Coordinates: 51°21′34″N 0°36′29″E / 51.359465°N 0.607947°E
| Rainham | |
  Rainham
 Rainham shown within Kent |
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| Population | 6,394 [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | Medway |
| Ceremonial county | Kent |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GILLINGHAM |
| Postcode district | ME8 |
| Dialling code | 01634 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Gillingham |
| List of places: UK • England • Kent | |
The town of Rainham is part of the Medway Towns conurbation, under the unitary authority of Medway, in South East England, and part of the ceremonial county of Kent. Historically, Rainham was a separate village until, in 1928, it was added to the Borough of Gillingham, which had itself been created in 1903.[2] It became part of the Medway authority when Gillingham was incorporated with the other towns to form Medway Unitary Authority in 1998.
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Geography
Rainham is located on the dip slope of the North Downs where it descends to the River Medway; its maximum height is about 125m above sea level. There are three roads crossing the town. The
Park Wood estate, in the south of Rainham, was built mainly during the 1960s and 70s. Building this estate required the destruction of one of the last large areas of relict woodland in North Kent. The area towards Gillingham is known as Rainham Mark, named after an old ecclesiastical boundary: and Macklands is an older part of the town to the north. The Macklands Arms public house was named after Macklands Manor House. The manor house was home to members of the Mackay family, who owned a printing company in Chatham. Lower Rainham, once a separate village, is now also a part of the town.
Demographics
Rainham was originally a linear settlement along the main road. The population in 1801 was 422.[3]; two centuries later it is well over six thousand. Part of the reason for this huge growth can be attributed to the railway. When the railway came in 1858 it brought an almost immediate increase in the size of the village; when the Chatham Main Line was electrified in 1959, as with all the places served by it, town growth began again. One of the results was the building of Park Wood estate (see above).
Amenities
The parish church is dedicated to St Margaret; the Roman Catholic church to St Thomas of Canterbury.
Rainham has a small shopping area, including the Rainham Shopping Centre precinct, with a few major shops, including Tesco Metro, Iceland, Boots and Wilkinsons, as well as a large book shop, a record store called MagicDiscs, a bakery, Lloyds Pharmacy chemist, and various dining places. When the centre opened, there was a major branch of Lavells Newsagents. This became a branch of Bart in the late 80s and now trades as Iceland Frozen Foods. There is a smaller shopping precinct in Parkwood. Parkwood shopping centre has a few shops including Somerfield, Martin the Newsagent, a chip shop, a veterinary and a wine store. The town also has a library as well as several parks and a public swimming pool. This swimming pool is called Splashes and is near Cozenton Park and Rainham Mark Grammar School.
Rainham is also home to the first ever oast house theatre[citation needed], where the Rainham Theatrical Society (RaTS) puts on regular performances.
Local media
Newspapers
Local newspapers for Rainham include Medway News and Medway Standard, both published by Kent Regional News and Media; and the Medway Messenger, published by the KM Group. The area also has free newspapers in the Medway Extra (KM Group) and yourmedway (KOS Media).
Radio
The local radio station for Rainham is KMFM Medway, owned by the KM Group. The area can also receive the county wide stations BBC Radio Kent, Heart and Gold and the new radio station, Radio Ashley
Secondary schools
Rainham has three secondary schools:
- The Howard School: a specialist Sports College
- Rainham Mark Grammar School: selective school for which the Eleven plus exam has to be taken
- Rainham School for Girls: a Technology College
Open spaces
The Riverside Country Park, which fronts on to the river Medway at Rainham Creek, includes the promontory of Horrid Hill. Berengrave Local Nature Reserve is located on the Lower Rainham Road.
References
External links
- Weather in Rainham
- Rainham Theatrical Society
- Rainham School for Girls
- Rainham Mark Grammar School
- The Howard School
- Berengrave Local Nature Reserve
- Medway Urban Parks & Green Spaces Forum (MUP&GSF)
- History of Rainham
- Building of Rainham Park (Parkwood) Estate 1960s
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