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By Phyllis M Hendy
A History of St Osyth Priory
Booklet – 60 pages

£4.00

The history of the Priory of St Osyth reflects closely the history of England. It was here 400 years before the Norman Conquest that a religious house was set up then lost with the dramatic martyrdom of the Saxon Osyth. Osyth was wife of King Sighere, King of Essex, and she was the mother of King Offa of Mercia.

This account covers a mere millennia – the 421 years of monastic life, the 346 years under manorial rule and the 123 years of residential – commercial occupation. It starts in the Saxon period leading up to the Norman Conquest.

By Phyllis M Hendy
1582 and all that!

£4.00

The 1582 trials of Witches from St Osyth was well documented at the time and in this booklet Phyllis takes us though the characters involved and reproduces the trial records with their original spellings and phrases.

The booklet does not include details of the later trials in 1645 involving Matthew Hopkins - the Witchfinder General - which Phyllis wanted to complete but was unable.

By Phyllis M Hendy
St Osyth in the Year 1901
Booklet – 58 pages

£4.00

An in-depth look at coastal village in North East Essex in the year 1901. For centuries nothing had changed but as the 20^th century dawned new-fangled ways would mean a radical upheaval.

Some of the descriptions of events and names are shown as recorded at the time, but today would not be considered acceptable or politically correct – no offence is intended.

By Phyllis M Hendy
History of St Osyth's Public Houses
Booklet – 68 pages

£4.00

Taverns, Inns, Beerhouses or Public Houses, call them what you will, have been at the heart of St Osyth village life. They were meeting places when the majority of the population could not read or write, they could however recognise the picture on the pub sign, and so arrive for an assignation.

Pubs were the Post Offices, Transport Depots and the venue for social events. They not only provided accommodation and food, they also provided services such as Blacksmiths, Saddlers and Wheelwrights.

However it has to be acknowledged that there may have been a darker side too.

By Phyllis M Hendy
The Battle with the Sea
Booklet – 66 pages

£4.00

Essex is 1,528 square miles, but no point in it lies more than 34 miles from the sea.

The County is a walled fortress – more than 300 miles of man-made defences barricade its flat marshland borders against the thrusting tide outside.

This is the story of the flood plains of the Tendring Peninsular which juts out into the North Sea between the River Stour and the River Colne. The area is edged by large tracts of former grazing marshes, which were uninhabited until the dawn of the 20^th century.

By Phyllis M Hendy
St Osyth and the Great War
Booklet – 88 pages

£4.00

Reminded that 11^th November 2008 would be the 90^th anniversary of the ending of the Great War, Phyllis began her research. It proved to be overwhelming at times.

She found herself forced to the conclusion that 1914 heralded the demise of innocence, idealism and patriotism.

The 1914 – 18 War with its barbarity, the disregard for the lives of men and the appalling punishments meted out destroyed godliness, decency and faith for the average citizen.

Because of this the First World War will never be over – completely. Those who served will never be forgotten – totally. It is enshrined in every British soul.

By Phyllis M Hendy
St Osyth in the 1920's and 30's
Booklet – 74 pages

£4.00

Clacton's development was designed to encourage thousands of holiday makers to visit the North Essex Coast.

Clacton's attractions were successfully advertised, part of this was the proximity of St Osyth, the historic Priory and the Skeleton House.

The main difference between Clacton and St Osyth was that the village of St Osyth was firmly anchored in the agricultural rural life. Residents were only slowly becoming used to the growing number of visitors, they had little concept of tourism.

Change was inevitable, like it or not. This is the story of the reluctance shown in the 1920's, which by the late 1930's had become a pro-active response to tourism.

But as Phyllis's mum said in 1939 "No-one had reckoned with the old Gerries.

By Phyllis M Hendy
A History of St Osyth during World War 2
Booklet – 64 pages

£4.00

In every large scale incident of warfare personalities emerge – nationally and locally.

Nationally – Hitler came close to dominating Europe. Stalin’s ambition matched this, but Stalin made Hitler paranoid enough to break their non-aggression pact. The Italians were never really committed, they opted for the wrong ally. The Japanese showed their extreme national fervour, but made a huge error at Pearl Harbour.

Over 30 million people were slaughtered worldwide – so that Fascism was defeated, yet Communism thrived leading to the Cold War.

Against this formidable background this booklet, whist acknowledging the bigger picture, tells the story of Toosey's war, the experiences of residents, of those destined by war to come and live here, but mainly those who did not return home.

Produced By John Worland
DVD – 50 minutes

£15.00

The fascinating story of Ursula Kemp, the witch trials and the skeletons of Mill Street investigated and explained by John Worley.