Archive for the ‘Essex’ Category
Roman Circus Colchester
Posted: January 16, 2019 in Essex, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester, Roman Chariot Racing
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The Romans in Colchester (4)
Posted: January 15, 2019 in Essex, History, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester, Colchester Sphinx
The Colchester Sphinx was discovered in 1821 near the Balkerne Gate, It is a small statue of a mythical creature with a human head between its claws and was carved from British stone. It is still an object of some mystery but is probably from the 2nd century AD and most recent suggestions are that it was a ‘grave guardian’ from a military tomb. It is on display in Colchester Castle Museum.
The Romans in Colchester (3)
Posted: January 15, 2019 in Essex, History, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester
Another thing that stood out for me from our recent visit to Colchester Museum was the examples of locally manufactured goods, particularly Glassware and pottery.
Also some examples of fine mosaics found locally
The Romans in Colchester (1)
Posted: January 14, 2019 in Essex, History, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester
Map of Roman Colchester
A trip with the History group to Colchester in Essex.
Prior to the arrival of the Romans in Britain, Camulodunum had been the Royal seat of Cunobelin, Leader of the Trinovantes. When the Roman invaded in 43AD the Emperor Claudius himself (during his brief 14 day visit) led the Roman legions into the settlement, where they proceeded to construct a legionary fortress on the high ground overlooking the Trinovantes settlement, In the initial years of the Roman conquest this newly founded Roman settlement served as the capital of the province of Britannia.
By 49AD it had become a civilian colonia named Colonia Claudia and the military presence was mostly comprised of retired soldiers. A dispute in AD60 with the Iceni following the death of their king led to his widow Boudica leading the Iceni and the Trinovantes against the colonia. It was ill-prepared and the rebels stormed through the city burning and killing. Those that could took refuge in the Temple of Claudius, on the site of the current castle. Here they held out for 2 days waiting for relief that never came and finally the rebels burnt it down and massacred any survivors.
Model of Temple of Claudius (Colchester Museum)
Roman helmet from destruction layer of AD60 (Colchester Museum)
Building Material from destruction layer of AD60 (Colchester Museum)
The colonia was rebuilt following the suppression of the rebellion, but lost it status as provincial capital to the fast growing settlement of Londinium. During this rebuilding a city wall was added to ensure that the city would never be undefensible again.
Roman city wall
Balkerne Gate, Colchester. Built as one of the entrances through the city wall. It originally had 4 arches, two for pedestrians and two for traffic. This made it the largest entrance arch found in the UK. Today only one pedestrian arch survives as part of a stretch of the Roman city wall.
A weekend visit to the steam gala at the Epping and Ongar Railway. Although this is the nearest Steam Railway to London this is my first visit. The line is situated on the extension of the London Underground line from Epping (its current terminus) to Ongar.
At present, although the line is still in place visitors have to catch a bus from Epping Station to North Weald.
North Weald is currently one of two stations currently open on the line.
The journey from North Weald to Ongar through the Essex countryside was pulled by 813, a GWR Saddle Tank.
The end of the line is at Ongar Station.
The Journey back to North Weald was pulled by US Army Transportation Company S160 5197
In all, there were 5 locomotives in steam – the others being Hunslett Austerity ‘Lord Phil’, Metropolitan No 1 and Isobel.
An excellent day.
Some more views of Southend Pier
Nautically themed seating on the pier
An interesting way to raise money to maintain your pier
And I thought I was in Essex!
When I was growing up in the east end of London, our holiday was often a day trip to Southend, so it was interesting to see that it seems to have changed little in the last 50 years and remains the quintessential British seaside resort from the mid-20th century.
Amusements dominate the front
Amusement park on the sea front
Hold onto your hat
The beach shop
Anyone for sand castles?
The Kuursal (built 18940 was the main amusement park in Southend when I was young. It has declined over the years. the amusement park closed in 1973 (now housing) and the main building was shut down in 1986. Following redevelopment, it re-opened as a bowling alley and casino in 1998.
Sweet rock – the traditional gift for those at home
Traditional Bed and Breakfast hotels were in houses on the front like these
The first pier at Southend was a wooden construction built in 1830. But by the middle of the century the increased tourist numbers had begun to take their toll and in 1887 it was decided to replace it with an iron pier. Opened in 1889, extended in 1897 with an upper deck was added in 1907, followed by a further extension in 1927. In 1959 a fire destroyed the Pavilion located at the shore end of the pier trapping over 500 people on the seaward side who had to be rescued by boat. In 1976 fire destroyed much of the pierhead and the following year buildings at the shore end of the pier were damaged by another fire. It was a dark time for the pier as in the following year the pier’s electric railway was closed. In 1980 the council announced that the pier was to close but reversed this decision following a local protest. In 1983 a grant was given to the pier as a historic building which allowed repairs be made and these were completed in 1986 and included the provision of a new diesel train service from the shoreside to the pierhead. However within a couple of months, a boat had crashed into the pier severing the new pierhead from the rest, in the process destroying the lifeboat station and it was not until 1989 that the pier fully reopened. Further renovations to the pierhead were carried out in 2000 creating a new sundeck and building a new lifeboat station. The pier’s fiery history has continued. In 2005 a fire destroyed some buildings at the pierhead and a new pavilion and railway station have been constructed since to replace the ones destroyed.
1 1/4 miles from shore to head
Pier-head from the shore
Lifeboat station
The bell at the end of the pier
The bell . Cast in whitechapel in 1929
During our recent visit to Southend, we found an amazing set of Street art pictures
Naturelog: 26th July
Posted: July 31, 2017 in Birds, Butterflies and Moths, Essex, Insects, Natural History, UKTags: Southend
On Wednesday Keith and I went on a boat trip up the River Medway from Rochester and across the Thames to Southend. It was a great opportunity to do some birdwatching from a different perspective as we passed the marshes on the estuary. When we arrived in Southend we took a walk along the foreshore to Southchurch Park and this was probably the most productive part of the day, wildlife-wise.
Highlights were the Ruddy Turnstones on the end of the pier, many in Summer plumage, a group of Meditteranean Gulls on the foreshore and around the Pier and a pair of Little Grebes on the lake in Southchurch park.
Ruddy Turnstone. Southend Pier
Ruddy Turnstone, Southend Pier
Mediterranean Gull, Southend Pier
Mediterranean Gull, Southend Foreshore
Cormorant, Southend Foreshore
Southchurch Park Southend
Little Grebe, Southchurch Park
Little Grebe, Southchurch Park
We had hoped that we might also find some insect life in the rough meadow areas of Southchurch Park, but the weather conspired against us and all we found were a single Meadow Brown and some ladybirds.
Ladybird, Southchurch Park
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)
Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)
Little Egret [sp] (Egretta garzetta)
Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)
Eurasian Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)
Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)
Eurasian Curlew [sp] (Numenius arquata)
Ruddy Turnstone [sp] (Arenaria interpres)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)
Mew Gull [sp] (Larus canus)
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
European Herring Gull [sp] (Larus argentatus)
Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)
Common Pigeon [sp] (Columba livia)
Stock Dove [sp] (Columba oenas)
Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)
Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)
Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)
Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)
Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)
Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)
Common House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)
Eurasian Wren [sp] (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)
Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)
House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)
Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
