Southminster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southminster |
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 St Leonard's, Southminster |
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 Southminster
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| Population | 4,272 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | TQ961995 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SOUTHMINSTER |
| 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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Southminster is a village and civil parish located on the Dengie Peninsula in the Maldon area of Essex, England. It's in the eastern part of England.
The village is about 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Burnham-on-Crouch and 10 miles (16 km) south-east of Maldon. It's also about 52 miles (84 km) east-north-east of London. To the north of Southminster is the River Blackwater. This river has tides and has been important for trade since Roman times.
Contents
History of Southminster
Southminster is right in the middle of the Dengie Peninsula. This area used to be called a "hundred," which was a type of old local government area.
- A big horse market used to happen every year in the town.
- In Victorian times, the Southminster marshes were a popular spot for hare coursing, which was a sport involving dogs chasing hares.
- Pandole Wood has old earthworks. These are believed to be from the Iron Age, a very long time ago.
- The fields around Southminster are very straight and rectangular. This suggests they were planned out using a specific measurement system. Some people think this plan came from the Middle Saxon period. The road to the Roman fort of Othona at Bradwell-on-Sea also follows this pattern.
St Leonard's Church
The old St Leonard's Church was mostly built in the 15th century. However, parts of it are even older, dating back to the 12th century. It's a fairly large church for Essex, looking more like a town church.
The church is also located at an important road crossing. This is different from many other churches in Essex, which are often found next to a manor house. These features suggest that St Leonard's might have been an important minster church in Anglo-Saxon times. This means it was a main church for a large area, rather than a private chapel. Its name might link it to Cedd's mission at the Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall near Bradwell. The church is a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historic building.
Many famous church leaders have been connected to St Leonard's:
- Naturalist Walter Henry Hill was a curate (a type of assistant priest) there from 1832 to 1839.
- Alexander John Scott was the rector (head priest) from 1805 to 1840. He was also the personal chaplain to Horatio Nelson, a famous British admiral.
- After the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson died in Scott's arms. Some items that once belonged to Scott are kept in the church today.
The church also gave its name to the local football team, Southminster St. Leonards F.C.
There is also another church in Southminster, a brick-built United Reformed Church building on North Street.
Local Facilities
Southminster has several useful places for its residents and visitors:
- An infant school and a primary school for younger children.
- A small library.
- A few pubs.
- A swimming pool.
- A brewery and cidery, where drinks are made.
- One holiday park for people to stay.
Transport Links
Railway Station
Southminster railway station is the last stop on the Crouch Valley line. Trains usually run every hour from Southminster to Wickford. Some early morning trains also go further than Wickford, all the way to London Liverpool Street. The trains are run by a company called Greater Anglia.
The railway line has only one track and was electrified (meaning trains run on electricity) in the 1980s.
Bus Services
Bus services in Southminster are provided by First Essex, Hedingham & Chambers, and Stephensons of Essex.
Some of the bus routes include:
- Route 331, which goes between Chelmsford and Burnham on Crouch.
- Route D2, which connects Maldon and Southminster.
Southminster in Stories
Southminster is the name of a made-up cathedral city in a short story called 'An Episode of Cathedral History'. This story was written by M.R. James and was part of his book A Thin Ghost and Others, published in 1919.
Images for kids
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St Leonard's Church, Southminster
See also
In Spanish: Southminster para niños
