Burnham-on-Crouch
Encyclopedia
Burnham-on-Crouch is a town in the Maldon district
of Essex
in the East of England
. It lies on the north bank of the River Crouch
.
. There are many listed buildings in the town, including the Grade II* listed Royal Corinthian Yacht Club
designed in 1931 by the modernist architect Joseph Emberton. The Mangapps Railway Museum
is located nearby.
Although the town has a population of little over 7,500, it is the principal settlement in the wider Dengie peninsula
area (population 20,000): it thus has facilities that are uncommon in small towns, such as a cinema, a laundrette, a post office, 22 licensed drinking establishments and three pharmacies.
The town has a community magazine based in the town and compiled by Burnham residents. Burnham & Dengie Hundred Review is deliverd free to residents in Burnham and the surrounding area.
In September, the town holds its Illuminated Carnival, which was held for the 100th year in 2008. The carnival takes place in the High Street and Quay with stalls, sideshows and displays, and culminates with a Grand Illuminated Procession in the evening, which leaves from the Clock Tower and proceeds around the town.
The Essex town was mentioned in the song "Billericay Dickie
", by Ian Dury and the Blockheads. This song alludes to Burnham's somewhat upmarket status in the county.
In view of the town's comparatively isolated position - 20 miles from Chelmsford
(the nearest large town) - Burnham-on-Crouch railway station
represents a vital transport link. The station is situated on a single-line branch from Wickford
, which escaped closure in the 1960s by Beeching
, as it was used to supply the nearby Bradwell nuclear power station. The branch line was electrified in the 1980s, and provides a direct service to Liverpool Street Station
in the City of London
, allowing the town's inclusion in the London commuter belt
.
Burnham-on-Crouch hosts a sailing event known as 'Burnham Week'. This takes place annually, in the last week of August. The week includes competitive yacht and dinghy racing on the River Crouch. The event is shared among the four established sailing clubs in Burnham: The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club
(linked to the sailing club with the same name in Cowes, Isle Of Wight), The Royal Burnham Yacht Club
, The Crouch Yacht Club
, and The Burnham Sailing Club.
This annual yacht regatta dates back to 1893. In the early years, Burnham Week was regarded as the last event in the sailing calendar. In the days before marinas afforded year-round access, many yachts were laid up for the winter in mud-berths on the east coast rivers. The racing fleets worked their way along the south coast, enjoying various events and regattas, having a final fling at Burnham before laying up. Today, the event is still growing strongly and the various sailing clubs produce many highly regarded sailors. The week provides a range of competitive racing events as well as a full party programme.
, Cricket
and Lawn Bowls clubs, all of whom compete at local, county and regional levels.
Golf
is also well supported and Burnham Golf Club (18 hole course) is based at Creeksea, approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre.
Maldon (district)
Maldon is a local government district in Essex, England. Its council is based in the town of Maldon, and the next largest centre of population is Burnham-on-Crouch. The district covers the Dengie peninsula as well as an area to the north of the Blackwater Estuary, a total area of...
of Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
in the East of England
East of England
The East of England is one of the nine official regions of England. It was created in 1994 and was adopted for statistics from 1999. It includes the ceremonial counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Essex has the highest population in the region.Its...
. It lies on the north bank of the River Crouch
River Crouch
The River Crouch is a river that flows entirely through the English county of Essex.The distance of the Navigation between Holliwell Point which is north of Foulness Island and Battlesbridge is 17.5 Miles, i.e. 15.21 Nautical Miles.-Route:...
.
History
Historically, it has benefited from its location on the coast - first as a ferry port, later as a fishing port known for its oyster beds, and most recently as a centre for yachtingYachting
Yachting refers to recreational sailing or boating, the specific act of sailing or using other water vessels for sporting purposes.-Competitive sailing:...
. There are many listed buildings in the town, including the Grade II* listed Royal Corinthian Yacht Club
Royal Corinthian Yacht Club
The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club was founded at Erith, Kent in 1872. Over the years, it has operated from a number of locations but now exists with a northern and southern branch at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, and at Cowes, Isle of Wight respectively....
designed in 1931 by the modernist architect Joseph Emberton. The Mangapps Railway Museum
Mangapps Railway Museum
The Mangapps Railway Museum is a heritage railway located near Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex. The stretch of standard gauge track and museum are owned and operated by the Jolly family assisted by a dedicated staff of volunteers...
is located nearby.
Although the town has a population of little over 7,500, it is the principal settlement in the wider Dengie peninsula
Dengie peninsula
Dengie is a peninsula in Essex, England, that once formed a hundred of the same name .The peninsula is formed by the River Crouch to the south, the Blackwater to the north, both of which are tidal, and the North Sea to the east...
area (population 20,000): it thus has facilities that are uncommon in small towns, such as a cinema, a laundrette, a post office, 22 licensed drinking establishments and three pharmacies.
Society and culture
Burnham-on-Crouch holds a bi-annual charity fund-raising pub crawl, an event which first took place in June 2007. Typically more than 100 local people walk through the town in themed fancy dress raising money for The Samaritans. There is both a summer and winter edition of the crawl.The town has a community magazine based in the town and compiled by Burnham residents. Burnham & Dengie Hundred Review is deliverd free to residents in Burnham and the surrounding area.
