Great Horkesley
| Great Horkesley | |
| Essex | |
|---|---|
 The A134 road, Great Horkesley | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 51°55’44"N, 0°52’43"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 2,476 (2011[1]) |
| Post town: | Colchester |
| Postcode: | CO6 |
| Dialling code: | 01206 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Colchester |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Harwich and North Essex |
Great Horkesley is a village and parish in the Lexden Hundred of Essex, approximately three miles north of Colchester.
Horkesley is located in what is known as "Horkesley Heath", which is a combination of two villages: Great Horkesley and, to the north, Little Horkesley which is a separate parish. Horkesley is a modern name for the original Saxon name of "Horkaslay" which means "farm land for herds" (mainly sheep) though now it has many fields growing a variety of crops from corn to hemp. An archaeological dig made in woods on Coach Road found a Bronze Age bronze smelting pit. Much Of Great Horkesley was a marsh, with very boggy ground, until it was drained by farmers. This is the reason why the main road is called "The Causeway" as it was a firm, and safe route of passage.
Development in the north of Colchester threatens to encroach on Great Horkesley. Housing targets set by the East of England Regional Assembly have led Colchester Council to plan more than 2,200 new homes on the remaining green space between town and village along the A134 by 2021.
The Church of England has two churches in the parish.
Great Horkesley Cricket Club was reformed in 1975 and played its home matches at The Chantry at the northern end of the village. Its origins can be traced back to at least 1861 when they were bowled out for 6 in the first innings against Layer Breton CC - home games then were played at Horkesley Park. Due to uncertainty over development plans for the area, the club has temporarily moved its games to Mile End Playing Fields just a short distance from the village. In 2014, Great Horkesley Cricket Club and Lexden Cricket Club merged to form a new club called Great Horkesley & Lexden Cricket Club and will have two teams playing in Division Two and Five of the North Essex Cricket League. They will play first team games at Mile End, and second team games at Spring Lane, Lexden.
The village has good bus links into Colchester, with services every 15 minutes.
References
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Great Horkesley) |
- Community website opposing large-scale development in North Colchester and Great Horkesley
- The Rose and Crown, the community's beloved local bar and restaurant.
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