Heybridge Basin (Cannibal Island)

 Click on underlined blue names for link to more details

 Basin Road

 Blackwater Timbers

 Almost opposite the entrance to 'May & Butcher' in Basin Road was the premises of 'Blackwater Timbers' 

 The land was owned previously by Arthur Butcher before joining up with 'Wally' Burr and forming 'Blackwater Timbers'. Arthur Butcher and Mr Blott bought huge quantities of ex-army tents and erected many for sale and auction in the open field. Many ended up in the early days of the creation of the Millbeach Camp Site.

 01 (above) many of the old army tents still in use at the 'Millbeach Camp Site'. Pictured here about 1950 - 51.

 'Blackwater Timbers' started off as a joint enterprise in 1946 by Arthur Butcher and Walter 'Wally' Burr. 'Wally' was also trading in Danbury under the name of 'English Timbers'. The two eventually seperated with 'Wally' carrying on until closing down in 1985. Margaret Burr continued to live in the house that was also held part of the original offices by the entrance.

 02 (above) an advert from 1958