This Section is devoted to Wivenhoe people, present and past. We have some great talent here. We have people who get out and do things. People who use their time in different ways. People who have enhanced Wivenhoe in some manner. Find out more about each person by clicking on their name.
Ted AtkinsonSculptor with works in a number of public collections including the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and the Stadt-Wetzlar Museum, Germany.Tina BarkhamLocal artistMaggie BernsteinLocal artistJean BlackwellAt 72, in June 2007, Jean is undertaking a 135km trek through the Tanzania bush with Maasai warriors as guides ending in the Ngorongoro Crater in the African Rift Valley.Annie BieleckaAnnie has steadily been developing her range of artistic works from painting, costume design and wonderfully embroidered decorative framed textiles with almost magical qualities.Susannah BradleyAn illustrator and artist who specialised in such things as murals and other creative art as brooches, mirrors and family photographs. 21st April 1944 – 20th August, 2008.Emma CameronA Wivenhoe artist who exhibits in numerous galleries both in East Anglia and nationallyCapt John CarterCaptain John Carter 1850 – 1910. A local skipper and captain also of the Royal Yacht Britannia. He made a big reputation for himself as a racing skipper, winning many trophies.Richard ChoppingDistinguished artist and illustratorJane ColeA photo of Jane who has worked so hard for Friends of St Mary’s, the fund-raising group she founded in 1993. Editor of Wivenhoe News. Sid CoxSid came to Wivenhoe in 1972 and for many years was our local community policeman. He was known by everyone in Wivenhoe during those years. He was also an active member of many organisations including, and especially the Youth Club. He died tragically in 2007 after a fall. David CrazeFormer Chairman and President of the Wivenhoe Society. Wivenhoe Town Mayor 2002-03 Pam DanA fine artist and art tutor, well-known since the 1960s.Richard Davies Former Town and Borough Councillor. Town Mayor 2000-1. Died suddenly 23rd February, 2004 Angie DiggensFrom the age of 14, Angie has already established a fine reputation for herself as a star performer especially on the organ and as a singer. Shane DiggensFrom the age of 7 Shane has been acting in local shows and drumming in local bands and started singing since he was 15. He has established a fine reputation for himself as an all round performer. He also directs shows twice a year.James DoddsWell-known artist, particularly for his linocuts and interest in maritime heritage. Also publisher of books with over 20 to his credit. Bill EllisSee photos of Bill Ellis’s replicas of ships and other craft made at the upstream shipyard. Karen EmmsTalented youngster who has appeared on the Wivenhoe stage in pantomime, plays the oboe and other instruments, dances and has ambitions to be a music teacher. Meriol EnsomLocal artistAnthony EverittFormer Secretary General of the Arts Council, he is a Visiting Professor in performing and visual arts at Nottingham Trent University, a Companion of Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and an Honorary Fellow of Dartington College of the Arts. Wivenhoe resident since 1991. Published ‘The First Emperor’ in 2006.Steve FordSteve Ford represented Quay Ward, Wivenhoe on Colchester Borough Council from 2004 to 2014. He was also Mayor of Wivenhoe during his time on the Town Council.Tony Forsgate
Retired as Headmaster of Parsons Heath C. of E. School. having previously been Head of Shrub End C.P. School and Montgomery Junior School. Trustee of Feedhams Almshouses, now Wivenhoe Housing Trust, for 35 years. Past Secretary of Wivenhoe Cricket Club for 17 years. Current Secretary of the Colne Social Club. Continuing member of the St.Mary’s Church choir for 30+ years. Former W.O.D sailor in earlier days. Member of the Stoke by Nayland Golf Club for 30+ years and former Veterans’ Captain.
