Brightlingsea
Town Guide
Index
Brightlingsea
Museum
Museums
in the area
Friends of
Brightlingsea
Museum
Cinque Ports
Genealogy
Floating Goldmine
Empire Cinema
LW Southern
Jacobs Hall
Cinque Port
Wreckhouse
Stories of
The Colne
A Brightlingsea Town GuideFor a full and detailed history of
Brightlingsea and its many facinating charators it is suggested There was a Roman Fort on the river in Brightlingsea as part of the defences of Colchester, but there was much earlier occupation, as shown by the excavation of a major bronze age site not far from the church. These early settlers were attracted by the plentiful supply of shellfish and abundant fresh water. |
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| The town grew as a result of it's close association
with the River Colne and it's excellent natural harbour. The Oyster fishery was an import
industry and there was a large fishing fleet of 'Colchester Smacks'. In the 1930's more
sprats were landed in Brightlingsea than in all the rest of the country. Many of the
fishing boats were built in the town together with many of the Thames Barges, and the
Aldous yard was a major employer. So much so that many of the houses in the lower part of
the town were built by Aldous for their labour force The community manages to sustain an active town centre and High Street. There is a very strong tradition of community help for the people of the town, and it's schools add continuously to their reputations. A recent development has been the successes in the Anglia and Britain in Bloom Competitions. --------------------------
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