Pitsea’s Railway Hotel (Jan 21) was built by Harold Howard, who owned Howard’s Dairies, which served surrounding areas, including Southend and Westcliff.

He lived at Bluehouse Farm, Pitsea, where he kept cows. He owned most of the land in Pitsea and Bowers Gifford and opened Howard’s Park, which is now Pitsea Park.

The Railway Hotel was built with two other properties.

The shops opposite and the bank on the corner were built in a Tudor style, which made Pitsea a place of distinction.

There was controversy when the old shops, next to the bank were pulled down and replaced with the shops that are there now, as there was when shops behind the Railway, alongside the market now, were built and bungalows pulled down. It destroyed the character of Pitsea.

In the 60s and 70s, coaches going to Southend on day trips, always stopped there. It was packed solid, but when the A13 bypass was built, the pub was allowed to deteriorate and customers got fewer.

The Railway Hotel is Pitsea. With its Tudor style, it’s been a landmark for years and stands out proudly.

I fear this building will suffer an arson attack or be condemned as beyond repair if it remains neglected.

Then it will be pulled down and flats built in its place.

K Cowell
Crown Close
Basildon