talkclacton.myfastforum.org

frankie · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 88 Location: clacton

i remember the variety club playing cricket there and leslie crowther giving me 10p for getting the cricket ball back after it had gone in a bush.
do you remember the bushes around the playground,we used to play 40-40 hiding in them and we had to make it back to the climbing frame.
im starting to get all emotional now Crying or Very sad

those were the good old days,i used to be out all day playing now its all playstions and computers,not including forums because we are sensible hardworking adults Embarassed

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

...and the drinking fountain tingy on the wall ,the bushes that were like a maze ,cycling your bike around the top of the mounds that surrounded the play area ,oh and the big sign that told you that if you were over 14 you shouldn't be on the swings...by order! and those wonderful gates .....sandwich ,bottle of drink and you wouldn't get seen from morning till sunset.

I'm beginning to sound like my mother Shocked

frankie · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 88 Location: clacton

your not my sister are you!!!!!!
i used to get a sherbet dib dab from the kiosk when it was there and also my favourite which was a texan bar,do you remember them?
i also remember riding my grifter bike around the mounds and falling off pretending i was evil knievel Crying or Very sad

you didnt need any money to have fun in those bygone days!!

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

Think we should have a new thread named 'Remember the Good Things ' but thats a bit twee.
We could all put forward the best bits of our towns that have now disappeared.

frankie · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 88 Location: clacton

you must remember charlie the bus driver,he used to walk around town pretending he was driving a bus. the local bus depot even gave him a cap and a ticket machine,now he was a character.

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

Oh I remember him ,he used to stop off for a cuppa in the Bus Station Cafe.
The bus drivers gave him a drivers badge ,his reversing skills would put most young drivers to shame.
Another couple you may remember...One Arm Pip and Good Old Charlie Wheeler(he used to give me sixpence every saturday).
Oooh and climbing over the fence to get into Butlins and using the pool for free Laughing

What about when the carnival association when they used to have the firework display over Vista Road,somewhere I have a photo of me in the carnival as a Geisha Girl with the Elise school of dancing Embarassed

.........perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned that...

frankie · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 88 Location: clacton

charlie was the tramp who sat by the land which is now holly court flats,there was a rumour that he actually owned the land.
why was it that everyone was called charlie in those times!!

frankie.........sitting at his desk pretending to be doing his morning report Wink

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

There's many stories about Charlie Wheeler .
I can vaguely remember that he had a Merry-go-round on Jaywick beach.But the thing I remember is that HUGE wart on his nose.
He was quite a 'knowing'chap ,he regaled us kids with many stories of his exploits.
Clacton seems to have lost all the Characters as it grew.
But now we have Ivan Laughing

frankie · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 88 Location: clacton

has ivan got a HUGE wart on his nose Laughing

do you remember the chap that used to walk around town holding his ear or the man that when you asked him the time he would chase after you.
the only character now or rather recognisable person in clacton now would be the one called elvis with his black gelled hair.
when we used to talk to these people it was fun and not nasty,if you had these characters today their lives would be intolerable.

frankie.... just about to put in his stationary order.

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

Oh you mean the Time Lord ...
we would dare each other to ask him the time ,he would go nuts and chase us ,shouting "I'll give you the Bl*%^y time" .
We got followed by a group from Barker House once so we ran across to the railway bridge ,charged up the stairs thinking we were safe when another group of them came up the other side...
Apart from scaring ourselves silly ,we ,and they were harmless and no-one beat them up or robbed them .It was just gentle banter.

frankie · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 88 Location: clacton

our harwich friends are probably thinking what the hell are we talking about!
oh how i wish i could go back in time,that was probably the best time of my life,having no worries and life just being fun,all i had to do was make sure i got home in time for my tea.
i was a bit naughty when i was younger,i used to go to the amusment arcades when i wasnt allowed to,it all went wrong one day when my bike got stolen and i had to explain that to my mum and dad,lets just say they were not best pleased.

