BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH

'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.
Historically it has benefitted 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 a large number of listed buildings in the town, including the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. 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) and thus has many features perhaps more suited to larger towns, such as a cinema.
Isolated 20 miles from Chelmsford, the nearest large town (and hospital), the town would be very much in decline if it were not for Burnham-on-Crouch railway station. 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 Power Station. It was electrified in the 1980s, and provides a direct service to Liverpool Street station in the City of London thus including the town in the London commuter belt.
The Essex town was immortalised with a mention in the Ian Dury and the Blockheads' classic song "Billericay Dickie" which alludes to its somewhat upmarket status in the county.
The sea side town recently attracted media attention when some local residence formed a political action group. There aim was to try and discourage constituents from voting for the British National Party, who recently stood in local elections across the region. Calling themselves the 'Burnham Liberation Front' (BLF), they claim to try and stop fascism in rural England. Dr Phil Edwards, national spokes-person of the BNP called the BLF, "a dangerous bunch of reactionaries." this comment sparked an electronic war of words as Anti fascist Action claimed this comment was "ignorantly ironic, as the BNP are the most dangerous political party in the UK".
Burnham-On-Crouch also hosts the highly regarded sailing event known as 'Burnham Week' which takes place from the 25th August to the 1st Sepetember. The week includes both competitive yacht and dinghy racing on the River Crouch. The event is shared between 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. It is arguably the longest running annual yacht regatta on the mainland of the UK, dating back as far as 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 strong and the various sailing clubs produce many highly regarded sailors. The week provides a range of competitive racing fleets as well as a full partying programme.

Contents

Nearest places

External links

Nearest places

★ Maldon

★ Southminster

★ St. Lawrence Bay

External links

★ Burnham Week: http://burnhamweek.org.uk/index.php

★ New and old pictures of Burnham-on-Crouch and the surrounding area

★ Burnham-on-Crouch - White's Directory of Essex, 1848

★ Community Website for Burnham-on-Crouch and the Dengie Hundred

★ The Website of the Rotary Club of Burnham on Crouch & Dengie Hundred

★ Information on Burnham-on-Crouch including History, People etc