Great Wakering

Great Wakering
Essex
St Nicholas' Church, Great Wakering
Location
Grid reference:	TQ952874
Location:	51°33’6"N, 0°48’59"E
Data
Population:	5,587  (2011)
Post town:	Southend-on-Sea
Postcode:	SS3
Dialling code:	01702
Local Government
Council:	Rochford
Parliamentary constituency:	Southend East, Rochford

Great Wakering is a village and parish in Essex. The nearest large town is Southend, which is approximately four miles to the west. Public transport to the village is via a bus service from Southend, and the village is well served with several historic public houses, a primary school, a Co-Operative supermarket, post office, hairdresser's and several small and characterful village shops. Great Wakering consists mainly of two roads: the High Street, which runs from the junction of Star Lane, and New Road, which begins outside St Nicholas' Parish Church and runs down to the bridges for Foulness Island.

History

According to a mediæval tradition, Wakering (probably Great Wakering) was the site of a monastery during the seventh century AD. Two Christian cousins of King Ecgberht of Kent, named Aethelred and Aethelberht, were murdered at Eastry, a royal dwelling in the Kingdom of Kent, during King Ecgberht's reign (664–673). They were prevented by a miracle from being buried at Canterbury, and were taken instead to an existing monastery at Wakering in the Kingdom of Essex and enshrined there as saints. Ecgberht's brother and successor, King Hlothhere of Kent, is said by William of Malmesbury to have ridiculed the idea of their sanctity.

The village church, dedicated to St Nicholas, dates back to Norman times and the board of rectors or vicars inside begins in the year 1200 with simply "Robert", and the next incumbent equally simply named "Peter". As well as the parish church, the village also has a United Reformed Church in Chapel Lane, a Methodist church, and an Evangelical (formerly Peculiar People) church on Great Wakering High Street.

Great Wakering is a village steeped in history. It has many community links to the Ministry of Defence-governed Foulness Island. The village was badly hit during the 1953 floods and locals fear a re-occurrence of the devastation now that tidal levels are rising and flood defences eroding. Of architectural interest is an old brickworks site (now partly demolished) at Star Lane, which was once served by an industrial narrow-gauge railway, the remains of which can still be seen in the bushes if you look carefully. Brick-making was once the main industry in Wakering. The factory finally closed in 1991, but the four towers remained a focal point on the horizon until September 2007, when the towers were finally demolished. Currently, there is building work for a new housing on the site.

Much of the land area around Great Wakering is closed to the public as it forms part of a Ministry of Defence (MOD) firing range – the 'New Ranges'. When firing is not taking place, however, the MOD beach at Wakering Stairs can be accessed via a rough road at Landwick security check-in. You can also cross MOD land and walk across the Range from Cupid's Corner to follow a muddy track to the seawall which offers great views over the Maplin Sands. The MOD beach is a great spot for watching Brent geese and waders. You will find much military debris around the area such as old firing targets, railway tracks, a lookout tower and several ruined batteries. There is also access here to the tidal path 'The Broomway', which leads to Fisherman's Head on Foulness Island.

Sport and leisure

The local football team Great Wakering Rovers play in the Isthmian League. Their home ground Burroughs Park is adjacent to the village recreation ground and sports centre.

Famous People

• Leslie Stubbs - who played football for both Southend United F.C. and Chelsea F.C.
• Peter Sampson - who played for Bristol Rovers F.C.
• Alan McCormack - plays for Brentford F.C.

Gallery

• 
  The Broomway, a tidal path said to pre-date the Romans is a treacherous walk between Great Wakering and Foulness and was once the only route between the two places.
• 
  Marshland in front of the coast path behind Great Wakering New Ranges. This area is known locally as the Black Grounds. An old military lookout tower called 'X1' can be seen on the horizon.
• 
  Methodist church on Great Wakering High Street.
• 
  This beach is called the Wakering Stairs and belongs to the Ministry of Defence and can be accessed at their discretion. It is full of rocks and military debris.

References

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Great Wakering)

• Rollason, D.W (1982). The Mildrith Legend. A Study in Early Medieval Hagiography in England. ISBN 0-7185-1201-4.