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

OOOOOHH I think someone has ruffled Pirre Oxleys feathers on the gazette website , it appears that he has taken to calling himself Anonymous of Clacton.
Have a read because he is trying to justify spending pot loads of money on the Leisure Centre and claiming that is costing the tax payers nothing as the money came from selling disused parcels of land......you see we need a fitness suite because the cramped flats that they build on these 'small plots'certainly won't have gardens and we need to execise somewhere.........

amenity · Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Posts: 775 Location: Dovercourt

Surely the planning committee TDC could have made it a condition of approval for the builder/owner of the flats that they contribute to the fitness center. Otherwise it looks as though public money is supporting private profit through enhancement.

ivan burit

HA..HA..HA..Ivan now going on the Gazette site..(why would Ivan have a huge tingy on his nose ? ).....But, Ivan remembers being a chip eater when he was about 10, staying on Vally Farm in a huge ex army ridge tent, on arriving in / on a motor cycle and side car as the family transport, collecting dry grass to put under the tents ground sheet, and having an army of insects living under your bed for 2 weeks (not a good idea that one).. of remembering being on Clactons finest beach in the blazing sun, having to hide under a shelter of deck chairs to get out of the sun, being covered with cocconut oil for suncreame (must have smelt like a large malibu) of looking through the gates of Butlins at the rich kids, but all getting in for free one day (my dad could charm people better than me even) of visiting my poor mum while she stayed in a big old convalescing home between the Station and the sea front..of my first holiday without my parents and staying at Wheeley Bridge Camping Site, and spending my weeks money in 3 days and getting the sites owners to give me / mymates some tinned food and getting told off by my Dad in front of owners, but laughing his head off later...and not to forget arriving in town as a 16 year old on my first owned transport - A SCOOT - and trying it on with all the girlies (LIN)...lol...
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Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

Ivan , Charlie Wheeler(he of the big wart on his nose)was one of Clactons finest characters.He was the kindest ,funniest man around and made sure he was a nuisance to the council.I think that is where the comparison comes in.
We all laughed at and with old Charlie.
Now the town has grown ,we don't seem to have any remakable characters left .......still we have old Iggy Wiggy ...only trouble is we only laugh AT him .
As for Mr Oxley (love the comment someone made about flippping burgers on the gazette site),well ,just how much money has been poured into his so called Jewel in the crown Leisure Centre over the past few years ...let me think......I believe the floodlights for the Skateboard park were £60,000 ,then we have the grand refurbishment of the changing rooms and entrance of the centre ,perhaps Amenity could enlighten us as to how much that cost ,then the parking area has been done up ,oh and new gates or should I say UGLY barriers that do not stop the idiots on mopeds getting in because they use the other entrances (where did the ornate gates go to????) now we have the 2.77 million pound fitness suite .Where is it all going to stop.And just what do we get ,a new pool instead of the crummy little one thats been there for the past 30 odd years ,a water slide ? nope ,a fitness suite that will not encourage teenagers in like a better pool would have .He then goes on to compare it with Colchesters Pool ...excuse me while I have a fit of the giggles.
I'm wondering just what ego trip this young man is on.
He was in the papers this week declaring that there is a plan in action for the disgusting state of the seafront ,well ,lets hear it then.Perhaps they should look at that area first instaed of wasting yet more money adding to a rubbish pool.
Thats it super long moan over.
Just out of interest .....do YOU use the pool and would you use the Fitness suite????

ivan burit · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:48 am Post subject:

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

In the words of Queen ....Don't stop me now ..... Wink

Gold Coast indeed... Laughing

Oh and Ivan ,never ,ever think you look bad ,wait till summer then compare yourself with some of the Grockles ...works for me Laughing

ivan burit

I juust love to see the expression on peoples faces really (Gold Coast)...lol...Its going to be a BIG wake up call for some of the litter throwing, dog messing, fag end dropping, emtpy chip paper chucking grokels this year, as our new Street Wardens will have the powers to make `em pick it up, and worse now.....Should boost the `entaint - cordial some what`.......lol.....Ivan
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In truth we seek,In truth we learn,In Tendering,We get neither..

daveb · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Jaywick

What will PO come up with next, First they want to turn Clacton into a mini Blackpool, then they keep trying to change it into some sort of up market resort town.
Schizophrenia springs to mind, perhaps they should commision yet another high priced Consultant to look into the whys and wherefores.

Idea

Question: How many Councillors does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: Well after spending £150,000 on a SPECIALIST consultant to advise on the best size to fit, we've decided that funds are no longer available so we'll stay in the dark. Laughing

amenity · Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Posts: 775 Location: Dovercourt

This extract taken from The Guardian site, it's one that is close to my heart since we are all enjoying breathing in ship emmissions one way or another.

"Separate studies suggest that maritime carbon dioxide emissions are not only higher than previously thought, but could rise by as much as 75% in the next 15 to 20 years if world trade continues to grow and no action is taken. The figures from the oil giant BP, which owns 50 tankers, and researchers at the Institute for Physics and Atmosphere in Wessling, Germany reveal that annual emissions from shipping range between 600 and 800m tonnes of carbon dioxide, or up to 5% of the global total. This is nearly double Britain's total emissions and more than all African countries combined."

