ft in 

depth and to the front is a blocked paved driveway with 

parking for numerous vehicles. 

Guide Price £250,000 - £280,000 

Call: 01621 856000 

8 Kingsway, 34a Barfield Road, West Mersea, Essex, CO5 8QT 

Mob: 07760 628 829 Fax: 01206 386309 info@blackwaterestates.co.uk 

www.hetheringtons.co.uk 

18 For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666 or 01621 854333 or email enquiry@estuarylife.co.uk | web: www.estuarylife.co.uk 


OWNERSHIP · HOLIDAYS · INVESTMENTS 

EXCLUSIVE WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT 

www.thedreamlodgegroup.co.uk 

DEnjoy Island Living with a Lodge or Leisure 

Home at Seaview, West Mersea, Essex. 

• 10 month season • Estate agency fees covered • 

• Assisted house sale service • BS3362 residential built • 

• 99 year license • 

Seaview is set in 30 acres of partly wooded ground on it’s own 

private gated development, with it’s exclusive beach, club house 

and on site shops. All lodges come equipped with modern 

fittings, appliances, decking and have block-paved driveways. 

01206 381440 

• Leisure homes from £19,995* 

*(Including 20% off) 

• Site fees only £2,040 

• Prices include siting, 

connecting, new block paved 

driveways and steps 

Private beach 

Seaview, Essex 

The Dream Lodge Group 

Seaview, Essex is an ideal coastal retreat for those looking to relax and enjoy the serenity and calm of a 

traditional seaside location. Set in 30 acres of wooded parkland which meets the Blackwater Estuary, this 

hideaway offers the chance to embrace a coastal lifestyle. 

Wander through the landscape of the park and down the gentle 

slope to the peaceful private beach, lined with traditional pastel 

coloured beach huts. Closed for just eight weeks of the year, 

Seaview is perfect for expatriates and semi-retirement use. 

watersports, wildlife and award-winning facilities, 

Seaview is a luxurious and relaxing location. 

Features of the park 

include an exclusive 

gated entrance, with 

key fob for each owner 

and full-time wardens 

providing security and 

maintenance. 

Combining 

scenery, 

Whether you are seeking the ideal opportunity to downsize, 

searching for a holiday home-from-home, a UK base while you split 

your precious time between here and abroad or an excellent letting 

investment, there is a lodge choice for you! 

With great savings to be had, the time has never been better to 

purchase a Dream Lodge. Don’t hesitate and call a member of the 

friendly sales team today. 

Tel 0845 123 6333 

www.thedreamlodgegroup.co.uk 

Was £129,995 

NOW £119,995 

WOODLANDS Woodlands 1932 

•• 22 bedrooms 

• • 2 Master bathrooms en-suite 

• • Double Family glazed Bathroom with Jacuzzi bath/TV 

• • Gas Under central floor heating heating 

• 

• 

Fully 

Fully 

integrated 

Furnished 

appliances 

• South west facing 

• Large UPVC to front/side & rear 

• Gated community 

• Hot tub 

• Gated Community 

The Dream Lodge Group specialises in creating your 

dream home, be it contemporary chic or classic. 

Nationally recognised as the leading operator within 

lodge ownership, investment and holidays, The Dream 

Lodge Group has over 20 years’ experience in helping 

people fi nd their dream home-from-home. 

With so many options available, choosing the perfect 

lodge for you can be a tough choice but at The Dream 

Lodge Group help is always on hand to guide you 

along the way. You can even create your very own 

bespoke lodges. 

Was £164,995 

NOW £154,995 

WOODLANDS 6 

• 2 bedrooms 

• 2 bathrooms 

• Separate utility room & study 

• Double glazed 

• Gas central heating 

• Large open plan lounge 

• Vaulted ceilings throughout 

• Extra Large UPVC decking to 

front, side & rear 

Was £194,995 

NOW £184,995 

WOODLANDS 18 



• Modern styling throughout 

• Range master cooker 

• American fridge/freezer 

• Fully furnished 

• Plenty of storage 

• Large UPVC decking to 


Was £204,995 

NOW £194,995 

WOODLANDS 19 


• Master en-suite 

• Family bathroom with 

jacuzzi bath/TV 

• Under floor heating 


• Large UPVC decking to 


Was £149,995 

NOW £139,995 

WOODLANDS 35 



• Large open plan 

lounge/ kitchen 

• Double glazed 

• Gas centrally heated 


• Vaulted ceilings 

Quote Ref: EL 07/12 



We welcome you to our 

showroom, with over 150 

door types on display! 

• External timber • Composite 

• Internal 

• Room Dividers 

• Internal Paired • French 

• Sliding Patio • Replacement 

• Kitchen 

• Wardrobe 

• Louvre 

• Ironmongery 

• PVC-u Windows & Doors 

SURVEY MEASURING, FITTING & DECORATING SERVICE AVAILABLE 

Tel: 01376 512333 Email: info@doordepot.co.uk 

Unit 14, Swanvale Estate, Colchester Road, Witham, Essex CM3 3DH 

www.doordepot.co.uk 

Garden Life By Christine Robson 

I am focusing on a tree again this 

month. The Pryus-ornamental 

pear. I have not come across many 

of these during my gardening life 

which is surprising given that they 

will thrive in any reasonable garden 

soil, and best of all in full sun. The 

one shown in the photo is Pryussalicifolia-pendula. 

It can reach 

20ft when fully grown but the one 

shown here has been exceptionally 

well manicured and is kept to a 

manageable size. You will see from 

the photos that it has narrow silvery 

leaves and clusters of creamy white 

fl owers which appear in April. These are followed by small extremely 

hard pears which are completely inedible! 

Any pruning that needs to be done should 

take place in the wintertime removing any 

dead or damaged wood at this time. 

Pruning 

Early fl owering perennials such as 

paeonies, lupins, aqualegias, should be 

deadheaded but do not remove the foliage 

until late September. To make a border 

look tidier cranesbill geraniums can have 

all the foliage cut back - they will still have 

a second fl owering. It is not too late to prune Rosa Canary Bird, Ribes, 

(ornamental currant) or Fatsia Japonica. Prune Ribes by reducing all 

stems which have produced fl owers this season by about half and one 

or two very old stems at ground level. As for the Fatsia, well what can I 

say! Such a small plant does grow very quickly into something almost 

unmanageable but it doesn’t seem to to mind how you prune it. Not for 

the small garden this one. 

` 

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Email us at: layerproducts@aol.com 

22 For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666 or 01621 854333 or email enquiry@estuarylife.co.uk | web: www.estuarylife.co.uk For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666 or 01621 854333 or email enquiry@estuarylife.co.uk | web: www.estuarylife.co.uk 23

GET LISTED! email: enquiry@estuarylife.co.uk with ‘Events’ in the subject field 

Regulars 

Maldon Country Market 

Town Hall, Maldon CM9 4RL. 9am - 

11.45am Thursdays until 20th Dec. 

General Retail Market 

Butt Lane Car Park, Maldon CM9 

5HD. 9am - 3pm Thurs ‘til 20th Dec. 

Antique and Collectors Fair 

The Quaker Hall, Butt Lane, Maldon 

CM9 5HD. 9am - 4pm First Saturday 

of the month until 1st Dec. 

Maldon’s BIG Sing 

The Plume School, Fambridge Road, 

Maldon CM9 6AB. 7pm Mondays ‘til 

9th Jan 2013. Enq: 01375 512292. 

Burnham Farmers’ Market 

Carnival Hall, Devonshire Road, 

Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8EF. 9am 

Third Sunday of the month until 16th 

Dec. Enq: 07932 627574. 

Quiz Night - Row4AReason 

The Jolly Sailor, Heybridge Basin CM9 

4RS ‘til 28th Aug. Enq: 01621 854210. 

06/07/2012 

Olympic Torch Relay 

08:57 - 09:50. Runners travel along 

Holloway Road, Heybridge to the 

Causeway, up Market Hill, past Moot 

Hall then into Fambridge Road, past the 

Upper Plume towards Mayfl ower Drive, 

where it will leave at 09:50hrs. www. 

london2012.com/olympictorchrelay 

Bewick’s Live Music Jam Night 

20:30. The Bewick Suite, The Swan 

Hotel, High Street, Maldon. CM9 5HW. 

Cost: £3. www.patrick-higham.co.uk 

07/07/2012 

Mini Model Railway Exhibition 

All Saints’ Church, Purleigh, CM3 6QJ. 

Chelmsford Model Railway Club will 

exhibit fi ve to six layouts. Refreshments 

available. Enq: 01621 828806 / 850739. 

Junior Rangers Overnight Camping 

Mersea Island. £40. For kids 8yrs+. 

High wire, caving, camping etc. Booking 

essential. Enq: Louise Flavell 07931 

594785. louise.fl avell@maldon.gov.uk 

Heybridge Basin Regatta 

Heybridge Basin CM9 4RS. Enq: 

Carol Lawson 01621 857757 www. 

heybridgebasinregatta.co.uk 

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens Open Day 

Beeleigh Abbey, Abbey Turning, near 

Maldon CM9 6LL. 3 acres of spacious, 

peaceful gardens. House not open 

to garden visitors. 10.30am - Last 

admission 15:30pm. T: 07779 223321. 

Little Totham Village Fete 

Little Common, Little Totham, CM9 8JQ. 

14:00hrs. Stalls, games, pony rides, 

refreshments. Enq: 01621 891660. 

Clive Smith - ‘Aspects of Music’ 

Maldon United Reformed Church, 

Market Hill, CM9 4PZ. 15:00 - 17:30hrs 

‘Heavenly Bodies’. Facts and stories 

behind famous scores. 01621 856503. 

Jazz Evening at RHS Hyde Hall 

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge 

Lane, Rettendon, CM3 8ET. 7pm - 

10pm. Wickford Rotary Club event. 

Prepare for all weathers. Booking 

essential. 01245 402103). 

08/07/2012 

Beautiful Baroque 

Layer Marney Tower, Colchester CO5 

9US. 12:00 - 17:00. English and 

continental baroque music, choral and 

instrumental, secular and sacred, sung 

and played. Enq: 01206 330784. 

Hydrogen Barge 

The Hythe, Maldon. CM9 5HN. 8pm 

acoustic concert of song, music and 

stories by Robin and Bina Williamson 

on board the Thames Sailing Barge, 

Hydrogen. Enq: 01621 7788254. 

09/07/2012 - 16/07/2012 

Art Course 

Friends Meeting House, Butt Lane, 

Maldon CM9 7HD. 13:30 - 16:00. Ink, 

paint and pastel to create artworks 

of Essex - coast, country and town. 

Booking advised: 01621 779618. 

10/07/2012 

Maldon & Dengie Ramblers Walk 

Purleigh: Recreation ground car park, 

CM3 6PT at 10am. A six mile walk. 

Enq: 01621 858071 or 01621 856176. 

Morris Dancing 

Hythe Quay, CM9 5HP. 20:00hrs. Enq: 

01268 747869 or 01621 330385. 

11/07/2012 


The Chequers, Wickham Bishops CM8 

3NN. Dark Horse and Alive & Kicking 

sides. www.maldonmorris.org 

12/07/2012 - 21/07/2012 

Open Art Exhibition 

Maeldune Heritage Centre, Market Hill, 

CM9 4RL. Tues - Fri 1pm-4pm, Sat 

10am-4pm. Closed Sun/Mon. Exhibition 

of various media. Enq: 01621 851628. 

12/07/2012 

Maldon Lunchtime Concert 

David Kirby & Peter Hewitt. United 

Reformed Church, Market Hill, Maldon. 

CM9 5PZ 12:30 - 14:00. Works for 

clarinet and piano, including Brahms 

and Poulenc. Feel free to bring lunch. 

Disabled access. T: 01621 858178. 

Plume Sch Summer Music Concert 

Plume School, Fambridge Rd CM9 6AB 

19:00hrs. Enq: 01621 854681. 


Ulting: Lay-by car park opposite Doe’s, 

CM9 6QH 7.30pm. 5 mile eve walk. 

Enq: 01621 858071 or 01621 856176. 

13/07/2012 - 17/07/2012 

Woodham Walter Festival Weekend 

Including Flower Festival at St Michael’s 

Church from 13th-17th July. Art Show 

at the Village Hall from 13th-16th July, 

St Michael’s Church, Woodham Walter, 

CM9 6RJ. 10am - 6pm. 01245 222370. 

14/07/2012 

Opera in the Orchard 

Wickham Hall Lane, Wickham Bishops. 

CM8 3JJ. 10th anniversary concert ‘La 

Traviata’ with full orchestra and opera 

by Garden Opera Company. Camping 

available for Sat. 01621 856503. 

Blackwater Barge Match 

River Blackwater. Pat: 01621 851147. 

All Saints’ Church Table Top Sale 

All Saints’ Church, Maldon CM9 4QE. 

9.30am - 1pm. Enq 01621 853238. 

Maldon Choral Society - ‘The Mikado’ 

United Reformed Church, Market Hill, 

Maldon CM9 5PZ. 7.30pm. Gilbert and 

Sullivan’s popular opera conducted by 

Dr Gillian Ward Russell. 01621 856503. 

Quiz Night 

West Maldon Community Centre, 

Sunbury Way, Keeble Park, CM9 6YH. 

£3.50- 8pm. Teams of 6-ish. Bring own 

drinks/glasses/nibbles. 01621 840951. 

14/07/2012 & 15/07/2012 

Marsh Farm Teddy Bear’s Games 

Marsh Farm Country Park, South 

Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP. Adult £9, 

child £7.50, under 2s free. 10am - bring 

teddy to take part. Enq: 01245 321552. 

15/07/2012 

Maldon Triathlon 

Promenade Park, Maldon. CM9 5JQ. 

750m Swim/28km Cycle/ 5km Run or 

1.5km Swim/45km Cycle/ 10km Run. 

www.dengieevents.co.uk 


Purleigh: Purleigh Roundbush lay-by off 

B1018, CM9 6NN 10am - 6 mile walk. 

Enq: 01621 858071 or 01621 856176. 

Summer Fete 

Woodham Walter primary School, The 

Street, Woodham Walter, Maldon. CM9 

6RF. Opening by football freestyler 

Jeremy Lynch - former Britains Got 

Talent fi nalist, who will demonste his 

amazing skills. Archery, penalty shoot 

out, face painting, bouncy castle, spin 

the bottle etc. Raffl e, tombola - win a 

barrow of booze! Refreshments, cake 

and BBQ! Flower festival an art show 

in village. 07754 537510. 

