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Heybridge
Basin (Cannibal
Island) |
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An introduction
to this website |
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and the origin of
Heybridge Basin's nickname .... 'Cannibal Island' |
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My name is Colin Brookes.
In 1976 a friend Alf Woodcraft and I decided we would jointly
research the history of our village "Heybridge Basin', and
record it as there were a number of elderly residents from the
oldest village family's still alive. We interviewed them at great
length over several years giving us much information and the
loan of original pictures. I would like to list them here first
as all have now sadly passed on. |
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Alf and
Maud Woodcraft |
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Fred and
Jack Chaney |
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Mona,
Tulip, Dilbury and George Clark |
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Cecil
and Darby Stebbens |
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Dicky
'Doddler' and Corrie Springett |
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Our initial mode of operation
was that Alf would research the records at the Essex Records
Office in Chelmsford plus the Parish records, and I would do
the interviews and research the info from them. As the people
were all at the very least in their 70's, and mostly from family's
who had resided and worked in the village for almost it's total
existance, their comments were often from first hand experience.
Our first stumbling block was at the Records Office. We discovered
that some of the recorded information was just pure fiction with
no element of truth. It transpired that a young lady from Colchester
University had written a thesis on the area and the Canal, and
what she didn't know or find out she made up to complete it,
and unfortunately her misinformation was not only being utilised
by the Records Office but several others had taken details from
it for their own publications including the Maldon Plume School's
history teachings and MDC, ( it is believed the same person was
resposible for borrowing and the non return of the Maldon Fishery
records from the Customs Office in Maldon). I originally intended
to publish the history in book form in the late 1990's but a
family crisis and the passing away of my associate Alf prevented
this. Some of the research info gained by us was made available
to several other village residents by request who have used parts
of it in their own publications since that time. The time has
now come to publish our research. I decided on a website that
can be updated and amended, rather than a book which remains
permanent even if it contained incorrect information. |
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While every effort has
been made to ensure the subject matter is correct, any help for
adjustments, corrections and improvements in both text and added
pictures is always welcome and if accepted will be added at the
next update. |
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The Village |
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This is the story of 'Heybridge
Basin', a small Essex coastal village which for many years was
bounded only by the sea and marshy farmland with limited access
for entry and exit. At one time for a short period an attempt
was made to restrict access to the main 'Boro' Road by payment
of a toll. However this road had already been declared public
in the December 1815 Enclosures Act when purchased from the Dioceses
of St Paul. The land at the entrance from Goldhanger Road and
much of the surrounding area across to the Salt Works on the
seawall was eventually purchased by Bentall. |
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'Cannibal
Island' |
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At this early period there was
a considerable amount of smuggling going on in and around the
many small Essex coastal villages. It was rumoured that the Customs
and Revenue got wind of smuggling by the villagers, with contraband
being illegally brought ashore and distributed inland. The story
goes, that the two officers sent to investigate were found on
the beach with their throats cut, and of a further two sent nothing
but their clothes was ever found. And so began the legend of
the village's nickname 'Cannibal Island'. |
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Contact & Webmaster |
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The information and pictures
on this website must not be copied or redistributed without the
webmaster's written permission. |
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Colin Brookes.
colb@xtra.co.nz |
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