Burnham-on-Crouch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burnham-on-Crouch |
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 Yacht racing under spinnakers on the River Crouch, Burnham-on-Crouch |
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 Burnham-on-Crouch
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| Population | 7,671 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | TQ948959 |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| 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 |
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Burnham-on-Crouch is a town in Essex, England. It's located in the Maldon District and sits on the north side of the River Crouch. This town is famous as one of the top spots in Britain for yachting.
The area around the town, called the civil parish, stretches about 5 miles (8 km) east to where the River Crouch meets the sea. It includes small villages like Creeksea and Ostend to the west. Stoneyhills is to the north, and Dammer Wick, West Wick, and East Wick are to the east.
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History of Burnham-on-Crouch
Burnham has a long history. The Domesday Book from 1086 shows that in 1066, a person named Alward and ten free men lived there. After 1066, a Norman named Tedric Pointel took over the land.
The town has always done well because it's by the coast. First, it was a busy ferry port. Later, it became a fishing port known for its oyster beds. More recently, it has become a popular place for yachting.
Churches and Buildings
The main church in town is St Mary's Church, Burnham on Crouch. It's a large medieval church first mentioned in 1155. Its special font, where babies are baptized, is made of Purbeck marble and dates back to the 1100s. The church's unique plaster ceiling was added in 1775 after a fire.
There's also a United Reformed Church on Station Road. It was built in 1950 after the previous church burned down. The Baptist Church is also on Station Road.
Many buildings in Burnham are "listed," meaning they are important historical structures. One famous example is the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. It was designed in 1931 by a modern architect named Joseph Emberton. The Mangapps Railway Museum is also close by.
Burnham During Wartime
Burnham played an important part in both World Wars. During the First World War, an airfield was set up in 1915. It was used by planes to defend against Zeppelin attacks at night. The airfield was a large grass field, and soldiers lived in tents. It was closed in 1919.
In the Second World War, Burnham was a training base for Commando soldiers. From 1943 to 1945, it was called HMS St Mathew. Up to 1400 sailors trained there on small landing craft. The navy used the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and a site at Creeksea. The area also saw German planes crash and bombs explode, causing sadness and damage in the town.
Since 1966, the RNLI has had a lifeboat station in Burnham-on-Crouch. At first, it only operated during the sailing season. But since 1987, it has been open all year round, helping people in trouble on the water.
Life in Burnham-on-Crouch
Even though Burnham has a population of just over 7,500 people, it's the main town in the wider Dengie peninsula area, which has about 20,000 residents. This means it has more facilities than you might expect for a small town. It has a cinema, a laundrette, a post office, many places to eat and drink, and three pharmacies.
Events and Culture
Burnham-on-Crouch hosts a fun charity event twice a year. People dress up in costumes and walk through the town, raising money for the Samaritans. This event started in 2007 and happens in both summer and winter.
On the last Saturday of September, the town holds its Illuminated Carnival. This special event celebrated its 100th year in 2008. The carnival takes place on the High Street and Quay with stalls and displays. It ends with a grand illuminated parade in the evening, which starts from the clock tower. There's also a fancy-dress competition for children.
The town is even mentioned in a song called "Billericay Dickie" by Ian Dury. The song suggests that Burnham is a bit of a fancy place in the county.
Getting Around Burnham-on-Crouch
Railway
Burnham-on-Crouch railway station is a stop on the Crouch Valley Line. This train line runs between Wickford and Southminster. The line was saved from closure because it was used to supply the nearby Bradwell nuclear power station. It was updated with electricity in the 1980s.
Greater Anglia provides regular train services to Wickford and Southminster. During busy times, direct trains go to and from London Liverpool Street. This means Burnham is part of the London commuter belt, allowing people to travel easily to London for work.
Buses
Bus services in Burnham are run by companies like First Essex and Stephensons of Essex. These buses connect the town with other places like Chelmsford, Maldon, Latchingdon, South Woodham Ferrers, and Southminster.
Media
Local TV news for Burnham is provided by BBC East and ITV Anglia. You can receive television signals from the Sudbury and local relay transmitters.
Local radio stations include BBC Essex, Heart Essex, Radio Essex, and Saint FM. Saint FM is a community radio station that broadcasts from the town itself.
The local newspaper that serves the town is called the Maldon and Burnham Standard.
Sports and Activities
Yachting
Burnham-on-Crouch hosts a big annual sailing event called Burnham Week. It takes place in the last week of August. During this week, there are exciting yacht and dinghy races on the River Crouch. Four main sailing clubs in Burnham share the event: The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, The Royal Burnham Yacht Club, The Crouch Yacht Club, and The Burnham Sailing Club.
This yearly yacht regatta started way back in 1893. In the past, Burnham Week was the last big sailing event of the year. Sailors would race along the coast, ending their season at Burnham before putting their boats away for winter. Today, the event is still very popular, and the sailing clubs in Burnham help train many skilled sailors.
Other Sports
Burnham-on-Crouch also has a non-league football club called Burnham Ramblers F.C.. They play their games at Leslie Fields.
You can also find clubs for rugby union, cricket, and lawn bowls in the town. These clubs compete at local, county, and regional levels.
If you like golf, there's an 18-hole golf course called Burnham Golf Club. It's located at Creeksea, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the town centre.
Notable People from Burnham-on-Crouch
- Neil Faith, a professional wrestler, went to primary school in Burnham-on-Crouch.
- Keith Musto, won a silver medal for sailing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He also started the famous Musto clothing company.
- Kate Walsh, a musician, is from Burnham-on-Crouch.
- Helen Watson, another musician, lives in Burnham-on-Crouch.
- Una Lucy Silberrad, a novelist who wrote about women's rights, lived in Burnham later in her life and is buried in the churchyard.
- Lenny Rush, a BAFTA-winning actor, is from Burnham-on-Crouch.
Images for kids
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Yacht racing under spinnakers on the River Crouch, Burnham-on-Crouch
See also
In Spanish: Burnham-on-Crouch para niños