Tower Tour - Layer Marney Tower 

Colchester CO5 9US. 2pm. 01206 330784. 

17/07/2012 


The Du Cane Arms, Great Braxted CM8 

3EJ. 8pm. Enq: 01268 747869. 

19/07/2012 


Wickham Bishops: Wickham Bishops 

Village Hall car park, CM8 3JR at 

7.30pm. 5 mile evening walk. 

Enq: 01621 858071 or 01621 856176. 

20/07/2012 - 31/08/2012 

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens Open Day 

Details as per 7th July. 

20/07/2012 

Comedy Club 

Crowne Plaza Resort Colchester - Five 

Lakes, Colchester Road, Tolleshunt 

Knights, Maldon. CM9 8HX. 7.30pm 

Live stand-up comedy. 01621 868888. 

‘State of the Union’ 

With David Hughes - Oak Room at Blue 

Boar Hotel, Silver Street, Maldon CM9 

4QE. 8pm. Boo Hewerdine & Brook 

Williams (duo). Enq: 01621 856503. 

Essex Wildlife Trust Glow Worm Walk 

Smythe Hall Car Park, Church Lane, 

Stow Maries. 20:30 - 23:00. Annual 

visit to Stow Maries Halt to observe 

these amazing creatures. Booking req. 

Walk is one mile. Enq: 01621 740687 

21/07/2012 & 22/07/2012 

Embroidery, Patchwork and 

Quilting Exhibition 

All Saints Church, Purleigh CM3 6QJ 

Adult £2.50 kids free. Sat 10 - 5pm, Sun 

12:30 - 4.30pm. Demos, sales, stalls. 

Refreshments. 01621 850739/826988. 

21/07/2012 

Southminster Show 

King George V Playing Field, 

Southminster. CM0 7EW. Enq: Mrs 

Watts 01621 772197. 

Concert 

By Colchester Community Band 

The Centre, The Congregational 

Church, East Street, Tollesbury. CM9 

8QD. Refreshments available for the 

interval. Tickets available on the door. 

22/07/2012 


Langford: Fisherman’s car park by 

canal bridge, Langford. CM9 6LL at 

10am. 6 mile walk. Enq: 01621 858071. 

Living History Day 


9US. 12:00 - 17:00. Step back in time 

- Tudors brought to life. 01206 330784. 

23/07/2012 

Invitation to View - Beeleigh Abbey 

Beeleigh Abbey, Abbey Turning, near 

Maldon, CM9 6LL. Tours at 10:30 and 

14:00. Must book! 01206 573948. 

23/07/2012 - 31/08/2012 

Go Wild at Marsh Farm 

Marsh Farm Country Park, South 

Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP. 10am. 

Fun wildlife related activities and games 

through the holidays from pond dipping 

and minibeast hunts to scavenger hunts 

and wildlife quizzes. Activities change 

each week. Enq: 01245 321552. 

24/07/2012 


Heybridge Basin: Daisy Meadow car 

park, Heybridge Basin CM9 4RS at 

10am. 12 mile walk. Enq 01621 

858071 or 01621 856176. 


The Fox & Hounds, Tillingham, CM0 

7SU. 8pm. Enq: Jim Murphy 01268 

747869 or Fran Bing 01621 330385. 

26/07/2012 - 18/08/2012 

Painting and Photography 

Exhibition 

Maeldune Heritage Centre, Market Hill, 

CM9 4RL. Tues - Fri 1pm-4pm, Sat 

10am-4pm. Closed Sun/Mon. Malcolm 

Brown and Ian Birch. 01621 851628. 

26/07/2012 - 30/08/2012 

Soldier School 

Combined Military Services Museum, 

Station Road, Maldon. CM9 4LQ. 11:00 

- 12:30. £4 p/session. Every Thursday. 

26th July: Drill and Induction, 

2nd Aug: Camoufl age & Concealment 

9th Aug: Map Reading, 

16th Aug: Survival Skills, 

23rd Aug: Sit in a real tank, 

30th Aug: Passing out Parade, with 

parade certifi cate. 

Children to be accompanied by an adult 

during sessions. Enq: 01621 841826. 

26/07/2012 

Walk your way to London 2012 

Walk 4 - Elms Farm Park, Heybridge, 

Maldon. CM9 4PX 11:00 - 12:30. 

Takes in Elms Farm Park, The 

Blackwater Rail Trail and Beeleigh 

Falls. 4th in series. 01621 854477. 


Purleigh Roundbush: Meet at 

Roundbush, Purleigh CM9 6NN at 

7.30pm. 5 mile evening walk 

Enq: 01621 858071 or 01621 856176. 

Dark Horse Morris Dancing 

Hythe Quay, Maldon. CM9 5HN 8pm. 

Enq: www.maldonmorris.org 

28/07/2012 

Richard Leach’s Seven Stars of Jazz 

Wickham Bishops Village Hall, Church 

Road CM8 3JR. Enq: 01621 853626. 

Second Hand Market 

Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon. CM9 

4RL 09:00 - 15:00. T: 01702 544063. 

Maldon & Heybridge Horticultural 

Society - Summer Show 

United Reformed Church, Market Hill, 

Maldon. CM9 5PZ. 50p. 11am. Enq: 

Gillian Coppen 01621 858556. 

The Importance of Being Earnest 


Lane, Rettendon, CM3 8ET. 7pm-9pm. 

Oscar Wilde’s comic masterpiece. 

Booking req. Prepare for all weather. 

Supper avail. £15.95. 01245 402103. 

28/07/2012 - 29/07/2012 

Essex Craft and Design Show 


Lane, Rettendon, CM3 8ET. Adult £7, 

child (5 - 16) £3.50, incl. gardens and 

show. 10am - 5pm. Buy art or crafts 

and meet the artists. T: 0845 2658071. 

29/07/2012 - 04/08/2012 

Maldon Carnival Week 

Maldon High Street and Promenade 

Park. 29th - Crowning of the Carnival 

Court, Prom Park. 4th Aug - Carnival 

procession - High Street, events in 

Prom Park. Enq: John 07710 800764. 

29/07/2012 

Fambridge Yacht Haven Triathlon 

North Fambridge. 1.9km Swim/90km 

Cycle/18km Run. www.dengieevents.co.uk 

Historical Walk with Stephen Nunn 

Maldon Ale Trail. Meet at West Square, 

Maldon CM9 4BS. 10am. By Fitsteps, 

with local historian and author Stephen 

Nunn - historic and present-day 

hostelries. T: 07960 168859. 


Maldon: Meet in Butt Lane car park 

CM9 5AD. 10am. 11 mile walk 

Enq: 01621 858071 or 01621 856176. 

30/07/2012 - 03/08/2012 

Roaring Lions Activity Camp for Kids 

08:30 - 17:30. Ormiston Rivers 

Academy Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 

8QB. 6-16 yrs. Experienced, qualifi ed 

staff, fl exible hours for working parents, 

Ofsted regulated and awarded Green at 

the recent RAG assessment! Amazing 

fun and activities! 05603 454781. 

31/07/2012 


Woodham Mortimer: Hurdlemakers 

Arms car park CM9 6ST. 10am - 6 mile 

walk and 4 mile walk at 13:15hrs. 

Enq: 01621 858071 or 01621 856176. 


The Royal Oak, Hazeleigh CM9 6PE. 

8pm. 01268 747869 or 01621 330385. 

01/08/2012 

Bewick’s Live Music Jam Night 

Stingrays. The Swan Hotel, High 

Street, Maldon. CM9 5HW. £3. 8:30pm. 

www.patrick-higham.co.uk 

03/08/2012 - 05/08/2012 

Flower Show - RHS Hyde Hall 

Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, CM3 

8ET. 10am - 5pm. Range of plants 

from specialist nurseries. Exhibitors will 

have fl oral displays to inspire visitors. 

04/08/2012 

Bradwell Flower and Dog Show 

Bradwell Village Hall Playing Field CM0 

7QJ. Enq: Theresa 01621 776588. 

Steven Miller Piano Recital 

‘Impressionism’, Maldon United 

Reformed Church, Market Hill, CM9 

4PZ. 7.30pm. BBC’s ‘Young Musician 

of the Year’ Finalist pianist Steven Miller 

with The ‘French’ Recital. 01621 856503. 

05/08/2012 

Friary Walled Garden Open Day 

White Horse Lane, Maldon, CM9 5FW. 

10am-4pm. Maldon & Heybridge 

Horticultural Society. 01621 741234. 

Museum of Power - Bikemeet 

Museum of Power, Langford. CM9 6QA 

10am. Classic, historic and race 

motorcycles. Trial riding display. 

Miniature steam train rides. Museum 

open with working steam engine and 

historic machinery. Tea room. 01621 

843183 www.museumofpower.org.uk 

Farm Day - Layer Marney Tower 


9US. Noon - 5pm. Fun on the farm 

- scarecrow making (bring his own 

clothes), mini animal petting area, 

tractor rides etc. 01206 330784. 

Blue House Farm Open Day 

Blue House Farm, North Fambridge 

CM3 6GU. £2 for parking, free if on 

foot or arriving by train. Noon - 5pm. 

The annual nature reserve open day 

with lots of activities. 01621 740687. 

06/08/2012 - 10/08/2012 

Roaring Lions Activity Camp for Kids 

See entry in previous column. 

09/08/2012 

Maldon Lunchtime Concert 

Young Musicians, United Reformed 

Church, Market Hill, Maldon. CM9 5PZ. 

1pm - 2pm. Annual concert of young 

musicians. Coffee/tea from 12.30pm. 

Bring lunch - come and go as you wish. 

Disabled access. Martin 01621 858178. 

‘She Stoops To Conquer’ 

Dot Theatre Group, Museum of Power, 

Hatfi eld Road, Langford, CM9 6QA 

6.30pm. The fi rst time that Dot 

Productions have come to this venue. 

Tea room open. 01621 854477. 

11/08/2012 

Tollesbury Wick History Walk 

Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve 10am 

- 1pm. 2 mile walk viewing evidence of 

2000 years of the reserve’s history led 

by local historian Stephen Nunn. 01621 

741351. 

12/08/2012 

Waterside Triathlon 

Bradwell Waterside, Bradwell-on- 

Sea. CM0 7QY. 800m Swim/43km 

Cycle/10km Run or 1.6km Swim/82km 

Cycle/20km Run or 2.4km Swim/121km 

Cycle/30km Run. Cycle Only 

available. www.dengieevents.co.uk 

It’s Showtime 

Purleigh Halt, Barons Lane, Purleigh. 

CM9 6PF. 10-5pm. Olde Tyme vintage 

rally, fun day for the family. Classic cars, 

motor cycles, steam, tractors, crafts and 

stalls. Dog Display, trailer rides, Suffolk 

Punch Heavy Horse, farm animals and 

petting, owls, donkey rides, music, 

refreshments. Enq: Tony 01621 852336. 

MERSEA EVENTS 

Summary events only - refer to passport 

for all events - available at http://www. 

estuarylife.co.uk/passport-2012.pdf 

6TH JULY 

Mersea Island Young Players ‘Little 

Shop of Horrors’. MICA. 

20TH JULY 

First Friday Barn Dance Club - MICA 

8pm -11pm with John Leyland calling 

the dances. 

21ST JULY 

Dawn Barge - end of Jetty 10- 4pm. 

Big Picnic. Lunch - Mersea Beach 

HW. Good Luck Wave - 2pm. 

22ND JULY 

Packing Shed Open day - noon to 

5pm (last boat out at 4.30pm). 

4TH AUGUST 

Dawn Barge - end of Jetty 10- 4pm. 

Flower Festival E Mersea 11 – 6pm. 

5TH AUGUST 

Five Parishes Show, Fingringhoe 

Ranges, Langenhoe CO5 7LX. 

Packing Shed Open day - noon to 

5pm (last boat out at 4.30pm). 

SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST 

Horticultural society Summer Show. 

MICA. Open to the public 1.30pm to 

prize-giving (4pm - 4.30pm). 

ACTIVITIES AFLOAT 

Topsail Charters 

departing from The Hythe, Maldon. 

Birdwatching walk and sail, October 

27th & 28th. Blackwater Barge 

Race from Maldon - July 14th. Day 

Sails - July 15th, August 26th. Midweek 

Lunch Sails - July 19th, August 

2nd, September 17th. Eve Sails: on 

request. www.top-sail.co.uk 

Viking Saga Pleasure Boat Trips 

Weekends and school holidays 

Departing from The Hythe, Maldon 

1 ½ hour Two Island Cruise. Northey 

and Osea Island.Charter available. 

www.vikingsaga.pafweb.net 

Seal & Bird Watching on Merlin 

Departing from Burnham-on-Crouch. 

Six Islands Cruise - July 1st & 14th. 

Foulness Cruise & Walk - Aug 5th. 

Charter available. Enq: 01268 491540 

Seal Watching on Lady Essex 

Departing from Burnham on Crouch. 

Dates and times on application. 

www.LadyEssex.com 

Ferry - Burnham to Wallasea Island 

Until October 2012. W/ends during 

term time, daily during school 

holidays. Enq: Mark 07949 940297 

Canal Trips on Elver 

From Heybridge Basin - 1 hour trips. 

Daily 11.30, 13.00, 14:30 and 16.00. 

2-hour sunset cruise to Beeleigh. 

Dates and times on appication. 

www.basinpleasureboats.co.uk 

Canal Trips on board Caffel 

From Paper Mill Lock. Victoria also 

available for charter. 

www.papermilllock.co.uk 

Canal Trips on Blackwater Rose 

From Sandford Lock Sundays - STA/ 

weather. Charter available. 

www.blackwater-boats.co.uk 

Rowing Boats from Heybridge 

Available some weekends - check in 

advance. Unsinkable - for up to 6. 

www.basinpleasureboats.co.uk 

Hands-on Sail/Boat/Canoe etc 

Multi Activity Fun Days for over 

9s - July 26th, Aug 16th. Canoe 

Days: June 8th, July 27th, Aug 17th. 

Family Days - 2 adults 3 children. 

