Coordinates: 51°36′41″N 0°31′15″E / 51.6114°N 0.5207°E
| Wickford | |
  Wickford
Wickford shown within Essex |
|
| Population | 32,500 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Basildon |
| Shire county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WICKFORD |
| Postcode district | SS11 and SS12 |
| Dialling code | 01268 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Billericay |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Wickford is a town in the south of the English county of Essex, with a population of more than 32,500. It has become a commuter town, serving the City of London through its direct connection to Liverpool Street through the Southend Victoria line. Wickford is approximately 30 miles (50 km) East of London and can be reached via the road network, or by train (taking about 40 minutes). Wickford falls within the District of Basildon along with Basildon and Billericay.
Wickford is a fairly small town with a main high street. It includes shops such as New Look, Choice, Somerfield, W.H. Smith, Adrians and more. There is also a bakery and a coffee lounge.
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History
The town has existed since before 975. There is evidence that the area itself was inhabited in prehistoric, Roman and Saxon times[citation needed]. The name Wickford is of Saxon origin, Wick meaning a winding river and Ford being a shallow river crossing.
Wickford was referred to in the Domesday Book as both Wicfort and Wincfort[1]. Before the 20th century Wickford was an agricultural village.
American relations
It is believed that the Wickford in Washington County, Rhode Island, USA was named after this town, the English birthplace of Elizabeth Reade, step-daughter of Hugh Peters and wife of John Winthrop, Governor of Connecticut.
Naked Britain
Wickford became the birthplace of Naturism in the United Kingdom. In 1922 the English Gymnosophist Society was formed and had its home in the town.
The Second World War
During The Second World War the edge of town was hit by one of the German Doodlebugs. Around the town, in amongst the hedgerows and fields, there are numerous pillboxes constructed as a part of British anti-invasion preparations.
The flood of '58
In 1958 Wickford town centre was hit by a flood, which made national news headlines. The most striking image of the flood was a double decker bus, left stranded at Halls Corner overnight, partly submerged by the floodwater. A second bad flood in 1960 meant changes to the course of the River Crouch were made. This included turning the river into a concrete channel through the centre of the town, although this may be removed in the coming years, depending on the scale of the Wickford Masterplan (see below).
Geography
For the most part Wickford is flat and 10 metres above sea level. The highest point, on the outskirts of the town, is 74 metres above sea level. The River Crouch flows through the town, from the west to the east. The River Wick flows into the River Crouch from the South.
Wick Country Park
The Wick Country Park comprises 50 acres (200,000 m2) of former agricultural land. Over 2 km of easy access trails take you around the site. The trails lead you past old hedgerows, the 5-acre (20,000 m2) lake, ponds, World War II pillboxes and recent woodland plantings. Bridges and boardwalks allow the trails to continue over the North Benfleet brook.
Neighbouring Towns and villages
- South Hanningfield
- West Hanningfield
- Rettendon
- Runwell
- Battlesbridge
- Rawreth
- Crays Hill
- Ramsden Bellhouse
- Ramsden Heath
- Downham
- Shotgate
- South Woodham Ferrers
- Billericay
- Basildon
- Rayleigh
Future plans
An early development was completed in early 2006, but work to start the main part of the redevelopment has begun, starting with a major redevelopment of Lower Southend Road. All businesses on one side of this road will be demolished to make way for 200 flats, along with cafes, restaurants, and a public green space and public square. Work began to demolish the first buildings in February 2007.
The River Crouch, which runs through the town, will also be redeveloped as part of the project, with proposals to remove the concrete banks and raise the water level to promote the riverside cafes, and to create a footpath along the river itself. The swimming pool is proposed to be demolished and rebuilt as a large leisure centre, while the library and health centre will be demolished and amalgamated into one large new building. Redevelopments of the station area are also planned, such as improving facilities and improving access on both sides of the station. Many residents of Wickford are opposed to the plans, mainly due to overall cost, and also the fear from some older residents that raising the level of the river could see repeats of the floods in 1958 and 1960.
As of March 2009, the project is facing serious delays and construction has halted due to the global credit crisis.[1]
Notable people
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Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (October 2007) |
- Alvin Stardust's mother used to own and run a café just outside of Wickford railway station (a common misconception is that it was indeed Billy Ocean's mother who used to own and run the café, but this is false). Alvin, himself, worked on a building site in Wickford before he was famous.
- Chantelle Houghton, winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2006 lives in Wickford.
- Capital Radio Afternoon DJ Chris Brooks lives in Wickford.
- Southend United's manager Steve Tilson.
- Comedy Actors/writers Rhys Thomas and Tony Way are both from Wickford
- Surviving World War 2 D-Day veteran Kenneth R. Ward (b. 1922) has lived much of his life in Wickford, after originally arriving in Britain from Germany as a Jewish refugee on the last Kindertransport out of Frankfurt in 1939, before changing his name and joining the 1st Royal Tank Regiment. In June 2009 he was [pictured [2] by the BBC meeting Prince Charles at the 65th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy. His autobiography, ["...And Then The Music Stopped Playing" [3] is available online.
- Chris Moore, Leading greyhound trainer. His best dog, Apples and Pears, won the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Romford Puppy Cup.
References
- ^ "Wickford Masterplan may be put back again". Echo News. 2009-01-23. http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4069123.Wickford_Masterplan_may_be_put_back_again/. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
External links
- Basildon District Council - Early History of Wickford
- Guardian Unlimited - Candidates have same Essex ancestor
- BBC People's War - Memories of Wickford during the Second World War
- Wick Country Park
- Gateway FM - Local Community Radio Station
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