Headlines, headlines Published this day February 13th (1974) Just over 50 years ago, but today the pier survives, but the early days were fraught too. More, The Struggle to Build Southend's First Pier www.essex100.com/product/stru... Bookshops or online

Once Upon a Time (1970) SEALINK Harwich to the Hook of Holland Today's service is by Stena

Princess Diana visits @barnardos.org.uk HQ in Barkingside on this day in 1985, meeting with staff, children and adoring locals 👑💐 Discover the story of Barnardo’s in the local area at Redbridge Museum: visionrcl.org.uk/museum

£7k for two duck signs but no ducks ever seen? The search is on. Well, my, my luvaducks (informal) an exclamation of surprise For #SignsOnSunday

Saturday, our occasional SSD* or SAD* day Ilford Lane (LB Redbridge) by Mural Minded *Street Sculpture Day, Street Art Day.

Contrasts The New Fairlop at Barkingside (LB Redridge) on a wet February day and also on a sunnier day. Spot the difference?

Driving your way ONCE IN ESSEX NOW IN LONDON the latest title from Essex Hundred Publications will be released. Some more, essex100.com/2625/new-book- once-in-essex-now-in-london/ and in bookshops too. Watch this space for more

This day February 4th (1974) Seven clergymen from various churches & a Salvation Army Major wrote to the local paper deploring the introduction of professional football on Sundays as a desecration of the Lords Day & part of the continuing national & moral spiritual decline.

The Great Storm 1953 The aftermath Jaywick

The Great Storm February (1953) The aftermath. The rail line to Brightlingsea ends abruptly.

This day February 1st (1953) The Great Storm 12.30am water crashes over the sea wall of Canvey Island. Another of the painted murals on the Canvey seawall. (Friends of Concord Beach/Canvey Community Archive)

More flood stories here - www.tilburyandchadwellmemories.org.uk/content/cate...

Just about a month to go before ONCE IN ESSEX NOW IN LONDON the latest title from Essex Hundred Publications will be released. Some more, www.essex100.com/2625/new-boo... and in bookshops too.

The Great Storm January 31st (1953) The First Disaster. In stormy seas just after 10.30am the Princess Victoria sunk with the loss of 130 lives. The news was slow to filter through. A painted mural on the Canvey seawall. (Friends of Concord Beach/Canvey Community Archive)

Very excited for event tomorrow @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social at Stratford Library.

In the Echo, double page spread on the Essex Writer Dodie Smith who was visited by Walt Disney, no less. Just one of the ‘Famous Essex Writers – You have never heard of' by Dee Gordon More ‘Famous Essex Writers -you have never..’ Check out, www.essex100.com/product/famo... bookshops too!

This day January 29th (1951) The Essex Rivers Catchment Board, reported that the county was constrained in keeping the protective sea walls in good repair for 2 reasons. 1. Lack of money to finance the work but more importantly 2. There was an acute shortage of labour.

1925 was a pretty key year for The Area Formerly Known as Redbridge* with the sale of both Shackman's & St Swithin's farms - and you can read about it here: *by those of us of a certain age... ilfordhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/...

Today’s ‘Echo’ The year 2026 marks 500 years since the death of William Tyndale the first to translate the bible into English. However he was supported in his endeavours by Thomas Poyntz of North Ockendon. An extract from ONCE IN ESSEX, NOW IN LONDON due in March 2026

Scale model (1:165) Barking Abbey as it looked in 1500 outside the Curfew Tower. The Abbey founded in AD666 by Saxon Bishop Erkenwald has survived floods, & Viking raids only to be closed by Henry VIII & later demolished. More, the ONCE IN ESSEX, NOW IN LONDON coming soon. Bookshops/online.

This day January 24th (1939) the 'Royal Daffodil' was launched at the Leven Shipyard in Dumbarton and destined to serve on the Thames and connect Southend with the continent. The vessel was scrapped in 1967.

Looking back and doesn't time fly! 57 years ago, published this day 23rd January (1969). 'The Thriller of the Year' In a cinema close by.

This day 22nd January (1974) Tiptree's brand new £22,000 Library opened. The first 'customer' was Mrs Winifred Rogerson. (Reported 24 Jan M&B Standard)

Pimp Hall Farm, Chingford, c.1890. This was a working farm until the mid 1930s. The farm house was subsequently demolished and the site became a Council run nursery and allotments. The 17th cent Dovecote survives and is Grade II listed. #ImageoftheMonth

Wednesday reflection If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies. If you can dream—and not make dreams your master If, if, if……………………………

Tuesday 20th Jan (2026) for those who didn't know is National Penguin Day in the USA. In the rest of the world International Penguin Day is on 25th April, Portugal's National Day. Humboldt penguins can/could once be seen at Colchester Zoo.

