Harwich Dovercourt

10/12/2025

Advent Day #09: A newly discovered postcard of the Queen Victoria Statue at Dovercourt Bay, Essex from 1911.

09/12/2025

https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/news/plans-set-out-to-save-at-risk-iconic-leading-lights-in-dovercourt?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOlEIRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeTrEz_5fv0X95OyIriRXfqX6U9IbJzLFYJRzadDRYOCZt5yJv0qZ51rl3o0E_aem_Gym_z2SoxyHVVh0D0VPstw

A way forward in the race against time to save the historic Leading Lighthouses in Dovercourt has been set out by Tendring District Council.

09/12/2025

"In Winter" at Kings Quay Street, Harwich, Essex (1980) by Charles Evans H&D A.I. Animation

08/12/2025

Advent Day #08: Early Postcards

We are pleased to announce that a new collection of early postcards featuring Harwich, Dovercourt and London has been uploaded to our website today.

Additionally, our web page is undergoing a redesign to improve the overall user experience.

07/12/2025

Advent Day #07: Back to Bottles & Earthenware.

A few additions to the Bottles & Earthenware section of the web site, with a couple of rare items worth digging for !

07/12/2025

Advent Day #06: Three Distinct Postcards of Historical Significance.

As a collector of postcards and enthusiast of military history, I was thrilled to discover an extremely rare card that I wanted to add to my collection. However, the pricing of postcards prompted me to reflect on the criteria that define a rare card and my willingness to invest in these coveted items, given my limited budget.

A rare postcard is characterized by its age, scarcity, and historical importance, often featuring unique local scenes, notable events, or artwork by renowned artists, making it highly sought after by collectors due to its limited production, age, condition, and captivating content.

The three postcards shown here, including a studio photograph, are all rare and valuable items, but their prices vary significantly. I invite your feedback on the order in which you believe should be priced, from least expensive to most expensive.

The first postcard commemorates the British capture of Bloemfontein and Pretoria during the Boer War, sent from South Africa in 1900 to celebrate the raising of the British flag.

The second is a studio portrait of Queen Victoria from 1888, sent by Sir Henry Ponsonby/Arthur John Bigge (Private Secretary) upon the death of Queen Victoria's son-in-law, Frederick III, German Emperor and King of Prussia.

The final postcard is a real photographic historical image of the Colchester Co-operative Society building and staff in Station Road Manningtree in 1907, featuring a horse-drawn delivery dray.

05/12/2025

Advent Day #05: Explore The Latest Digital Acquisition - Collotypes of Ipswich and Felixstowe including Harwich & Dovercourt (1900) H&D.

We are pleased to announce the addition of a new title to our virtual library: 'Collotypes of Ipswich and Felixstowe including Harwich & Dovercourt New Views' by Smiths, Suitall of Ipswich.

This publication, advertised in the Ipswich Journal on May 12, 1900, features 16 'New Views' and was available for purchase at one shilling. Notably, it was released alongside an earlier compilation, 'Young Ipswich', which consisted of 16 large views and was priced at half the cost, as reported in the East Anglian Daily Times on August 17, 1895.

04/12/2025

Advent Day #04:

Exploring the picturesque villages of Essex and Suffolk, featuring the exceptional work of local photographers Frank Wallis and Bells Photography.

Additional images are now available on my website, with a small selection showcased here.

02/12/2025

Advent Day #03

Harwich Harbour has a distinguished history as a submarine base and naval training depot. Interestingly, during World War I, the Royal Navy sailors, known as the 'Blue Jackets', referred to this submarine base as the 'Tombstone' depot, due to the unfortunate fact that more submarines were lost from this base than any two other bases combined.

Additional images have been uploaded to the website, some of which have been shown here.

02/12/2025

Advent Day #02

This 1873 map of Harwich Harbour in Essex illustrates a proposed harbour development that could have potentially positioned Harwich as the primary port area of the 20th century, surpassing Felixstowe in Suffolk.

Although construction commenced, the project was ultimately abandoned.

In 1873, Harwich Harbour, Docks, Wharves, & Warehouses Co. Ltd was established to reclaim approximately 100 acres of foreshore in the Stour estuary and construct an inner harbour, as initially proposed under the 1845-6 commission.

Land reclamation and sea wall construction on Bathside began in 1875, but the planned floating dock and graving dock were never completed.

Attached are the original proposals, the map (signed off by the engineer), along with the associated prospectus and application forms.

01/12/2025

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8dygjpr8e3o

The local authority says the ratings will help boost tourism and local pride.