Olivia Parkes, aka Britannia – the old lady of the sea, lived a precarious life off-grid in a wooden boathouse on stilts just west of Ventnor Beach for around 40 years from the 1920s to 1958.
Last month OnTheWight announced the publication of a new book about Olivia’s life. Researched and written by Michael Freeman and Bob Trowbridge, the content for the book was greatly aided by Doug Brock, the grandson of Olivia’s sister (Kathleen), as well as by Lauren Johnstone, a great great granddaughter.
A conversation with Olivia’s great nephew
At the end of last week Doug made the trip over from Canada to visit the town where his great aunt lived and died. OnTheWight had a great conversation with Doug at Ventnor Heritage Centre which you can listen to below.
Doug told us it was news that Olivia (or Cissy as he knew of her) was connected to the world of theatre and dance that grabbed his attention when he was just ten-years-old. Later in life he got in touch with Ventnor Heritage Centre to see whether they could shed more light on his great aunt’s life.
That was more than ten years ago and the contact was recently re-established during the research for the book.
Parkes family emigrated to Canada
During our conversation, Doug explained that the entire Parkes family, apart from Olivia and her brother Will, had emigrated to Canada in the early 20th century, with Olivia coming to Ventnor.
Those of a certain age will remember that Olivia ran a sweet shop in Pier Street — following in the family tradition when they lived in Walsall, Staffordshire.
She chose to live off grid in the former swimming club hut on stilts in Myrtle Bay (just below La Falaise car park), where she remained until 1958.
Headstone for unmarked grave
It was when Doug discovered that Olivia was buried in an unmarked grave in Ventnor Cemetery, that he set about arranging for a memorial headstone to be created and installed.
As you can see from the photos below, Island Memorials have done a sterling job of creating the new headstone, with an etching of Olivia’s hut proudly sitting at the top with the words,
OLIVIA PARKES
‘BRITANNIA’
1881 – 1962
A free spirit
Not to be forgotten
French: A very fitting memorial in tribute to this remarkable lady
Jason French from Island Memorials told OnTheWight,
“It was a great honour and privilege to be asked to be involved with the designing, production and installation of Brittania’s memorial and also to guide Mr Brock through the whole process I am aware of how difficult it must have been being so far away. I feel Mr Brock has chosen a very fitting memorial in tribute to this remarkable lady which will stand the test of time and a lasting tribute to her.
“The memorial has been designed, supplied, produced and installed by BRAMM licensed memorial masons – Island Memorials.”
Visiting Myrtle Bay
During his trip last week, Doug was shown around the Island by co-author of the book, Bob Trowbridge, who also took him to the western cliffs, overlooking Myrtle Bay (just west of Ventnor Bay).
This is where Olivia’s hut stood until it was demolished in 1959, soon after Olivia was forcibly moved by the council into a flat in town (almost opposite the Heritage Centre).
Listen to our conversation
Lots more came up in the conversation and you can listen in by clicking on the play button below. You can also pause the recording, jump back ten seconds or jump forward 30 seconds.
See the scale model
A scale model of Britannia’s hut, complete with weather-worn stilts, has been lovingly created by John Elton, a member of both Ventnor Heritage Centre and the Community Shed.
The attention to detail is superb and well worth a visit to the Heritage Centre to see in person. Opening times can be found on their website.
OLIVIA!
Last year Isle of Wight artists, Teresa Grimaldi and Sarah Vardy placed Olivia front and centre of an installation project at La Falaise Car Park.
The Arts Council England funded work had a lasting impact on many people in the town, as well as visitors, who had been fascinated by many of the folklore surrounding her life.
You can read more about that project, which also included an exhibition at Quay Arts Centre in Newport, by visiting the Olivia Parkes archive pages.
Britannia’s hut
Britannia’s hut on stilts is also featured on the Ventnor Giant mural by Sheffield artist, Phlegm.
It was created as part of the Lift the Lid on Island Culture project.
Article edit
8.20am 10th Sep 2024 – Comment from JF added
