Cut the Clichés! the Other Side of Essex

Local Legend

Essex is not be often seen as a county steeped in legend and mysticism. Assumptions should be put on hold, though, as a significant number of scholars think that Colchester, the county town of Essex, could be the true location of the Arthurian city of Camelot.

Essex was once more than just a county. It was known, in fact, as the Saxon Kingdom of Essex. Its capital was London and the first king was said to have descended from the gods.

Mulder and Scully could do worse than holiday in Essex. On August 27 1938, 22 year old Phyllis Newcombe was dancing in Chelmsford when her body took on a blue glow and burst into flames. She died almost immediately. "From all my experience," the coroner said, "I have never come across a case so very mysterious as this."

There are more islands in Essex than in any other English county, but one artificial island off the coastline is totally unique. Sealand, a former Royal Navy fort, was claimed in 1966 by Paddy Roy Bates , an army major who declared it an independent sovereign state and has called himself Prince Roy of Sealand ever since. The island produces its own stamps, coins and passports, and is currently presided over by Prince Roy 's heir apparent, Michael of Sealand.

Students at both Chelmsford and Colchester County High Schools for Girls regularly achieve among the highest GCSE and A level grades in the country, according to league tables. Last year, two sets of twins at Colchester County High further dispelled the myth of the Essex girl by each achieving five A grades at A level.

Essex may be not famed for its exotic wildlife, but scientists have made a new and exciting discovery. Recent tests in Blackwater Estuary have provided strong evidence that whales are living in Essex waters. The species is known as the harbour porpoise and adults measure around four feet in length.