RYA sailing taster days and other 

RYA courses available. 

www.essexoutdoors.com 

Fellowship Afloat 

Tollesbury. Multi activity week for 

9-12yrs - Aug 4th - 10th. Multi 

activity week for 13-16yrs - Aug 11th 

- 17th. Sailing Taster Days for 9yrs+ 

- July 28th, Sept 15th. RYA courses, 

dinghy sailing, power boating. 

www.fact.org.uk 

Regattas, Races & Events 

7th July - Heybridge Basin Regatta - 

www.heybridgebasinregatta.co.uk 

14th July - Blackwater Barge Match 

- www.sailingbargeassociation.co.uk 

25th Aug - 1st Sept - Burnham Week 

www.burnhamweek.org.uk 

1st September - Row4AReason - 

Enq: Vicky Brooks 01621 854210 

22nd September - Maldon Regatta - 

www.maldonregatta.co.uk 

Assoc. of Model Barge Owners 

Meets 2nd Sunday of each month 

10am at the model boating lake in 

Promenade Park. Enq: Mrs Beryl 

Watts 020 8657 5662. 

MALDON MAJOR EVENTS 

Heybridge Basin Regatta 

7th July 

www.heybridgebasinregatta.co.uk 

Opera in the Orchard ‘La Traviata’ 

14th July 

www.operaintheorchard.co.uk 

Blackwater Barge Match 

14th July 

www.sailingbargeassociation.co.uk 

Southminster Show 

21st July 

Enquiries: 01621 772197 

Bradwell Flower and Dog Show 

4th August 

Enquiries: 01621 776588 

Maldon Carnival 

4th August 

www.maldon-carnival.co.uk 

It’s Showtime 

12th August 

www.itsshowtime.org.uk 

Burnham Week 

25th August - 1st September 

www.burnhamweek.org.uk 

Mangapps Steam Weekend 

25th - 27th August 

www.mangapps.co.uk 

Maldon Oyster & Seafood Festival 

31st August 

Enquiries: 01621 856503 

Row4AReason 

1st September 

Enquiries: 01621 854210 

English Wine Festival 

1st & 2nd September 

www.newhallwines.co.uk 

Heritage Open Days 

8th & 9th September 

www.heritageopendays.org.uk 

Maldon Regatta 

22nd September 

www.maldonregatta.co.uk 

Burnham Illuminated Carnival 

29th September 

www.burnham-carnival.co.uk 

Maldon Art Trail 

29th September - 6th October 

Enquiries: 01621 856503 

Guy Fawkes Night and Fireworks 

3rd November 

Enquiries: 01621 856503 

St Agnes Fountain 

December 

www.stagnesfountain.co.uk 

Santa Trains 

Weekends in December 

Enquiries: 01621 856503 

Call Maldon Tourist Centre on 

01621 856503 for more info. 

Please submit 

your events for 

these pages to: 

designdesk@ 

estuarylife. 

co.uk 



Travel Offers 

Book online and see all our Travel Offers at: 

www.newmarket.travel/elf 

2 days from 

£165.00 

3 days from 

£129.95 

3 days from 

£149.00 

SECRETS 

WILL BE REVEALED! 

2 days from 

£99.00 

André Rieu 

& The Johann 

Strauss Orchestra 

See André Rieu in a spectacular concert at Birmingham’s 

fabulous Arena, as the Dutch maestro, The Johann Strauss 

Orchestra and Singers present an unforgettable night of 

musical magic and showmanship. 

Includes • Return coach travel & transfers • One night’s B&B 

based on a twin room with private facilities at a good quality 

hotel in the Midlands area • A seated ticket for André Rieu 

& The Johann Strauss Orchestra concert at The LG Arena, 

Birmingham (ticket upgrades available) • Return hotel to 

venue transfers • A visit to Stratford-upon-Avon on Day Two 

• A Tour Manager 

At the LG Arena, Birmingham - 19 December 2012 

Emmerdale & the 

Best of Yorkshire 

Enjoy tours of “Last of the Summer Wine Country” and the beautiful 

Yorkshire Dales, plus a drive through Esholt the original home of 

Emmerdale on this wonderful break. 

Includes • Return coach travel • Two nights’ dinner, bed and English 

breakfast accommodation in a good hotel in Yorkshire • Tours of 

Emmerdale Country, Last of the Summer Wine Country and the Yorkshire 

Dales • A visit to York • The services of a Tour Manager 

Departs 5 October 2012 

Autumn Gold in 

the English Lakes 

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Lake District when the golden 

hues of Autumn just add to the beauty. Includes a cruise on Lake 

Windermere, a railway trip and lots more! 

Includes • Return coach travel from the local area • Two nights’ dinner, 

bed and English breakfast accommodation in a good hotel in the 

Manchester/Liverpool area • A full day tour of the Lake District • A visit 

to Chester • A tour of the Peak District • The services of a Tour Manager 

Departs 28 September 2012 

A behind-the-scenes walking tour 

Opening in Spring 2012, this not-to-be-missed behind-the-scenes 

studio walking tour is one of the most exciting visitor attractions to 

have opened in years, and an absolute ‘must-see, must-do’ for Harry 

Potter fans everywhere! Don’t miss this fantastic chance to be one of 

the first to experience the authentic sets, props, costumes and special 

effects of the most successful film series of all time. 

Includes • 1 night’s B&B at the Hotel Ibis, Elstree (upgrades at the 4★ 

Marriot Hotel in Waltham Abbey and Chesthunt are available for a £10 

per person supplement) • Entrance to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - 

the Making of Harry Potter • Transfers from the hotel to attraction 

• A Tour Manager 

One of the most exciting visitor attractions to have opened in years! 

TM & © 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. 

HOTEL & TICKET OFFER - August until December 2012 

At least that’s what I thought and 

so would most of you I suspect. 

So, if someone told you that 

for 6 weeks they lay down for 

45 minutes 2 - 3 times a week 

- enjoying pleasant conversation 

plus a relaxing ‘massage’ and, at the 

end of it they’d lost 9lbs plus 4 inches 

off their stomach, 4 off their hips and 2 off each leg plus got fi rmer, my guess is 

that you’d think “Yeah, right!” 

Well, someone is going to tell you just that, and that someone is me. And the 

photos below are of me (cringe) - a local mum in her late 40’s who was offered the 

opportunity to trial a procedure called Lipomassage, which claims to ‘permanently 

eliminate stubborn and resistant fat’. 

I’m a no nonsense kinda gal – I say 

it like it is and don’t hold back. I’m 

one of those annoying people who 

never really struggled with weight 

and more annoyingly, would tell my 

friends (yes, I still have a few) that 

quite simply, “fat people eat too 

much” because, well, it’s true isn’t 

it? Then I got married and had a few children. Not so smug now, am I! Because 

as you get older it IS harder to shift fat and after kids it IS harder to have a routine 

for yourself. I believed that such ‘before and after’ pictures were airbrushed and 

that this type of procedure offers false hope and little else to those with more 

money than sense because a correct diet and regular exercise must become a 

lifestyle choice if you want to achieve a good body shape that lasts – there are no 

short cuts or cheats. 

So, how do I explain the results then? 

Truthfully I’m surprised by them. Not 

just by the inch loss but the general tone 

and shape of me now. I understand the 

principal of the procedure but can’t get my 

head around how good my results were, 

especially given that I wasn’t too bad to 

start with (humour me here please). During 

the treatment I went swimming once or 

twice a week but I do that anyway - it was nothing new, I have good muscle tone 

from being fit and active when I was younger and I’m sure that helped and, I do eat 

a healthy diet but even so, the results are amazing. I had expected only to use it 

as a supplement to my own regime – to maybe kick start and motivate me to get 

back into the fitness swing of things after having my family. 

Effortless fat loss & toning...? Fat chance! 

I wont waffl e about the technical stuff - you can fi nd out a lot 

more from my LIFE Blog at www.estuarylife.co.uk but here 

is my synopsis: Little rollers gently yet powerfully roll and 

pull across your skin in different directions, breaking down 

fat, stimulating blood and circulation, speeding metabolism, 

promoting Collagen and Elastin production and, firming saggy 

skin. Oh, and you wear a fl attering (not!) white body stocking! 

I felt an occasional ‘pinch’ as the rollers worked on me and I might have winced 

once or twice during the whole course but mostly I found it incredibly relaxing 

and enjoyable and I’m sad it’s over. The procedure was developed in France – 

originally to treat muscle injury but other benefi ts were discovered and developers 

have performed over 100 scientifi c studies, with proven results. 

The cost? It averages at £60 per session, with good deals available for block 

bookings. I had 16 sessions, with a fully trained individual, which it seems you 

can get for £750 to £850, taking it below £47 per session. 

The closest place to have it done is Tiptree – at Heaven Scent, which is where 

I went but the cost sadly doesn’t include the two dresses, necklace and handbag 

I also bought there. Divine! Well, a girls gotta treat herself and the dresses were 

essential for showing off my new body, weren’t they!? 

As I’ve said before, a good healthy diet plus exercise will ensure you maintain a 

healthy body but if you need some help getting there, this is defi nitely worth a try 

in my view. I can’t promise the same results as me but if you commit to a little 

exercise in between sessions, then you stand the best chance. And, you can have 

maintenance sessions if you want - to keep you on the straight and narrow. 

And, the great news is that Heaven Scent have generously offered the same 

16 treatments for just £700 to LIFE readers, bringing the cost down to just 

£43.75 per session! You can also collect the token below, plus another 

next month and receive a free ‘maintenance’ session worth £70. 

If you have any questions, email me at lucybrownGAT@estuarylife.co.uk or, you 

can call Dawn at Heaven Scent on 01621 817863. Incidentally, I did explain to 

Dawn that with her elevated position as ‘Goddess’ in my mind, that I may sadly 

lose all respect for her if she doesn’t now fi nd a way to knock 10 years off my 

looks! Watch this space.... 

By Lucy Brown ‘Girl About Town’ 

FREE LIPOMASSAGE 

MAINTENANCE SESSION 

VOUCHER 1 - JULY 2012 

Voucher 2 required to qualify, which will will be printed in our August issue of 

LIFE Magzines. Free maintenance session available to course customers 

only, on production of Voucher 1 and Voucher 2.. 

Make a booking or request your FREE brochure online at: 

www.newmarket.travel/elf 

or call: 0843 316 1166 quoting code ELF 

Lines open: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm • Sat 9am - 4pm • Sun 10am - 2pm 

“We’re with you all the way!” 

Newmarket Promotions/Air Holidays 

Ltd. ABTA V787X/V7812. ATOL 

protected 2325. 

Calls cost 4p per min. Single supplements apply. 



E s s e x 

E N G L A N D 

T h e F o u n d a t i o n o f b e e - a u t i f u l S k i n 

We believe that natural beauty comes from using 

products formulated with pure ingredients. 

Our natural skin care range is ideal for men & women 

who are concerned about the additives, preservatives & 

artificial ingredients routinely used in products. 

For skin care that delivers results, is free of parabens, 

additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients, visit 

us today & receive 25% off during July 2012. 

Find Ed! Where IS cheeky Ed hiding!? 

Ed is feeling all ‘British’ this month, with all that’s been going on, so has 

bought a Union Jack hat. As always, he’s hiding in the 

magazine so once you fi nd him, tell us his hiding place and 

page number plus your name, address and phone number! 

Send your entry to: 

‘Find Ed Competition’ 

Estuary LIFE Magazines 

110 Coast Road, West Mersea CO5 8NA 

or email: enter@estuarylife.co.uk 

(please put ‘Ed Puzzle’ in the subject fi eld) 

Clues will be put on our website. The 

winner will be sent tickets direct, for 2 adults 

and 2 children aged 3 to 14. In June, Ed 

sailed on the Dawn Barge, on page 22 - 

found by Violet Whiting of Maldon. 

WIN! 

Prizes Prizes!! 

Deadline for entering is 24th July 2012. 

Last Month’s Winners: Intimofresco in Maldon had a meal for 2 up for grabs, 

which was won by Mrs R Frost from Tiptree who told us that Intimo means ‘fresh or 

cool’ in Italian. Our All Your Cleaning winner - Mrs A Kennelly from Maylandsea - will 

receive some help with cleaning this month for solving the anagram ‘The Snug Whip’, 

which translates into ‘Washing Up’. The Colchester Zoo Summer Night Family Ticket 

was won by Mrs C Dow from Maldon who told us the name of the last Summer Night 

is ‘Starlight Safari Night’, Ed was found by Violet Whiting from Maldon (details below 

in Find Ed) and Sarah Lewis from Tiptree will enjoy a month’s membership at The Loft 

Gym in Mersea for correctly stating that owner Kate took over the gym in May 2011. 

Mersea’s own author PETER INSON IS 

GIVING AWAY A SIGNED COPY OF 

HIS BOOK ‘DUNNO’ to the fi rst reader picked 

who correctly solves the following anagram: Entrap Big Plot 

(answer is a two word item that writers might use). Good luck! 

“.. a novel aimed at teenagers but a good read for adults. It’s about 

a boy called Jon who has a hard time at home, at school and on 

the streets. Nobody wants to help (except the reader) until he is 

injured and the casualty nurse puts him in touch with someone. It provides a different 

perspective on the working-class, under-privalidged society who we can so easily brush 

under the carpet as lesser mortals. Perhaps there may be greater tolerance in society if 

all teenagers were made to read books like this. 

Source: Amazon feedback 

Here’s one for the girls! Essex Gurls in Maldon are 

giving away a 1-HOUR PERFECTOR 

NON SURGICAL FACE LIFT 

worth £45 AND a further prize of a FREE CUT & BLOW DRY worth 

£30! Two seperate prizes, with 2 winners. 

1. For Free Non Surgical Face Lift 

Name the 3 main three actors in 90’s hit Birds of a Feather. 

2. For Free Cut & Blow Dry 

Which former ‘The Only Way is Essex’ star is in ITV’s Hollywood Nights? 

Essex Gurls, 171 High Street, Maldon, Essex CM9 5BS. Tel 01621 852142. 

All you need to be beautiful, under one roof! 

NOTE! Ed doesn’t hide inside adverts. 

www.colchester-zoo.co.uk 

2 

E s s e x 

E N G L A N D 

Win 

We believe that natural beauty comes from using products 

formulated with pure ingredients. 

Our natural skin care range is ideal for men & women who 

are concerned about the additives, preservatives & artificial 

ingredients routinely used in products. 

For your chance to win our Daily Essentials Kit, containing 

our hard working, bee-autiful Skin, Cream Cleanser, Ultra 

Radiance Toner & bee-autiful Skin, Repair Moisturiser just 

register on our website during July 2012. 

Terms & conditions apply www.b2beautyproducts.com/terms-andconditions. 

Alternatively please email us at 

win@b2beautyproducts.com. 

