Brightlingsea – Five Miles Out

Well There’s So Much You Have To Learn

I never meant to be involved in the Battle of Brightlingsea. I was living in London by 1995, only going back there at weekends. There had been a growing protest against live animal exports that meant that small ports like Brightlingsea had been brought into use to circumvent the main ports. I had seen thereContinue reading “Well There’s So Much You Have To Learn”

Fuck them and their law

Is there anywhere in the UK that gets the bad rep that Essex does? We are stupid; have no taste; we all have spray tans, holiday in Marbella, shop at Lakeside and are obsessed with money. This started with the “Essex girl” jokes in the early 1990s, which were based on the erroneous assumption thatContinue reading “Fuck them and their law”

Don’t Say It’s a Crime

After our A levels ended and I was feeling a bit better (https://fivemilesout.home.blog/2020/06/18/cause-man-must-be-his-own-saviour/ ) we had a staff and student bridge tournament at school. The Bridge Club had been set up by Mr Locke and Mr Bonnar and it was not a surprise that they won, though Mr Currell and Mr Carter were only 8Continue reading “Don’t Say It’s a Crime”

We’re Living in a Powder Keg

Brightlingsea’s pubs had a famously relaxed attitude to underage drinking. The police had a minimal presence and as long as there was no trouble in the village they pretty much ignored us. It used to have 13 pubs, plus the Sailing Club, Yacht Club, British Legion, Community Centre and the Football Club – 18 placesContinue reading “We’re Living in a Powder Keg”

The Alcohol Loves You While Turning You Blue

There’s no place like home, but where is home for someone who moves around? I didn’t want to move to Brightlingsea. I had finally got a group of friends in Royston who shared my interests in books, music and RPGs. Also I was at a school that really suited me (very disciplined, low disruption andContinue reading “The Alcohol Loves You While Turning You Blue”