Jo FosterDaughter of John and Sheila Foster, well-known couple who have long been members and performers, at least in the case of Sheila, in several of Wivenhoe’s performing groups. Jo herself was an active member of the Wivenhoe Youth Theatre. In 2009, she had two books published.Joan GiffordJoan, a moving force behind the Wivenhoe Folk Club, singer of songs and teacher of fingerstyle guitar playing. Pam GloverThe story of a plucky lady. Read about Pam’s challenge. A walk to raise money in 2003. Gordon GreenGordon ran Barton’s Stores with his wife Pat for many years, retiring in 1997.Pru GreenA local potter with a fine reputation.Jean HardingFounder of Wivenhoe Bookshop, a much-loved and respected resident of Wivenhoe who died in July 2008. Stephanie HarlandStephanie Harland is a multi-faceted artist proficient in the media of photography, animation and illustration.Joan Hickson OBEJoan Hickson OBE 1906 – 1998Mrs Bonnie HillBonnie was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Essex by Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex in October 2007. She is a familiar face in many organisations, and especially in Girl Guides in which she is a County Commissioner. Maria IacovouMaria Iacovou was elected to Wivenhoe Town Council in May 2007. Sophie IvesArtist working in oils and photography.Elizabeth JeffreyAuthor of many historical novels. Born and brought up in Wivenhoe, Elizabeth Jeffrey is better known to many of us as Olive Whaley.Peter KayPeter Kay has been writing and publishing transport and local history titles since the 1980s.Eliza KentridgeAn artist who came to Wivenhoe in 1990. Her fabric works combine a linear quality with the spontaneity of collage.Peter KennedyArts Editor of Wivenhoe News since 2003 and one of the founders of poetryWivenhoeEugene KraftResident in Wivenhoe since 1993. Borough councillor from 2003 to 2008. Secretary of The Shipyard Project. Secretary of the Wivenhoe Town Plan Group – 2005/8. Took over from Peter Hill as webmaster of this site in Nov 2008.Penny KraftFormer well-known hairdresser in Wivenhoe (Penny Lear). Town councillor and and Town Mayor 2006/07 Admiral John Lee-BarberThe Admiral lived on The Quay after an illustrious career in the Royal Navy. He died in 1995.Janita Le FevreAfter 28 years living in Wivenhoe, Janita Le Fevre, trained Educational Lecturers in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, 2002-2004, as a member of Volunteer Service Overseas. Since then she has shared skills with the National Commission for Nomadic Education, in Kaduna, Nigeria, 2005-2006. Janita sent many letters home, and in response to one in particular, in 2004, her friend, Dilly Meyer, organised hundreds of Wivenhoe people to raise �7,000 to help Tsehaye in Arba Minch build a brick orphanage. We continue to send �1,000 a year to Tsehaye so she can feed the children. For more about Tsehaye and Arba Minch, click hereNeil LodgeNeil Lodge was co-opted on Wivenhoe Town Council in 2005 and elected to the Council in the elections held in May 2007Fiona MasonTheatre producer, music promoter and arts consultant. Founder and Director of Wivenhoe based SEGUE MUSIC.David McCaskeyFormer lecturer at Colchester Institute. See the many articles he has had published on hospitality and the hotel industry.Amanda McStayA singer who specialises in jazz and old favourites such as Sinatra, Gershwin, Irving Berlin amongst others.Chris MortChris Mort and Hilda Taylor have worked and supported the Christian Aid charity since 1954 when it was then called InterChurch Aid and Refugee Service. Sue Murray ARPSA picture of Sue Murray, a person who has taken hundreds of photographs of Wivenhoe people, buildings and events.John NashA former lecturer at the University of Essex, where he spent more than 30 years at the University’s Department of Art History and Theory, specialising in 17th century Dutch and 19th century French painting, now a painter in his own right.Martin NewellHe once described himself as a ‘musical maverick’. These days he is a writer, broadcaster and musician, best-known nationally for his poetry and humorous writing and internationally for rock music. He is a well known local figure.Katy Osborne A very talented young lady who is now making a name for herself on the stage outside of Wivenhoe.Mark PatersonAbout Mark Paterson and his home, Little Wick, which has an interesting history and dates back to at least 1750. Matt PendleRead about Matt Pendle’s time in Peru during his gap year 2005. Matt Pendle has been a leading actor with the Wivenhoe Youth Theatre. Gilli PrimroseWivenhoe Town Mayor 2003-04David PurdeyDavid Purdey was elected to Wivenhoe Town Council in 2003 and became Town Mayor in 2007Daniel ReedLocal ceramacist and photographer.Jack RevellAbout Jack Revell, a character who lived in Wivenhoe throughout the second half of the 20th century.Bob RichardsonBob was a well-known figure in Wivenhoe during from the 1970s until his death in 2003. He was a Town and Borough Councillor for many years and a former Town Mayor. Tom RobertsAbout Cllr Tom Roberts, Town Mayor of Wivenhoe, 2005 – 06Rev Angela RobinsonA former minister at the Congregational Church in Wivenhoe, Angela became a teacher in Bangladesh, teaching English to the local children in a place where a white skin is very much a rarity. She has now written a book. If you think our Education system is rotten wait till you hear the stories that Angela can tell. (August02)Ken RogersHas enjoyed a career much involved in policing matters and security. He founded the Wivenhoe Community Safety NW Committee. Died in 2011.Paul Rumsey
His works in charcoal, or pen and ink, has earned him many awards.
