Martello Tower Jaywick

Tides of Tendring Project

Jaywick Martello Tower built 1809 one of many built around the coast to keep Nepoleon out

What better way to see Jaywick Martello Tower than by blue sky and sunshine? The Tides of Tendring Project had invited the Canvey Community Archive to take part in their Heritage Day on Sunday 25th August. Inside the historical and nicely restored Martello Tower we were given space on the first floor for our display relating to the 1953 Flood. A flood which had also badly affected Jaywick with the tragic loss of 37 lives. We were warmly welcomed by Caroline and Rosie who also made sure we were kept supplied with tea and coffee. Jan and I enjoyed chatting to the steady stream of visitors. Some of them were local, others from further afield.

When we each took a break we had a look at the art installation on the side of the tower by Vikki Walsh which had been created by making flowers and leaves from a range of plastic waste, a creative way to help reduce people’s impact on the environment. We also admired the mural which has been inspired by our seawall mural here on Canvey Island. The Tides of Tendring version hopes to be a reminder of the dangers of flooding which will slowly fade over time, as they hope the risk of flooding will do as well.

When chatting with Caroline she explained that the main reason for the recent Tides of Tendring events was to raise awareness of Jaywick’s ongoing vulnerability when high tides are predicted. When the inhabitants get a flood warning they have to get themselves away from the danger area. A very unsettling situation for them all. One of the Tides of Tendring aims is to have their sea defences improved so that they don’t have to live with the fear of flooding anymore. We wish them much success in their quest.

You can see a close up slideshow of the mural here.

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