Actual Size 

of Ed 

Our Exclusive Web Offers are just 

that! They have been given exclusively to 

LIFE Magazines and are available only by downloading 

the relevant voucher and code from our website at: 

www.estuarylife.co.uk/weboffers 

Each offer will have its own conditions - some may be limited to a certain 

number of vouchers, some may have restrictions on the days the voucher can 

be used and others may be totally fl exible. The offers will vary from month to 

month and can range from discounted services or products to free trials and 

other interesting and goodies! Take a look today - offers can be added at any 

time, so remember to bookmark our Web Offers page and check back! 

We will give you a snapshot of available offers each month in this section of 

Maldon LIFE, Mersea LIFE and Tiptree LIFE. 

Current available Web Offers: 

B2Beauty are offering a massive 25% off all web orders. Simply 

download your exclusive voucher and use the unique code at their 

checkout to receive your discount. 

rejuvenate 

25% OFF 

With This Voucher Code: 

T h e F o u n d a t i o n o f b e e - a u t i f u l S k i n 

www.b2beautyproducts.com 

CAST YOUR EYE over our store... 

What a fab gift idea! 

20% DISCOUNT FOR LIFE READERS 

Enter your unique Web Offer Code at checkout (see page 29 for details) 

Cast Your Eye (www.fabgiftidea.com) offer 

20% off products purchased from their 

website. They deliver ‘same day’ to Maldon 

& Heybridge for orders received before 2pm 

and ‘next day’ for other orders (excluding 

Sundays). Check voucher for conditions. 

GET A COURSE OF 10 SESSIONS 

ON THE FABULOUS 

FATLOSS PRO 

AT ESSEX GURLS 

IN MALDON FOR 

JUST £35. 

12-WEEK BEGINNERS COURSE 

BUILD MUSCLE 

Fantastic offer for those wanting to achieve results in 12 weeks with an intensive 

course. 36 Sessions over 3 months, a Personal Diet & Training Program plus 

tailored advice from former British Bodybuilding Champion John Fisher. 

Usual price £720. Web Offer £600 (2 payments of £300). That’s just £50 p/week! 

1/2 PRICE COOKERY COURSE! 

Wooden Spoons is an exciting new school opening 

September 2012, with cookery classes and courses for 

age 5 and up. Prepare, cook and enjoy delicious food. 

0777 2242 793 wooden.spoons@btinternet.com 

Blackwater Fuels Ltd 

Alresford Garage Ltd 

A family business established since 1975 

www.alresfordgarage.co.uk (up-to-date Stock List & Photos) 

CAR SALES & VEHICLE SOURCING 

Phill Wrigley: 01206 822875 

HEATING OIL 

Running low? 

Don’t get caught out, 

fill up your heating 

oil tank now! 

Local fuel supplier offering you a 

reliable, fast and friendly service 

all year round. 

We also supply red diesel to boats 

and farms. 

01621 868868 

www.blackwaterfuels.co.uk 

HATCHBACKS 

10 (10) Audi A3 2.0 Tdi Sportback S-Line. Black Edition. Xenon. 18 ‘’ Alloys £17,995 

09 (09) Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S. 5 dr. Met. Black. 6K. £30 Road Tax. £3,995 

08 (58) Honda Jazz 1.4 SE. 5 dr. Met. Blue. Alloys. Aircon. CD. 33K. F.S.H. £7,250 

08 (08) Nissan Micra Visia +. 5 dr. White. AUTO. 2K Only. £5,995 

07 (07) Mondeo 2.5 Titanium X Turbo. Met. Grey. 37K. Aircon. Cruise Ctrl. £7,450 

07 (07) Suzuki Ignis GL. Met. Black. LOW MILEAGE. C.D. £3,995 

06 (56) Focus Ghia 115. 5 dr. Met. Black. AIR CON. Cruise Control. 41K. £5,450 

05 (55) Mercedes A150 Classic SE. Met. Red. AIR CON. C.D. 57K. F.S.H. £4,995 

04 (54) Toyota Corolla T Spirit AUTO. Silver Blue. 17K ONLY . 1 Owner £5,850 

03 (52) Rover 75 1.8 Club. Se Met. Blue. Alloys. AIR CON. C.D. 52K. £2,450 

02 (02) Audi A2 1.4 Se. 5 dr. Met. Blue. AIR CON. Alloys. F.S.H. £3,750 

DIESELS 

09 (09) Ford Fusion + TDCi. 5 dr. Met. Red. i.pod/MP3 connect. 

Park Distance. Privacy Glass. £7,450 

08 (58) Toyota Auris 1.4 TR D4D 5 dr. Met. Black. Alloys. 25K. Aircon. F.S.H £8,750 

08 (58) Citroen C3 1.6 Hdi. 5 dr. Black. Aircon. £30 yr Tax. 46K. F.S.H. £5,995 

05 (54) Toyota Rav 4 XT3 D4D. 5 dr. Met. Grey. Aircon. Alloys. 

C.D. Leather Seats. 54K. F.S.H. £7,995 

SPORTS + CABRIOLETS 

07 (07) VW Beetle 2.0 Cabriolet. Red. Auto. Aircon. Alloys. 29K Only. F.S.H £8,995 

94 (M) Toyota MR2 2.0 GT T-Bar. Black. Leather. 53K. Aircon. Alloys. F.S.H £3,450 

ESTATES, MPV’s AND 4 X 4 

08 (58) Toyota Corolla Verso 1.6 T2 Silver. 7 SEATS. 42K. F.S.H. £7,995 

07 (07) Honda CRV 2.2 I CDTi Sport. DIESEL. Met . Grey. Alloys. Aircon £8,995 

05 (05) Honda CRV 2.0 I V-Tec Sport. 5 dr. Met. Grey. £6,995 

05 (54) Toyota Rav 4 XT3 D4D. 5 dr. Met. Grey. DIESEL. AIR CON. Alloys. 

C.D. Leather Seats. 54K. F.S.H. £7,995 

04 (04) Porsche Cayenne 3.2 V6 Tiptronic. AUTOMATIC. Leather. Park 

Distance. Roof Rails. Grey. Low Mileage. F.S.H. £11,995 

SERVICING, REPAIRS & MOT’S 

Mark Leigh: 01206 825245 

Main Road, Alresford, Colchester, Essex CO7 8DB 

TOP 100 

SITES 

2012 

REGIONAL 

WINNER 

Eastern 

England 

Fen Farm 

Caravan 

Site 

SMALL, QUIET, RURAL SITE 

Open March to October 

TOURERS - TENTS - MOTOR CARAVANS 

ELECTRICITY HOOK-UP, TOILETS & SHOWERS 

MID-WEEK SPECIAL 

OUT OF HIGH SEASON 4 NIGHTS FOR THE PRICE OF 3 

SUNDAY TO THURSDAY 

Fen Farm, Moore Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, Essex CO5 8FE 

Email: fenfarm@talk21.com 

Web: www.fenfarm.co.uk 

Tel 01206 383275 



Wedding Feature 

Picture Perfect 

Photography is an extremely important part of your wedding planning. Once 

the big day is over, you will want your memories preserved for a lifetime. 

Professional Photographer Robert Scott, BA Hons.,owner of Pure Feather 

Wedding Photography, suggests 6 simple steps to fi nding the right one! 

I know I’m being a bit biased as I’m a Wedding Photographer, but once the food 

is eaten and the champagne is drunk, the only thing left to remind you about 

your special day are your wedding pictures. Finding the right photographer can 

be a bit daunting, just follow these simple steps to help you fi nd the perfect one. 

1. RESEARCH! Ask your friends and family for recommendations! Wedding 

web sites, magazines and local publications can really help. Don’t just go for 

the fi rst one you come across, have a minimum of 3 to compare. 

2. What STYLE of photography are you looking for? If you have a particular 

style in mind, choose photographers who shoot in this way. 

3. Once you have decided on the style of photography and narrowed your 

choices down to a handful, it’s time to meet the photographer. It is so important 

to feel at ease with them. 

Wedding Feature 

Mersea Island’s very own classy covers band! 

Whatever you have in mind for your special day, we look forward to working 

with you to provide the very best live music that Mersea Island has to offer. 

• Solo voice during the wedding service, 

classical and modern repertoire. 

• Cocktail piano or jazz band to play through 

drinks reception and wedding breakfast. 

• Five piece dance band to get the party going with a swing. 

Beautiful music for your perfect day! 

East Mersea Hall preferred supplier. 

Wherever you are planning your celebration, 

call Ian or Caroline for an informal chat. 

01206 386124 or 07973 800 865 

www.themoondanceband.co.uk 

On a budget? 

Most wedding magazines such as popular You 

and Your Wedding (www.youandyourwedding. 

co.uk) and Wedding Magazine (www. 

weddingmagazine.co.uk) publish online, plus 

there are lots of other great wedding supplier 

and resource sites. 

Try www.confetti.co.uk and www.cheapwedding-success.co.uk 

to keep you 

topped up with inspiration free of charge. 

From starting out and planning, to the 

invitations, venue, reception, wedding cake, 

music, fl owers and honeymoon - you name it, 

there are tips and advice on it. 

Confetti also has offers and competitions and a 

forum for sharing stories and asking for advice 

and tips from other brides. 

4. LOOK through a complete wedding in the past year, not just key images 

selected by the photographer. This will give you an indication on the style and flow. 

5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, for example: 

• Will you be the photographer attending our day? 

• What does the price include? for example: CD’s images and printing. Always 

fi nalise the TOTAL COST. 

• Are you insured? Do you carry spare equipment, what if you are ill? 

6. Finally - to look your absolute best you may want to consider your skincare 

regime and employing hair and beauty professionals to achieve that perfect 

look. If you have done your research, met your photographer, looked through 

their work and asked lots of questions, you are well on your way in fi nding the 

Perfect Photographer for your day. 

Image by Chrissie Westgate, Mersea Mermaid Images, www.merseamermaid.co.uk 

The largest independent selection 

of diamond rings in Maldon 

• Wedding and engagement specialists 

• Wide range of quality wedding rings at 

affordable prices 

• Beautiful bridesmaid gifts 

• Fine selection of Freshwater and Akoya Pearls 

• Wide range of Best man and usher gifts 

• Customise your wedding ring - Ask about our 

bespoke design service 

107 High Street, Maldon CM9 5EP Tel: 01621 859969 

110a High Street, Brentwood CM14 4AP Tel: 01277 204688 

Robert Scott BA Hons 

Founder of Pure Feather Wedding Photography 

Wedding 

Flowers 

by Jardiniere Florist 

We do our very best to refl ect the 

individuality of each bride, with fl owers 

tailored to any budget. We can also 

decorate your wedding venue, from churches, church halls, 

marquees, barns - wherever you want us, we will be there. 

We offer free wedding consultations either at our premises 

or in your own home. 

9 Church Road, West Mersea CO5 8QH 

01206 382597 jardinierefl orist@yahoo.com 

www.jardiniereflorist.co.uk 

Boutique Cake Shop 

Bespoke Wedding Cakes and Cupcakes 

We also stock a range of cake decorating equipment 

Please pre order on: 01621 843323 

Kings Head Centre, 38 High St, Maldon, CM9 5PN 

Visit our website at www.lottieandjakes.com 

East Mersea Hall 

www.eastmerseahall.co.uk 

‘What a wedding venue 

should be and much more’ 

East Mersea Hall is steeped in Elizabethan elegance and history, with 

stunning mature gardens and woodland offset against the beautiful lake. 

This quintessential charm and tranquility makes East Mersea Hall the 

perfect place to celebrate your 

wonderful day. 

East Mersea Hall is available 

to host ALL types of Civil 

Ceremonies,Weddings, 

Partnerships, Naming 

Ceremonies and renewal of 

vows as well as Receptions 

following wedding services. 

Church Lane, EastMersea,Mersea Island, Colchester, Essex CO5 8TJ 

Call Sarah Baldwin on 01206 383499 or 07842 195221 

eastmerseahall@aol.co.uk 



Zoo News 

Francois langurs join collection 

A pair of male and female francois langurs joined the zoo’s collection in 

May 2012. The male arrived from Twycross Zoo and the female arrived 

from Howletts Zoo later in the month. 

After a settling in period, the pair were united 

and settled in well with each other and their new 

surroundings. They can currently be seen housed 

temporarily in the old L’hoest monkey enclosure within 

the Chimp World exhibit. It is hoped that in the future, 

the pair will become a successful breeding pair and 

allow the zoo to contribute to the conservation of this 

important species. 

The francois langur is listed as endangered on the 

IUCN Red List. Found within Southern China, extending towards the 

Red River in north-eastern Vietnam, they inhabit semi tropical forest and 

well sheltered rocky areas and typically live above 230 metres. Francois 

langurs have a distinctive pointed, tall crest of hair on their heads, with 

white lines from the corners of the mouth, across the cheeks to the ears. 

This species of langur does not have cheek pouches and instead make 

use of a bulging stomach which collects slow-to-digest food; typically 

leaf matter. Threats posed to this species in the wild arise from habitat 

loss and fragmentation due to changes in agricultural practises, leaving 

an isolated population and causing lack of genetic variability. The 

species also faces threat from hunting, both for food for the production of 

traditional medicines. 

The pitter patter of heavy Rhino feet will be heard 

soon at Kingdom of the Wild! The zoo are proud 

to confi rm that Emily, one of their white rhinos 

successfully conceived in December through a 

natural mating with their male white rhino, Otto. 

This will be Emily and Otto’s fi rst calf! Keepers 

were alerted to the pregnancy through the fact 

that not only was Emily missing monthly cycles 

but there was an observational change in her 

behaviour. Emily usually charges around the 

paddock playing with Zamba, the youngest rhino, Picture: Helen Wildin 

however keepers noticed that she had become more 

conservative, staying with the females within the group and showing a 

grumpy attitude towards Otto. The pregnancy was confi rmed through 

faecal samples, measuring Emily’s hormone levels. 

The fi rst fi ve months of a rhino’s pregnancy are the most delicate but 

Colchester Zoo are happy that Emily has now passed this stage and 

hope the pregnancy is as smooth as it can be for Emily as a fi rst time 

mum. Rhino’s have a 16 month gestation period resulting in Emily being 

due around June or even July 2013 if she ends up being over a month 

late similar to Colchester Zoo’s fi rst white rhino calf, Zamba. 

The white rhino is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Colchester 

Zoo are happy to be part of conserving this magnifi cent species and are 

proud to be having success with the current breeding programme. 

Appeal for Homes 

Suffolk and Essex Small Animal Welfare is a registered charity devoted to the welfare 

of needy animals - many abandoned, some victims of accidents, most need a 

home. Volunteers devote hours looking after them until owners are found. Those 

who can’t be homed are fostered or become permanent SESAW residents. 

