Heybridge Basin

Found on the Essex coast Heybridge Basin is at the end of the 13 mile Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation (canal) and is where the sea lock joins the canal to the Blackwater estuary.

In 1793 the basin was dug out of the marsh to enable sea going vessels to enter the canal and unload their cargoes onto the barges for transportation inland to Chelmsford.

Heybridge basin is well worth a visit with great views, seawall walks, two good pubs and a tea room.

Photographs of wheat harvesting

Photographs of wheat harvesting in Essex.

The dry climate and soils of Essex are suitable for growing cereal crops and over three quarters of farm land is used in this way, with wheat as the dominant crop.

For thousands of years wheat was harvested by the hard labour of men and women using simple tools such as sickles, scythes and rakes.

Modern wheat harvesting is a tad less back-breaking...

All images © Mark Baigent

 

These and more photographs at

http://markbaigent.zenfolio.com/combine_harvesting

Photograph of the Electric palace, Harwich, Essex

Photograph of the Electric palace, Harwich, Essex.

I recommend Harwich (Essex)  for a day out, with twin lighthouses, sandy beach, treadle crane and perhaps surprisingly one of the first purpose built "cinema's" in England.

The electric palace was opened in November 1911 and still shows films today, over 100 years later. More information at http://www.electricpalace.com/

All images © Mark Baigent

Photograph of the Electric palace

 Photograph of the Treadwheel crane which was built in 1667

Inside the crane hut are two large wheels measuring 16ft in diameter and the crane was powered by men walking inside these wheels.

More information at http://www.harwich-essex.co.uk/treadwheel-crane.html

 

Sandy Beach - extends around to Dovercourt