Posts Tagged ‘Youtube’

The Real Canvey Island Monster

Posted: October 27, 2012 by BTP Liam in Case Study, Up-Coming Event, Various
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An unlikely artist’s impression which has circulated the internet

The Canvey Island Monster has been classed as a ‘cryptid’ – an unidentifiable species of creature, inline with the Loch Ness Monster, and Bigfoot, as  a few examples.  In November 1953, a strange marine creature was washed up on Canvey at the beach, soon after the Canvey Floods. It was described as being 73cm/2.4ft in length, and having ‘thick reddish-brown skin and bulging eyes, and gills.’ It was also said as having ‘hind legs with five-toed horseshoe-shaped feet with concave arches – which appeared to be suited for bipedal locomotion – but no forelimbs.’ and its remains were soon cremated, as zoologists for some reason said it to be of no danger to the public.

Resident Colin Day describes himself coming across the carcass as a boy:

I was THERE. I was a young lad of nine at the time. I noticed a group of peers in a crowd on the beach. Kids were prodding it with their spades. I ACTUALLY TOUCHED IT ! I thought it was a person at first as I could only see part of it through the crowd. Its flesh was NOT fish-like….Scales. It was a pinkish colour and looked like wobbly human flesh with cellulite (orange peel texture). I remember shouting to the other kids…”It’s a mermaid” over and over. I have to say that even at 66, my long term memory is excellent, especially about the day I saw my first mermaid.

The only photograph of the monster, taken by Canvey photographer Rev. Joseph Overs.

However, a year later in 1954, another beast was found. It was ‘described as being similar to the first but much larger, being 120cm (3.9 ft) long and weighing approximately 11.3kg (25lb). It was sufficiently fresh for its eyes, nostrils and teeth to be studied though no official explanation was given at the time as to what it was or what happened to the carcass.’  The size of a child! It has been speculated as most likely to have been either an anglerfish or even more likely a frogfish.

In 1999, Fortean journalist Nicholas Warren carried out an investigation into the 1953–54 sightings. He was unable to locate any official records at the Plymouth Marine Biology Association Laboratory or the National Rivers Authority identifying the creature as being a known or unknown specimen, but was able to find accounts from locals who believed the creature was an anglerfish. This determination was later seconded by Alwyne Wheeler, former ichthyologist for the Department of Zoology at the British Natural History Museum, who put forward that the creature was an anglerfish whose pronounced fins had been incorrectly described as being hind legs

Cutting from when the ’54 monster was washed up.

In relation to the events of 1953-54, Joe and I, this time last year, made a short film called ‘The Canvey Island Monster Returns’, which imagines it comes back to attack residents, in a kind of ‘spoof news report’ fashion. This year, on Halloween, the 31st, part two comes out, with much more action and adventure following an airborne virus it brings which infects islanders into a zombie-like state. A documentary on the real monster will come out too (a video version of this article). Below is the first Canvey Island Monster fictional film, and an advertisement poster for part two, which will be available on Beyond the Point TV, our YouTube channel, on release date.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZA2pK6ixGk

Visit to RAF Rivenhall

Posted: August 31, 2012 by BTP Joe in Case Study, Event Review
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Halloween is getting closer and Liam and myself are preparing for the filming of The Canvey Island Monster Returns Part II. We have been busy filming recently and we have been looking at some exciting locations to film at. When looking at airfields online we came across RAF Rivenhall, an abandoned airfield near Colchester. It looked good so we decided to visit the site but we was disappointed when we arrived.

The main (and only) hangar.

Opened in 1943, Rivenhall was used by both the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force. During the war it was used primarily as a combat airfield with various fighter and bomber units. After the war it was closed during 1946 and kept in reserve until 1956. Rivenhall, for a time, was used to house Polish servicemen released from PoW camps who did not want to return to their homeland. Marconi leased much of the site after this time.

Construction was begun in early 1943 with the runways, perimeter and hard standings being built by Messrs W. & C. French and the buildings by Bovis Limited. Building progress was slow during the autumn and winter of 1943, so much so that much of the accommodation and support installations were uncompleted when the first units of the USAAF arrived. The airfield, like others in the grouping, had first been allocated to the Eighth Air Force for heavy bomber use and eventually re-assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Wing which became the nucleus of IX Bomber Command.

Some blocks at the airfield.

