August 21, 2002 Weathering the storm.... The British climate is somewhat unpredictable these days.The early part of August 2002 brought storms into Harwich,resulting in flooding and property damage.But for this part of the world this isn't unique.Looking back through the weather archives we find that on 7 June 1889,at about 3 a.m.,Harwich and neighbourhood was visited by a thunderstorm,along with hail and rain,'the like of which was not remembered by the oldest inhabitant'(per Harwich Free Press).Severe weather struck again in 1890.But let's bring the events more up to date.....Former Harwich resident ALEX Mc LAUGHLIN,now living in Austrailia,recalled the 1980s:'Deb and I were married in Australia the first time on 18th October 1986,then we returned to Harwich in May 1987 to have another wedding,which we had in June.So in October when we had our first wedding anniversary we booked a meal at the Cliff Hotel,but the night before was the biggest storm in England for a number of years.The Cliff rang and told us that as they were on electricity they had to cancel our booking.We ended up at the Chinese restaurant as they cooked on gas!' Nice to hear that it all turned out fine,cobber.

August 21, 2002 a labour of love Restoration enthusiast Mrs Betty Holbrook has tirelessly brought a new lease of life to over 30 Harwich properties since starting on the trail in 1979.Her latest project is her biggest to date-restoring the Georgian Mansion 'Government House' in Harwich Old Town.Originally built for the local MP John Robinson,around 1790,it was taken over by the military during the Napoleonic scare,then remained Government property until around 1931 when it passed into private hands and was converted into flats by local builders 'Fisher & Woods'.Becoming in need of an uplift it was Mrs Holbrook's decision to convert the building into separate houses,whilst painstakingly renovating the entire structure from top to bottom.But how many folk can remember it in its former existence? Not many,but one is Mrs ALICE DONALDSON,who recalled: 'I know that St.Helens green,or the houses which are there,used to be Government House.The commanding officer of the Battery lived there,it was a huge house and garden.I forget his name,my sister and I used to play with their children in that lovely garden,as we lived just opposite in 71 Church St.alas no longer there....'When Betty's work is completed the property will surely be as good as ever.But-where will she move onto next?

August 21, 2002 A Bird in the Hand.... Fitzgerald Cottages have been part of Dovercourt Green for around 150 years.Then adjoining this row of Victorian cottages is the former 'Bird in Hand' pub,also a mid-to late-Victorian addition to the Upper Dovercourt community.The cottages have been making the news recently due to several changes of ownership,but Jeff Fidgett -born 1928-is someone with much earlier memeories of this part of Dovercourt:'I can remember the old 'Bird in Hand' because my grandparents lived in Fitzgerald Cottages-the end cottage right next to the Bird in Hand and between them was a gateway with a gate post about 6ft.high that went from one post to the other,and my Mother...used to laugh and tell me that my father,when he was courting her,could lift her up on that crossbar.' He also remembers a particularly annoying prank the children would perform in the 1930s:'...We were just high spirited kids....but we did annoy old people,particularly,you know,Fitzggerald Cottages. They had the old fashioned door knobs and the great deal was to wire two together quite loosely,then bang on both doors and hope that one would open and one would shout....' Ah well,boys will be boys,as they say.

August 21, 2002 THE MEM-WEB: The Credits The Harwich Mem-Web is a database of local history memories,comprising a manual collection,a set of audio interview,and-of course-this Web Site.It has been made possible by the support of 'The Campaign for Learning',a national charity working to create an appetite for learning in individuals that will sustain them for life. The Mem-Web thanks everyone who has helped to create this project,in particular all its contributors,as well as..... Rachel Fitch/Harwich & Mannigtree Standard. Liz Mullen/BBC Radio Essex. Harwich Library,Essex Record Office. Richard Oxborrow;BBC Radio Suffolk. 123 Freehost service. We also welcome further contributions to the Mem-Web,please send your memories of events,people,places in the Harwich district to: Brian Woods,Harwich mem-Web.7 East Street,Dovercourt,Essex.CO12 3AS.Tel:01255 508629. Thanks one and all----look forward to hearing from you. Campaign for learning Head Office

August 21, 2002 a ride to remember Two photographs of former bus services in the Harwich area recently came into the 'Mem-Web' office.Both appear to date from the 1920s;one picture is of the Great Eastern Railway Bus service and the other shows the 'Silver Queen' bus,the successor to the GER service.Both services were based in West Street,Harwich.Mem-Web sought further information and was fortunate to have both pics published by the local press.This brought a welcome response from Mrs June Hall who recognised her father-Mr Arthur Seago-as one of the Silver Queen crew.Mr Seago is shown standing on the right of the group-in white coat-pictured in a snap from the 1920s.He had earlier driven the GER buses,then joined the Merchant Navy during Word War 1. before joining the Silver Queen company.A very pleasant memory for Mrs Hall! Note:The Silver Queen Bus Co.was succeeded in Harwich by the Eastern National service.