South Ockendon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| South Ockendon | |
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| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| Unitary authority | Thurrock |
| Ceremonial county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SOUTH OCKENDON |
| Postcode district | RM15 |
| Dial code | 01708 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Thurrock |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
South Ockendon is a village in the Thurrock borough and unitary district in the East of England, United Kingdom.
South Ockendon was an ancient parish and formed in 1894, along with North Ockendon, part of Orsett Rural District of Essex. In 1929 it was transferred to Purfleet Urban District and became administratively separated from North Ockendon.
At the time of the 1931 census the parish consisted of 2,936 acres and a population of 1,355. It was abolished in 1935. Its former area was used to form part of Thurrock Urban District in 1936.
Nearest places:
- Aveley
- Chafford Hundred
- North Ockendon
- North Stifford
Nearest stations:
Separately to the previous historical data, South Ockendon has been a village since before the Norman Invasion. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Wokenduna. Until the late 1940s, the village centred on The Village Green, with its Norman Church facing "The Royal Oak" a 17th century tavern. North, South and West Roads all converge on The Green.
In 1912, Mollands Farm to the South of the village was bought for use as a 'rehabilitation' facility for what are now termed disadvantaged people. It gradually developed into a major mental hospital (known locally as The Colony) between 1912 and 1994 when it closed and was demolished as an indirect result of the devastating "South Ockendon Report" which frankly redefined the borders of bad management of mental patients and led to a nationwide reappraisel of mental care in the UK.
Separately, South Ockendon village was used as a location for pre-fab houses to accommodate bombed-out residents of East London/West Essex in the very late 40's. Almost all of these 'houses', built we are told by POWs!, are still standing and being lived in almost sixty years later. Although there are no prefabs along the length of Orchard Road, there were originally. But they were replaced by more convivial accommodation between 1955? and 1960? [dates to be confirmed]
The railway line from Upminster to Grays separates the old village of South Ockendon from 'Belhus Park' which has been in continuous development since the early 50's and has been subsumed in name at least into 'South Ockendon.
