Heybridge Basin (Cannibal Island)

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The 'Jolly Sailor' public house

At the very end of Basin Road next to the seawall.

There are claims of it having been built about the same time or just after the 'Chelmer Brig', and some even before the canal was built, although no licencee was listed before 1822 and nothing to support this rumour. Note, the Tovee family were the earliest inhabitants of the village. The stables for the canal barge horses were behind the pub (not the line of garages in Tony Abbott's front garden as popularly believed, these were garages built in the 1930's when the pub was a garage/petrol station also).

1822-1855. Captain Edward Tovee. prop

1855-1861. John Robinson (son-in-law). prop

1861. Jane Robinson (wife). prop

1861. Mary Jane Robinson (daughter). prop

1862-1863. John Robinson. prop

1870-1878. Robert Rix. prop. (also a shipowner)

1878-1881. Charles Ryland. prop

1881-1894. William Steward. prop. (also a shoemaker)

1894-1933. Alfred 'Tish' Clark. prop

1933-1952. Jane Clark. prop

1952-1968. Mona Clark. prop

1968-1971. John Davis. prop

1971- . Eric Priestley. prop

Alfred “Tish” Clark, great grandson of John Clark, was succeeded by his wife JaneWoodcraft who it is claimed was the oldest licensee in England when she died in 1952. Their daughter Mona then ran the pub until 1968. Maud Woodcraft worked in the pub during the time of Alfred and his wife Jane.

(above) one of the earliest photographs of the 'Jolly Sailor' taken about 1890

(above) first major improvement with the front painted and the name painted on the seaward side to increase visibility for visiting ships at anchor in the Reach. A very high tide showing 'Rat Hall' almost under water. c1910.

(above) Tide out in this picture. The 9ft post is clearly visible behind 'Coody's' barge. Picture c1915.

(above) Outside the 'Jolly Sailor'. about 1890. 'L to R. 'Tish' Clark, 'Cocker' Clark. (unknown behind)

(above) Alf 'Tish' Clark in the doorway. L to R. 'Merce' Clark, visitor, 'Sia' Stebbens, 'Salter' Stebbens. c1920's.

(above) Edith and Gladys Clark. c1920's

(above) picture taken about the same time as the one above showing the Clark girls and and customers. c1920's

(above) the 'Jolly Sailor' on the extreme right, before the extention was built and before the wooden garages were built. 'Car For Hire' sign on front of pub. card is postmarked 1927,

(above) still with only the front painted but with the new side extention added. An unusual and rare picture showing not only the 'Car For Hire' sign, but when a retail petrol station and garage waas being run from the pub.Possibly late 1930's

(above) 1960.

(above) 1970's