In September, the town holds its Illuminated Carnival, which was held for the 100th year in 2008. The carnival takes place in the High Street and Quay with stalls, sideshows and displays, and culminates with a Grand Illuminated Procession in the evening, which leaves from the Clock Tower and proceeds around the town.
The Essex town was mentioned in the song "Billericay Dickie
Billericay Dickie
Billericay Dickie is a song by Ian Dury, from his debut album New Boots and Panties!!. It is narrated by a bragging bricklayer from Billericay, and is filled with name-checks for places in Essex...
", by Ian Dury and the Blockheads. This song alludes to Burnham's somewhat upmarket status in the county.
Transport
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
(the nearest large town) - Burnham-on-Crouch railway station
Burnham-on-Crouch railway station
Burnham-on-Crouch railway station serves the town of Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex, England. A part of the Crouch Valley Line, the station, and all trains serving it, are operated by National Express East Anglia.It is located near the Mangapps Railway Museum....
represents a vital transport link. The station is situated on a single-line branch from Wickford
Wickford
Wickford is a town in the south of the English county of Essex, with a population of more than 32,500. Located approximately 30 miles east of London, it falls within the District of Basildon along with Basildon, Billericay, Laindon and Pitsea....
, which escaped closure in the 1960s by Beeching
Richard Beeching
Richard Beeching, Baron Beeching , commonly known as Doctor Beeching, was chairman of British Railways and a physicist and engineer...
, as it was used to supply the nearby Bradwell nuclear power station. The branch line was electrified in the 1980s, and provides a direct service to Liverpool Street Station
Liverpool Street station
Liverpool Street railway station, also known as London Liverpool Street or simply Liverpool Street, is both a central London railway terminus and a connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, England...
in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, allowing the town's inclusion in the London commuter belt
London commuter belt
The London commuter belt is the metropolitan area surrounding London, England from which it is practical to commute to work in the capital. It is alternatively known as the Greater South East, the London metropolitan area or the Southeast metropolitan area...
.
Yachting
Royal Corinthian Yacht Club
The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club was founded at Erith, Kent in 1872. Over the years, it has operated from a number of locations but now exists with a northern and southern branch at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, and at Cowes, Isle of Wight respectively....
(linked to the sailing club with the same name in Cowes, Isle Of Wight), The Royal Burnham Yacht Club
Royal Burnham Yacht Club
The Royal Burnham Yacht Club was founded in 1895. The club is located in Burnham-on-Crouch. The RBYC is divided into two groups of members: the cadets nineteen and younger, and the full members who are over nineteen. The club has a colourful history, including the launching of the 1983 Americas...
, The Crouch Yacht Club
Crouch Yacht Club
The Crouch Yacht Club or CYC was founded in 1907 and is situated at the west end of the quay in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, England.The Clubhouse, which the club has occupied since 1912, was once a sail loft; the frontage, added in 1980, has two floors with bars offering views of the river.In 2004...
, and The Burnham Sailing Club.
This annual yacht regatta dates back to 1893. In the early years, Burnham Week was regarded as the last event in the sailing calendar. In the days before marinas afforded year-round access, many yachts were laid up for the winter in mud-berths on the east coast rivers. The racing fleets worked their way along the south coast, enjoying various events and regattas, having a final fling at Burnham before laying up. Today, the event is still growing strongly and the various sailing clubs produce many highly regarded sailors. The week provides a range of competitive racing events as well as a full party programme.
Other sporting activities
Aside from yachting, Burnham also boasts well-supported Association Football, Rugby UnionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, Cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and Lawn Bowls clubs, all of whom compete at local, county and regional levels.
Golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
is also well supported and Burnham Golf Club (18 hole course) is based at Creeksea, approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre.
Notable people
- Neil FaithNeil FaithNeil Andrew Horsfall , better known as Neil Faith, is an English professional wrestler, trained by Bruce Hart in the Hart dungeon.-Professional wrestling career:...
, professional wrestler, attended St. Mary's Primary School, Burnham-on-Crouch - Kate WalshKate Walsh (singer)Kate Walsh is an English singer from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.A graduate of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, her first album was Clocktower Park , released in 2003 by Kitchenware Records. The album was named for a meeting place in her home town. In 2007, she released her second album, Tim's...
, musician, from Burnham-on-Crouch - Helen WatsonHelen Watson (singer-songwriter)Helen Watson is an English singer-songwriter. Her music encompasses blues, soul, jazz, pop and folk.-Biography:Watson began performing on the folk-club circuit during the late 1960s whilst working as a teacher in Manchester...
, musician, domiciled in Burnham on Crouch
External links
- Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI Lifeboat
- Burnham & Dengie Hundred Review
- Burnham-on-Crouch Weather Live
- Burnham-on-Crouch Weather Station
- Burnham Week
- New and old pictures of Burnham-on-Crouch and the surrounding area
- Community Website for Burnham-on-Crouch and the Dengie Hundred
- The Website of the Rotary Club of Burnham on Crouch & Dengie Hundred
- Information and photographs of Burnham-on-Crouch
- Official website for Burnham Ramblers Football Club
- Images of the Dengie Hundred.
- Information and photographs of the villages surrounding the town of Burnham-on-Crouch
- The history of Burnham-on-Crouch