Billericay
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History
Billericay's most notable historical episode was on the 28th June, 1381, when King Richard II's soldiers defeated Essex rebels at Billericay's Norsey Woods. About 500 rebels were killed in the battle which ended the Peasants' Revolt.
A meeting of the Pilgrim Fathers prior to their sailing in the Mayflower is said to have taken place in Billericay, and much local nomenclature and historical imagery reflects this: Mayflower House, Taxis, School, Hall. Sunnymede School's houses were called Mayflower, Pilgrim, Chantry and Martin (after Christopher Martin, a merchant from nearby Great Burstead who travelled on the Mayflower).
Politics
Billericay's MP is John Baron (Conservative). It was previously represented by Teresa Gorman, a Conservative rebel who had the whip withdrawn for opposing the Maastricht Treaty. Throughout political history, Billericay has generally always been a Conservative heartland, with neither Labour nor the Liberal Democrats enjoying any notable success. At a local level, Billericay is part of Basildon district council, which is also currently dominated by the Conservative Party.
Geography
Billericay is a semi-rural Town, with many green spaces, including Norsey Wood, Mill Meadows Nature Reserve, Queen's Park Country Park, Sun Corner, Lake Meadows and South Green amongst others.
Nearby towns include:
Nearby villages include:
- Crays Hill
- Great Burstead
- Hutton
- Little Burstead
- Ramsden Heath
- Ramsden Bellhouse
- Stock
Sport
Billericay Town FC is the local football team, managed by Matt Jones and are in the Ryman Premier League. The stadium is called the New Lodge and has a capacity of 3,500.
Culture
The town is now served by a small community radio station, Phoenix FM. The station allows local townsfolk and organisations to get involved with issues regarding local politics, fundraising, and promotion of art and music. The town was immortalised in the Ian Dury and the Blockheads song 'Billericay Dickie'
Education
Over the years there has been a great academic rivalry between Billericay School and Mayflower High School, with both schools excelling. The nearest university is Anglia Ruskin University in the nearby county town of Chelmsford.
Twining
Billericay is twinned with Fishers, Indiana and Billerica, Massachusetts.
External links
- [Billericay Town Council]
- [Cater Museum, Billericay]
- [Churches Together in Billericay]
- [History of two of the churches]
- [Billericay Choral Society]
- [Town sign showing Mayflower]
- [Mayflower High School]
- [The Billericay School]
- [Billericay Town Football Club]
- [Phoenix FM]
- [Billericay - White's Directory of Essex, 1848]
- [Wyn Grant's Billlericay Page]
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