Jaywick, Clacton.

Jaywick was a holiday village built in the 1930's. The village consists of small summer houses; these holidays were aimed for Londoners. In that era it was quite rare to travel abroad as it was just so unaffordable. 
Jaywick was successful for many years until, i suspect, people began holidaying in other countries. With the lack of income in the area the village has gradually deteriorated. The lovely summer houses which were lovingly built and stayed in, are now perminent homes and with a lack of income they are all in very much need of some TLC. The people of Jaywick have only their Martello tower to drive in some sort of tourist attraction. Unfortunately i have found that the residents of Jaywick seem to have also been drained of life.  I'm sure they are lovely people but you can definitely see the class divide. Whilst on a shoot in the area I popped into one of the coastal cafe's where I was glared at and made to feel quite uncomfortable. Maybe this is because the area has been void from visters for so long that anyone who risks entering is now seen as an 'Outsider'. 
This poses the question, if the area was to be regenerated would the attitudes of these poor, tired residents also lighten up? 
I read in the Daily Gazette that a BNP member (oh dear) had compared the area as a shanty town. He wrote on his blog “There are parts of it you wouldn’t want to be at night and parts you certainly wouldn’t want to live.” 
Anyway, I do hope the area will be invested in sometime in the near future. The people are obviously suffering. If i was asked to set an example of poverty in the UK, Jaywick would definitely spring to mind. 


Frances : |