- Rochford
infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Rochford
latitude= 51.5821
longitude= 0.7065
population = 7,610 (2001 census)
static_
shire_district= Rochford
shire_county =Essex
region= East of England
constituency_westminster= Rochford and Southend East
post_town= Rochford
postcode_district= SS4
postcode_area= SS
dial_code= 01702
os_grid_reference= TQ876904:"See also:Rochford, Worcestershire "Rochford is a small town in the Rochford district of
Essex in theEast of England . According to the 2001 census thecivil parish of Rochford, which includes the town proper,Stroud Green , andLondon Southend Airport , had a population of 7,610.History
The town is the main settlement in the Rochford district, and takes its name from Rochefort, Old English for Ford of the Hunting Dogs. The River Roach was originally called the Walfleet (Creek of the foreigners). It was renamed the Roach in what is known as a back formation. This is where it is assumed that Rochford means ford over the River Roach so they renamed the river to fit the theory. The town runs into suburban developments in the parishes of
Ashingdon andHawkwell .econd world war
The Area currently occupied by
Southend Airport was used as a fighter station inWorld War I [ [http://www.southendairport.net/1st_ww.htm Southend Airport.net] ]During
World War II Southend Airport was requisitioned by the Air ministry in August 1939 [ [http://www.ukcoldwar.org.uk/raf-rochford.htm UK Cold War.org.uk] ] for use as a fighter airfield for theNo.11 Group RAF . Rochford was a satellite station for Horndon airfield and was primarily a fighter base home, mainly to Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane aircraft. Rochford airfield was accompanied by a radar base in Canewdon (around 4 miles away.) It was returned to civilian service on 31 December 1946 [http://www.southendairport.net/2nd_ww.htm] .Due to this fact Rochford was bombed a number of times.
Lesneys
Until the early 1980s one of the largest employers in Rochford was the
Lesneys factory, who manufactured the famous "Matchbox " miniaturedie cast model. However, this company relocated to Rugby,Warwickshire in 1990.Geography
The town is just to the north of
Southend on Sea , but is sufficiently separated from both Southend and Rayleigh to preserve its own identity.Governance
The
Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East isJames Duddridge (Conservative).Landmarks
There is a Hall in Rochford which is privately owned by a family which live within the building, along with the golf course who also own a part of it. In 1380 Henry IV was married there. In 1525,
Henry VIII awardedThomas Boleyn the title of "Viscount Rochford".Transport
It is close to
Rochford railway station from which trains run to Southend Victoria and toLiverpool Street station in the business district of centralLondon . In consequence it has long been popular as adormitory town forcommuters .It also has good bus links to the surrounding towns. The Number 7 and 9 service going to both Rayleigh and
Southend , and the number 8 going toHockley andSouthend .Notable people
*
James Bourne (b. 1983), member of pop punk bandSon of Dork
*Niall Buckler (b. 1985), bass player of rock bandMumm-Ra
*Jamie Cullum (b. 1979), is an English jazz/pop pianist and singer-songwriter
*Sam Duckworth (b. 1986), singer/songwriter gui
*Kirk Hudson (b. 1986), footballer
*Stephen Pewsey (b. 1955), author and historian
*Amanda Tapping (b. 1965), actress inStargate SG1
*Peter Taylor (b. 1953), footballer/football managerExternal links
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