We’ve dug up some vintage photos from 1922 from our archives that we think you’ll enjoy.

They show what was happening locally across south Essex 96 years ago.

Nationally and internationally too, this would be a fascinating year.

King George V opened the new centre court at Wimbledon and the first ever match was played on the court. It saw British player Algernon Kingscote defeat Leslie Godfree 6-1 6-3 6-0 (also a Brit).

Prohibition was in full swing over in America and in Italy Mussolini and the fascist party came to power. Also in this year Gandhi was imprisoned for fighting against British rule in India, the Irish Civil War began and the BBC was established.

In the UK David Lloyd George was Prime Minister, people were stepping out to Al Jolson’s ‘Toot Toot Tootsie’ and Fanny Brice’s ‘My Man’ while Robin Hood, starring Douglas Fairbanks and Wallace Beery, was hitting the mark at the cinema box office.

This was also the year that Lord John Sanger’s Circus arrived in Chalkwell Park. Some of the acts included the Sanger’s Famous Mammoth Comedians who were performing a mirth making act called: ‘Elephant Barbers’ while also on the bill were Human Sea Lions, Hindoo Snake Charmers and the most famous circus clown of the time, Pimpo.

At this time crowds would regularly gather on Marine Parade on Sunday mornings to listen to orators including the Revs AD Belden and BR Davies as well as veteran Temperance speaker John Gilpin who would lecture on the evils of alcohol.

A new lounge deck was built on Southend Pier and to celebrate the opening, ‘Professor Davenport’ thrilled the crowds as he performed a daredevil high diving stunt.

Other images in our gallery show historic St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell getting some restoration work, a man climbing the traditional Greasy Pole at the at the Southend Regatta festival while another shows twenties bathing beauties having fun on Canvey seafront.

Enjoy our nostalgic gallery from 1922...