Castle Point
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| Borough of Castle Point | |
|---|---|
 Shown within Essex |
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| Geography | |
| Status: | Borough |
| Region: | East of England |
| Admin. County: | Essex |
| Area: - Total |
Ranked 307th 45.08 km² |
| Admin. HQ: | South Benfleet |
| ONS code: | 22UE |
| Demographics | |
| Population: - Total (2006 est.) - Density |
Ranked 266th 88,600 1965 / km² |
| Ethnicity[1]: | 96.0% White 1.5% S.Asian 1.1% Black |
| Politics | |
Castle Point Borough Council http://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/ |
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| Leadership: | Alternative - Sec.31 |
| Control: | Conservative |
| MP: | Bob Spink |
Castle Point is a local government district and borough in Essex, England. Its council is based in South Benfleet.
It was formed on April 1, 1974 by the merger of the Benfleet Urban District and the Canvey Island Urban District. The name of the new district contained references to the principal landmarks of the two combined urban districts: Hadleigh Castle and Canvey Point. The district was granted borough status in 1992.
Situated on the coastline of south Essex, with Southend-on-Sea to the east and Basildon to the west, Castle Point is a borough of contrasts.
Comprising the towns of Benfleet, Canvey Island, Hadleigh and Thundersley, it is rich in history yet developing to meet the needs of its modern community.
It also an area of natural beauty, with large areas of open space, woodlands, salt marshes, ponds and heathland, and its hills offer superb views across the Thames Estuary.
Castle Point Borough Council strives to protect the area’s heritage whilst looking forward to a bright future. The council is proud to work in partnership with the borough’s dynamic voluntary sector, the police, the health organisations and many other agencies to make Castle Point a healthier, safer and more attractive place to live, work and play.
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[edit] Twinning
Castle point is twinned [2] with three towns and counties which include: Romainville, a North Eastern Paris suburb since 30th March 1962. Cologne District, Germany. Formally since 19th June 1971 when Lövenich (Now part of Cologne) was an independent town. County Roscommon, a County situated in the Republic of Ireland. Twinned with Castle point council in April 1998.
[edit] Places of Interest
[edit] Hadleigh Castle
The estate of Hadleigh was part of the Honor of Rayleigh which, from the time of Henry II was in the hands of the King. Licence was granted to build the castle in 1231.
Standing on a lofty site overlooking Canvey Island and the Thames Estuary, the castle was in frequent use as a residence when the King brought his hunting parties to this part of Essex. In the reign of Henry III, when the country was in peril from attacks by French ships in the English Channel and Thames Estuary, it was repaired, refitted and, to a large extent, rebuilt. The fortress over the Thames also possessed extensive apartments for the royal family and guests, the King’s and Queen’s chambers, the High Tower, the Prince’s Tower and a prison.
Later, the castle and its park formed part of the dower of several of the English queens, including Elizabeth Woodville (wife of Edward IV) and three of the wives of Henry VIII – Catherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleves, and Catherine Parr.
In 1551 the castle was purchased from Edward VI for £700 by Lord Rich of Leez Priory in Chelmsford. He disposed of most of it piecemeal, allowing the stone to be used for the building of churches and various other structures.
Today, the castle is preserved as an ancient monument, forming the most important historic site in the borough and the most important late medieval castle in Essex. Parts of the curtain wall on three sides, one outer turret on the north side and four circular towers have been preserved. The highest of these towers is the south-east tower which still shows three storeys and has windows and the remains of fireplaces.
Hadleigh Castle ruins are now cared for by English Heritage and are open to the public throughout the year.
The ruins are set alongside Hadleigh Castle Country Park, which covers nearly 500 acres (2.0 km²) of countryside between Benfleet and the Castle. A haven for wildlife – with its woodland, grasslands and marshes and mudflats - and boasting fine views along the Thames Estuary, good footpath connections through to Leigh-on-Sea and Benfleet Creek, the park is very popular with walkers. Throughout the year there are many ranger-led events, from stargazing to treasure hunts.
[edit] Salvation Army Farm Colony, Hadleigh
The Salvation Army also has major landholdings around the castle. Its tea rooms and rare breeds farm are open to the public.
