About our CIU Club
Canvey Island Labour Club
Lionel Rd, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 9DE
Tel: 01268 694908
Canvey Island: The name Canvey is of Anglo Saxon origin, it means "Cana's island", the modern name is a compound of two languages, meaning literally "Cana's island island". It was first recorded in manorial records in 1255 as Caneveye. Geologically, Canvey Island, was part of the mainland, the coastline then broke-up into smaller pieces, and the modern island is made up of 5 of those pieces. There are historical maps held at the Essex Record Office that do show where the 5 separate islands originally lay and it is thought that these are the marshes referred to in earlier records. Sheep farming was a mainstay industry of the island until very recently. Because of the geological history of Canvey Island subsidence was a common problem and sea defences have been built to protect the island from the Thames since the 14th century. In the early 17th century Dutch builders were employed to reclaim land from the Thames and to strengthen the sea defences. Because of this a strong Dutch community formed in Canvey Island, evidence of which can still be found in local street names, place names and architecture. This island is also home to the Canvey Island Monster. More on Canvey Island.
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