ON THIS DAY January 19th (1966), the ‘Pirate’ Radio Caroline ship, Mi Amigo, was blown ashore. It came to rest on a stretch of beach at Walton-on-the-Naze. Fortunately there was no loss of life or serious injuries

This day January 18th (1921) During a fierce gale the coastal schooner Violette broke free from her anchor and crashed into Southend Pier severing the steamboat extension and bandstand from the main structure. More on the pier, www.essex100.com/product/stru... bookshops or online

This day January 17th (1800), the roof collapsed at St Mary’s Church Chelmsford. It was blamed on careless ‘grave diggers’ chipping away around the stone pillars on the south arcade. Crowds of sightseers arrived. St Mary's Church is now Chelmsford Cathedral.

This day January 15th (1889) the first Essex County Council elections were held. The county was divided into 63 electoral wards. Andrew Johnston was subsequently elected as the first Chairman of Essex County Council. I image,The 11 parliamentary constituency boundaries in 1910.

January 14th (1876) On this day according to our records Essex County Cricket Club was formed in Brentwood. We don’t have an image of the team from 1876, so instead this is one of an Essex County team taken just before the season started in 2002.

This day January 13th (1873), a new steam engine, ‘Cintra’, built for the Lisbon Steam Tramways Co. Ltd in Portugal & tested on a one mile track at Monkhams Lane, Buckhurst Hill near Epping Forest, was lost in the channel en-route for Portugal. (Image TF)

Stand and Deliver With Scott Ross & Mike Davies, of the Rayleigh Town Museum & a look at highway men, such as Dick Turpin. Listen again on Phoenix FM phoenixfm.com/2025/12/22/s...

This 2026 is 500th anniversary of the death (burnt and strangled) of William Tyndale credited with translating the bible into English. Yet, he was helped in trying to escape his pursuers by Thomas Poyntz of North Ockendon. For more on this curious story. essex100.com/2688/tyndales-

Andromeda galaxy is the brightest galaxy visible in the night sky. At 2.5 million light-years, it’s the most distant thing humans can see with the unaided eye. However, 50 years ago & a bit closer was the ANDROMEDA (in Colchester), at its best on SATURDAY NIGHTS. Say no more...

This day January 9th (1959) The Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation issued its latest monthly figures for aircraft movements. The month of September (1958) showed that Southend Airport was the second busiest airport in the country, with over 7,700 aircraft movements.

THE LOPPER OF LOUGHTON Lopping was granted by ancient right, Not to be surrendered without a fight, To commoners gathering wood as fuel When winter nights were cold and cruel. The ESSEX HUNDRED & THE ESSEX HUNDRED HISTORIES In print 10 years , book shops or online

This day January 8th (2007) After 10 years service, the £65 million ‘Stena Discovery, a high speed ferry, left Harwich on her last voyage on the Hook of Holland route. Later scrapped in Turkey. www.essex100.com

Stop Press. An iron age war trumpet (a carnyx) that may have links to the Celtic tribe, the Iceni & led by Boudica (formerly known as Boadicea) during her revolt against the Romans has been found by archaeologists in Norfolk. More, The Riddle of Boudica, www.essex100.com/product/boud...

it's cold out there. Nostalgic image of Frinton Greensward in 2003. It was cold then too.

What's (was) on/due, published this day 5th January (1939) Southend area 14 cinemas 2 threaters. The golden days of Hollywood

Our first talk for 2026 is one on Famous Quakers of West Ham given by Mark Gorman and Peter Williams. 7 for 7:30pm on Monday 12th Jan in the Gloucester Room, Redbridge Central Library.

Long lost jobs from 1960 Locomotive Fireman When qualified, wages after 3rd year £10.5s week Apply Locomotive Shed Master essex100.com Bringing Essex History to Life

The former BATA hotel at East Tilbury. Now Stanford House, a complex of apartments and shops. More in the ‘Where is Zlin’ ESSEX HUNDRED HISTORIES from book shops or online Bringing Essex History to Life

This day January 2nd (1899) construction began on Colchester’s new baroque styled Town Hall. Designed by Sir John Belcher with a 162-foot Victorian clock Tower it is now grade 1 listed. essex100.com

This day December 31st (1982) the Townsford Mill, the last Courtauld silk mill, closed in Halstead. With all Courtauld’s manufacturing moved overseas this was the last silk mill in Essex. Today the historic building is an antique centre and offices.

This day December 29th (1860), HMS Warrior, the first ‘Iron Hulled’ warship, was launched at the Thames Iron Works on the banks of the River Lea. (then in Essex). HMS Warrior is now a permanent museum in Portsmouth close to HMS Victory.

To one and all out there in digital land and down on earth as the case may be. Seasons greetings for 2025 and all the best for 2026 from the team at Essex Hundred Publications. Back in 2026, with new titles coming + ON THIS DAY in Essex and of course much more.

This day December 24th (1215) Mercenaries led by Savary de Mauléon under the direction of King John, occupied Pleshey Castle. On Christmas Day elements of de Mauléon’s band looted the Cistercian Abbey at Tilty, between Great Dunmow and Thaxted.