Anne Schwegmann-FieldingA well-established artist who has lived in Wivenhoe. Charles Scofield
Retired as maintenence superintendent of Colchester Borough Council housing dept.. Signwriter for 28 years to the R.N.L.I with special responsibility for 14 lifeboats spread over the East and South East coast. Past Worshipful Master of the Colne Masonic Lodge, Wivenhoe and member for the past 57 years. Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Rebow Road almshouses, now part of the Wivenhoe Housing Trust. Local sailor with the Wivenhoe Sailing Club in earlier years. Keen bowls player. Member of the Colchester Golf Club for 20+ years and former Veterans’ Captain.
Brian SinclairBrian Sinclair was co-opted on Wivenhoe Town Council in 2005 and elected to the Council in the elections held in May 2007.Tessa Spencer- PryseShe moved to Wivenhoe in 1991 and, since 1976, has had many solo exhibitions here and in London, regularly showing work at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of British Artists and at the New English Art Club.Lyn SmithA singer, songwriter and leader of a band called carbon 13Belinda StarlingSinger, songwriter, and author who died tragically in August 2006 aged just 34 and before her first book was published. Hilda TaylorHilda Taylor and Chris Mort have worked and supported the Christian Aid charity since 1954 when it was then called InterChurch Aid and Refugee Service. Debbie TaylorLocal artistJoan TaylorA writer and historian. In 2006, she had a book published in May – Conversations with Mr. Prain – and another one published in October, with Tempus Publishing, called The Englishman, the Moor and the Holy City. Capt. Albert TurnerWivenhoe’s famous racing captain who skippered King George V’s racing yacht Britannia to over 200 wins.Mike TrimMusician, composer and record producer.Graham WadleyDirector of Music at St Mary’s Church, Wivenhoe for many years and organiser of St Mary’s Singers which perform several times each year. He was appointed to the Council of the Royal School of Church Music in 2008.The WatshamsFrederic Watsham came to Wivenhoe in 1902. He became a well-known and influential figure, and Chairman of Wivenhoe Urban District Council. His son Claude was a founder of the Bowls Club in 1926. Iain WardIain has written a book about the Hong Kong Marine Police. Jan WardHas written a book:Travellers Wanted… – 1968: Sydney to London in a double decker bus.Anthony WellsLocal artist with a growing reputation.Jeff Whaley
Known locally as a very skilled antique restorer having being responsible for all restoration at Marjorie Dean’s Antiques for over 50 years. Former Trustee of the Feedham Almshouses, now W.H .T., for 25 years. Former keen sailor with the Alresford Boatowners Association. An outstanding footballer in his younger days with the Wivenhoe Rangers. Married to the well-known Wivenhoe authoress Elizabeth Jeffrey.
Tim WhitnellFine acoustic guitar player, who also composes for TV and other media, and finds time to teach aspiring guitar playersDenis Wirth-MillerDistinguished artist and lifelong partner of Richard ChoppingArthur WorthingtonArthur Worthington built a bungalow at the end of De Vere Close where he and his wife lived. In the 1950s, he sold the land for the Scout and Guide Hall for a very low price.