Brockham
| Brockham | |
| Surrey | |
|---|---|
 The Green, Brockham | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ197495 |
| Location: | 51°13’59"N, 0°17’9"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 2,798 (2001) |
| Post town: | Betchworth |
| Postcode: | RH3 |
| Dialling code: | 01737 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Mole Valley |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Mole Valley |
Brockham is a village in Surrey. It stands on the River Mole a mile and a half east of Dorking.
The name of the village is believed to be from the Old English broc ham meaning "brook-home" or "brook meadow" and it is first recorded in 1241 [1]. Another common suggestion is that the name come from brocc meaning "badger".
The village lies south of Box Hill, with the River Mole flowing west through the village.
On a spur of land to the north west of the village stands Betchworth Castle, originally built by Richard FitzGilbert on land granted to him by William the Conqueror soon after the Norman invasion in 1066, but later replaced by a mediæval house which was probably built in the mid to late 14th century. Only a few ruins survive today.
Today’s church is relatively recent - it was commissioned in 1847 by Sir Henry Goulburn, who served as both Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary.[2] Agriculture previously provided most of the employment for villagers, although further work was to be found in the nearby Brockham Hills in the late 19th century, when they were mined for chalk and hearthstone - an operation run by the Brockham Brick Company Limited until 1911.[3]
The village green is a focal point for the village. Once popular for its cricket matches - WG Grace is said to have played there - it is now better known as the site of a Guy Fawkes bonfire every year on the closest Saturday to November 5. About £20,000 is raised each year.[4]
References
- ↑ Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names
- ↑ Brockham church history
- ↑ About Brockham Brick Company
- ↑ Brockham bonfire
- Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names