I grew up on Canvey Island in the 1950s when life back then was very different from today - unhurried and easy going and although times were hard, we got by - we had to. School was no fun for me due to the name calling and mockery I both endured and had to contend with. The 1953 floods too, hold scary memories. I feared stormy weather at night for many years and I really don't enjoy swimming. It wasn't all bad, there were plenty of fun times too.