The colony was established in 1891 by General Booth. He believed every human being should have food and shelter and published a plan to rescue the destitute from the squalor of London. His vision was that the poor would be given board and lodgings in a City Colony in exchange for a day’s work. They could then move to a Farm Colony where they would be trained to work the land and run their own smallholdings. Then finally they could progress to Overseas Colonies, running smallholdings abroad.
The trial City Colony was set up in Whitechapel in 1889 and two years later Booth put down a deposit on land in Hadleigh for his Farm Colony. Starting with 800 acres (3.2 km²) of land, later expanding to 3,200 acres (13 km²), the farm was home to 200 colonists by the end of its first year. Existing farm buildings were renovated and new dormitories, a bathhouse, laundry, reading room, hospital and religious meeting house were built. As well as farming and market gardening, colonists were taught brickmaking, pottery and construction skills. Today the colony operates an employment training centre for people who have special training needs, and accepts referrals from Social Services and the Employment Service. The aim is to create a realistic working environment, with the intention of helping clients gain the skills necessary for work elsewhere.
Employment at the training centre – reminiscent of the colony’s origins - includes horticulture, carpentry, catering, office skills and estate management.
[edit] Museums
The Dutch Cottage Museum contains a variety of exhibits that illustrate the history of Canvey Island.
There are two other museums of interest. Opened in 1979, the Heritage Centre along Canvey Road is housed in the former St. Katherine’s Church, which was built in 1874. Originally timber-framed, the church was rendered over in the 1930’s to give it its present appearance; it closed as a place of worship in 1962. It now contains an art and craft centre with a small folk museum.
The Castle Point Transport Museum, situated in the Canvey and District bus depot, features a display of over thirty buses, coaches and commercial vehicles dating from 1929
[edit] Transport
Situated just 30 miles (48 km) from the heart of London, Castle Point is well placed by road, rail and air.
The borough is crossed by the A13 and bordered to the north by the A127, providing direct links to both Southend and London. The M25 is just 20 minutes drive away.
Frequent train services run through Benfleet on the London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness line. Operated by C2C, the line offers a high quality and reliable service. In September 2007, Benfleet station also benefited from a £115,000 improvement programme to make the station more accessible for people with disabilities or using pushchairs.
Southend Airport is just a few miles from the border of Castle Point and currently offers private flights and summer trips to Jersey through low-cost operator Flybe. A £35million million development scheme – including a new control tower, terminal building and hotel - is currently underway to extend the passenger services available from Southend.
London Stansted airport is just 35 miles (56 km) from the borough and offers a full range of national and international flights. Stansted is the third busiest airport in the UK and serves 160 destinations across 34 countries.
Castle Point also has an extensive bus network operated by the First Group and Arriva, with services across the borough and to Southend, Basildon, Lakeside Shopping Centre and Rayleigh. Weekday services by Stephensons of Essex also travel to London, Southend and Thurrock College and Regal Busways offers a six-day-a-week service to Chelmsford.
[edit] Sports & Leisure
[edit] Waterside Farm Sport Centre
With more than half a million users per year, Waterside Farm Sports Centre, in Somnes Avenue, Canvey Island, is one of the most comprehensive centres in Essex. Set in 88 acres of parkland and offering a wide variety of facilities indoors or out, wet or dry, for fitness, or just for fun!
It has a recently-refurbished 25-metre swimming pool, a learner pool and other sports catered for at the centre include badminton, squash, netball, basketball, trampolining and gymnastics.
The New Horizons Fitness Suite is fully equipped with the latest computerised fitness equipment. With its friendly atmosphere, the gym is very popular with people of all ages, shapes and sizes.
There is also an OFSTED-approved creche for the under-fives and outdoor facilities include a synthetic pitch and a floodlit, all-weather Athletics (track and field).
The floodlit 6 lane, 400m all-weather Athletics track was opened in September, 1990 on the 23rd. Decathlete Dean Macey trained at this track: from which he is the most well know person to use it. April 2003, spelt disaster for athletes training there, beacause it was decided to close the track due to it lacking a vaild certificate. Repair work was carried out, to allow it to re-open which it did, however the field events are still restricted.
[edit] Runnymede Swimming Pool
Runnymede Pool is situated behind the Council Offices in Kiln Road, Benfleet. The pool complex consists of a 25 metre pool and learner pool, and is home to a very popular swimming club for disabled people. A range of aerobics classes are also available on each day of the week, including toning classes, pilates and belly-dancing.
