Great Wakering

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Great Wakering
Great Wakering shown within Essex
OS grid reference	TQ952874
District	Rochford
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Southend-on-Sea
Postcode district	SS3
Dialling code	01702
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
European Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Southend East
	Rochford
List of places: UK • England • Essex

Coordinates: 51°33′06″N 0°48′59″E / 51.5516, 0.8165

Great Wakering is a village in Essex, England. The nearest large town is Southend which is approximately four miles to the west of the village. Public transportation to the village is via bus service to Southend via Arriva and Stevensons, but the village is well served with several historical public houses, a sports centre, a Co-op mini-mart, post office and several small and characterful village shops. Great Wakering consists mainly of two roads, the High Street which runs from the junction of Star Lane, and New Road which begins outside St. Nicholas parish church and runs down to Foulness Island bridge.

According to a mediaeval tradition, Wakering (probably Great Wakering) was the site of a monastery during the seventh century AD. Two Christian cousins of King Ecgberht of Kent, named Aethelred and Aethelberht, were murdered at Eastry, a royal dwelling in the Kingdom of Kent, during King Ecgberht's reign (664-673). They were prevented by a miracle from being buried at Canterbury, and were taken instead to an existing monastery at Wakering in the Kingdom of Essex and enshrined there as saints. Ecgberht's brother and successor King Hlothhere of Kent is said by William of Malmesbury to have ridiculed the idea of their sanctity.

The village church dates back to Norman times and the board of rectors or vicars inside begins in the year 1200 with simply "Robert", the next incumbent equally simply named "Peter". The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas and dates back to the 12th Century. However there have been several areas of restoration. As well as the well-maintained and popular parish church, you will also find a United Reformed Church down Chapel Lane, a Methodist and an Evangelical (formerly Peculiar People) Church on Great Wakering High Street.

Great Wakering is a fascinating village steeped in history. It has many community links to the Ministry of Defence-governed Foulness Island. The village was badly hit during the 1953 floods and locals fear a re-occurrence of the devastation now that tidal levels are rising and flood defences eroding. Of architectural interest is an old brickworks site (now part demolished) at Star Lane which was once served by an industrial narrow-gauge railway, the remains of which can still be seen in the bushes if you look carefully. Brick-making was once the main industry in Wakering. The factory finally closed in 1991, but the four towers remained a focal point on the horizon until September, 2007. The demolishing process still continues.

Much of the land area around Great Wakering is closed off to the public as it forms part of a Ministry of Defence (MOD) firing range - the 'New Ranges'. When firing is not taking place however the MOD beach at Wakering Stairs can be accessed via a rough road at Landwick security check-in. You can also cross MOD land and walk across the Range from Cupid's Corner to follow a strange and very muddy track to the seawall which offers great views over the Maplin Sands. The MOD beach is very craggy and deserted, a great spot for watching Brent Geese and waders. You will find much military debris around the area such as old firing targets, train tracks, graffiti trains, a lookout tower and several ruined batteries. Plus it is here you can access the fabled tidal path 'The Broomway' and follow it at your peril to Fisherman's Head on Foulness Island.

The local football team Great Wakering Rovers play in the Isthmian League First Division North. Their home ground Burroughs Park is adjacent to the village recreation ground and sports centre.

Famous People:

Leslie Stubbs - who played football for both Southend and Chelsea.

The new village sign erected spring 2007. Photograph © Julieanne Savage	St. Nicholas Parish Church of Great Wakering Photograph © Julieanne Savage	The Broomway, a fabled tidal path said to pre-date the Romans is a treacherous walk between Great Wakering and Foulness and was once the only route between the two places. Photograph © Julieanne Savage	Marshland in front of the coast path behind Great Wakering New Ranges. This area is known locally as the Black Grounds. An old military lookout tower called 'X1' can be seen on the horizon. Photograph © Julieanne Savage
Methodist church on Great Wakering High Street. Photograph © Julieanne Savage	This very craggy beach is called Wakering Stairs and belongs to the Ministry of Defence and can be accessed at their discretion. It is full of rocks and military debris. Photograph © Julieanne Savage	Relic of Victorian industry at Star Lane which finally closed down in 1991. The remains of a narrow gauge railway are found here. Photograph © Julieanne Savage