Albie & Beano, 

1 year old 

Lurchers, need 

to be family pets 

(not working). 

Bella is a beautiful, 

affectionate and gentle 

3 year old cat who 

absolutely hates other 

cats, so must be the only 

cat in the home. 

Jack I lived with his 

previous owners all of 

his life (about 9 years) 

until they moved. He 

needs to be the only 

pet and loves people, walks and 

cuddles. 

12 year old Jem lost his 

owner and would like a 

home with someone who 

is retired and who would 

like a bed companion (or 

sofa companion!). He still enjoys 

gentle walks. 

Panther is a beautiful 4 

year old neutered male. 

He’s in a foster home 

because he wasn’t coping well in the 

cattery. We’d like to home him in 

Hadleigh ASAP. He’s soft natured, 

doesn’t like change and sometimes 

hides somewhere quiet. His foster 

mum loves him and we’re sure his 

new owner(s) will, too! 

Felix is about 4 years old 

and a stray. He’d like a 

rural home where there 

is a lockable cat fl ap so 

that he can explore during the day 

and stay safe indoors at night. 

Ray is about 3 years 

old. An extremely 

handsome boy who is 

very friendly. 

Pepsi was kicked out 

because her owners 

got 2 puppies. She’s 

an older, blind cat but 

manages very well. Needs a quiet 

indoor home and quiet, friendly 

voice. Sweet and gentle, purrs a lot! 

Amber is a Persian X 

female. Gentle, loving 

cat. Must be the only pet 

in an adult only home. 

Poppy is a Border Terrier 

X and very cute. She 

loves people. Just 

arrived and currently 

being assessed. 

We have a number of 

feral cats waiting for 

outdoor homes on farms, 

smallholdings or stable 

yards. All neutered and spayed. 

WE ALSO HAVE 

MANY RABBITS, 

GUINEA PIGS 

AND FERRETS 

WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR FAR 

TOO LONG. THEY ALL DESERVE 

NEW HOMES WITH COSY 

HUTCHES 

AND 

SHELTERED 

RUNS FOR 

EXERCISE. 

We hope you will consider adopting 

one of our animals. 

If you are not able to adopt, we 

run a sponsorship scheme where 

you can donate an amount either 

monthly or annually (minimum of 

one year) and sponsor an animal or 

group of animals that are permanent 

residents at SESAW. 

Please ring 01787 370654 if you 

would like further information on 

sponsorship. 

Suffolk and Essex Small Animal Welfare 

‘Idano’, Stoke Road, Leavenheath, Suffolk. CO6 4PP 

01787 210888 info@sesaw.co.uk www.sesaw.co.uk 



MONTH OF JULY , 2012 www.intimo-fresco.com 

ENJOY A NIGHT IN MALDON WITH 

A night to remember at 

An evening with Michael Buble - or at least a very good immitation! Joe Gibson has perfomed for 

over 10 years in many of London’s top venues. July 15th at 7.30pm. Book Now! 01621 843197 

Enjoy a slap up 3-course meal with this fabulous evening of entertainment for just £29.95 per person. Tickets are 

limited, so book soon! The evening’s menu is available to view online at www.intimo-fresco.com 

KIDS 

Kids needn’t break the bank this holiday, as INTIMOfresco offer a choice of main, ice cream 

and unlimited squash for just £4.95 p/child (with dining adult) and a choice of dining area. 

Looking for an intimate venue? 

INTIMOfresco have several dining areas plus adjoining terrace - a perfect setting 

for your summer celebration. Tailored menus and anything else you wish for 

(subject to availability of course!) Call 01621 843197 or visit www.intimo-fresco.com 

With a changing menu, daily 

specials and local seafood, 

where better to dine in Maldon? 

2-Course Lunch 

Just £9.95 per person 

Call 01621 843197 

NOW to book 

SEAVIEW CAFE 

Open Mon to Thur 8.30am to 4.30pm and Fri, Sat & Sun 8.30am to 6pm 

**UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT** 

Seaview Avenue 

West Mersea 

CO5 8DA 

Tel: 01206 386916 

A selection of hot and cold food and snacks served daily, our menu includes:- 

BREAKFASTS 

FRESH LAVAZZA COFFEE 

PANINIS 

CREAM TEAS 

100% BEEFBURGERS KIDS MEALS 

SNACKS 

HAND CARVED HAM 

OVEN BAKED JACKET POTATOES (fillings including HOME MADE CHILLI AND CHICKEN CURRY) 

TAKEAWAY MENU AVAILABLE 

Our menu also includes freshly battered Cod and Chips, luxury Fishcakes or Wholetail Scampi 

served with fresh chips and a choice of Garden or Mushy Peas and a bowl of home made Tartare 

Sauce. Come and try our delicious Fish and Chips, to make it even more enjoyable bring along 

the voucher below and enjoy a 2 course special meal including a drink and enjoy the view. 

10% off your food order 

You must bring this coupon with you - no photocopies accepted. Drinks not included in this offer, which is valid during July 2012. 



Seasonal Recipe 

Steve Chase FBII - Head Chef, The Hare and Hounds, Layer Breton 

Mersea Rarebit on Toast 

Ingredients - Serves 4 

The white and brown meat from a 2kg crab, separated 

60g Butter 

50g Mature Cheddar Cheese 

100ml Best Bitter I normally use Adnams 

1tsp English Mustard 

2 lemons, 1 juiced and the other quartered 

600ml Milk 

60g Plain Flour 

4 Egg Yolks 

1 splash Worcestershire Sauce 

4 slices Whole meal bread 

Method 

1. Warm a saucepan and add the 

milk, bay leaf and peppercorns, 

bring to the boil and simmer for 

5mins, strain then set aside. 

2. Melt butter in a saucepan, add 

fl our and cook for 1 minute. Pour 

in the milk, in stages, stirring 

continuously until sauce reaches 

a smooth consistency. Simmer 

for approx 5mins, remove from 

the heat, add cheese, egg yolks, 

mustard, beer, Worcestershire, 

lemon juice, parsley and season 

with black pepper. Refridgerate. 

3. When cool, toast the bread on 

both sides and butter it. Spoon 

on brown crab meat then pile on 

the white, cover with the rarebit 

topping and grill until melted and 

golden. 

4. Serve immediately with the 

wedges of lemon and dressed 

leaves. 

The Mixing Bowl Delicatessen 

Now available - a selection of homemade meals 

• Fresh home-cooked produce 

• Cheeses 

• Cured meats 

• Home-baked bread 

• Homemade cakes and treats 

• Freshly made sandwiches and much more... 

42 High Street, West Mersea, CO5 8QA 

Tel: 01206 384753 themixingbowl@tiscali.co.uk 


For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666/383333 or email ads@estuarylife.co.uk | via web www.estuarylife.co.uk 

37

2120 Estuary Life Advert_CK Mersea Life Advert 14/04/2012 14:19 Page 3 

April 12 A5 Peldon Advert ELITE:Layout 1 27/4/12 06:09 Page 1 

The 

Peldon Rose 

Famous for our food 

& our hospitality 

UNIQUE 

FISH BAR 

KEBABS & BURGERS 

MONDAY – THURSDAY 12:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 22:30 

FRIDAY – SATURDAY 12:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 23:00 

SUNDAY CLOSED 16:00 – 22:00 

If you appreciate fine dining, traditional 

service and seasonal ambience then 

you’ll love The Peldon Rose – the famous 

Essex Coaching Inn that has stood 

majestically on the approach to Mersea 

Island since the 15th century. 

Our Restaurant 

Dining with us is relaxed and affordable, 

discover how we use the best locally 

sourced ingredients to create exciting and 

different flavours. Our award-winning 

restaurant offers exciting menus designed 

by our experienced team of chefs and all 

delivered by our welcoming staff. 

Food served everyday. 

Book a table on 01206 735 248 

or for further information please see 

www.thepeldonrose.com 

www.thepeldonrose.com | Reservations: 01206 735 248 

10% 

reduction on 

all food... 

Monday to Friday 

on production 

of this voucher 

OPENING TIMES: 

MONDAY TO SATURDAY 12 NOON - 10PM 

CLOSED SUNDAY 

FISH & CHIPS 

KEBABS, MEAL DEALS, BURGERS, 

PIES, EXTRAS, SIDES & DRINKS 

PHONE ORDERS WELCOME 

01206 386 773 

BOTTLE OF SOFT DRINK FREE WHEN YOU SPEND £20 OR MORE 

10 CHURCH ROAD, WEST MERSEA, COLCHESTER CO5 8QH 

1 Fried Crispy Seaweed with Grated Scallops.............. 4.40 

2 Honey Roasted Spare Ribs (4).................................. 5.70 

3 Sesame Prawns on Toast (4) .................................... 4.70 

5 Sweet & Sour Fried Wan Tun (Minced Prawn) (8).... 4.70 

6 Crispy Spring Rolls (4).............................................. 3.30 

7 Hot & Spicy Spare Ribs................................................ 5.70 

7a Hot & Spicy Pork Chunks.............................................. 5.70 

8 Crispy Prawn Crackers................................................ 1.50 

8a Grilled Peking Dumplings (Minced Pork) (4)............ 5.10 

9 Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings ...................................... 4.70 

10 Japanese King Prawns in Breadcrumbs (4).............. 6.00 

11 Capital Spare Ribs in Oriental Sauce........................ 5.70 

13 Satay Chicken on Skewer (4).................................... 5.20 

V1 Vegetarian Spring Rolls (4) ...................................... 3.30 

19 Crispy Aromatic Szechaun Duck 

Quarter (6 pancakes) .............................................. 8.50 

Half (10 pancakes).................................................... 16.50 

Chips ..................................................................................1.90 

Curry Sauce................................................................................ 1.50 

Sweet & Sour Sauce .......................................................... 1.50 

20 Duck in Orange Sauce................................................ 6.00 

21 Roast Duck Cantonese Style.................................... 6.00 

22 Roast Duck with Pineapple...................................... 6.00 

23 Grilled Chicken Peking Style...................................... 5.30 

24 Chicken & Cashew Nuts in Yellow Bean Sauce.......... 5.30 

25 Kung Po Chilli Chicken.............................................. 5.30 

26 Chicken with Mushrooms.......................................... 5.30 

27 Chicken in Black Bean Sauce........................................ 5.30 

29 Sweet & Sour Chicken in Batter ................................ 5.30 

29a Sweet & Sour Chicken Cantonese Style...................... 5.30 

30 Chicken in Lemon Sauce.............................................. 5.30 

31 Chicken with Pineapple.............................................. 5.30 

32 Chicken in Chilli Bean Sauce...................................... 5.30 

78 Special Fried Rice........................................................ 3.10 

79 Chicken Fried Rice.......................................................... 3.10 

81 Egg Fried Rice.......................................................... 2.50 

82 Steamed Rice ............................................................ 2.50 

82a Plain Chow Mein with Beanshoots .......................... 4.00 

83 Special Chow Mein .................................................... 4.60 

84 Chicken Chow Mein.................................................. 4.60 

85 Sliced Beef Chow Mein.............................................. 4.60 

88 Singapore Fried Noodles .......................................... 5.80 

34 King Prawns in Chilli Sauce...................................... 6.00 

35 Hot & Sour Prawns Szechaun Style.......................... 6.00 

37 Sweet & Sour King Prawn in Batter ........................ 6.00 

38 Hot & Spicy Deep Fried Squid.................................. 6.00 

38a Salt & Pepper Deep Fried King Prawns.................... 6.00 

39 King Prawns in Black Bean Sauce............................ 6.00 

40 King Prawns with Cashew Nuts .............................. 6.00 

41 King Prawns in Spicy Oriental Sauce ...................... 6.00 

44 King Prawns in Lemon Sauce...................................... 6.00 

45 Squid in Black Bean Sauce........................................ 6.00 

46 Squid with Ginger & Spring Onion.......................... 6.00 

47 Sweet & Sour Pork Cantonese Style .......................... 5.30 

49 Cantonese Roast Pork................................................ 5.30 

49a Capital Pork Chunks in Oriental Sauce...................... 5.70 

50 Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef ...................................... 5.70 

52 Sliced Beef in Oyster Sauce...................................... 5.50 

53 Sliced Beef in Black Bean Sauce................................ 5.50 

54 Sliced Beef with Mushrooms.................................. 5.50 

55 Sliced Beef with Mixed Vegetables.......................... 5.50 

56 Hot & Spicy Sliced Beef ............................................ 5.50 

56b Sliced Beef with Broccoli in Oyster Sauce................ 5.50 

57 Mange Tout with Chinese Mushrooms ...................... 4.10 

58 Szechaun Assorted Vegetables .................................. 3.70 

59 Braised Four Vegetables............................................ 3.70 

60 Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables...................................... 3.70 

61 Stir-fried Beanshoots................................................ 3.50 

62 Stir-fried Mushrooms with Onions............................ 3.70 

V5 Pak Choi in Oyster Sauce.......................................... 4.80 

V10 Broccoli in Ginger...................................................... 4.10 

66 King Prawns in Rich Garlic Sauce.............................. 6.00 

67 Sliced Chicken in Satay Sauce.................................... 5.30 

68 Beef with Ginger & Spring Onion.............................. 5.50 

69a Chicken in Oriental Sauce .......................................... 5.30 

70 Chicken Curry.............................................................. 5.30 

71 Beef Curry............................................................ 5.50 

73 King Prawn Curry.................................................. 6.00 

73a Mixed Vegetable Curry.............................................. 4.10 

74 Chicken Chop Suey.................................................. 5.30 

75 Beef Chop Suey........................................................ 5.50 

77 King Prawn Chop Suey............................................ 6.00 

Telephone (01206) 386363 

13 High Street, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex CO5 8QD 

To view or download the full takeaway menu, please visit 

www.chinakitchen.biz 

The Victory at Mersea 

The Victory at Mersea 

Coast Road 

West Mersea 

CO5 8LS 

Tel: 01206 382907 

www.victoryatmersea.com 

• “Rainy Days and Monday always get you down” - If it rains on The Victory on a Monday during May 

and June* between 9am and 6pm bring this voucher to The Victory and we will give you 10% off your food bill. 

