OK - this happened in October 2008, but I’ve only just found out.
http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Tha ... news=local
The museum was right at the edge of a large cement works. Last I heard of it, it was due to close because the land had been bought and they were going to have to get out.
Why is this interesting to me? The location of the museum was where my ancestors came from. They owned the brickworks, and used sailing barges to ship the bricks. I did visit the place, and found a few pictures of the old family in the museum. Those have gone, along with the sail lofts and many other irreplaceable artefacts. The sailing barges used to win races.
I knew it was shutting - they were in the process when I went there. They were hoping to relocate.
For my sailing barge fun, I go to Maldon, where in the mudflats you will find the rotting hulk of the flag ship of the fleet. In Heybridge, just out of Maldon, you’ll find boats from the Smeed family’ fleet which have survived and been restored.
A little spot of family history gone for ever.
