GLADWELL
OYSTER GROWERS of WEST MERSEA

COLCHESTER OYSTERS
 

Mersea Island's Oyster Heritage

Mersea Island has a long history of Oyster Cultivation dating back to Roman times . In the last few hundred years cultivation techniques were passed on through families, father to son.

Famous Mersea family names include; Mussett; Vince; Woolf; Mole; Haward;& Banks, amongst many others.

David Gladwell is descended from the Mole family who can be traced back to James Mole Snr (b.1829 ) who cultivated Oysters as did his son James Mole Jnr and grandson, Thomas Green Mole (pictured). Thomas Green Mole, David's great-grandfather, owned Oyster Beds in 'Buzzen' (Besom) Creek. Thomas was also a Pilot for the Sailing Barges bringing trade to West Mersea

 

Thomas Green Mole holding Jug and Glass to the left and pumping water, across the river at Braswell-on-sea, above

   

Below
Thomas with two of his daughters (Circa 1920)

   
 
With my grandmother , Ruby
Aboard his Oyster Smack CK88, Joseph & Hannah

With daughter, Iris
In the Lane, West Mersea

 

Web Design, Flash graphics & Video Production by: Grandage Publishing (West Mersea), West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8AX