THURROCK RETIRED TEACHERS (From Thurrock Gazette)

THURROCK RETIRED TEACHERS

11:07am Friday 27th November 2009

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THURROCK Retired Teachers enjoyed a very interesting insight into life in Old Leigh in the 1800s when Leigh was a deep sea port. Clare Harvey, whose family have been connected to Leigh and the surrounding area for many years, traced the lifestyle of the residents showing slides of Leigh marshes and the old town.

Life existed around Leigh port and was very hard. In 1825 5,000 Thames barges were plying for trade around our coast. These barges were built at Battlesbridge. History showed that whales came up the Thames. In 1826, a 46ft whale was discovered at Leigh. History says a Sea Witch lived in Leigh, her name was Sarah Moore, she told fortunes from her scatter pan. Lives were deprived and water came from wells. Lady Sparrow paid to have a 284ft deep shaft sunk to provide water from the well. Cholera swept through the town. The coming of the railway changed things and was built right through the middle of the town, actually splitting a house in two.

Leigh has always been the centre of the cockle trade and the early cockle boats were called Peter boats.

The Peter Boat pub is still in the centre of old Leigh and has been recently revived by a local family. Now Leigh is a centre for tourists and still renowned for shellfish, especially cockles.

A collection was taken for Children in Need and raised £41.

The December meeting of Thurrock Retired Teachers will be the Christmas lunch at Thurrock Masonic Hall on December 18.

New members are always welcome, contact 01375 375702.

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