Thorpe Bay is an area of the city of Southend-on-Sea, in the City of Southend-on-Sea, in the ceremonial county of Essex, England. located on the Thames Estuary.[1] Thorpe Bay is situated within the Thorpe ward of Southend-on-Sea. It is around 4 miles to the east of Southend. Originally the area was called Thorpe, but it was renamed Thorpe Bay, after the railway station. The station had been given the name to indicate that it was a seaside settlement. The majority of Thorpe Bay consists of residential properties, mainly built in the 1920s, arranged in a grid pattern.

Thorpe Bay
Thorpe Bay is located in Essex
Thorpe Bay
Thorpe Bay
Location within Essex
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSOUTHEND-ON-SEA
Postcode districtSS1
Dialling code01702
PoliceEssex
FireEssex
AmbulanceEast of England
List of places
UK
England
Essex
51°31′58″N 0°45′33″E / 51.53267°N 0.75909°E / 51.53267; 0.75909

Location

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Thorpe Bay can be defined as the area between the eastern side of Thorpe Hall Avenue to the west (beyond which is Southchurch), Thorpe Bay beach to the south, Maplin Way to the east, (beyond which is Shoeburyness), up to Station Road (beyond which is Bournes Green).

Shopping

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The main shopping area, named 'The Broadway' – after the road on which it lies – is a parade of retail shops and restaurants, as well as medical and professional practices.[2]

Transport

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Thorpe Bay railway station is the penultimate station on the London, Tilbury and Southend line served by c2c from London Fenchurch Street (the last being Shoeburyness railway station).[2] Consequently, a large number of London commuters choose to live in Thorpe Bay. Thorpe Bay enjoys good access by bus, provided by Arriva Shires & Essex including the number 1, 4(a), 7, 8 and 9. In 1914, Southend-on-Sea Corporation Tramways' network was extended from Bournes Green to Thorpe Bay.[3] The tramway closed in 1942 after being superseded by the motorbus.[4]

Leisure

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Thorpe Bay has one of Southend-on-Sea's exclusive golf courses, the Thorpe Hall Golf Club.[2] Thorpe Bay Bowling Club[5] and Lawn Tennis Club[6] are close together on the north side of Thorpe Esplanade (the main road along the seafront). As well as these clubs, Thorpe Bay Yacht Club is also situated along the seafront, to the eastern end of Thorpe Bay.[7] These clubs are private organisations open for annual membership. Thorpe Bay does not have a cinema, a theatre or any other major cultural amenities, but leisure organisations, in addition to those already mentioned, include Thorpe Bay Bridge Club,[8] The Rotary Club of Thorpe Bay[9] and a well-equipped fitness gym.[10]

Politics

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James Duddridge MP, representing the Conservative Party, has been Thorpe Bay's member of parliament since 2005. Thorpe Bay is part of the Thorpe Ward of Southend-on-Sea. The ward currently has three independent councillors. These are Cllr Ron Woodley, Cllr Mike Stafford and Cllr Martin Terry.[11]

Schools

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Thorpe Bay has a few schools, such as Bournes Green Infants[12] and Junior School,[13] which lies just above the Station Road northern boundary; and Thorpe Hall School, a non-selective, coeducational, private day school.[14]

Religion

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There has been a church in Thorpe Bay since 1913.[15] The three churches in Thorpe Bay include St. Augustine's Parish Church (Anglican) on St. Augustine's Avenue, designed in 1937 and built under the consultation of Sir Charles Nicholson; Thorpe Bay Methodist Church on The Broadway, whose architectural predecessor was erected in 1921;[15] and St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Chapel of Ease, opened in 1928, which sits opposite the Methodist church on The Broadway.[16]

Notable residents

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References

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  1. ^ "History of Thorpe Bay, in Southend on Sea and Essex | Map and description". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Thorpe Bay Train Station | Guide to Thorpe Bay by Train". www.c2c-online.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  3. ^ "History | Tram Stop Shelter". www.tramstopshelter.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Southend Corporation Transport". www.sct61.org.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Thorpe Bay Bowling Club | Thorpe Bay Broadway - Shopping and Businesses". www.thorpebaybroadway.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Thorpe Bay Lawn Tennis Club | Thorpe Bay Broadway - Shopping and Businesses". www.thorpebaybroadway.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Guide to Thorpe Bay – c2c". www.c2c-online.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, Old School House,62 Southchurch Boulevard, Southend-on-Sea, Essex". www.bridgewebs.com. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Thorpe Bay Rotary Events - Southend on Sea - Essex". www.thorpebayrotaryevents.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Gyms in Thorpe Bay | Get A Free DW Fitness Guest Pass". www.dwfitnessclubs.com. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  11. ^ Holmes, Katherine (1 June 2017). "Your Councillors". Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Bournes Green Infant School". www.bournesgreeninfants.org. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  13. ^ "200 invalid-request". www.bournesgreenjuniorschool.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Thorpe Hall School - ISC". www.isc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  15. ^ a b "St Augustine's Church, Thorpe Bay, Essex. Welcome to the website of the parish church of Thorpe bay in Essex. Come and join us for a friendly community encounter every Sunday. - About Us". www.staugustines-thorpebay.org.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  16. ^ "St George and the English Martyrs". www.saintgeorgeschurch.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  17. ^ "Mum of Southend Countdown star Rachel Riley publishes book | Clacton and Frinton Gazette".