| Burnham-on-Crouch | |
Yacht racing under spinnakers on the River Crouch, Burnham-on-Crouch |
|
|
Burnham-on-Crouch
Burnham-on-Crouch shown within Essex |
|
| Population | 7,636 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | TQ948959 |
| District | Maldon |
| Shire county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Burnham on Crouch |
| Postcode district | CM0 |
| Dialling code | 01621 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Maldon |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
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.
Contents |
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 yachting. 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.
Burnham-on-Crouch holds a bi-annual charity fund-raising pub crawl, an event which first took place in June 2007.[1] 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.[2]
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.
Aside from yachting, Burnham also boasts well-supported Association Football, Rugby Union, 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.
|
|||||||||||||||||