*excluding bank holidays 

• “Stay with me” During May and June stay for 3 nights and only pay for 2 (Sunday to Thursday only) 

• “Friday on my mind” Come to The Victory on the last Friday of the month and enjoy a free buffet and 

Fizzy Friday – half price bubbly - starts 25th May 

• “Simply the best” On the first Friday of the month starting 1st June come along and tempt those taste buds 

with Annie’s gourmet fayre. Booking essential 

• “With a little help from your friends” Bring along friends who have never eaten at The Victory before 

and we will give you 4 x main courses for the price of 3. Monday to Friday only during May and June*. 

• “We are the Champions” Amazing Queen Tribute band Crown and Glory playing for the Jubilee on 

Sunday 3rd June from 8pm 

• “Nobody does it better” Watch the Jubilee celebrations unfold live on the big screen (hopefully in the 

garden) including “Party in the Park” 

• “Football Crazy” Watch the Euro 2012 cup games, enjoy country related snacks, sweepstakes and quick 

service, first match 8th June 

Follow us on Facebook and 

“Come on over to our place” 

We are “Singing in the Rain” 

at The Victory with our 

Summer Promotions 

“If music be the food of love” 

...It’s a great place to sink (or sing) a few 



39

110 Coast Road, West Mersea Tel: 01206 386061 

LOCAL FRESH CATCH FISH & CHIPS, 

EAT IN OR TAKE AWAY 

SUMMER LATE WEEKEND OPENING (WEATHER 

PERMITTING) DURING SCHOOL SUMMER HOLIDAYS 

POPULAR MUSSEL PAN 

COMING SOON 

BOOKING ADVISABLE 

Licensed 

Excellent Home Cooked Menu at sensible prices! 

“Come and enjoy our fabulous sea views, 

with a glass of wine or a cold beer!” 

Regatta Matters From Chrissie Westgate - Commodore 

On Tuesday 5th June, Jubilee Day, West Mersea Town Regatta’s very own 

royal barge was launched. This boat is made entirely from recycled materials 

and with great skill and dedication. The craftsmen whose ages total over 600 

years, were John Milgate, Ralph Merry, Sid Sherwood, Eddie Meayers, Eric 

Milgate, Denis Hatherly, Bobby Deal, and Frank Thompson. Mersea Island and 

the West Mersea Town Regatta Committee are totally indebted to them all. 

The barge was launched in spectacular style from Wyatt’s hard at midday. Over 

150 people gathered to drink champagne [courtesy of the Regatta Committee] 

and had the opportunity to eat Oysters [courtesy of Richard, Heather and Caz 

Howard of the Company Shed] It really was fantastic to see so many people 

come to watch this incredible boat launched. 

Liz Morris was given the honour of naming the boat ‘Mermaid of Mersea’. Liz 

poured champagne over the bow to appease King Neptune and placed green 

leaves on board to ensure she always has a safe return. Mermaid of Mersea 

is going to be used this year to promote the West Mersea Town Regatta at 

various events. She is also going to be used at our Regatta on the 25th August 

- so make sure you are there to see just how. 

On 10th June we held another ‘Skilled Sculling’ session at The Nothe. What 

a joyous few hours we spent with a very calm tide and yes, some sunshine! It 

was fantastic to see, at one point, 7 children, on their own, sculling effi ciently 

and independently. These children have come a long way from the initial 

session, when adult’s hands were placed on top of theirs to guide and 

encourage. Well done to everyone! The next ‘Skilled Sculling’ session will be 

on 8th July at 4pm. There will be a special treat in store this day, as Johnny 

Milgate, mastermind and facilitator of the West Mersea Town Regatta Regatta 

Royal Barge is going to bring her to ‘The Nothe’ and all of the children who 

have joined in with the sculling will be given an opportunity to row her. This is 

going to one very special occasion and everyone is welcome to come along! 

Any offer of help on Regatta Saturday is always appreciated and if anyone 

thinks they can assist, perhaps by shaking a bucket and collecting for the 

fi reworks at the display, then please contact me, Chrissie Westgate, on 01206 

384315 or chrissie.westgate@btinternet.com. Don’t forget to put the dates 

of the Cobmarsh Marathon, Saturday 5th August and West Mersea Town 

‘JUBILEE’ Regatta in your diaries - 25th August Noon - Midnight. 

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MICA News 

Thinking of holding a party, concert, 

dance etc? Remember that the MICA 

Centre has a main hall and small 

hall available for hire at competitive 

rates. We have an extendable stage, 

extensive stage lighting and a fully 

licensed bar, together with a fully 

fi tted kitchen for catering purposes. 

Coming Soon – Mobility and 

Motion Classes. This group class 

is ideal for people of all ages with 

movement restriction problems. 

Working with safe and gentle 

movement around all joints, the 

class focuses on increasing range of 

motion and stability around the joints 

leading to better movement, better 

circulation and improved posture. 

If you suffer from acute or chronic 

injuries, poor posture, poor stability, 

poor mobility and poor circulation or 

are looking to get back in to exercise 

after a break from it this can help you. 

The MICA centres 2nd Annual team 

rowing challenge will be taking 

place on the evening of Friday 21st 

September. 

For further information on how to 

enter your team contact the MICA on 

01206 384656. 

Gym News 

A 1-monthly saver card (£25) is now 

available to complement our range 

of monthly saver cards. These saver 

cards are excellent value and entitle 

you to unlimited gym and sauna use. 

1 monthly card £25 

Bronze - 3 monthly card £70 

Silver - 6 monthly card £120 

Gold - 12 monthly card £190 

Mersea Island Film Society 

The society is non-profi t making and 

Membership is still only £20 per year, 

so less than £2 per fi lm and we try 

to create not only a superb cinema 

experience but also a social occasion 

at every showing. Films are shown 

here at the MICA and the remaining 

fi lms for 2012 are listed below and 

shown on a large screen with superb 

equipment, which gives a true HD 

experience with great sound quality. 

Doors & Bar open 7.30pm - fi lms 

start at 8pm. Membership forms 

are available at the MICA desk or by 

ringing Hilary & Jon Bower on 01206 

384232 or just turn up on the night. 

Remaining fi lms for 2012: 

27th July: Water for Elephants 

August: No Film 

28th September: The Kings Speech 

26th October: A private Function 

23rd Nov: The Adventures of Tin Tin 

14th December: White Christmas 

Friday Night Ceilidhs at the MICA 

If you missed the fi rst Friday Ceilidh 

club don’t worry - the next is on Friday 

20th July in the MICA, 8 - 11pm. 

What is a Ceilidh? The original 

meaning comes from the Scottish/ 

Irish tradition and denotes a 

gathering for dancing, song, poetry 

and story telling. For us the word 

is synonymous with the term ‘barn 

dance’ meaning lots of dancing. 

Every so often during the evening 

there will be songs to delight the ear 

and give the audience members time 

to get their breath back. 

Isn’t barn dancing for old folk and 

for children? Barn dancing is for 

everyone whatever age. 

Do I need to know how to dance? No. 

Calling? The caller is the person in 

front and explains the dances to the 

dancers when they do an initial walk 

through and then keeps them on 

track as they dance to the music. 

What sort of music? The music is 

lively and fun and is provided by 

members of the fabulous Regatta 

Ceilidh Band led by Greg Dunn. 

It’s a club. Do I have to join? No one 

has to join - its not like that. Tickets 

cost £5 - on sale at the MICA centre. 

Why is it called the First Friday 

Ceilidh Club? The intention was that 

the dances would be held on the fi rst 

Friday of each month but for June 

and July we have been unable to 

manage this. There’s no dance in 

August but in September the date is 

7th. October – 5th, November – 2nd 

and the special Christmas Ceilidh 

on Saturday 8th December with the 

Regatta Ceilidh band. 

Why should I come? Come along 

because you will have a wonderful 

evening. The bar is open and coffee 

tea and cakes are also available. 

What’s on in July 

Friday 6th July, MIYPS ‘Little Shop 

of Horrors’ and Saturday 7th both 

Matinee and evening performances). 

Tickets - Adults £8, Children £4. 

Available from MICA centre. 

Saturday 14th July - Mersea Island 

Chorus Summer Concert - tickets £10 

available from the MICA centre. 

Friday 20th July – Ceilidh Evening - 

tickets £5 available from MICA centre. 

Friday 27th July – Mersea Island Film 

Society ‘Water for Elephants’. 



41

Chris Tappin 

Last month I mentioned my interest 

in Chris, the British businessman 

who was handed over to the US 

authorities without any evidence 

against him being presented in British 

courts. I have since received another 

newsletter – easier now that he 

has been released on bail, but with 

electronic monitoring. Can you even 

begin to imagine what would happen 

were a US citizen to be imprisoned 

over here in similar circumstances? 

While remanded to a US prison Chris 

had to face: 

Disturbed sleep, doors slamming, 

lights and air-conditioning constantly 

on, access to the Consulate denied, 

being one of only two white collar 

prisoners – the other seven thousand 

serving sentences for violent and 

drug-related crimes. 

One thing that about his situation that 

really worries Chris is his certainty 

that he has been treated like this in 

order to weaken his resolve to plead 

his innocence. The business of pleabargaining, 

so prevalent in the States, 

results in innocent parties pleading 

guilty, and receiving a relatively short 

sentence, rather than risking a guilty 

verdict despite a plea of innocence, 

then facing a very severe sentence. 

It’s as if the system there resents 

pleas of innocence as some sort of 

challenge which must be punished. 

Some system of justice; as a local 

businessman friend put it, Chris’s 

case – he was trapped by a US 

government sting operation – will 

make people wary of doing business 

with America. 

East Mersea 

Thefts, a few weeks ago, from a 

caravan and from two houses off the 

main road suggest that thieves fi nd 

it easy to target quieter locations 

in the village. If we see unfamiliar 

vehicles, especially away from the 

mainstream of local and holiday 

Unbeatable 

Prices 

Life up East From Peter Inson 

traffi c, we can at least smile or let 

the driver see a friendly wave, letting 

him or her know that they have been 

noticed. Then we can phone..... and 

pass on information to the police. 

It may well be that the vehicle will 

be known to them and that further 

action will follow. Why, I often wonder, 

are people who use motor vehicles 

to carry out crime not banned from 

driving? 

The fi rst horse show this year was 

something of a tribute to Dougie 

Green whose family continue to run 

these occasions. There was a good 

turn-out and it was clear that riders 

and their families were thoroughly 

enjoying themselves. There was a 

great deal to entertain spectators as 

well as riders, with two rings to watch. 

Donna Moncur, Dougie’s daughter, 

was especially pleased that a number 

of riders from the island won awards. 

The class winners were: 

Leah Baines – Alfie 

Bethany Barber – Hearnes Brook Meteor 

Rhiannon Boyle – Jack 

Kirby Byrne – Blueboy Brooke 

Josephone Ely – Ben 

Robyn Enright – Barley Bear 

Molly Fairley – The Undecided 

Aimee Higgins - Blackie 

Bronte Highfield – Rhydycar Miss Poppy 

Jennifer Mansfi eld – Jenna’s Gem 

George Mayson - Cracker 

Donna Moncur – Mersea Blueberry 

Daisy Moore - Serendipty 

Amy Partner – The Cheek Of It 

Imogen Rust – May Day 

Curtis Tyler- Beauty’s Ebony 

Elise White – Billy 

The East Mersea Horse Show raised 

some £350 which it is donating to 

North East Essex Horse Sanctuary 

near Brightlingsea, a favourite of 

Debbie Moncur’s father Dougie Green 

who died last year. This was the fi rst 

show to be run without him. 

Coned off. After a short break we 

returned to familiar surroundings – 

crossing The Strood is a welcome 

reminder that we are nearly home. 

There was the little red lighthouse at 

the top of Chapmans Lane, warning 

motorists to keep clear of the hidden 

depths of Lake Haycocks. But, what’s 

this? Other warning beacons are 

no longer keeping watch over the 

pot-holes. Then we realise that they 

have been replaced with dollops of 

tarmacadam. 

Was it because a former chairman 

of the parish council warned the 

council at the beginning of April, was 

it because in May angry neighbours 

pursued the council over a car wheel, 

broken in one hole as they avoided 

oncoming traffi c at night? Was it 

because there was a barrowful of 

the black stuff left over from another 

job, was it out of embarrassment with 

so many reminders of the council’s 

responsibility or was it because, as I 

was told, a councillor had damaged 

his car in one of the pot-holes? 

Anyway, we should thank neighbours 

who provided cones, suggested 

where they could be found, suggested 

where they were needed, replaced 

them when they were abused. 

Despite the contractors making off 

with some of our cones we can if 

necessary return to the offensive. In 

the meantime our friends down West 

might like to borrow our spares. 

Food and Drink Festival. You may 

remember the weekend of the 

festival – one of the many thoroughly 

wet ones; some of us Jeremiahs 

wondered how things would turn out. 

Well, the visitors were not deterred 

and around six thousand attended the 

fi rst day and about fi fteen hundred on 

the second. Perhaps the organisers 

have found an effective way to 

entertain and occupy visitors when 

the weather is bad – well done Bev, 

Roger and Richard. 

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BCP concert 

Following the success of the concert last year to celebrate four hundred years 

of the King James Bible, another concert will be held in East Mersea Church on 

Saturday October 27th to celebrate the three hundred and fi ftieth anniversary 

of the Book of Common Prayer. Not only has this book provided virtually all 

the services in the Anglican Church until recent times, but parts of it have been 

adopted by other churches and the richness of its language and ideas have 

made their way into the English language. Further details next month. 

The parking season is with us again. Rather than pay the modest fee at Cudmore 

Grove, from where there is easy access to the sea-wall, the saltings and the beach, 

some visitors ignore parking restrictions and try to cram themselves into access 

private routes and across footpaths. We need to remind ourselves, and our visitors, 

that a few years ago an ambulance en route to a resident who had been taken ill 

was held up by inconsiderate parking. 

Word reached me just recently that not all households in East Mersea received 

invitations to the jubilee celebrations in the village hall. If this is true then it is 

something for us to be embarrassed about and I would be pleased to hear from 

anyone who was left out. 

English classes 

It’s diffi cult not to be aware of concerns about the standard of English amongst 

young adults; employers’ organisations as well as university admissions offi cers 

are reported regularly despairing of young people’s diffi culties when it comes to 

constructing sentences and expressing themselves clearly and accurately. Few 

of us have trouble saying what we mean, but getting things right when we have 

to set them out in writing is more diffi cult. Writing well is very important because 

it is a more permanent form of the language, one that requires a deal more 

thought and care. If we cannot write well we are considered poorly educated 

and opportunities are denied us. 