The airfield was built to the Class A airfield standard consisting of three runways of 6,000 ft (10/28), 4,200 ft (04/22), and 4,200 ft (16/34). 51 “Loop” type hardstands were constructed connecting to an enclosing perimeter track, of a standard width of 50 feet. The ground support station was constructed largely of Nissen huts of various sizes mostly on the south side of the airfield. The support station was where the group and ground station commanders and squadron headquarters and orderly rooms were located. Also on the ground station were where the mess facilities; chapel; hospital; mission briefing and debriefing; armory and bombsite storage; life support; parachute rigging; supply warehouses; station and airfield security; motor pool and the other ground support functions necessary to support the air operations of the group. These facilities were all connected by a network of single path support roads.

The main runway that remains today. I believe there is another one that still remains, but the fields and crops have overgrown most of it.

The technical site, also on the south side of the airfield, was connected to the ground station and airfield consisted of at least two T-2 type hangars and various organizational, component and field maintenance shops along with the crew chiefs and other personnel necessary to keep the aircraft airworthy and to quickly repair light and moderate battle damage. Aircraft severely damaged in combat were sent to repair depots for major structural repair.

The Ammunition dump was located on the north side of the airfield, outside of the perimeter track surrounded by large dirt mounds and concrete storage pens for storing the aerial bombs and the other munitions required by the combat aircraft. Various domestic accommodation sites were constructed dispersed away from the airfield on the south side, but within a mile or so of the technical support site, also using clusters of Maycrete or Nissen huts. The Huts were either connected, set up end-to-end or built singly and made of prefabricated corrugated iron with a door and two small windows at the front and back. They provided accommodation for 2,594 personnel, including communal and a sick quarters.

For a more detailed guide of the full history including military operations, please refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Rivenhall

Exploring the site

The site of the airfield is quite large with the buildings being scattered in woodland and long grass. Two hangers exist, one is listed, whilst the other is due to be demolished (Marconi modified the building, therefore making it invalid for listing) to make way for a incinerator. All other buildings next to the runway and the control tower itself have been cleared in the last few years.

Shoebury Visit Part 5 – The Garrison and Cold War Anti-Sub Boom

Posted: July 8, 2012 by BTP Liam in Case Study, Event Review
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We then headed into the actual garrison – the housing area for the troops working on the batteries. Here is a description of the site, and Officer’s Mess (the actual housing area now revamped as properties) from officers-mess.co.uk.

The Shoebury Garrison Dating back to 1797 when a signal station was erected at the start of the Napoleonic War, Shoebury Garrison is steeped in British Military history and has long been associated with the valour of the armed forces. Having housed Royal Artillery and Gunnery schools since the early 1800′s, Shoebury Garrison is now recognised as an area of national importance and is protected – much of it as a conservation area. Many of the historical buildings are listed and a great deal of the site within the ancient ramparts is protected by English Heritage as scheduled ancient monuments. The Officers’ Mess The buildings of The Officers’ Mess are undoubtedly the most prestigious listed buildings within the historic Shoebury Garrison. The grand and elegant regeneration respects and enhances the heritage of this wonderful site. The sophisticated re-development includes a section of the original Coast Guard Station, the only pre-Garrison building on the site, that now forms part of the South-facing side of The Officers’ Mess. As you walk through the stunning landscaped grounds your eye is lead to the spectacular Grand Hall where some of the original features have been restored to an outstanding finish with beautiful high ceilings and grand features and characteristics to complement its appearance. The very fabric of The Officers’ Mess is imbued with the privilege and honour of its illustrious past – just a mere glance inside the building provides a small window on a forgotten era of nobility and grandeur. An ethos that is about to come back to life inside the walls of this imposing and magnificent building.

Hadleigh Castle

Posted: July 4, 2012 by BTP Joe in Event Review, Local Event
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Hello! First, we are delighted to say that we (Beyond the Point) are having another stall this Sunday from 12am to about 5pm at the Canrnival. We will be situated down at the Labworth Field in a white gazebo and keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook, for a precise location! We will be, of course, selling our Canvey Island Documentary DVD, for £4.99 with funds going towards new equipment e.t.c. We had a great success last month, with even the local MP, Rebecca Harris buying one!

Hadleigh Castle is a local gem that we haven’t really touched on, apart from BTP Liam’s quick post with a picture, that can be seen here. In 1215 King John gave this area of land, known as the manor of Hadleigh, along with many other gifts, to Hubert de Burgh. Hubert was a trusted follower of the king, and was the custodian of the two important castles at Windsor and Dover. Hubert built this large turreted castle as a statement of his power. His successful career came to an end after quarrels with the king, and he was forced to return his lands, including Hadleigh in 1239.

Courtesy of English Heritage

Hadleigh Castle was built on geologically unstable clay. There were already problems in 1274, when it was said to be ‘badly built and decayed’. Subsequent land slips have moved the south wall of the castle and caused the collapse of most of the north-east tower.

