island island south east comes word meaning island pool island split main areas connected mainland causeway floods high tide island inhabited pre roman times holiday destination occupants fishing key industry island particularly tourism makes significant island economy west thought existed 7th century dates 12th 13th centuries island popular 16th 19th century focal point troops world wars number observation posts found island tourism remains popular number beach holiday parks island week long festival boat racing takes place summer geography island lies miles south east miles east county town easterly inhabited island united_kingdom tidal islands accessed foot road british mainland situated estuary area rivers area square miles km2 formed north west connect smaller lies adjacent north area immediately surrounding island consists important sanctuary migratory birds island sits mix boulder clay sand gravel internally island split west main inhabited area containing marina predominantly farmland includes east small hamlet hill north land immediately facing known flats beach low tide seen west divided areas southwest west serves fishing industries contains number listed buildings centre contains church peter paul beach south derived word meaning island pool mentioned book derived meaning land economy main industries farming fishing leisure boating industry harvested island roman times shipped worldwide extensive history association trade attracts significant number tourists year today trade predominantly pacific introduced area essex fishery opened mayor september company shed restaurant west island serves fresh order praised quality small shops ice cream businesses serve tourism sited world war near beach camping sites island help contribute island economy summer months largest residents history evidence pre roman settlement form red hills remains celtic salt workings large british round near contained remains cremated adult glass lead local large mosaic floor found underneath west discovered evidence roman remains church west believed holiday destination romans staying evidence shown number fish traps exist island date 7th century established large fish southwest island built church west damaged norse raiders rebuilt west tower added church 11th century south aisle 15th continued end 18th century causeway built oak piles discovered dated land granted abbey france survived dissolution monasteries dates 12th 13th century extensions late 15th 16th church hall surrounded moat thought remains danish refuge defeat king alfred english civil war built aim blockading river ruins remain known legally protected english_heritage scheduled monument fishing grew importance island time numerous fish installed 16th 17th centuries dutch french settlers arrived island locals supplemented income trade smuggling remained popular mid-19th century favoured rose immediately north store pond alongside inn early 19th century increased demand despite limited supply channel led traders places pass native island end 19th century land island partially reclaimed allowing easier access police officer island appointed school opened reverend author onward christian soldiers novel set rector east world war soldiers came lost lives troops stationed island war crash landed nearby great northwest island survivors stationed moving prisoner war camps obtained grant set world war exhibition ivy farm features information soldiers took war west self governing urban district allowed set self contained water sewer system unlike coastal resorts island immediately develop facilities aside beach stretch outbreak world war island line invasion heavily fortified coastal resorts island drew london war progressed moved safer settlements inland troops stationed island guard invasion battery inch guns installed beach battery observation post number installations survived seen south coast island converted cafe war island suffered severe winter weather destroyed fishery flooding numerous beach swept sea service launched following initiative approached capability station operates atlantic class 1960s population increased considerably population west rising suffered increased popularity abroad compared nearby resorts predominantly isolated rural atmosphere continued popularity sailing thousand locals signed petition proposed opening store island expressing concern trade away local businesses june queen celebrations island declared mock independence day travelling island paid passport proceeds went war veteran charity help heroes education foundation primary school pupils aged school additional nursery children aged school built additional classrooms added secondary schools island nearest thomas lord school school transport main access island causeway known carrying road road covered high tides especially spring tides north_sea flood submerged feet water cutting access mainland west complained lack adequate signage people rescued high tide hours provides live view access corresponding website lists upcoming high tides likelihood road railway railway boom mid 19th century goods transported boat barge local businessmen proposed railway island ended pier south additional station plans abandoned world war regular bus service links west east foot ferry runs point clear estuary including scheduled service summer demand service spring autumn culture island setting works spent childhood holidays island included novel published plot disguised suffolk novel set week week long august festival boat racing organised west yacht club established week starting monday races boat classes estuary large celebrated event round island race attempt sail round island direction helped volunteers saturday followed selection water sports display dusk popular events saturday walking pole rigged hosting thames sailing barge takes place combines food theatre showing meals particularly local live music storytelling island home compete essex youth football team
Mersea Island