For a while now I have been trying to do something about this. I know only too 

well how, having failed at school, for whatsoever reasons, young people are 

understandably resentful and embarrassed. I particularly disliked my English 

teacher and the books he expected us to read and failed English literature 

The View From Coast Road By Greg Dunn 

I’m busily preparing for the JP Morgan Round the 

Island Race, and fi lled with anticipation (and not a 

little trepidation), but by the time this Mersea Life is 

published, we’ll have sunk, swum or made it round 

the Isle of Wight on 30th July. The plan is to cross the 

Thames Estuary at speeds of up to forty knots, if the 

toll booths on the Kent side of the Dartford Crossing are 

clear. 

I’ve managed to avoid the ruinous craneage charges 

levied on the Solent by invoking my great friend and 

consummate welder, Ray Glover, to use his electric 

glue pot to best effect and marry a big (and I do mean 

big) launching trolley to a double-axle road trailer. Given 

the road trailer chassis was shorter than the launching 

trolley by two critical feet, it seemed unfeasible, but I 

bullied Ray into trying it. All went well as I positioned 

my wonderful new submersible boat-recovery system at 

the bottom of the Hard, by the scrubbing posts, headed 

into the ebb tide. But there hatched in my mind the 

suspicion that I had all the ducks lined up for a classic 

gongoozling episode: a perfect day, beam on to the 

Yacht Club (to provide a spectacle for late luncheon 

diners) and a completely untried piece of kit! 

Gongoozling, dear reader, is the bane of the boatman’s 

existence. Put simply, if no one else is about, one is 

sure of executing the perfect manoeuvre, be it picking 

up the mooring, sailing into a marina or, well, fl oating a 

keelboat onto a trolley. However, if anyone is watching, 

they are engaging in the act of gongoozling – the 

almost wilful conversion of Murphy’s Law to result 

in something defi nitely going wrong. And the more 

gongoozlers there are, the greater the spectacle the 

hapless boatman will make of himself. 

After Black Diamond was safely located in the arms 

of the submersible trailer, the fl oorshow was slow to 

start, and I must admit that I wasn’t the fi rst to see it. 

which I had to retake at the age of twenty-six. As soon as I started teaching 

I resolved to do two things: aim only for high standards and encourage 

all students to believe that they could be successful and independent in 

understanding and using English. 

If we understand something, a machine perhaps, we can use it better. I am 

writing a user’s manual for English which shows how the language works and 

helps students to see what they need to do to use the language well. It is rather 

different from the usual sort of school text book, using running gags about 

the teacher, for example. It is a serious business but I have always been able 

to persuade my students that they can go beyond a reasonable standard of 

achievement and surprise themselves. At the same time, I have marked public 

examination papers, O-level, A-level, and International Baccalaureate, and have 

also written a more conventional text book which Heinemann published last 

year. Now I am backing a return to O-levels. 

This is where readers can help. I need some helpers to test and check some 

of the material I have written for this manual; you can fi nd a taster at: http:// 

peterinson.net/page12.html. I would like to offer four free sample lessons to 

anyone who would like to join a group to test these materials. In return I would 

offer help, advice and encouragement to any volunteers, whether they are 

thirteen or thirty or more. If you are interested, please contact me so that I can 

plan times and a venue. (tel: 382010. peterinson@yahoo.co.uk) 

dunno A review of my fi rst novel appears elsewhere in this issue of Mersea 

Life. A recent order from a wholesaler, the fi rst for fi ve years, indicates a revival 

of interest in a book which deals with a topic that is never out of the news for 

long, the matter of boys whose fathers have walked out. If any of our local book 

clubs would like to hear more of how and why I came to write dunno I would be 

pleased to hear from them. 

Contact: Tel: 01206 382010 

Mobile: 07766 595 324 

Web: www.peterinson.net. 

Post: ‘Swallows’, 6 Dormy Houses, East Road, East Mersea, Colchester, 

Essex CO5 8UW 

But having returned to my ledgers, awaiting the fall 

of the tide, that sixth sense kicked in, and I glanced 

at my pride and joy out of the offi ce window. Her bow 

was pointing on a trajectory roughly two thousand 

feet above Peldon, the two critical feet of trailer length 

meaning I had loaded one ton of boat and its centre of 

gravity aft of the rear axle! To make it worse, what the 

gongoozlers the length of Coast Road car park and the 

hammerhead didn’t know, and I did, was that she had 

half a ton of water sloshing round in her bilges that had 

all run aft, threatening to break her back as the tide 

receded. 

Emergency measure were called for, so I press-ganged 

persons, whose number and names shall remain 

undisclosed, to act as, um, ‘ballast’ at the sharp end of 

the boat, to pull the front end of the trailer back down, 

while I pumped like a mad thing. Phew, it worked, but 

it did provide the splendid spectacle that such a public 

product testing always guarantees. 

Plans for Mersea Week and the Town Regatta are 

coming together very well, and this Diamond Jubilee 

year promises to be absolutely fantastic. However, the 

one resource we are short of for both events is safety 

boat crew. Time was that you became a competent 

seaman by not drowning, but the perfect storm created 

by the nanny state and a no-win-no-fee, ambulancechasing 

legal system has resulted in some overpaid 

consultant advising the RYA that the optimum ratio is 

one safety boat (crew of two) for every six dinghies. 

And that’s why we’re struggling, as we are expecting 

what will probably be our biggest dinghy fl eet ever. So 

if you can possibly help out, please volunteer to either 

Graham Frost, if you know him, or me, and I’m upstairs 

from Estuary Life at 110 Coast Road, so you’ll get the 

added bonus of seeing for yourself the actual View from 

Coast Road!) 

The Zone Team 

From Carys Handley 

Following the success of our fi rst 

hand in hand day, this month we 

plan to tackle footpaths a follies! 

In June we cut back and cleaned 

over 50 road signs in the zone 

after a number of complaints 

and comments from residents. 

Residents worked with us ‘hand 

in hand’ to clean and clear the 

signs near to their house. So, if 

you love where you with come and 

lend a hand on Thursday 26th July 

to cut back and tidy the footpaths 

near you. If your garden backs 

on to a footpath, please cut back 

any escaping plants or just gather 

your garden tools and roll up your 

sleeves and tackle an overgrown 

folly near you! 

Please let us know which 

footpaths you will tackle or any 

that need our attention. The 

zone wardens have also secured 

funding to set up ‘coffee and chat’ 

sessions in the villages of Peldon, 

Abberton, Fingringhoe and Layer 

de la Haye. These sessions are 

open to all and will be a chance 

to meet the zone wardens, fi nd 

out about the services the council 

offer and enjoy a cuppa with your 

neighbours. These sessions will 

start in August and take place 

monthly. Please call to book a 

place. 



43

Mersea - Bygone Days From Ron Green 

I started at West Mersea Council School as it was then called, after Easter 

1937. The boy sitting next to me was a real pest and kept pulling my ears. 

After the fi rst term and holiday some new children came in and I had a new 

partner at my desk, his name was Sidney Sherwood, a quiet friendly boy. 

Sid and I had a lot in common, we both lived in the Barfi eld Road council 

houses and our dads both played in the Mersea band, Alf Sherwood an ex. 

military bandsman played cornet and my dad Les played trombone. Sid and 

I used to go along to the brotherhood meetings at the British Legion hall on 

Sunday afternoons to hear our dads play. 

I was pleased to hear from Sid that he still has his dad’s cornet as I still have 

my dad’s trombone. Maybe in a future season our museum could feature the 

Mersea band, or bands even, as there have been others since the 1930s. 

Sid and I both left school at 14 and started apprenticeships in the building 

trade. I went to Clifford White & Co to do bricklaying, Sid went to A Tredgett & 

Co to learn carpentry and we are still doing a bit. 

Another thing we have in common is that we both have a wonderful wife and 

family. Last February mine treated me to a fabulous 80th birthday party at the 

Dabchicks and several of my old school friends were there - including Sid of 

course. 

On the last Sunday in May it was Sid’s turn to celebrate his 80th birthday 

and what a party at was. Sid and Josie have a bungalow in Stanway with an 

adjoining fi eld and a large marquee was set up. About a dozen large tables 

were covered with cloths decorated round the edges with beach huts and sea 

shells were laid in the centre. The marquee walls were draped with fishing 

nets, seaweed and model yachts creating a real Mersea atmosphere. 

After a wonderful meal, sons Andy, David and fellow musicians entertained 

us with country and western style music. Sid told me this is quite a new band 

and although I have never played an instrument myself I consider I’m very 

musical and I really enjoyed this band. After another interval some other 

musicians appeared forming the other band Saltdog. Although I’ve heard of 

this band I’ve never actually heard them play. The volume was really turned 

up and and my poor old ears took a hammering but I had to stop and listen 

while others went to a quieter area. One of my contemporaries thought his 

hearing aid was about to explode. This is a great band and as well as being a 

fine musician Andy is a great entertainer. 

Sid’s granddaugher Daisy and my grandson Charlie Fisher were performing 

together with Josh at the food festival last week-end. I’m sorry I missed them 

but glad to hear the music is still coming along. 

I hope Alf and Les would approve but I can’t think what they would make of 

the amplifi cation. They probably never even used a microphone in their days. 

The Dawn 

At last we have seen the programme showing the Sailing barge DAWN 

taking her cargo of baled straw to London and it was well worth the wait. 

Mersea Island 

Horticultural Society 

Plans are well in hand for the society’s summer show on Saturday 11th 

August.at the MICA Centre - 1.30pm until approx. 4.30pm. Admission 

50p. Plant sale, photo display and stalls. Refreshments until 4pm. The 

show is open to members and non-members of the society, and we 

would be pleased to see more entries from non-members and children, 

in particular. 

For more details of the show, please contact show secretary Diane 

Groom on 01206 384594 or her assistant Lindsey Lockhart on 01206 

383425. 

Once again there will be 2 rooms in use, to allow space for 

refreshments and a host of varying stalls. There are still a few spaces 

available, and stallholders are asked to contact Judith Wingar on 

01206 382179 for details of booking as soon as possible. The basic 

cost of a stall is £7. 

The progamme started with skipper Gerrard Swift taking the barge into 

the remote Walton Backwaters to pick up presenter Griff Rhys Jones from 

Landermere Quay close to his home. In the old days many a Stackie, as 

they were called, sailed from Landermere to London with hay and straw for 

the horses and DAWN was going to show how it was done. 

The next port of call was Fingringhoe Ballast Quay to load bagged sand 

to ballast the barge. then to the River Blackwater which brought back 

memories for Griff as he sailed here as a boy when his father kept a yacht at 

West Mersea. 

DAWN was going up Salcott Creek to Abbotts Hall Quay, another remote 

spot, to load a deck cargo of straw bales and we saw how versatile these 

vessels were in shallow creeks as Gerrard brought her alongside the little 

jetty. A wagon loaded with bales and pulled by a pair on Suffolk Punch 

horses came down the lane and soon the loading started, this was followed 

by two tractors with loaded trailers to speed things up. 

With half the load on the tide was falling away and not wanting the barge 

to go aground Gerrard took DAWN away to deeper water and the rest of 

the stack went on next day. Sailing up London River with a deck cargo well 

over head height is a tricky business and Gerrard standing at the wheel had 

to rely on the crew for guidance. In the old days the river was much more 

crowded and there was no motor down below to help out in a tight spot. 

None of the old stackies had engines. 

DAWN duly arrived at St Kathrines Dock entrance. There’s usually an 

audience when a traditional vessel goes through. I have been through on 

an oyster smack and it makes you feel proud. Imagine how it felt to take a 

stackie through. A sight very few if any have witnessed before. 

We saw some old black and white footage of the docks in the days when 

they were crowded with sailing barges and I spotted DAWN’s younger sister 

LORD ROBERTS, launched from Cook & Woodward’s Maldon yard three 

years after DAWN in1900. A third, BRITISH KING followed in 1901. 

DAWN is now the sole survivor of the trio thanks to Gerrard’s father Gordon 

who formed a trust to save her from being broken up in Kent. She was 

rebuilt at Heybridge Basin with the help of a lottery grant. Another old 

Maldon stackie I spotted was READY. 

She was renamed MIROSA in Febuary 1946 when her name was sold to 

Trinity House for use on their new vessel. MIROSA, fi ve years older than 

DAWN is still sailing and has never had an engine. 

There are four other surviving stackies, ETHEL MAUD and VIOLET 

rebuilding in KENT, the Paglesham built ETHEL ADA and the little CYGNET 

built for farmer Walter Wrinch to carry small loads around Harwich, Ipswich 

etc. She is often seen in the Blackwater and is the oldest surviving working 

barge. 

I found Griff’s visit to the weapon testing site on Foulness Island interesting 

having put up with our doors and windows rattling with their explosions 

over the years. We saw the gun being fi red by a little man with a walrus 

moustache who cradled the high explosive shell like a new born baby. 

Griff also had a go at fi ring the gun. We saw the lattice mast used for testing 

aircraft ejector seats which I can see from my bedroom window on a clear 

day. I and Mersea Museum provided some of the stills for the programme. 

Mersea Island Scout Group 

Fundraising - Angela Gamble, Helen Amole 

The Summer Gardens Open Day is Wednesday 11th 

July 10am - 5pm. Programmes - £3 p/person - are 

available from The Jardiniere, Mrs Carvey - 53 St 

Peters Road and Angela Gamble- 49, East Road. 

A Ploughmans Lunch, pudding plus tea & coffee are 

available at a cost of £5, at 49 East Road noon - 2pm. 

Tea from 3.30pm - 5pm. 

Let us hope the weather is better than our Spring Opening! 



45

‘Dunno’ 

‘Dunno’ is a novel by Peter Inson – our very own East Mersea LIFE correspondent. A review of ‘Dunno’ follows and Peter is 

offering a signed copy of the novel as a competition prize (see page 28). 

‘Dunno’ Review - by Margaret Boreham, school librarian for 18 years - now retired 

This is a story that takes place over several months in the life of a teenage 

boy, Jon who lives in a world where security and love are absent. He has 

no father fi gure and lives miserably with his totally inadequate mother. 

He is a failure at school and unlikely to achieve at anything in life. He 

does not seem to have any friends, spends a lot of time on the streets. He 

truants from school regularly and gets involved in small time crime, bullying 

and violence. Small wonder then that, when we meet him, Jon has 

become what we recognize a disaffected teenager, a feral child. He fi nds it 

diffi cult to trust anyone 

especially adults. 

People in authority 

give him grief. They 

represent obstacles to 

be overcome making 

life and growing up 

well nigh impossible. 

