Museum - Coalhouse Fort Park in East Tilbury

Today is the day I say a fond farewell to Coalhouse Fort & Park. My 4 year Historic England funded contract has reached its end and I move on to pastures new. I hope you've enjoyed the archive images I've posted here on Facebook over the years. It's over to Ray now to do the social media duties! Thanks to all the friends I've made and I'm sure you'll be seeing me down at the fort, in some capacity, in the future! Kevin

I thought I would share a selection of archive images of our next door neighbour, the lovely St Catherine's Church. One of the drawings shows the planned full size tower, as drawn by one of the Coalhouse Fort Royal Engineers (or Sappers). Unfortunately, the work was stopped by the 'top brass' and remains unfinished to this day. Apart from lacking height, it also lacks the crenellated battlements on the top, usually seen on church towers (and castles, of course). The other ...drawing, discovered in an old copy of Panorama (Journal of Thurrock Local History Society), shows the view from the park in May 1875, 145 years ago, and a year after the fort was completed. We don't know who the man on horseback was, but the small shed-like structure to the right of the church is the village pound, or lock-up! This shows up on certain Victorian ordnance survey maps. Enjoy!

Coalhouse Fort Park beacon, lit for the 50th anniversary of VE Day in 1995. Taken from the Thurrock Gazette. The re-enactor in the photo is wearing Royal Artillery uniform, so possibly Jonathan Catton (formerly Thurrock Museum and The Garrison RGA living history group). As we're not able to light our beacon today, this seems to be a suitable photo to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Please continue to observe social distancing when visiting the park, which is only to be used for exercise. No picnics or sunbathing ( or BBQs) are allowed.

As today is Star Wars Day, here is something I found at Fort George in the Scottish Highlands last Summer. Seems quite appropriate for May the Fourth! #starwarsday #maythe4th

Some of you will remember this being filmed inside the fort and down by the radar tower back in the Autumn. It's called The Third Day and stars Jude Law, Naomie Harris, Emily Watson and Paddy Considine. The scenes shown in this trailer were mostly filmed on and around Osea Island, in the River Blackwater (near Maldon). Jude Law was at Coalhouse Fort for two days of filming. The chapel shown is the Petre family chapel in Thorndon Park. Our WW2 radar tower can be seen (we think...) at about 1:09. This big budget HBO mini-series was due to be shown in May, but is most likely being put back to the Autumn now, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It will be broadcast on Sky Atlantic. https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/gcayClxQxTo3ZEvh9-1Mo #The3rdDay #judelaw #newdrama

Be smart and keep safe this Bank Holiday weekend stay at home to stop the spread of #Coronavirus in #Thurrock #StayHomeSaveLives

Today is National Winston Churchill Day in the United States, which commemorates the day he was made an honorary citizen of that country. As far as we know, Churchill never came to Coalhouse Fort, but here we have an illustration of him drawn by a soldier from the fort in the First World War. This was discovered, with some other illustrations and poems, in the museum archive The caption reads 'Mr Churchill wins the Hat-trimming Competition.' The words 'Coalhouse Fort' are wr...itten bottom left and the signature isn't clear, but appears to be the surname 'Calder'. It is dated 31st March 1918. This is a good example of how soldiers used humour to get through difficult times. Humour is a theme that runs through both The Searchlight (a journal which was published at Coalhouse Fort) and the similar Wipers Times (published on the Western Front).

Whilst it’s going to be a warm one today, we ask that you please stay at home to help stop the spread of #Coronavirus in our community. Please take care of yourselves and be considerate of others #StayHomeSaveLives

Please read this important message relating to all council owned parks & open spaces. The borough’s parks will remain open for exercise only and to those obeying social distancing rules ensuring people stay two metres or six feet apart and no more than two people who do not live together in a group however play areas and outdoor exercise areas will be closed with immediate effect in line with the latest guidance. (NB: The Coalhouse Fort car park is currently open and not expected to close, unless we receive further guidance or instructions).

This photo was found by Thurrock Museum volunteer Linda. It's hard to date precisely, but looking at the clothing and the somewhat overgrown grounds it's probably late 1950s or early 1960s. The fort gates are out of shot, but to the right of this viewpoint. We hope you like this photo as much as we do and if you are the woman, or boy, in this photo please get in touch!

Many of you will have seen this, or know about this already. But in case you don't know, the Coalhouse Fort Project recently agreed to close their group. You will see lots of stories and information on various online news sites, many of which are incorrect, but we recommend you look at this statement from the Coalhouse Fort Project, which can also be found on their website and facebook page. The Coalhouse Fort Project have been involved with the fort since the early 1980s and during this time they have opened the fort to thousands of visitors and undertaken many excellent restoration projects. We thank them for all their time and hard work. ******Please note any comments which use bad language or are abusive will be deleted and the sender may be blocked from this page******

The car park is definitely open today (Thursday 13th). We have been advised by the Environment Agency that today's high tide doesn't pose a flood risk.

We have been advised to close the car park again, due to an expected high tide in excess of 6.5 metres again. This is due about 3pm but the car park may remain closed for the rest of the day. The car park is now closed. Regarding tomorrow (Thursday 13th), we have been advised to close the car park between the times of 2:30pm and 6pm. As the gates are usually locked at 7pm they probably won't be opened again until Friday. No detailed information has been provided for Friday, but we hope the flood threat will be diminishing by then. Our apologies for any inconvenience this is causing and thanks for your patience.

The Coalhouse Fort car park is now open! Unless the advice from the Environment Agency changes it should be business as usual for the rest of this week. Thanks for your patience over the last 24 hours or so. Please be aware that the Two Forts Way coastal footpath remains closed due to flood damage caused in the Autumn. A long-term solution is being investigated by all stakeholders.