Brightlingsea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Brightlingsea | |
  Brightlingsea shown within Essex |
|
| Population | 8,500 (approx) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Tendring |
| Shire county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COLCHESTER |
| Postcode district | CO7 |
| Dialling code | 01206 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | North Essex |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Brightlingsea is a coastal town in the Tendring district of Essex, roughly mid-way between Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, situated at the mouth of the River Colne, on Brightlingsea Creek. It has an estimated population of 8500.
Its traditional industries included fishery (with a renowned oyster fishery) and shipbuilding. With the decline of these industries, the town is largely a dormitory town for Colchester, and a popular retirement destination.
Brightlingsea is a limb of Sandwich, one of the Cinque Ports. This makes it the only Cinque Port in Essex.
The town retains an active ceremonial connection with the Cinque Ports, electing a Deputy from a guild of Freemen.
The town has an active recreational boating scene. Brightlingsea Sailing Club runs an active competitive sailing program, and has produced many champions at international and Olympic level. The Colne Yacht Club caters mainly to cruising members. They have an active cruiser racing fleet.
Brightlingsea was for many years twinned with French oyster fishery port Marennes, but the relationship fell into disuse.
In the mid 1990s, the port of Brightlingsea was used for the export of live animals for slaughter, leading to a protest campaign dubbed "The Battle of Brightlingsea".
In the centre of the town is Jacob's Hall, the oldest timber-framed building in England, built during the fourteenth century. Also in the town centre is Victoria Place, where there are many local businesses based.
To the West, on the creek is Western Promenade. It has lines of beach huts,skate park, a swimming pool, boating lake and a paddling pool. It is a popular destination for tourists and Londoners. Bateman's Tower, a local landmark by the sea, has recently been renovated by the Colne Yacht Club with help from a Lottery Fund grant.
Brightlingsea is home to the Colne Community School, a secondary school that recently lost its principal of 15 years. The ex-principal, who now resides in China with his family, was honoured (whilst still in the position of headmaster at the Colne) with an OBE.
Contents |
[edit] The Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea Railway
The Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea railway opened in 1866 and was a branch line that operated rail services from the nearby town of Wivenhoe into the town centre of Brightlingsea. The service unfortunately fell victim to the Beeching cuts in the 1960s, and was eventually axed in 1964, however Wivenhoe is still on the Colchester to Clacton Line, and is the closest railway station to Brightlingsea. All that remains of the railway's infrastructure today is the station building (now a public house and micro-brewery), and the old embankment which is now a footpath. The station itself was located on the southern side of lower park road and a caravan site now rests in its place. It is possible to walk from Brightlingsea to Wivenhoe along the old embankment. This makes for a pleasant, scenic walk across marshland alongside the River Colne.
[edit] Brightlingsea open air swimming pool
Brightlingsea open air swimming pool was built in 1933 and is one of the few remaining lidos (open air swimming pools built mainly in the art-deco period) still in use in the UK. Brightlinsea Lido was originally a salt water pool, but is now a two-level non-heated freshwater facility. The pool has recently been threatened with closure, but local opposition to this seems to have saved it. The pool comprises a 15m children's pool and 50m main swimming pool. The facility is still popular with both residents and visitors of the town to this day.
[edit] Bateman's Tower
Bateman's tower was built in 1883 by John Bateman as a folly for his daughter to recuperate from consumption. The tower is sited on Westmarsh point at the entrance to Brightlingsea Creek on the River Colne, and is often mistaken for a Martello Tower. During The Second World War the original roof of the folly was removed so that the tower could be used as an observation post by the Royal Observer Corps. In 2005, a restoration project funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund took place to restore the tower to its original condition, including the fitting of a replica of the original roof, refurbishing the interior of the tower and also painting the outside. The tower is now used by many local sailing organisations to administrate races. During race days, the tower is also open to the public where the new roof makes a popular viewing gallery to spectate races from.
[edit] The Battle of Brightlingsea
The Battle of Brightlingsea is the name given to a series of protests against the live export of animals from the town for slaughter in Europe. Many people believed that the conditions of which the animals were exported were cruel and inhumane. The protest began on 16th January 1995 and ended 25th October 1995. Even though 250,000 animals had been exported through the town within this nine month period, the residents had won their campaign and the live exports ceased. Of the 250,000 animals exported, 24 died, 28 were destroyed by M.A.F.F. and 38 were unable to be exported abroad. During the campaign, 598 people were arrested by the police and 421 of these were from the local area. There were over 1,000 complaints made against the police and over 150 convoys passed through the town. The estimated cost of the protest to the police was over £4,000,000.
[edit] External links
- Brightlingsea Regent football club
- Brightlingsea Town Website
- Brightlingsea Sailing Club
- Colne Yacht Club
- Brightlingsea Cricket Club
- The Battle of Brightlingsea - Photos of the 1995 live export protests
- Brightlingsea live exports - Photos and figures of the Battle of Brightlingsea protest
