IT’S been branded an eyesore and could be demolished to make way for housing, but in its heyday Clay Hall was once an impressive Victorian country home.

Joanna Smith’s great grandfather was the last family owner of Clay Hall, which was built in 1883. She’s been digging through the archives and discovered some fascinating family photos. Chris Wilkin reports.

UNTIL a few years ago Clacton’s once grand Clay Hall was used as offices by Tendring Council.

It has been a Civil Defence training centre and rugby and hockey clubs at the Vista Road recreation ground even used part of the building as changing rooms.

Now protesters opposing plans for homes on the site seem more concerned about losing the woodland it sits in than the building itself, which has been labelled an eyesore.

But turn the clock back a century or so and Clay Hall was an impressive country pile.

Robert Blackie built the house in 1883 as his country home.

It was later bought by renowned farmer Philip Smith.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Great granddaughter Joanna Smith said: “He died in 1928 and then his daughters Nell and Phyllis carried on living in Clay Hall until the 1960s when they sold it to the council.

“They died when I was very young.

“My mother doesn’t have many recollections about Clay Hall but remembers it being dark.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Well-known farmer Philip Smith

Philip and wife Elizabeth had seven children who were born like clockwork every two years from 1884.

Second son Harold died in France during the First World War.

Youngest son Edward Paul came home from the trenches suffering from shellshock.

Eldest son Bernard went to Canada to set up a farm in 1903, aged 18, and was later joined by sister Margaret. Joanna still has all the letters Margaret sent home to her mother during the 18 months she was out there.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Children playing at Clay Hall

Bernard returned to Essex in 1919 to help his father and was given a farm in St Osyth, where the family are still based.

Some of the Clay Hall land became the site for Clacton County High School.

When Philip died, aged 78, in 1928 after a short illness, news of his death left the farming fraternity in shock.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Philip Smith and wife Elizabeth at the hall

As well as Clay Hall, he had farms at Alton Park, Blue House, Jaywick and the Duchess farm.

He was described as one of the “old pioneers” and a harvest wagon was used as a hearse at his funeral.