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Coordinates: 51°36'05?N 0°38'11?E? / ?51.6014, 0.6363
Hockley is a large village and civil parish in Essex, England located between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. More specifically it lies between Rayleigh and Rochford. It came to prominence during the coming of the railway in the 1890s and has a population of around 10,000 people where many are commuters to London. The parish of Hockley itself has a population of 8,909 (2001 census), while the urban area runs into the neighbouring parish of Hawkwell. Hockley railway station serves the village.
[edit] History
Hockley is an Anglo Saxon word meaning a small hill and today there is still a large wooded area named Hockley woods. Notable buildings in the village include the St Peter and Paul twelfth century church with octagonal tower and a Victorian spa pump room which is a listed building. It is also the site of the Bullwood Hall Men's prison (which was a women's prison until 2006).
Hockley is also home of a burial mound, Plumberow Mount, which was excavated in 1913. The excavation found a Roman coin and some Saxon pottery which may indicate a secondary burial. The oval mound is 4 metres high and has a flattened tip. Currently it is surrounded by a metal fence to protect the site from cyclists.
[edit] Governance
Hockley is split into three wards: Hockley East, Hockley South and Hockley West, all of which are Conservative.
[edit] Sports
Hockley has a Men's Football team "FC Hockley" which was founded in 2006 by Chairman David Samuel Rahi and gained promotion in their first season, the team is made up of players who previously attended the Greensward College of Hockley. All time top goalscorer is David Bettis with 29 Goals in 27 Games. Most clean sheets in Alex Warren with 6 in 12 Games. Most Assists is from David Samuel Rahi with 28.
[edit] Culture and community
There are three well known pubs in Hockley, which are still in business- the Spa Hotel in the village, the Bull Inn close to Hockley Woods and the White Hart Inn west of the village The village green at the White Hart has hosted cricket games, bonfires on 5th November, and many other children's games in the past. There is also the Hockley community centre which has a members bar and provides a venue for numerous local groups and clubs.
[edit] External links
(Source: Wikipedia) |