Abstract | There are two wonderful windows in the church. The main window is known as the
Seafarer's Window to record the close association between the village and the sea.
In the left hand are depicted four of the famous yachts that had contested the
America's Cup, yacht racing's most coveted trophy. Yachtsmen from the Blackwater
district have been connected with this great event ever since 1851. I think I am
right in saying that the first race took place in English waters. The yachts
depicted in this wonderful modern and colourful window are yawl AMERICA that
accepted the challenge of the schooner CAMBRIA, SHAMROCK II skippered by the famous
Captain Syscamore of Brightlingsea, and the two ENDEAVOURs skippered by another
famous man, Captain Ted Heard of Tollesbury. Also depicted in this wonderful picture
are small and large vessels that used the east coast waters for a living. The first
ENDEAVOUR broke adrift after leaving America and for about four days the crew
were battened down below because of bad storms and dreadful weather. There were
fears for their safety in the press.
This beautiful window so full of present day
imagination was designed by Mr Derek Wilson and given to the church by Mr F.E. Hasler of New York, having left his native Tollesbury in the early part of the
century to make a fortune. This he did but he must have loved Tollesbury very
much, and during the passing of time has showered many gifts on the village.
I think his first gift was a large meadow hidden away behind the square opposite
the Church. It was made at his request into an Elysian garden. I often wonder if
he had in mind the souls of those heroes who had died for King and Country in the
First World War. I shall never forget my first visit to this beautiful garden, a
late spring evening after a refreshing shower of rain, fruit trees and every sort of
spring blossom sharing their fragrance with the quickly approaching sea fresh
night air, nightingales singing and a brilliant moon to illuminate. Progress and the
increasing population have deleted this delightful spot and in its place is a
housing estate. In those early days there was no such problem as we are faced
with today over the shortage of living accomodation due to progress and an
increase in population, but for those who remember that beautiful garden it's a very precious thought. He gave to Tollesbury people the recreation ground, and his last gift was money to build dressing and changing rooms which he realised were necessary amenities.
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