Bear Territory

Southend-on-Sea in the UK is home to the longest pleasure pier in the world but it is not this, however, that makes it a celebrity. Southend takes its name from being located at the south end of Prittlewell which first existed in the 6-7th century. Prittlewell Priory was founded there by Cluniac Monks in the 12th century. The Priory’s lands stretched southwards for several kilometres down to the sea where a few fishermen lived and worked and it was this sea side end that became known as ‘Southend’.

I don’t want to be a ‘doubter’ but how happy are the people of Leigh-on-Sea? Much has been made of the August 2016 Rightmove poll which placed Leigh top of the ‘Happiest Place to Live’ poll.

What would you put in a ‘snow globe’ to keep forever, frozen in time?

Rochford in Essex is a historical town whose early houses have featured in the Domesday Book 1086.

It’s a sad fact that when Basildon is mentioned, people’s thoughts turn to Bas Vegas and the Basildon sign on the A127.

Detailed map of catchment areas for the primary schools: Thorpe Greenways, Porters Grange, Bournemouth Park, Hamstel Primary and Temple Sutton.

North Benfleet Hall was a manor house in rural North Benfleet that held a special place in the memories of the local residents and a question mark as to its disappearance.

Who stayed at Captain Townsend’s South Shoebury Hall Campsite? The area of Shoebury known as South Shoebury Hall Estate was an area recognised for its health giving amenities as early as 1925.

One of my earliest memories is of sitting on the seafront outside Rossi’s in Westcliff licking an ice cream cone. The pleasure that gave….. sitting in the hot sunshine and catching the drips as they ran down the side of the cone, so as not to waste a drop!

Sharon Harris describes what it was like growing up in Southend-on-Sea by the sea side.

In 1880, in a written description of the Lobster Smack Inn on Canvey Island, Charles Dickens wrote that smuggling still continued in this part of the Essex coast and had a history of smuggled goods’ ‘runs being carried out by ‘Gentlemen’.

Bear shouts about the day in the life of Southchurch Park and its ever changing seasons.

Bear Estate Agents shout about the activities on Shoebury East Beach.

Whilst visiting a cathedral or a castle we would expect to uncover historic events, but in a small rural area of Essex, historic value may not be so obvious. Especially when it reflects changes in social attitudes of the 20th century.

The Edwardian period was from 1901-1910, but the Edwardian style was said to have lasted until 1920 and can be seen in the style of Edwardian houses, so different from their Victorian predecessors.

People from everywhere seem to have an opinion about Canvey Island and a lot of those opinions are derogatory. Come have a read what the Bear says...

SO WHAT’S THE PROPERTY LANGUAGE IN ESSEX ALL ABOUT? If you are moving to Essex then be quick, as houses are selling fast. Property in Essex is selling very quickly because the county of Essex contains some of the most diverse environments in England and is on the capital, London’s doorstep. People just love living in Essex!