Remembering the 1953 Floods

It has been 60 years since the North Sea floods claimed 307 British lives. In the Netherlands, the dead numbered more than 1,800.

A combination of a high spring tide and a severe wind over the North Sea caused a storm surge . The combination of wind and high tide had the effect that the water level exceeded 5.6 metres (18.4 ft) above mean sea level in some locations. The flood and waves overwhelmed sea defences and caused extensive flooding.

In Essex, Canvey Island was inundated with the loss of 58 lives and another 37 died when the seafront village of Jaywick near Clacton was flooded.

The Environment Agency has said that, despite major improvements to sea defences and warning systems, 1.3m people or one in 25 homes in England and Wales remained at risk of coastal flooding.

Have we done enough in Essex to ensure it will not happen again?

Vintage Mobile Cinema comes to Mersea

The Vintage Mobile Cinema

Outside the MICA Centre, West Mersea this morning there were screenings of the devastation caused by the 1953 floods that hit the east coast, in the 22 seat vintage mobile cinema which had come up from Devon.

The bus is the only surviving one of a fleet of seven that were built for the Government in 1967 to showcase modern British production techniques. Today, it has been carefully restored to its former glory and tours the country bringing a unique slice of automotive and cinema history.

Of course it was just up Charlie's and my street...! to see this old vehicle and get a front seat for the archived film.

Wouldn't it be delightful to see it here again....

Have a great weekend.

Salty kisses

Mish..x

P.S. Memberships are still available for the Mersea Island Film Society.

Coast Magazine

What a nice surprise to find Nicky and Lars beautiful Mersea house on the front cover, and a lovely article, in the latest November issue of Coast....xxxx