The Incidental Marshman, Mervyn Linford

From playing on bombsites in the East End to fishing in old gravel pits and roaming the Essex marshlands, this touching autobiography with fascinating historical details soon acquires a broader canvas as Mervyn Linford opens up the marvels of the creeks, marshes and saltings between the River Crouch and the Thames and its estuary. A wealth of personal knowledge and experience is combined with a lyrical talent and love of nature.

Mervyn Linford revels in memories of place and in the beauty of nature, even where industry has left its mark, and in villages that might seem unremarkable he sees flowerings of significance and joy. The journey’s tale is told in the easy and at times humorous language of a born storyteller. A liberal scattering of Mervyn Linford’s poems break into the prose text as spiritual highlights and waystations. Colour photos illustrate the local geography.

Every tree, bird, fish, animal, insect or even worm he sees is named, known and placed in Linford’s beloved land and seascapes. Between parish churches and country pubs, coastal waters and flowery fields, he leads the reader through a personal and inspiring Essex.

This and other books by Mervyn Linford are also available from Littoral Press UK