Leigh on Sea Sunset |
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Leigh-on-Sea is a civil parish administered as part of Southend-on-Sea, in Essex. Leigh-on-Sea was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Legra, where it is described as a "one horse town". Leigh is primarily a fishing village and its sheltered position at the mouth of the Thames gave it some success as a port, with international trade and a shipbuilding business. By the 16th century Leigh had become a fairly large and prosperous port. With its location at the mouth of the Thames, Leigh was often used by the navy against threats from pirates and the French, Spanish and Dutch Navies. By the 18th century ships had become larger and trade changed. At this time Leigh's deep water channel silted up and the importance of the town diminished. It then gradually reverted to a fishing village, supplying the London market by road and barge. When the London to Tilbury railway was extended to Southend in 1856 the village of Leigh was split in two and many of its timber-framed buildings were demolished. The Mayflower is believed to have docked at Leigh-on-Sea to take on provisions and passengers before its epic voyage to the new world with the Pilgrim Fathers. The fishermen of Leigh are famous for their heroic attempts to rescue British soldiers stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk. A memorial in St Clements churchyard stands as a reminder of their bravery and sacrifice. The arrival of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway in 1854 spurred the town's development, allowing greater trade with London and the rest of the world, and making it a commuter town for London workers. Leigh-on-Sea railway station is run and served solely by c2c. |
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