When asked if the 

thought of going to 

court bothered him he 

replies:- “Dunno” Jon 

appreciated the word; 

it was always a good 

reliable way of shutting 

the bastards up. 

Peter Inson - book signing at Marylebone Station 

The subject matter 

of the book is tough, 

and it uses some equally tough language that most of today’s teenagers 

will recognize, and as such, does represent the all too real world of many 

vulnerable young people. There is hope, however, as Jonathan learns to 

survive his diffi cult circumstances. The fi rst adult that Jon meets he can 

trust in any way is Steve , a young nurse at the hospital, who treats Jon’s 

injuries after an attack. Steve succeeds where others have failed. As Jon 

explains:- The doctor’s question’s were diffi cult ….. Steve’s questions were 

all right – you could say what you really wanted. 

offers a ray of hope for those whose life seems hopeless. It does not deal 

in heroics but ordinary everyday situations that have the power to redeem. 

The writing style is fl uent and carries the storyline briskly along. Like the 

subject matter, it is not condescending to young people and can or even 

should be read equally by both adults and teenagers alike. 

The author is a retired Head Teacher and it is evident that he draws 

on his experience to present this story which is very true to life. It is a 

straightforward narrative that will appeal to teenagers and adults alike. The 

author exposes the communication gap between adults and young people 

and how misunderstandings so 

often occur. 

It also highlights how teenagers 

want to be treated and understood 

with respect, and how adults 

perceive that helping disaffected 

young people is frustrating and 

problematic. 

There is a stark realism and 

honesty about ‘Dunno’ that has 

quite a hard hitting impact which, 

I suspect, many teenagers will 

recognize and enjoy. It should 

be a compulsory read for anyone 

employed in working with young 

people whether they be parents, 

teachers, youth workers, probation 

offi cers or magistrates in juvenile 

courts. 

The Loft Gym 

Back To Basics 

Basic Nutrition 

There are fi ve nutrient groups and you may be 

surprised how many people don’t know these. 

Do you know them all? 

Carbohydrates - Pasta, Potatoes, bread, 

some in vegetables; 

Proteins - Chicken, fi sh, meats, eggs, dairy; 

Fats - good fats are in olive oil, nuts, seeds, 

avocadoes, oily fi sh; 

Harmful fats are in biscuits, cakes, pies and 

processed foods. 

Vitamins and Minerals – fruit and vegetables. 

A balanced diet of all fi ve is essential for 

health, fi tness and wellbeing but if carrying a 

bit too much weight is a problem you may want 

to look at how much you are eating of each 

and especially from the carbohydrate group 

because too many starchy carbs like bread, 

cereal, pasta, rice and potatoes if not burned 

off as energy will sit in your body as fat. 

Here’s a recipe for you to try that 

incorporates all that is good from the 

above, so give it a go. 

The ‘Big’ Salad 

Combine any and as much of the following: 

Mixed salad leaves 

Raw, sliced mushrooms 

Sugar snap peas 

Tomatoes 

Cucumber, sliced 

Roasted pine nuts (healthy fats) 

Raw broccoli fl orets 

Sweet peppers, chopped 

Avocado, chopped (healthy fats) 

Cooked chicken (protein) 

Jon is encouraged to go to the pub for drink with Steve and his friends 

and is encouraged to get a job that would help him escape his diffi cult life. 

Later on he meets some older men, Paul and Jimmy, who are decent men 

that accept Jon into their lives, encourage him and treat him with respect. 

Jon learns to take the opportunities offered to him and begins to make 

some changes in his life. 

The story is told in such a way that while the reader has sympathy for Jon, 

we can also empathize with the adults in the narrative, especially those 

who try to help him. It enables adults to have a greater awareness of the 

inner life of young people and exposes some of the ways we make life 

diffi cult for them. At the same time Jon’s experience shows how young 

people can learn to understand and relate to the adults around them and 

so make sense of their lives. ‘Dunno’ is a story despite being hard hitting, 

There’ certainly been plenty of 

interest in the 2012 summer 

exhibition at the museum. Chairman 

Joanne Godfrey, for instance, 

reported that there were 180 visitors 

on Bank Holiday Monday! 

A steady stream of visitors have 

been coming to the museum since 

it opened for the new season at the 

beginning of May, and there has been 

considerable interest in the special 

exhibition about the Mersea Barrow, 

on East Road, which was excavated 

just 100 years ago. The exhibition 

has a special display about the 

Barrow, giving plenty of information 

about this unique burial mound, and 

News from Mersea Island Museum 

this summer’s display also includes 

the original glass urn and cremated 

bones from the inner chamber of 

the Barrow. These were sent to 

Colchester for safe-keeping in 1912, 

and have been there ever since. 

They have been loaned to Mersea 

Island Museum for the summer. 

The museum committee is currently 

responsible for taking visitors into 

the Barrow, by appointment and it is 

hoped to arrange for maintenance 

work to be done to protect the Barrow 

for future generations. In addition, 

a special fund has been launched 

to raise enough money to have 

the cremated bones professionally 

analysed, to find out more details 

about this unusual burial. 

Within a month of the museum 

opening, some £250 had been raised, 

and this has continued to grow, with a 

collection jar included in the display. 

The museum again had a stall at 

the Mersea Festival, where the 

Barrow was featured amongst the 

photographic displays. This caused 

great interest amongst visitors to the 

stall and many people added their 

names to the list of people wanting to 

be taken into the Barrow to see it. 

The name of this summer’s exhibition 

is ‘Mersea’s Buried Secrets’ and 

includes a wide variety of displays on 

this theme, including ancient animal 

bones and there are special displays 

about salt-making, coastal wildlife, 

and various local companies. 

Following this theme, the museum has 

open weekends where visitors can 

bring their local fi nds to be identifi ed, if 

possible. These are on 28th & 29the 

July and 1st & 2nd September. Look 

out for more details. 

Meanwhile, the museum’s stand 

will be at the East Mersea fete on 

Saturday 4th August and the Regatta 

on Saturday 25 August. 

Summer Concert for the 

Queen’s Jubilee 

Although the actual Jubilee weekend has 

passed, there is no reason to stop celebrating 

the Queen’s Accession to the Throne – or 

indeed our heritage and status as an island 

race (Britain as well as Mersea, of course)! 

Come then to join the Mersea Island Chorus 

and friends on 14 July at 7.30 at MICA where 

tickets (£10 adults, £5 children) may be 

purchase for our Jubilee summer celebrations. 

You will experience a varied programme where 

we not only celebrate our Elizabeth II, but 

also the Jubilees of Queens Elizabeth I and 

Victoria, through words and music. We have 

fi ne choral items by Elgar, Edward German, 

Vaughan Williams and others; solo arias and 

quintets. We will be reminded of the role of 

the monarchy, seriously and amusingly, in the 

words of Shakespeare, McGonagall and the 

whimsical Alan Bennett. 

The funds from the Concert will be devoted 

to ‘Help for Heroes’ and in particular the new 

Recovery Centre in Colchester for those 

injured in Afghanistan. 

There is ample opportunity for you to 

exercise your lungs in well-known patriotic 

songs – and fl ags will be provided – along 

with refreshments. Please do not resist the 

temptation to come and join us! 

Storage Available 

For Boats, Cars and Furniture etc. 

From £18 per week 

Please call 01206 383235 

MOONDANCE 

In July the public gigs are the following: 

Peldon Rose 

5th and 19th August 

Coast Inn 

8th and 22nd August 

Homemade salad dressing – Virgin olive 

oil, fl axseed oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, 

chopped garlic, herbs. Mix up enough for 

several salads and keep in the fridge. 

Mix up and pour 

liberally over your 

salad. 

How about having 

all the above 

ingredients ready 

to throw into a 

bowl to eat at home or a Tupperware to take to 

work. Have enough prepared for two or three 

days so it is there fresh and ready when you 

are. 

This type 

of food 

is clean, 

simple, 

nutritional 

and 

portable. 



47

Crime Watch 

From Sarah Duke 

PCSO 8655 Mersea NPT North LPA 

Tel 101 Ext 433900 Mob: 07966 197265 

On the 1st June it was reported that a Yamaha 

scooter was stolen from an address in Queen Anne 

Rd, West Mersea. The scooter was found by a 

member of public later that morning at the Glebe 

playing fi eld. 

On the 3rd June it was reported that a games 

console had been stolen from an address in 

Carrington Court, West Mersea. The item was found 

to be at a 2nd hand store in Colchester. A local male 

has been arrested and charged for this offence. 

The same male has also been arrested and charged 

for the theft of power tools from a vehicle in Mill Rd 

as mentioned above. 

During the afternoon of 4th June there was a RTC 

involving two vehicles in Chapel Rd, Fingringhoe. 

No-one was injured. 

On the evening of 5th June there was a RTC in 

Colchester Rd, Langenhoe whereby a vehicle got 

driven into a tree. Fortunately the driver was not 

injured. 

On the 8th June it was found that approximately 

400 litres of heating oil had been stolen from a tank 

in Meeting Lane, East Mersea. Please make your oil 

tank as secure as possible as these type of offences 

continue to be committed across the county. 

Sometime between the 7th and 9th June garden 

furniture was stolen from a back garden in East 

Mersea Rd, West Mersea. 

On the 11th June a vehicle which had been stolen 

during a burglary on an estate in Colchester was 

found abandoned in the lay-by on Manwood Hill, 

Mersea Rd. 

During the evening of the 12th June a RTC occurred 

in Mersea Rd, Peldon involving a vehicle and a 

cyclist. Traffi c Offi cers from Colchester are following 

up enquiries. 

On the 13th June door to door sellers were 

canvassing across West Mersea. Please do not feel 

intimidated or pressured into buying items on your 

doorstep and do not invite these callers into your 

home. If you feel unsure or suspicious of any caller 

to your address, please call the Police. 

On the same day it was reported that, whilst moored 

off of Coast Rd, West Mersea, fuel had been 

siphoned out of a boats fuel tank and the tank refi lled 

with salt water. This has caused substantial damage. 

Also on the same day a garage in Haycocks Lane, 

West Mersea was reported damaged during an 

unsuccessful attempt to gain entry. No items were 

stolen. 

During the evening of the 13th June Police were 

called to a group of youths seen acting suspiciously 

on Shingle Point, Coast Rd. No offences have been 

reported or found. 

On the 14th June it was reported that a wheel chair 

had been stolen from a garage in Victory Rd, West 

Mersea. No other items were stolen. It is unknown 

when this occurred. 

If you have any information 

about these or any other 

crime, please don’t hesitate 

to contact Police on the 

above numbers. 

WEB WORLD 

From the comfort of your home! 

CONTACT US 

Estuary Life Ltd 

110 Coast Road, West Mersea CO5 8NA 

T: 01206 386666 enquiry@estuarylife.co.uk 

We publish 3 magazines being Maldon 

LIFE, Mersea LIFE and Tiptree LIFE. 

15,000 copies are produced - 14,000 

delivered door to door and the remainder 

left at 100+ locations in the region. Copy 

deadline is the 15th of each month. 

Please send letters, news items 

and events to the address above! 

Editor (Ralph Barton) 01206 386666 

Email: editor@estuarylife.co.uk 

Advertising: 

Karen Bagley 01206 386666 

01621 854333 

Email: 

ads@estuarylife.co.uk 

Artwork & Design: 

Karen Fisher 01621 855689 

07848 039392 

Email: designdesk@estuarylife.co.uk 

Accounts: 

Joy or Ralph 01206 386666 

www.estuarylife.co.uk 

All material is strictly copyright. Reproduction without permission is 

prohibited. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the 

views of the Editor. Every care is taken in compiling the contents and 

the publishers accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any 

misinformation, discrepancy, or detail which transpire to be incorrect, 

or any damage, loss, or injury arising from participation in any offer, 

competition, or advertisement contained herein. 

BEAUTY & HAIR 

BUILDERS & BUILDING SVCS 

48 For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666/383333 or email ads@estuarylife.co.uk | via web www.estuarylife.co.uk For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666/383333 or email ads@estuarylife.co.uk | via web www.estuarylife.co.uk 

49

ALL YOUR CLEANING 

Ovens ~ Carpets ~ Upholstery ~ Mattresses 

Spring Cleans ~ General Cleaning 

Car & Caravan Valets 

Insured & Experienced 

01621 852239 

07815 562091 

www.allyourcleaning.co.uk Established 10 years 

EDUCATIONAL & TUITION 

ELECTRICIANS 

Regrettably, due to the level of content once more in the magazine, we have had to leave the Gold List out for July. 

This will be addressed in time for our August issue but in the meantime you can download a copy of the Gold List at 

www.estuarylife.co.uk/life_advertisers.html Apologies to our advertisers and for inconvenience caused to our readers. 

HEALTH, FITNESS & WELLBEING 

Paediatric Occupational Therapy 

Helps children with: 

Handwriting • Sensory Processing Disorder 

• Coordination Difficulty • ADHD, Autistic Spectrum 

Assessment - Reports - Treatment 

Call Jenny Hughes Occupational Therapist 

07855 875981 email otjen@hotmail.co.uk 

COMPUTING & IT 

PAINT/DECORATE/HANDYMAN 

CURTAINS/BLINDS/AWNINGS 

CLEANING SERVICES 

CARPET UPHOLSTERY & CURTAIN CLEANING 

www.islandcarpetcleaning.co.uk 

• Domestic • Commercial 

• End of tenancy • Quick drying 

• Stain removal • All districts covered 

01206 385619 

FREE ESTIMATES 

MOB: 07778 931562 

DRIVING INSTRUCTION 

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First 2 hours @ £10 hour* 

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• Modern Dual Controlled Car • Friendly, Patient 

Instructor • Student & Block Booking Discount 

• Pass Plus Tuition • Refresher & Intensive Courses 

Call 07908 628168 www.crosswaydrivingschool.co.uk 

GARDENING / LANDSCAPING 

PLUMBING & HEATING 

TAXI / HIRE COMPANIES 

S N Whiting 

PAVING & GROUNDWORK 

Driveways ~ Extensions ~ Patios 

Conservatories ~ Forecourts 

Fencing 

Please contact Steve Whiting 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Tel: 01206 382644 Mob: 07970 017257 

Licensed Private Hire 

BASED ON MERSEA ISLAND 

Call DAVID on 

07411 731 257 

01206 382 067 

Taking you where you belong... 



51

52 For editorial call 01206 386666 | For advertising call 01206 386666/383333 or email ads@estuarylife.co.uk | via web www.estuarylife.co.uk

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