[edit] Castle Point Golf Course
Opposite the Waterside Farm Sports Centre is the Castle Point Golf Course, an attractive, links-style, 18-hole par 71 public pay-and-play course with a 17-bay floodlit driving range. The course, run in partnership with Glendale Golf, is open seven days a week during daylight hours, 364 days a year.
There is a PGA-qualified professional on site offering lessons for all abilities, both individually and as a group. A full range of golf society and corporate packages are available together with competitive casual green fees. Equipment can be purchased or hired from the golf shop and there is also a club house and public bar.
[edit] Paddocks Enclosed Playground
With paddling pool, a sandpit and a well-equipped playground, the Paddocks playground on Canvey Island is a popular venue with both children and parents. It is maintained by trained attendants throughout the season, but only costs £1 per person per day. The charge also helps towards the cost of providing toilets, chairs and deckchairs. The playground, which is behind the Paddocks Community Centre in Long Road, is open from May to early September. It is open from 10am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays and from 10am to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The Paddocks Playground is designed for children aged eight or below. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
[edit] Regeneration
Castle Point forms part of the Thames Gateway, making it the focus for some exciting regeneration projects. Castle Point Borough Council has been working with other key local agencies through the Castle Point Regeneration Partnership to look at long-term improvements to the borough.
The first phase of improvements focus on Canvey seafront. Investment in this key area of the borough, is designed to make the area more attractive for residents and visitors and also to encourage additional business investment.
Other regeneration projects in Castle Point have included:
• £350,000 from EEDA, enabling Castle Point Borough Council to create Canvey Heights Country Park from a former landfill site. • The RSPB purchase of land at West Canvey Marsh to create a nature reserve • The revamp of Thorney Bay, Canvey, by Castle Point Borough Council's street scene partner Pinnacle
The partnership brings together all local organisations working to improve Castle Point through long term regeneration. It includes Castle Point Borough Council, Essex County Council, East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership, the Greengrid partnership, the RSPB and many more. They work together to make local improvements in a co-ordinated way and champion the area's interests regionally and nationally.
The partnership has also been:
• Studying ways to support existing businesses at Charfleets Industrial Estate • Looking at ways to create additional employment • Consulting about improvements to Canvey Town Centre with a view to making it the heart of the community and to encourage local shopping • Researching opportunities for the Paddocks area, so it supports the town centre and offers greater community provision. • Working closely with Essex County Council for improvements to the traffic capacity on the A13 to relieve congestion on Canvey Island. • Carrying out a study into how Hadleigh Town Centre can be made a more attractive community shopping area
In the long term also plans improvements to Manor Trading Estate in Thundersley and the Benfleet and Thundersley shopping centres.
[edit] Events
[edit] Castle Point Show
Castle Point’s biggest event of the year is the Castle Point Show – the summer spectacular held at Waterside Farm Showground, Canvey. With live music, arena acts, crafts, competitions, stalls and a funfair, the show provides fun for the whole family. Held on the last Sunday in June, the show attracts thousands of people each year.
The show also gives residents an opportunity to learn more about the event’s hosts, Castle Point Borough Council. A buzzing corporate tent offers further information on the council’s many services and an opportunity to meet and feedback views to council’s staff.
[edit] Firework Fiesta
The annual firework fiesta, held on the nearest Friday to November 5, is also a popular event for residents and visitors from further afield. A spectacular display with background music wows the crowds each year at Waterside Farm Showground, Canvey.
With a funfair and refreshments on site, families are guaranteed a great night.
[edit] Carol service
To get into the Christmas spirit, each year the Mayor of Castle Point holds a carol service at Runnymede Hall, Thundersley. Open to the public, this event is free to attend and is supported by the Salvation Army band and songsters.
Usually held in the first week of December, the event is an opportunity to celebrate the festive season with music and in a happy atmosphere, while also raising money for a good cause.
[edit] Mayoral events
Each year, the Mayor of Castle Point will organise activities for the community to enjoy. These are also an opportunity to raise money for the Mayor’s Charity fund, which at the end of each year is distributed to local charities and community groups.
In the past these activities have includes a Last Night of the Proms show, a Barn Dance, a Cockney Night, a Round the Island Walk and a golf tournament. Each year a new Mayor is chosen, and the activities depend on the Mayor’s wishes for their year in office. However a full calendar of activities can be obtained each year from the Mayor’s Office.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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