h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Can anyone tell me if the Cudmore Grove park existed at the end of the '60s? If yes, can I assume flowers grew there? Can anyone tell me the names of some flowers that might grow on West Mersea?

I'm writing a fictional piece that partially takes place there and want to be as accurate as I can--this is a challenge: I live in the US.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/esd/planningandenvironment/countryparks/parks/cudmore/cudmore.htm

http://www.mersea-island.com/about/cudmore.htm

http://www.english-nature.org.uk/livingwiththesea/project_details/good_practice_guide/habitatcrr/ENRestore/CHaMPs/EssexEstuaries/Restoration1980s/CudmoreGrove.htm

http://www.stacey.peak-media.co.uk/cudmore/cudmore_grove.htm

Should help a little

Don't know about flowers but for at least the last 20 years it's been mainly grassland with a few bushy areas.

Will ask mum as she will know if there were flowers there in the 60s!

Mel

Mel--these links are wonderful--thanks so much for taking the time to send them. I wonder how different these sites looked 30+ years ago??
What about the Colne estuary--can you ask your mum if it was there then?
I daydream that maybe next year we can visit Mersea--should've done it this year but our vacation plans will take us back to Nova Scotia, one of Canada's maritime provinces. Although the town of Digby there is known for its scallops, maybe I can find an oyster "fisherperson" or two to question. If you know any in Mersea who would be willing to correspond here and answer some questions, please let me know.

Thanks again,
Elizabeth

My Grandfather was an Oysterman. Trouble is he's 90 and although he uses the internet I'm not sure he'd be able to cope with h2g2

I'm pretty certain the estuary was there then. Have you tried using google to search for info?

Mel

Mel, I just printed out some great maps of the area and have a better sense of where places are in relation to each other.
I've also been in touch with "an old salt" a bit and he's given me some good info. I also emailed someone whose work involves the estuary.
Do you think it would have been realistic for a young woman in 1969 who lived in West Mersea but sought a job in Colchester to rent just a room in Colchester and come home only on weekends? She doesn't have a car of her own.
Don't hesitate to tell me if my questions are becoming tiresome.
Thanks,
Elizabeth

My mum and her 'pretty' friend used to hitch in and out of colchester when she was younger, in 69 she would have been 24 so it would probably have fitted in with your tale quite nicely. I don't know how likely it would have been that she whould have rented in colchester if her parents were in mersea unless there were other reasons for her to leave home.

I'm only 21 so a lot of this is stuff from before I was born, I'm going home this weekend and will ask mum about it if you like.

If you send me an email with various questions (address on my page under the contact me section) I can try and put you in direct contact with people who can help, I'm not promising anything though as my mother is a very busy person and she leaves for holiday on Sunday though I'm sure that within my family most of your questions could be answered!

If you've printed out the map which is linked to from this article then you've got the one my Dad drew!

Mel

Just for the record mum has clarified that unless there were reasons the girl had to leave home it would be more likely she would stay in the parental home and either hitch of get lifts into town.

Mel