Of course what is not mentioned is the other emmisions that are emmitted along with CO2 such as the big killer 'particulate matter' this stuff is small enough to get past the lungs defenses. PM is very bad for children.
Ports need cleaning up, people should not have to live close to them.
Felixstowe has a bad record of emissions local councillors are taking up the cudgels to try to improve matters, would TDC do the same for us?

Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

Long time since any of use had a say on this topic ,so here are a few of the things on my 'Wish List'

1. A Bus Station ,no I don't mean the new one in Pier Ave Rolling Eyes

I'd like to see a proper place to get on and off a bus.Proper seating ,not those perchy tings that are so slippy your bum keeps sliding off.Complete timetables to see what bus goes from where (I know this is extravagant ,but ,a nice little man who can answer your queries ,hmmm perhaps ).Maybe somewhere to get a cup of tea ????

2 . Seating arranged in groups .This may encourage us to actually speak to each other .Yes ,I realise this may cause youths to gather ,but is that really a problem ???,we are allowed to gather in groups ,so why shouldn't they ? .Most of the seating is in lines (whats the obsession with straight lines ?).Not just in the town centre ,but along the seafront ,and other places.

3.A new toilet block.The one we have is not enough , we need one near the fountains ,maybe not on Frintonians scale but a little block to encourage people to stop peeing in alleys.

4.Lower rates for 'Local' shops and businesses ,they have been suffering with the upheaval in the Town Centre ,it's ok for the national chains as they can cope with a years lower sales but the little shops can't and we will see the demise of our choice if this carries on.

5.Stop building so many blasted flats ,no gardens =kids out on the streets doing what they shouldn't be doing or ,even worse ,sitting indoors with no social contact in front of the latest playstation game.

6.Lower speed limits on residential roads.
Is there really any reason why someone should want to drive at 30mph up a cul de sac ?.
Main Roads fine ,keep the 30mph but on estates and near schools ect a drop of 10 mph is not going to adversly affect anyone.Or is it ?.

7.An increase in play areas that are up to scratch ,maybe even a few seats for the Mums (and Dads) so they too can relearn the art of talking to each other.

8. Bring back the yearly fayres that all the villages used to have ,whilst Clacton grows ever outwards eating it's way through the hamlets that used to be separate from their neighbour ,we face the prospect of losing our sense of belonging.
It won't be long until every green strip of land that divides the towns and villages will be gone ,leaving us with one massive urban sprawl and no dividing area betwwen us.
One way we can still be individual from each other is by knowing and supporting your local area.
Great Clacton used to have a June Fair every year outside the Ship Pub in the village ,whilst that would be an inappropriate place to have it now ,there are still a few areas that we could do this on ,perhaps the lower end of the Vista Road pitches ?.

Right thats my thoughts ,off back to cloud cuckoo land for a chat with Noddy.... Confused

mojo · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 67

Lin - your comment about seating arranged in groups.
It reminded me about when I worked at a GP surgery (not in this area) and , as they are, the chairs were arranged lining the walls.
So one day we decided to arrange them in small circles.
Within half an hour of the surgery opening thepatients had rearranged them back to lining the wall!!!!!!!!!

Nikadi · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 123 Location: Clacton

I want them to redo the playground a the leisure centre, and to bring back our miniture crazy golf! I practically lived there as a kid and I always think it would've been nice if they kept it and I could've taken my little foster auntie there Sad

I feel old doing this reminiscing but, I remember I bit a hole through my tongue when I was a ki after being thrown into the ship shaped (the outside anyways) ball pool =D
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Lin · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 515 Location: Gt Clacton

Mojo we would have to concrete then to the ground .lets watch them move them then Wink

nice one.... Very Happy

Agree about the playground ,it has fallen into a real state.There is nothing there now .

I remember the Carnival used to have the firework display over there and joining the huge crowds going to watch ,the beautiful Iron gates at the entrance..................ooooh better stop or I will have to go over to the 60's 70's page as we went off tangent before.But getting the playgound put right should be a priority as it will let the whole area down ,especially as they are spending so much doing the Leisure Centre up ....we can only live in hope.

Have had an idea put to me by my 11 year old
"Could we have zip slides down ALL the slopes on the seafront please"
Rolling Eyes

.......young people Rolling Eyes

ivan burit · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:40 am Post subject:

As its a merry new year ting,
get rid of a certain "deprived" 80 year old useless councillor for Golf Green.... Twisted Evil

...ggrrrr
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In truth we seek,In truth we learn,In Tendering,We get neither..

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