The Packing Shed, Mersea Island
Received £1731.00 from Essex Community Foundation's Acorn Fund
The current Packing Shed was built in the 1890s to support the cleaning and sorting of Mersea Native oysters which were being sent to London and exported to Europe. When the industry collapsed in the 1950’s the Shed was used for storage and consequently fell into disrepair. In 1990 a group of volunteers led a successful restoration programme which saw the landmark Packing Shed restored to its former glory and opened to the public in 1992.
Today, the Shed is managed by the Packing Shed Trust, led by a Committee of local volunteers, and is used for a variety of outdoor activities including overnight camping, bird watching, art classes, birthday parties, wedding receptions and other special occasions.
The grant from Essex Community Foundation will enable them to replace the outboard engine in the passenger ferry, which finally expired after 15 years faithful service.
Paddy Ryan, Trustee of the Packing Shed Trust said “We were so pleased to receive this grant as the Ferry is crucial to us being able to take visitors out to the Shed for events and open days. We can’t thank the Foundation enough”.
For information about the Packing Shed, open days and volunteer activities visit www.packing-shed.org.uk
