| Leigh-on-Sea | |
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Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea shown within Essex |
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| Population | 20,737 |
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| OS grid reference | TQ841859 |
| Unitary authority | Southend-on-Sea |
| Ceremonial county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEIGH-ON-SEA |
| Postcode district | SS9 |
| Dialling code | 01702 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Southend West |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Leigh-on-Sea (pronounced /ˈliːjɒnsiː/), sometimes called Leigh, is a civil parish in Essex, England. It is part of Southend-on-Sea for administrative purposes. It became a civil parish in 1996. The council tax was increased to support it. A town council was formed. Leigh is the only parish in Southend. The population reported in the 2001 census was 20,737.
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Leigh-on-Sea was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Legra. It started as a fishing centre between the north bank of the Thames estuary and a cliff. The Church of St. Clement, at the cliff top, has been an important landmark for sailors since 1400 or earlier. A flight of stairs led down to the village. Another settlement grew at the top of the cliff. The two settlements coalesced to form a single town. The lower part became known as "Old Leigh" or "Leigh Old Town". The sheltered position at the mouth of the Thames made Leigh a successful centre of international trade and shipbuilding.
Because of its good position on the shipping route to London, Leigh-on-Sea had grown to a fairly large and prosperous port by the 16th century. Ships as large as 340 tons were built for fishing and other purposes.
By the 18th century, ships had become larger and trade changed. Leigh's deep water channel silted up and the town diminished in importance. It then reverted to a fishing village, gradually, providing supplies to the London market by road and barge. When the London to Tilbury railway was extended to Southend in 1856, the town was split again, and many timber-framed buildings were demolished.
The completion of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway in 1854 allowed greater trade with London and the rest of the world, and made Leigh a commuter town for London workers.
During World War II, Leigh-on-Sea was part of a restricted zone and residents who did not have to stay were urged to leave. A balloon barrage was moored to boats in the Thames Estuary to impede efforts by the Luftwaffe to fly up the Thames. The fishing fleet from Leigh was part of the flotilla from around the country that participated in the evacuation of British forces from the beaches of Dunkirk. A memorial in St. Clements churchyard is dedicated to their bravery and sacrifice.
The fabric of the Church of St. Clement includes,[1] from the 15th century: the West tower, the North aisle and a brass monument to Richard Haddock; and from the 17th century: a brass of Robert Salmon (Master of Trinity House).
The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph on Leigh Road (designed by Fr. Gilbert, 1924), the Church of St. Michael and All Angels on Leigh Road and the Church of St. Margaret on Lime Avenue (designed by Sir Charles Nicholson, begun 1926 and 1931, respectively) are considered noteworthy buildings.[1]
The main seafood catch from Leigh Old Town has always been shell-fish and whitebait. Many of the fishing boats were "bawleys". These form part of the painting View at the mouth of the Thames.[2]
Tim Bowler's book Midget is set in Leigh-on-Sea. The author John Fowles was born in the town in 1926. When Rebecca West and H. G. Wells were lovers, he bought her the house at 28 Marine Parade in late February 1917. The Broadway and its surrounds area are the setting of the love story The Romance Of Laura Jayne, who fictionally lived in West Street.
Notable people with a connection to Leigh-on-Sea include Michael Wilding, actor; Phil Cornwell, comedian and impressionist; Tina Cousins, singer; John Fowles, author; Phill Jupitus, television presenter and comedian; David Lloyd, tennis player and businessman; John Lloyd, tennis player and commentator; Helen Mirren, actress; Lee Stafford, celebrity hairdresser; Vivian Stanshall, artist and musician; Cheekyboy, DJ/Mashup Producer; Hannah Tointon, actress; Kara Tointon, actress; Rebecca West, literary figure.
Old Leigh is also host to numerous festivals including the Leigh Art Trail, the Leigh Folk Festival and the Old Leigh Regatta. The regatta is held over one weekend in September. It is organised by the three Sea Scout Groups based in the Old Town to raise funds for local Scouting and a nominated charity.[3] The annual Leigh Art Trail is a chance for local and invited international artists to show their works in the area's shops and cafes.[4] Leigh on Sea is the meeting place of the Southend Anglo-Italian Circle. Meetings are held in The Friends Meeting House in Dundonald Drive, just off Leigh Road from 8pm on the 3rd Wednesday of every month except August. Most lectures are in Italian.
A survey by Halifax Estate Agents, published in the Evening Standard newspaper in 2007, placed Leigh-On-Sea as being the second best place to live on the British coast after Christchurch.[5]