Heybridge Basin (Cannibal Island)

Click on underlined blue names for link to more details

Stories of some Basin Individuals

Joseph Going  Arthur Butcher  'Dilbury' Clark  'Darby' Stebbens  Tom Polden  Colin Brookes  Bruce Norton  Terry Swann Peter Tolfrey Cecil Stebbens

The earliest person known to live in the area was Captain Richard Tovee who had a Salt Business and Salt Pan (pond) in the area behind the present lockhouse, from a time previous to the canal opening. He was the first effective Lock Keeper and Harbour Master, also the first landlord of the 'Jolly Sailor'.

The first recorded death in the village was from the Woodcraft family, he is recorded to have drowned in a barrel of beer.

For many years the Village and it's residents were almost self sufficient, working on and providing the supplies for the ships using the Basin, with little need for anyone to venture outside to work. Fred Chaney said that when he got a job in Heybridge he was the first in his time and it was unheard of. He said when he walked through Heybridge local youngsters would make noises at him with their fingers in their mouths, suggesting he was a caniball.

Captain Thompson the Lock Keeper is famous for having a parrot with him everywhere.

'Joyful Peasey', lived aboard the sailing ship 'St George', for many years when it was moored off Osea and in the Basin before it was broken up by May & Butcher.

In 1898, villager Fred Perry was a great sportsman, he was not only Captain of the Heybridge Cricket Club, but Secretary and Treasurer of the Heybridge Football Club the Captain of which was Jimmy Woodcraft.

'Biddy', real name Thomas Byford. had a chicken business in Maldon. In the 50s he was living in part of the May and Butcher's buildings on the sea wall, now used by the Newham outdoor activity people. Later he lived in one of the three South View Cottages by the entrance to May and Butcher's yard. He died in January 1996.

Alfred 'Tish' Clarke earned his nickname because he had an accident when younger and when he walked his leg made the noise 'tish' each time.

Joseph 'Jokey' Willis always won at 'pitch hapenny' behind 'Rat Hall'.

Charles 'Framy' Clark's wife Martha was thought to be a witch by the village kids.

Terry Swann's father Horace 'Pappy' Swann for many years a manager at the family business R&T Swann factory in Braintree, was also a great sailor being one of the first to sail across the Atlantic after WW2.

In 1976 while Alf Woodcraft and Colin Brookes were rearching the village history, the subject of the past regatta's was discussed. Following this, after a break of nearly half a century, a Committee of five consisting of Cecil Stebbens, Colin Brookes, Arthur Holt, Tony and Tom Polden with co-operation of the publican of the Jolly Sailor Eric Priestly, the 'Basin Regatta', was re-introduced in 1977.