Hi Felicity,

Was just reading over the posts again referring to Jack Morling. I was more than likely at that Firework Party you mentioned, with my mum and dad. We went to several up at Jack & Phyll's place. Do you also remember their two children Richard and Diana? Did you ever attend any of their birthday parties?.... Riotous events... with lots of wonderful games and Phyll, Jack's wife... used to do us proud with a wonderful array of food to delight kids. I had a couple of sleepovers at their house too, and we'd sit telling ghost stories in the dark with just a bike lamp to illuminate things a little.

Hi Mrs. Trivia,

Lovely to hear from you again. Yes, when they are working, we would`nt be without them, but when the Gremlins get into the works one feels like flinging the computer through the window.

After a beatific November with constant sun and a temperate climate, we have just been lashed by an almighty storm which raged for forty-eight hours. However, we fared better than the West coast which took the full brunt of the Atlantic winds. Our farmhouse sits snugly in a hollow surrounded by trees and a gurgling stream, but when I glanced at the stream this morning, it was like `white waters` whooshing down from the mountains which ring this beautiful part of West Cork. I do believe that the strength of the winds has probably shifted Ireland a little nearer to the shores of the U.K.!

Just out of curiosity, how is the Global Warming affecting Australia, have you noticed a marked difference in your seasons I wonder?

I was fascinated by your web site and would strongly advise signed up members to visit. What a wealth of beauty you have around you and I just loved your family album. I have left you a message in the visitors book.

Yes, you probably were at the famous fireworks do which saw a rocket heading for the open door of the dinning room. You brought to mind the games we played and one of them had me standing on a tin tray, blindfolded, with Jack saying "Now we are going to raise you up and when you feel the ceiling touch your head, I want you to jump off the tray. I protested and said "No, no I cant do that, its too far down." Anyway, I was raised, protesting, to the heights of the ceiling whereupon I felt it meet my head, and to the words `jump` I leaped off the tray only to find that I was about a quarter of an inch off the floor and the ceiling was in-fact a book which Jack held over the top of my head!

Did you know that he had been a Japanese prisoner of War and had suffered brutally at their hands? We were round his house one day when something about Japan came up on the television, the next minute there was an almighty crash as he kicked the screen in.

I can`t recall having any `sleep-overs` but Jack was a constant visitor on our boat, we would see him on a daily basis almost because we were reliant on his shop for our supply of paraffin for our stoves. I wonder how many of our cans your mum filled up for us? I do remember my father commenting on your mun saying she was a `proper smasher` and my mother making a big joke whenever he went to get the paraffin by saying `Going to see your girlfriend again?" I wonder if your mum remembers that.

Keep the old memories rolling, its great to reminisce, its also good for me because I am in the middle of writing a lengthy tome about life on the water, so all these jolts to the brain add fuel to the pages.

Regards,

Felicity

Hi Mrs. Trivia,

Lovely to hear from you again. Yes, when they are working, we would`nt be without them, but when the Gremlins get into the works one feels like flinging the computer through the window.

After a beatific November with constant sun and a temperate climate, we have just been lashed by an almighty storm which raged for forty-eight hours. However, we fared better than the West coast which took the full brunt of the Atlantic winds. Our farmhouse sits snugly in a hollow surrounded by trees and a gurgling stream, but when I glanced at the stream this morning, it was like `white waters` whooshing down from the mountains which ring this beautiful part of West Cork. I do believe that the strength of the winds has probably shifted Ireland a little nearer to the shores of the U.K.!

Just out of curiosity, how is the Global Warming affecting Australia, have you noticed a marked difference in your seasons I wonder?

I was fascinated by your web site and would strongly advise signed up members to visit. What a wealth of beauty you have around you and I just loved your family album. I have left you a message in the visitors book.

Yes, you probably were at the famous fireworks do which saw a rocket heading for the open door of the dinning room. You brought to mind the games we played and one of them had me standing on a tin tray, blindfolded, with Jack saying "Now we are going to raise you up and when you feel the ceiling touch your head, I want you to jump off the tray. I protested and said "No, no I cant do that, its too far down." Anyway, I was raised, protesting, to the heights of the ceiling whereupon I felt it meet my head, and to the words `jump` I leaped off the tray only to find that I was about a quarter of an inch off the floor and the ceiling was in-fact a book which Jack held over the top of my head!

Did you know that he had been a Japanese prisoner of War and had suffered brutally at their hands? We were round his house one day when something about Japan came up on the television, the next minute there was an almighty crash as he kicked the screen in.

I can`t recall having any `sleep-overs` but Jack was a constant visitor on our boat, we would see him on a daily basis almost because we were reliant on his shop for our supply of paraffin for our stoves. I wonder how many of our cans your mum filled up for us? I do remember my father commenting on your mun saying she was a `proper smasher` and my mother making a big joke whenever he went to get the paraffin by saying `Going to see your girlfriend again?" I wonder if your mum remembers that.

Keep the old memories rolling, its great to reminisce, its also good for me because I am in the middle of writing a lengthy tome about life on the water, so all these jolts to the brain add fuel to the pages.

Regards,

Felicity

I know this is a long shot Felicity, but do you by any chance know a Cork resident by the name of Ann or Anne Egan? Quite active in politics I believe...?

Hi there,

The name Anne Egan rings a distant bell, but without knowing which area of Cork she hails from or which Political Party she supports, it could be one of hundreds of Anne Egans ! Maybe if you can give me further information, I might be able to come up with something.

I am taking a trip `over the pond` on Friday, so will be out of action for the next week. Strangely enough, I wont be too far from Canvey - Leigh-on-Sea to be exact, family visiting and Christmas shopping - you know the routine.

Spk soon F

Hi,

I remember Jean Newman, later Hatton, very well. After she worked for Jack Morling she worked for my parents and later for me at Quenbys in Furtherwick Road. A real character, and it's good to hear she's still alive and well!

I also recall, when she ran the fish and chip shop by the Creek, going in there on my way home from Scouts. I had an Australian 2 shilling (10p) piece (not legal tender in UK), and passed it over for a a couple of threepenny packets of chips for my friends. Jean gave me the chips and the change. As I walked out someone bumped into me, and knocked the chips out of my hand. I complained bitterly and he bought me another packet!

Jean and I laughed about it in later years!

I remember Cyril Hatton, too. A very kind man, and very welcoming. Had a "Guid New Year" with them almost 50 years ago!

I am including Photos of Frank Whittnall and Mac Bryan in the new book
Frank now lives in Suffolk and Mac in Oz

Yes, Mr Watkins was Headmaster when I was there, and the boys PE teacher looked just like a gorilla (Mr Batch??), I think the gardening teacher was Mr Burnett??, so many years ago, and cannot think of the science teacher, I know I accidently set fire to the science lab when making an electric motor, decided mine was going to be a BIG one .. lol - it drew a lot of power and caught fire, oh well!! ...I still wonder why I hated that school so much, it was officially called Canvey Island Secondary Modern School when I was there - that is if my ailing memory still recalls with any accuracy