Clacton-on-Sea: Memories wanted to celebrate resort's 150 years

Clacton Pier was first built in 1871 but was much smaller then

People who live and have holidayed at a seaside resort are being asked to share their memories to mark its anniversary.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, is celebrating 150 years this year and a series of events are being held.

Those behind the Clacton 150 project want to hear people's "personal stories", from attending the air show to eating ice creams on the beach.

The year 1871 is seen as the town's founding year as that was when the pier and Royal Hotel were built.

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Alex Porter, Tendring District Council's cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said: "Whether it's happy memories of going to Butlins, ice creams on the beach, watching a show on the pier or going on the rides on the pavilion - maybe the first ever Clacton Airshow - we want to hear your stories.

"Your memories don't have to go back 150 years, we're looking to chart the town's history since 1871 so anything from then to more modern times is welcomed."

History of Clacton

Clacton in about 1881

• Entrepreneur Peter Bruff wanted to develop Clacton with the "sole intent of it being a seaside resort"

• He got investment from the Woolwich Steam Packet company, which did passenger trips from London

• The pier was Clacton's first building - much smaller than today - it welcomed ship passengers from July 1871

• The Royal Hotel opened in 1872

• After World War One the pier was bought by Ernest Kingsman who spent vast sums on it - it had four theatres and a rollercoaster

• The opening of Clacton Butlins in 1938 coincided with paid holiday legislation

• In the 1930s Clacton was one of the top resorts in the country

Source: Norman Jacobs, Chairman of Clacton and District Local History Society

Tendring District Council said information, pictures and videos, provided by members of the public would be used as part of a heritage trail around town, and could also form part of listening benches or other exhibitions.

The project team asked people to email pictures and memories to them or post them to Clacton 150, Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton, Essex, CO15 1SE.

Clacton 150 organisers want people's memories from over the years

They said memories could be from enjoying the beach to attending the air show

Events and projects to mark Clacton's 150 years have been supported with a £250,000 grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.