Past & Present

The island’s natural beauty has always attracted artists and photographers.

The Mersea Island Museum Trust will be showing a fascinating selection of photographs of Mersea in times gone by, many of which are from the renowned Brian Jay collection, with Chrissie Gamble, an award winning Mersea photographer, bringing us bang up to date with her portfolio of island images.

Sailing and water sports are popular with both residents and visitors but Mersea has a working waterfront and the Blackwater Oystermen will be giving an insight into how oysters are cultivated and there will be an exhibition of perfectly scaled model boats featuring barges, smacks and winklebrigs.

The Mersea Wildfowlers will also be in attendance displaying one of their traditional duck punts and you will be able to see ropework in progress.

Countryside enthusiasts can learn about the Mersea Ploughing Match;- the ancient art of beekeeping if you've ever wondered how a corn dolly was made, well here's your chance to learn the secret!

What's On

  • Bee Hive
  • Beer and Wine Tasting
  • Blackwater Oyster Men
  • Cookery Demonstrations
  • Corn Dolly Making
  • Farrier
  • Heritage Photos
  • Mersea Island Museum Trust
  • Mersea Ploughing Match Exhibition
  • Mersea Wildfowlers
  • Ropes and Knots
  • Traditional Model Boats

Exhibitors

  • HM Coastguard
  • Mersea Island Lions
  • Mersea Ploughing Match
  • Essex Wildlife Trust
  • Mersea Island Museum Trust
  • Porridge Pot Crafts
  • RNLI
  • West Mersea Town Regatta Committee
Food & Drink