THIS series of nostalgic photographs from the vaults of two of north Essex’s towns might just jog a memory or two.

The pictures feature distinctive landmarks from Harwich and Dovercourt and history fan Steve Delves hopes people will remember and come forward with their own photographs and memories of yesteryear.

Steve, who runs harwichanddovercourt.co.uk, Harwich & Dovercourt, a Time Gone by, explains the stories behind them.

“The Mayor of Harwich, Mr C Hills, opened Dovercourt Bay Holiday Camp and Lido in 1937 but despite regularly receiving 11,000 holidaymakers each year, the camp closed for good at the end of the 1990 season.”

Gazette:

           An early photograph of Warners Dovercourt Bay Holiday Camp, which opened in 1937

The site was later demolished and replaced with housing.

The band pavilion, which was replaced in 1932 by the New Cliff Pavilion, was also knocked down.

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                     The way things were – the Cliff Pavilion in Dovercourt

Steve says older residents had come to regard it as a reminder of a bygone age.

“It was a relic of the days before the war when people came to the seaside for a week or so and the council engaged a seasonal manager to cater for their entertainment with an orchestra, vocalist or entertainer, fun for all the family on a Friday night and a dance on Saturday,” adds Steve.

The collection of photographs also includes one of the Regal Cinema, which opened in June 1938 with the film 100 Men and a Girl, starring Deanna Durbin.

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                          Flashback – the Regal Cinema, which opened in 1938

Proceeds from this first night were donated to the local hospital.

There is also an early shot of the Woolworth’s store which was built in 1934 which closed five years ago at the end of this month and of one of the most significant events in Harwich’s recent history – the 1953 floods.

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                           Early shot – the original F W Woolworths store in High Street, Dovercourt

On the night of Saturday, January 31, 1953, a severe storm coincided with a high spring tide in the North Sea, and the resulting tidal surge caused great devastation all along the east coast.

In eastern England 307 people were killed, 120 of them from Essex.

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               Devastation – the aftermath of the 1953 floods in Harwich

  • Contact Lauren Oldershaw on 01206 508186 with your memories and nostalgic photographs.