Rochford

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Rochford
Coordinates: 51.5821° N 0.7065° E Image:Uk outline map.png
Population	7,610 (2001 census)
OS grid reference	TQ876904
District	Rochford
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Rochford
Dial code	01702
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Rochford and Southend East
European Parliament	East of England
List of places: UK • England • Essex

See also: Rochford, Worcestershire

Rochford is a small town in the Rochford district of Essex in the East of England. According to the 2001 census the civil parish of Rochford, which includes the town proper, Stroud Green, and London Southend Airport, had a population of 7,610.

Contents 1 History 2 The Town 3 Famous People, Past and Present 4 Transport 5 External links

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 and Hawkwell.

Until the early 1980s one of the largest employers in Rochford was the Lesneys factory, who manufactured the famous Matchbox miniature die cast model. However, this company relocated to Rugby, Warwickshire in 1990.

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 awarded Thomas Boleyn the title of Viscount Rochford.

The Town

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. The town square has remained relatively free of branding by national retailers and has avoided the brasher aspects of the tourism trade that have affected Southend.

To the south of the town an extensive golf course runs to the edge of the former RAF airfield of Rochford, now known as London Southend Airport.

The MP for Rochford and Southend East is James Duddridge (Conservative).

Famous People, Past and Present

• Amanda Tapping, Star of Stargate SG1 playing Samantha Carter. Was born here on 28 August 1965, but moved to Canada with her family when she was 3.

• Stephen Pewsey, Author and Historian

Transport

It is close to a railway station from which trains run to Southend and to Liverpool Street station in the business district of central London. In consequence it has long been popular as a dormitory town for commuters.

Wikipedia information about Rochford This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Rochford". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.