South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society

The Great Storm of 1953 is an event that remains vividly in the memory of older Essex residents. The combination of a storm surge and a high spring tide raised seawater levels way beyond anything experienced before in the region as the ‘Great Tide’ (as it subsequently became known) rolled southwards into the ever increasing bottleneck of the North Sea with devastating results.

Essex was ill-prepared for this catastrophic weather event and the storm surge it produced. On the night of 31^st January floodwaters totally overwhelmed the coastal communities of Jaywick (37 drowned) and Canvey Island (58 dead). In total 103 people lost their lives in the county. South Woodham Ferrers got off lightly with minor property damage and flooded farmland (as at Marsh Farm, illustrated). It was an event that was to have a significant impact on coastal protection policies and the preparation for such emergencies.

The South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society opens its 2016/17 season with a return visit by Adrian Wright, former head of geography at Colchester Grammar School, who will give an illustrated talk ‘The 1953 Great Storm & Floods in Essex’ in which he will examine the exceptional meteorological conditions that prevailed on that tragic night and will illustrate the results with particular reference to Harwich where eight people lost their lives.

The talk will be held on Wednesday 8th September, commencing at 8:00 pm. Visitors will be very welcome (admission £3) and no booking is necessary. Alternatively you can join the Society, membership of which costs just £12 per annum, which covers entry to all the Society’s meetings between September and May. New members will be able to join on the evening. Any enquiries please telephone 01245 321518 or 01245 328714.