Canvey Island

Canvey Island, an island in the River Thames estuary off the coast of Essex, has a unique history. Its location has seen it welcome diverse people through the ages: from those who first came to harvest the seawater salt, to the Romans and traders who found it an entry point into the British Isles, t [...]
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Canvey Island, an island in the River Thames estuary off the coast of Essex, has a unique history. Its location has seen it welcome diverse people through the ages: from those who first came to harvest the seawater salt, to the Romans and traders who found it an entry point into the British Isles, to shepherds, cheese makers, Dutch seawall builders and, later, attackers who temporarily broke the island's tranquillity. From the turn of last century, Canvey Island began to be built up: first as a Pleasure Island and later becoming a plotland and holiday haven for Londoners. Agriculture's loss was home-seekers' gain, and those who moved to Canvey stayed on through two World Wars, building a sturdy community. The sea, while rich in various bounties, also brought its share of tragedy, such as 1953's devastating floods. Informative and entertaining prose accompanies the many charming and beautifully produced illustrations, and this new book is sure to please anyone familiar with Canvey Island.