N/E Tower

N/E Tower

The castle as it may have appeared in about 1370, at the end of a ten year programme of refurbishment. Edward III spent large sums of money on a new gateway and high tower, lodging chambers and a chapel. The east front was transformed with the addition of two impressive towers. The castle was surrounded by parkland and possibly a garden or orchard near the entrance.

Below we can see images of a led melting point from the mid 16th century.

You can watch our documentary of the castle below followed by a few other pictures. All of our Facebook images can be seen here. We will soon be having a new special series of survival food techniques and recipes coming to Beyond the Point! Keep and eye out for the series and don’t forget to come along, this Saturday (7th July) for our stall!

Hmmmmm?

Peeka-boo!

BTP Liam taking some pictures!

The master at work 8)

Shoebury Visit Part 3 – Victorian Gunpowder Mills + Viking Rampart

Posted: June 17, 2012 by BTP Liam in Event Review
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So, after visiting the huge quick-firing heavy battery (http://beyondthepoint.co.uk/2012/05/05/shoebury-batterygarrison-visit-part-2-big-bunkers/), we proceeded to a pair of Victorian Gunpowder mills, tucked behind a building-type temporary metal fence. Luckily the area was clear, and the fence could be easily slipped out of the rubber base, joining the fences together, so we could quickly slip inside. There was a large possibly victorian outdoor building amongst a building material storage site, which was too fenced off. This is probably why the mills fell within the fence too, yet were still a distance off. It was all probably part of renovation for the garrison. One building was sealed, yet another’s door was open. It consisted of a doorway room with a cupboard, an the main room. In slight lighting from a mobile phone, it became a cosy place. It was immaculate in quality, and featured perspex over some sort of gunpowder funnel coming out of the wall. Along with the other building having lead covering part of its roof, we could tell that some sort of failed renovation project had been carried out on these buildings. The paint inside was immaculate, and all the little pegs existed on the walls for various items.
With a nice warm dim lamp, I could have lived inside there! A few cobwebs did cover the corners however.

The two mills happened to stand on what I only recently found out to be a Viking rampart/some kind of earthen wall to defend a Viking base. This was a nice thing to know, but a little too late to be able to embrace whilst we were there. The Vikings were essentially travelling raiders by boat, and with Scandinavia opposite the Thames, you can see why they might have ended up having a look around this area.

The possibly Victorian out-building

The two mills with earthen Viking rampart behind

The inaccessible mill with signs of later redevelopment attempts

Da boys in da house

The accessible one

The door-room looking into the main room

Various internal shots:

Some later reinforced device probably for gunpowder linked between the two rooms

 

Next on the trip was the various WW2 defence buildings on the seafront, and later the Cold War anti-submarine boom, so keep your eyes peeled.
For pictures of the whole day from me, go to these addresses:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.334559163232954.78255.238743826147822&type=3

And for Joe’s go here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.334429693245901.78232.238743826147822&type=3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAvQBoxslH0

Canvey Island Guide Book & Flying Fortress Propeller Images

Posted: June 13, 2012 by BTP Joe in Various
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Hello everyone! It’s been a while since our last post because we’ve been busy with the stall in which we made a satisfying profit on the day. We met loads of wonderful people and many people bought our Canvey Island Documentary DVD, including our local MP, Rebecca Harris. You can buy yours now, here!

After an hour or so of scanning an old Canvey guide book, the page by page images can be seen in the gallery below! Canvey was seen and promoted as a holiday spot quite thoroughly over the past century but particularly in the early 1900′s when a popular man, Frederick Hester, was on the scene. (Read more here) Hester spent hundreds trying to re-vamp England and extensively promote it to Londoner’s; a place where they could go to breath sea air. Hester started to build a pier (which was planned to be 3 stories and bigger than Southend pier) and of course the Winter Gardens Tram line. Hester Unfortuantly became bust though and later died in 1934. Below are the images of the booklet. Image 1 is page 1, Image 2 is page 2 e.t.c (Hover over the image to view what number!! Sorry they’re not in order, WordPress is being stupid!!)

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As well as these images I also have a few more delights with thanks to Shirley Gartshore! ;) Below are images of the B17 Flying Fortress propeller which belonged to the plane which crashed at Canvey Point. You can read a very detailed account by Janet Penn here.

And now one last picture but this time a slightly different one. This photo below shows a crashed lorry but in the background on the right, we can see the Thorney Bay War defences from Tuesday 14th June 1977. If you zoom in and look just behind the lorry, you can see a long building which is the army huts in the Thorney Bay Camp. That’s all from me for now and expect a post by BTP Liam soon! I would like to ask please, for you support, in supporting myself in a competition that I recently entered. All you need to do is click the link here and watch the vid!

Tuesday 14th June 1977

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