The Broomway, Maplin Sands

[Tomahawk]

I haven't walked the Broomway but I have been driven over the Maplin Sands on the canvas roof of a Bedford 4 tonner to look for shells.

It was very interesting sensation to be out walking around on sands that I'd sailed past and it was a wonderfully empty 'landscape'. The sands we're fine for walking on but if you stood still for a while you'd gradually sink in ankle deep.
.....

What
... you can't possibly say that .. some people refuse to belive you can sink into sand

 

[Jan Harber]

There are many apochryphal tales of folk being lost on the Broomway and never seen again. One is told in James Wentworth Day's book Coastal Adventure (1949). A Wakering local recounted how a horseman on New England (one of the then islands between the mainland and Foulness) '"..started off in a cart with a heavy old farm hoss and a little child in the cart, one night from Wakering. The fog came up and he lost his way on the sands. He left the cart, with the child in it, to find the seawall. He found the seawall alright but he never saw the cart again that night. Two hours later the tide came up full and that man nearly went mad. He reckoned he'd drowned his kid and his hoss. Next morning they found the hoss and cart all safe on the seawall and the child asleep in the cart."
By all accounts "you had to be a rough tough customer to keep alive on those old islands but there warn't many on us died under ninety!"

 

[lydiamight]

The George and Dragon at Churchend on Foulness Island closed in 2007. I had the privilege of going to the Pub before it closed. the format was to call the landlord and tell him when you were coming, give him your name and vehicle registration number and he would inform the security guards at the gatehouse when you came on to the island. You were allowed through but given strict instructions to drive straight to the pub and not to go anywhere else on the island. We were the only two customers in the pub and it was obvious that it couldn't continue for much longer. Fond memories of something that cannot be repeated.

 

[Dan Tribe]

The George and Dragon at Churchend on Foulness Island closed in 2007. I had the privilege of going to the Pub before it closed. the format was to call the landlord and tell him when you were coming, give him your name and vehicle registration number and he would inform the security guards at the gatehouse when you came on to the island. You were allowed through but given strict instructions to drive straight to the pub and not to go anywhere else on the island. We were the only two customers in the pub and it was obvious that it couldn't continue for much longer. Fond memories of something that cannot be repeated.

The landlord was known for being a "character". I went with some friends one New Years Day, for a pint but was pleasantly surprised to find they were doing food. A menu was produced and we started to order.
Scampi & chips please, "Sorry that's off."
Burger & chips then. "that's off too"
Tell us what you have. "oh no, you have to choose"
It turned out that only ham, egg & chips were available, but it had to be our choice.
I think it kept the locals amused.